Theology Today Series (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 185 attempts to make Christ a revolutionary. Still, Christians feel it necessary at times to use violence. Its use must be very circumspect, willing to submit to some sort of test similar to the " just-war " test of the classical moralists: that there be a just cause; that violence be truly the ultima ratio; that proper authority be behind it (the clear will of the people when the overthrow of a government is in question) ; that it be feasible; that there be a proportion between the good achieved and the evil permitted; that reconciliation, not further oppression, always be intended. Metaphysically, peace is more primordial, more at the root of human nature, than war is. But to achieve it in oneself and in the world, one must believe in grace, atonement, and resurrection. One ought also do at least four things: be an agent of reconciliation in situations of conflict in one's own life; be politically and socially responsible; exercise restraint in his material standard of living; pray. Many things are not in this book: a discussion of nuclear war; an appreciation, or criticism, of recent peace movements; a strong emphasis on non-violence. Still, Macquarrie's aims are modest. The total effect of the book is optimistic. It leaves those dedicated to peace with the distinctive feeling that they can do something and that what they do, no matter how modest (like the book itself) , will not be in vain. Dominican House of Studies Washington, D. 0. THOMAS R. HEATH, O.P. Theology Today Series. Notre Dame, Indiana: Fides Publishers, 1972. 13. The Theology of God. By Andrew Lascaris, O.P. 36. The Theology of Angels and Devils. By Ron VAN DER HART. Pp. 90 & 86. 95¢ each. The First Vatican Council teaches that much about God can be known by natural reason. This is no new teaching: St. Thomas Aquinas held that the fact that God exists can be demonstrated from his effectsand offered the famous five ways to prove it. Yet we know that whatever Vatican I or St. Thomas may say, there are many today for whom the word " God " is an embarrassment. They do not see the logic in any jump from the things of the world to the existence of a God to account for facts that science can explain perfectly adaquately. The Theology of God is primarily addressed to such people. Fr. Lascaris's thesis is that we need a new way of bringing God to people; rather, an old way in a new form. We, as Christians, see the limitations of any philosophical proof. In abstract, metaphysical categories, God 186 BOOK REVIEWS remains remote. Because he created me, I can argue that he will conserve me in existence. But is he interested in me as a person? Would he answer my prayer if I prayed to him? And if he would answer, what type of answer would it be: would his answer be one of comfort and promise, or would he point to my sins and leave me? If knowledge from the things around us were the only knowledge we could have about God, it would be very inadequate. But this is not the only knowledge we can have of him. We know of God-and his love-from the Scriptures. We must begin with this. The Bible tells us that after their sin Adam and Eve hid from God out of fear. And men have feared God ever since: afraid of what they might have to give up if they surrender themselves to God's love. Salvation for man is to believe God loves him and to renounce himself to the point of surrendering fully to that love. It was that God so loved the world that he sent his Son. Christ attracted men, in love, to himself, so that having found Christ they might realize that God was not one to be feared. In confidence, they could follow Christ, and with him approach the Father-to find that he was their Father too. Few today are aware of all this. Tell people that God loves them, they will say that this is too good to be true. It...