Patterns of Promise ed. by The Christian Brothers (review)

BOOK REVIEWS 187 Church as Bride or Spouse of Christ. In particular, this theme is studied in. the works of St. Ambrose of Milan. For Ambrose this theme was not something incidental but a central motif through which he presented doctrinal, moral, and ascetical teaching. The redemptive work of Christ, the sacraments (especially Baptism and the Eucharist) , the relation of the Holy Spirit to the Church, the condition of the sinful or apostate Christian: these and other doctrinal themes are, in the thought of Ambrose, aspects of the fundamental comparison between marriage and Christ's union with the Church. Ambrose, as an energetic pastor, found this theme of great value also in describing the love of God for men and in reminding his people of their moral obligations. Although Ambrose continued the earlier patristic theme that the title " Spouse of Christ" belongs in a special way to those who lead a virginal life in the Church, he also developed a less common patristic notion that the union of every Christian to Christ might aptly be described in terms of spiritual matrimony. The author notes that Ambrose is at times not particularly original but merely summarizing and putting into order theological themes presented in a disparate way by earlier Fathers of the Church. This can enhance his value for us, since he is not so much a single witness as a sign of an entire theological tradition. He has a significant place in the patristic writers of the West, especialJy because of his influence on St. Augustine. Besides its obvious value to those working in ecclesiology, this book has a further usefulness. In it those searching for a truly pastoral theology can learn of that fruitful union of dogmatic and moral teaching so frequent in the Fathers. Often they were concerned with the formulation of doctrine, but they also labored to make it operative in the lives of those they taught. Albertus Magnus CoUege New Haven, Conn. JusTIN HENNESSEY, 0. P. Patterns of Promise. Edited and published by THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. Winona, Minnesota: St. Mary's ColJege Press, 1968. Pp. ~48. $8.60. There is certainly something deficient about this book, but it is difficult to pinpoint. Perhaps it is the publicity, so grossly exaggerated, for it is claimed that this is the first basic text for adult education written by American authors for American Catholics, that it examines and clarifies the essential theological issues of the second half of the twentieth century, that it explores in depth the conclusions of modern biblical scholarship and 188 BOOK REVIEWS theology regarding the past, present and future of the Church. Not one of these claims is fulfilled in this book. Indeed, the very subtitle is misleading, for Patterns of Promise is not, by any stretch, even a survey of " Christian doctrine, yesterday, today and tomorrow." Perhaps the deficiency is the lack of a discernible plan for the book. Eight men and women are listed as " principal contributors " of the seven chapters and two appendices, but no one seems to claim credit or blame for editing, and so one wonders if it was indeed edited at all. After reading the book, some may be convinced of it. Perhaps the lack of depth is the real deficiency, and thus it deserves the description of pop theology. Supposedly, it is intended for adults, but I daresay it would be easily understood by most high school students of today, and possibly be better accepted by them, especially in its chapters on liturgy and social responsibility. Attempts are made to treat of hope, in two distant chapters, but this is also a disappointment. Maybe it is not just one thing that is deficient; it's everything about the book. To be sure, there are isolated paragraphs of value. The total effect, however, is negative. When I first read that the New Book Review listed this among a dozen " worst books," I was shocked at the vitriol, but now on retrospect I am inclined to agree: Can an adult catechetical study guide that quotes Man of La Mancha and The Wizard of Oz, alludes to Lew Alcindor, Humphrey Bogart and Chairman Mao as well as regulars like Teilhard, John...