Embodied Words, Spoken Signs: Sacramentality and the Word in Rahner and Chauvet

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Reimagining Scripture, Sacraments, and the Theology of the Word— The twentieth century witnessed a renewed interest in a Roman Catholic theology of the word. The contributions of theologian Karl Rahner and sacramental theologian Louis-Marie Chauvet demonstrate the Roman Catholic conviction that the word is fundamentally sacramental: it has the capacity to bear God’s presence to humanity. Rooted in the patristic and medieval sacramental tradition, and engaged in dialogue with Reformation theologies, Embodied Words, Spoken Signs examines the further advances in Rahner and Chauvet to articulate the relationship between word and sacrament within the context of language, culture, and an already graced world as the place of divine self-expression, as well as analyzes the implications for Trinitarian theology, sacramentality, liturgy, and action. Praise for Embodied Words, Spoken Signs “Deeply researched and beautifully written, Rhodora E. Beaton’s book not only offers a magisterial assessment of the works of Karl Rahner and sacramental theologian Louis-Marie Chauvet but is also a timely and remarkable contribution to our understanding of the sacramentality of the word and world. As such, it is an impressive scholarly achievement.” Nathan D. Mitchell | University of Notre Dame “In an ecumenical spirit, Rhodora Beaton masterfully surveys two twentieth-century giants of the Catholic tradition—Karl Rahner and Louis-Marie Chauvet. Offering a theology of the proclaimed word that bursts forth from a graced world, Beaton’s Embodied Words, Spoken Signs opens out into theologies of preaching and language, ritual and embodiment, creation and Trinity. An excellent contribution to systematic theology, liturgical theology, and ecumenical theology.” Edward P. Hahnenberg | John Carroll University “An excellent resource for ecumenical reflection on the power of the word in a world in which sin abounds, but grace abounds still more, this volume will prove valuable for scholars, students, pastors, and preachers from a wide variety of Christian traditions.” Mary Catherine Hilkert | University of Notre Dame “A welcomed new voice for sacramental and fundamental theology, Rhodora E. Beaton has provided a much-needed scholarly treatment of the revelatory nature of liturgically proclaimed word. With its original entree into two of the most important twentieth-century theologians building on chapters surveying major historical contributors, this lucid book will serve as a reliable text for students and professionals alike.” Bruce T. Morrill | Vanderbilt University Religion / Theology Rhodora E. Beaton is assistant professor of theology at Saint Catherine University and a former instructor of theology at the University of Notre Dame. She earned a PhD in systematic theology from the University of Notre Dame and is the editor of the forthcoming monograph Illuminating Unity: Four Perspectives on Dei Verbum’s ‘One Table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ’ (Liturgical Press). This volume is based on a dissertation completed at the University of Notre Dame under the supervision of Mary Catherine Hilkert, O.P. Beaton Give Me Children or I Shall Die Embodied Words, Spoken Signs e m e r g i n g s c h o l a r s Embodied Words, Spoken Signs Sacramentality and the Word in Rahner and Chauvet Rhodora E. Beaton ...