The Theology of Cardinal Walter Kasper - by Kristin M Colberg & Robert A Krieg (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Cardinal Walter Kasper's contributions to theology, ecumenism, Jewish-Christian relations, and the pastoral life of the church have shaped Catholicism in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Acknowledging this, Pope Francis has praised Kasper's "profound and serene" theology.

In The Theology of Cardinal Walter Kasper: Speaking Truth in Love, leading theologians from across the United States and Canada explore the full scope of Kasper's thought on topics such as the character of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, Christology, theological method, and the nature of the church-world relationship. Kasper himself presents four previously unpublished texts: on the interpretation of Vatican II, on forgiveness, on Christian hope, and on the approach to theology today.

This volume originated at a conference, at which Kasper was an active participant, in honor of his eightieth birthday. It provides an introduction to Kasper's thought and also an overview of major issues in contemporary Catholic theology.

Review Quotes

The Theology of Cardinal Walter Kasper is an exceptional volume from a remarkable range of leading scholars. As an introduction to a man who has served the church in so many capacities, this overview offers a unique vista on Catholicism over the span of Kasper's career through his writing in diverse areas of systematic theology. We see the mastery of Kasper through the lens of his scholarly admirers who together make a compelling case for the significance of the cardinal for his church and for its future.
Jeannine Hill Fletcher, Fordham University

There is no comparable presentation and recent analysis of the theology of Walter Kasper in German.
Dr. Hermann Josef Pottmeyer, Professor Emeritus, Fundamental Theology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany

This is a welcome and timely volume, particularly in light of Kasper's role as perhaps a primary stimulus behind the developing two-part Extraordinary Synod on the Family, and a significant contemporary theological influence on the current Bishop of Rome.

Eric W. Hendry, Catholic Books Review

This volume deserves to be highly recommended to the general reader as well as to the specialist. Hopefully, it will lead us to read Kasper himself.
Noel O'Sullivan, Maynooth, The Furrow

Walter Kasper is a gentle giant within the Catholic community, within ecumenical circles, and within the Catholic-Jewish dialogue. What is unique about this Festschrift is the ordering of the essays, the consistently high standard of the contributions, and the constructive engagement with the work of Kasper over a period of fifty years. This collection reads like a mini-summa of what is best in Catholic theology. We are indebted to the careful work of the editors in putting together this handsome volume.
Dermot A. Lane, Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin City University, Ireland

I am currently reading the edited volume of the papers from the Kasper symposium at Notre Dame. It is stunning--important, lucid, interesting, a document of record.
Paul Philibert, OP, Research Theologian, Aquinas Institute of Theology

In this remarkable Festschrift, some of today's most distinguished theologians explore the achievements of Cardinal Walter Kasper as a systematician, a contributor to the ecumenical movement, and a leader in Jewish-Christian relations. Lucid and readily accessible, these essays will benefit both students and professional scholars. Personal anecdotes from Kasper's former students, colleagues, and dialogue partners complement the volume's general introduction to his life and career. The volume ends with three contributions from Kasper himself, so that its dialogue about Kasper becomes a dialogue with Kasper. This book deserves a place in every theological library.
Julia Fleming, Professor of Theology, Creighton University

This is the best introduction, in either English or German, to the work of one of the most important Catholic theologians in the last half century, Cardinal Walter Kasper.
Catholic Library World