Titles and Summaries -Theological
1) THE FIVE WOUNDS OF THE CHURCH
The Five Wounds of the Church is the
first publication in a series of English translations of works by the great
19th century Italian thinker, Antonio Rosmini. The series is an important step
towards introducing the philosophy, theology and spiritual writings of Rosmini
to the English speaking world. It is taken in the belief that the principles
he illustrated and developed are perennially valid, as well as useful and necessary
today, if we are to make better sense of the world in which we live. The aim
of the translation is to make available in English what is felt to be the most
representative and helpful parts of Rosmini's thought.
ISBN 0 85244 113 4 A5 pbk, pp. 257, £7.95
One of the criticisms
levelled against Rosmini was obscurity and novelty in the language he used.
Paradoxically, he frequently points out in his works that words must be used
with the meaning given them by people in general or ‘ordinary social life’;
if used with another meaning, the author should define the meaning. In Theological
Language he is concerned with the language used to express concepts that
are not readily tied to sense and generally beyond the evidence of sense. His
plan for the work was never completed, and this booklet contains only the first
of two parts, in which he discusses the principles to be followed by a Catholic
author when expressing himself but, as he points out, the principles apply to
all authors. He is concerned with ‘clarity, propriety and consecrated
use of language’. He first examines the problem of obscurity: obscurity
in the actual text, obscurity emanating from the author or speaker, and obscurity
arising from the reader or hearer, or from the difficulties or sublimity of
the subject. In addition to obscurity, there is the problem of innovation in
language and innovative ways of dealing with traditional doctrines. Religion
continually advances through new understanding, not only on the part of the
faithful but also on the part of the Church. There is innovation in language
that is justifiable and necessary, but there is also innovation that is vain
and useless. Zeal against those who propound contrary doctrines must be accompanied
by knowledge and discretion so that false judgments are avoided. Rosmini concludes
the book by laying out the theological and logical rules to be followed in judging
the waywardness or holiness of a Catholic author. Throughout the work he continually
refers to Scripture, the Fathers of the Church and documents of the Church.
ISBN