Between Apocalypse and Eschaton: History and Eternity in Henri de Lubac
Between Apocalypse and Eschaton examines the systematic theology of Henri de Lubac, SJ, one of the most significant Catholic theologians of the twentieth century. While much of the recent work on de Lubac centers on the controversies surrounding his theology of the supernatural, Between Apocalypse and Eschaton argues that eschatology is the key to de Lubac’s theological project and critical to understanding the nouvelle théologie, the group of theologians with whom de Lubac was associated. At the time, intra-Catholic controversies arose around the nouvelle théologie as part of a broader anxiety over the loss of the eternal in twentieth-century Europe. The German occupation of France in World War II was the backdrop for a renewed apocalyptic and eschatological thinking among French Catholics.
The nouvelle théologie generated a debate over the meaning of “the end” that was critical to understanding the theological, spiritual, and political fissures in the postwar period. After World War II, de Lubac’s writings increasingly focused on the theology of history and eschatology. The present work returns focus to this often neglected aspect of de Lubac’s work.
The nouvelle théologie generated a debate over the meaning of “the end” that was critical to understanding the theological, spiritual, and political fissures in the postwar period. After World War II, de Lubac’s writings increasingly focused on the theology of history and eschatology. The present work returns focus to this often neglected aspect of de Lubac’s work.
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781451484564
- eBook ISBN 9781451496635
- Pages 224
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Publication Date May 1, 2015
Endorsements
“Between Apocalypse and Eschaton is an important contribution to our knowledge of Henri de Lubac’s theology and the movement known as the nouvelle théologie. It illumines the relationship between his spiritual interpretation of Scripture and his understanding of the meaning of history. Clearly written and well-informed, this book situates de Lubac’s theology within the social, political, and theological struggles of his age. Any future study of de Lubac will have to take this book into account.”
—Francis Schüssler Fiorenza
Harvard Divinity School
"Joseph Flipper contextualizes Henri de Lubac's theology of history and eschatology in the theological, spiritual, and political currents in post-World Ward II France, arguing that eschatology is the key to understanding de Lubac's theology. This fresh and creative reading of de Lubac is a welcome and necessary addition to the growing literature on this important theological figure who was a peritus at Vatican II. I highly recommend it with the conviction that the agenda of the nouvelle théologie movement has much to offer our own time."
—Susan K. Wood
Marquette University
—Francis Schüssler Fiorenza
Harvard Divinity School
"Joseph Flipper contextualizes Henri de Lubac's theology of history and eschatology in the theological, spiritual, and political currents in post-World Ward II France, arguing that eschatology is the key to understanding de Lubac's theology. This fresh and creative reading of de Lubac is a welcome and necessary addition to the growing literature on this important theological figure who was a peritus at Vatican II. I highly recommend it with the conviction that the agenda of the nouvelle théologie movement has much to offer our own time."
—Susan K. Wood
Marquette University