Seven Catholic theologians explore whether and to what extent the theories of knowledge on which the pluralistic theology of religions bases its account of religion and the religions are adequate. The volume represents the first phase of an international research project in Christology under the Pon

"Critiques Alan Race's models of Christianity and world religions and offers an alternative based on the theological typology of Hans Frei"--

"There are tremendous pressures on Christians in the contemporary world to conform to a libertarian vision of a multi-faith society where no one makes truth-claims about faith. In such a situation Christians need to think afresh about the uniqueness and universality of Jesus Christ and what this might mean to today's plural world."--Back cover

Vietnamese American Peter Phan reflects on cultural diversity in spiritual life, focussing on the question of how much uniformity people will tolerate in life, liturgy, & denominational self-definition.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From one of the world’s most influential spiritual thinkers, a long-awaited book exploring what it means that Jesus was called “Christ,” and how this forgotten truth can restore hope and meaning to our lives. “Anyone who strives to put their faith into action will find encouragement and inspiration in the pages of this book.”—Melinda Gates In his decades as a globally recognized teacher, Richard Rohr has helped millions realize what is at stake in matters of faith and spirituality. Yet Rohr has never written on the most perennially talked about topic in Christianity: Jesus. Most know who Jesus was, but who was Christ? Is the word simply Jesus’s last name? Too often, Rohr writes, our understandings have been limited by culture, religious debate, and the human tendency to put ourselves at the center. Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world. “God loves things by becoming them,” he writes, and Jesus’s life was meant to declare that humanity has never been separate from God—except by its own negative choice. When we recover this fundamental truth, faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God, and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us, and in everyone we meet. Thought-provoking, practical, and full of deep hope and vision, The Universal Christ is a landmark book from one of our most beloved spiritual writers, and an invitation to contemplate how God liberates and loves all that is.

Since publication of his landmark book, No Other Name?, Paul Knitter's work has crystallized discussions and defined some of the most basic questions in Christian theology. This is so particularly in the debate over the uniqueness of Jesus as God's son and as all of humankind's sole redeemer. In The Uniqueness of Jesus, Knitter responds to the request of editors Leonard Swidler and Paul Mojzes to state the most adequate case for a viable Christian theology of religionsand for the demands of living ecumenically in a religiously plural world. The result is Knitter's five basic theses on the uniqueness of Jesus that comprise the opening statement of this dialogue. In response, a score of influential women and men comment on these five theses, including Harvey Cox, Monika Hellweg, Hans Kung, Wesley Ariarajah, Clark H. Pinnock, Jose Miquez Bonino, John McQuarrie, Raimon Panikkar, John Sanders, John Mbiti, Ingred Shafer, Michael Alamadoss, Kajsa Ahlstrand, Michael von Bruck, John B. Cobb Jr., Kenneth Cragg, Antony Fernando, John Hick, Karl-Josef Kuschel, and Seiichi Yagi. Knitter then responds to his critics, some of whon, he concedes, make substantial points that reveal the difficulties of the road ahead.

The polarization in the Church today can be traced back to a more fundamental crisis in theology, one which has failed to connect our mundane experiences and the mysteries of the Christian faith with the person of Jesus Christ. Ecclesial discourse on the so-called ‘hot- button issues’ of the day too often take place without considering the foundation and goal of the Church. And this is unfortunately due to a similar tendency in the academic theology that informs that ecclesial discourse. In short, much of post-conciliar Catholic theology is adrift, floating aimlessly away from the center of the Christian faith, who is Christ. The Center is Jesus Christ Himself is a collection of essays which anchor theological reflection in Jesus Christ. These diverse essays share a unified focal point, but engage with a variety of theological subdisciplines (e.g., dogmatic, moral, Biblical, etc.), areas (e.g., Christology, Pneumatology, missiology, etc.), and periods (e.g., patristic, medieval, and modern). Given the different combinations of sub-disciplines, areas, and periods, theology is susceptible to fragmentation when it is not held together by some principle of unity. A theology in which the person of Jesus Christ serves as that principle of unity is a Christocentric theology. Together, the essays illustrate not only what Christocentric theology looks like, but also what the consequences are when Christ is dislodged from the center, whether by a conspicuous silence on, or by a relativization of, his unique salvific mission. The volume is published in honor of Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology at Boston College, Rev. Dr. Robert P. Imbelli, who dedicated his teaching and writing to bringing Christ back to the center of Catholic theological discourse.

When four religious leaders walk across the road, it's not the beginning of a joke. It's the start of one of the most important conversations in today's world. Can you be a committed Christian without having to condemn or convert people of other faiths? Is it possible to affirm other religious traditions without watering down your own? In his most important book yet, widely acclaimed author and speaker Brian McLaren proposes a new faith alternative, one built on "benevolence and solidarity rather than rivalry and hostility." This way of being Christian is strong but doesn't strong-arm anyone, going beyond mere tolerance to vigorous hospitality toward, interest in, and collaboration with the other. Blending history, narrative, and brilliant insight, McLaren shows readers step-by-step how to reclaim this strong-benevolent faith, challenging us to stop creating barriers in the name of God and learn how affirming other religions can strengthen our commitment to our own. And in doing so, he invites Christians to become more Christ-like than ever before.