Nouvelle Théologie and Sacramental Ontology

In the decades leading up to the Second Vatican Council, the movement of nouvelle théologie caused great controversy in the Catholic Church and remains a subject of vigorous scholarly debate today. In Nouvelle théologie and Sacramental Ontology Hans Boersma argues that a return to mystery was the movement's deepest motivation. Countering the modern intellectualism of the neo-Thomist establishment, thenouvelle theologians were convinced that a ressourcement of the Church Fathers and of medieval theology would point the way to a sacramental reintegration of nature and the supernatural. In the context of the loss suffered by both Catholics andProtestants in the de-sacramentalizing of modernity, Boersma shows how the sacramental ontology of nouvelle théologie offers a solid entry-point into ecumenical dialogue.The volume begins by setting the historical context for nouvelle théologie with discussions of the influence of significant theologians and philosophers like Möhler, Blondel, Maréchal, and Rousselot. The exposition then moves to the writings of key thinkers of theressourcement movement including de Lubac, Bouillard, Balthasar, Chenu, Daniélou, Charlier, and Congar. Boersma analyses the most characteristic elements of the movement: its reintegration of nature and the supernatural, its reintroduction ofthe spiritual interpretation of Scripture, its approach to Tradition as organically developing in history, and its communion ecclesiology that regarded the Church as sacrament of Christ. In each of these areas, Boersma demonstrates how the nouvelle theologians advocated a return to mystery by means of a sacramental ontology.

“...very instructive and meticulously researched...a very welcome and much-needed first treatment of a group of figures as a group, and will no doubt bear fruit in the further research it inspires.”

scrupulously well-documented book Philip Kennedy, Journal of Ecclesiastical History
...provides enough background and references related to the ideas and disputes surrounding the nouvelle théologie that the interested reader can easily pursue a given issue more deeply...Specialists as well as those with a more general interest in theology should find the author's insights and overarching thesis worth engaging. Bryan Kromholtz, O.P. The Thomist
Peter M. Candler Jr., The Journal of Theological Studies
this is a must read book... It is for those that are hungry and hunger for a more meaningful faith. Ron Dart, Clarion Journal
Uniting a breadth of theological themes with its exploration of sacramental depths, B.'s book is one of the best introductions to the Nouvelle Théologie. Joseph S. Flipper, Theological Studies
This scrupulously well-documented book is the fruit of a labour of love. Philip Kennedy, Journal of Ecclesiastical History
I have rarely, if ever, encountered such an assured and reliable penetration of a Catholic mindset from someone outside that tradition as that achieved here by Boersma. John Sullivan, Heythrop Journal
The author is to be warmly congratulated on a book that is both thoroughly researched and pleasingly written, an exercise in good, solid, purposeful scholarship, which sustains the reader's interest. Stephen N. Williams, Themelios
Nouvelle Théologie and Sacramental Ontology: A Return to Mystery is a true contribution to ecumenical theology. It should be essential reading for ministerial students in the Protestant tradition and for Catholic seminarians, as well as students in faculties of education, religious studies and theology. Gabriel Flynn, Irish Theological Quarterly
a balanced and informative investigation into the defining intellectual movement of twentieth-century Catholicism. Robert St Hilaire, Scottish Journal of Theology

Hans Boersma holds the J.I. Packer Chair of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. Prior to taking this position in 2005, he taught at Trinity Western University and also served for several years as a Pastor in a Reformed Church. He publishes extensively in journals including New Blackfriars, Modern Theology, Calvin Theological Journal, International Journal of Systematic Theology, Evangelical Quarterly, and the Heythrop Journal. His recent volumeViolence, Hospitality, and the Cross: Reappropriating the Atonement Tradition won the 2005 Christianity Today best theological book of the year award.

In the decades leading up to the Second Vatican Council, the movement of nouvelle théologie caused great controversy in the Catholic Church and remains a subject of vigorous scholarly debate today. In Nouvelle théologie and Sacramental Ontology Hans Boersma argues that a return to mystery was the movement's deepest motivation. Countering the modern intellectualism of the neo-Thomist establishment, the nouvelle theologians were convinced that a ressourcement of the Church Fathers and of medieval theology would point the way to a sacramental reintegration of nature and the supernatural. In the context of the loss suffered by both Catholics and Protestants in the de-sacramentalizing of modernity, Boersma shows how the sacramental ontology of nouvelle théologie offers a solid entry-point into ecumenical dialogue.The volume begins by setting the historical context for nouvelle théologie with discussions of the influence of significant theologians and philosophers like Möhler, Blondel, Maréchal, and Rousselot. The exposition then moves to the writings of key thinkers of the ressourcement movement including de Lubac, Bouillard, Balthasar, Chenu, Daniélou, Charlier, and Congar. Boersma analyses the most characteristic elements of the movement: its reintegration of nature and the supernatural, its reintroduction of the spiritual interpretation of Scripture, its approach to Tradition as organically developing in history, and its communion ecclesiology that regarded the Church as sacrament of Christ. In each of these areas, Boersma demonstrates how the nouvelle theologians advocated a return to mystery by means of a sacramental ontology.

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