Life Abundant: God and the Created Order in Catholic Social Perspective
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2022
Pages: 180
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$49.61 USD
In Life Abundant: God and the Created Order in Catholic Social Perspective, we ground our reflections in Catholic Social Teaching, a body of theological and ethical reflection that takes seriously the Christian call to love our neighbor in concrete ways. We also begin in the first chapter with an exploration of the history and core principles of Catholic Social Teaching, hoping that this will ground a vision for human flourishing and the common good. Throughout our discussions of theological and anthropological concepts, we will turn repeatedly to the ethical implications of these beliefs. As we consider, for example, what makes humanity special, we will forge links first to the Catholic Social Teaching principle of human dignity and, later in the book, to the human responsibility to care for creation.
Following this grounding in Catholic Social Teaching, Part One brings in our shared human experiences, experiences of uniqueness, of freedom, and of sinfulness; these are the questions that focus on humanity and our common life together. This is followed by Part Two, an exploration of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the belief that God is one God in three persons, the center of the Christian Story and Vision. Finally, Part Three returns to the human person as we look at how Christians are called to live out their faith as individuals, in community, and in relation to the rest of creation.
Preface
Chapter One: An Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching
Part One Humanity in Christian Perspective
Chapter Two: Humans are Created and a Part of Creation
Chapter Three: Humans are Free and Responsible
Chapter Four: Humans Experience Limits on Our Freedom
Part Two God and Transcendence in Christian Perspective
Chapter Five: Humans Grapple with Transcendence
Chapter Six: Jesus as the Revelation of God
Chapter Seven: God’s Spirit as Ongoing Grace
Part Three Ethical Practice in Christian Perspective
Chapter Eight: Living Vocation and Doing Work
Chapter Nine: Human Stewardship of Creation
Chapter Ten: The Human Person Participating in God’s Community
Bibliography
About the Authors
Christopher J. Welch is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Rivier University in Nashua, NH. Prior to his doctoral studies, he taught theology for nine years Fontbonne Academy in Milton, MA, where he also coached cross country and track and field. He received his PhD in Theology and Education from Boston College. His research investigates the intersection of consumerism, material culture, and the Catholic Social Teaching tradition. He is also studying the Maker Movement and its implications for the exploration of vocation in Catholic higher education.
Cynthia L. Cameron is the Patrick and Barbara Keenan Chair of Religious Education and Assistant Professor of Religious Education at the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. Prior to this, she was Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Rivier University in Nashua, NH. She also had an eighteen-year career as a theology teacher at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, DC. She received her PhD in Theology and Education from Boston College. Her research focuses on adolescence in theological anthropology and in Catholic schools, but she is also interested in pedagogical practices in undergraduate theological education.