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The aim of this paper is to suggest a hypothetical interpretation of Christoph Theobald's theological production and to briefly verify its relevance by interpreting some particularly problematic traits of his Christology. In light of this reading, some possible structural problems of his overall theological project are then brought into focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This note offers an analysis of the main ideas that structure the book Deus duepuntozero by Paolo Gamberini, highlighting its strengths and issues. Secondly, the need for a rethinking of the conceptual framework of Christian theology is defended, and the adoption of a process-oriented hermeneutical model is proposed to explicate the doctrine of the faith in the contemporary context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The aim of this paper is to deal with the theological problem of suffering induced by biological dynamics, in particular with the fact that it seems to question the existence of a loving Creator. After a brief presentation of some ancient and modern solutions to this problem, it will be claimed the need to overcome a metaphysics of causality, and it will be proposed a sketch of a specific process theological interpretation of reality, which could represent an adequate response to the problem at stake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The aim of this paper is to interpret a quote from the Abu Dhabi Document signed by Pope Francis, according to which God wanted positively all religions, in the light of Jacques Dupuis’s theology of interreligious dialogue. After having stressed the critical issues of this author’s approach and of the interpretation of the quote that it suggests, an alternative vision of both will be offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The purpose of this article is to highlight some fundamental issues of the theology of the ordained ministry available in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and to suggest their resolution through a better appreciation of the notion of apostolic succession and leaving an ontological understanding of the character conferred with the sacrament of orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper sketches some critical insights on the situation of the regional Catholic Theological Faculties existing in Italy and on the other schools related to them. The suggested claim is that these institutions do not fully comply with the academic profile, and that their reform is desirable both to meet today's educational needs, and to support a dialogue with the Italian realm of culture, which is an integral part of the Church's mission in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The aim of this paper is to deal with the foundation of the ecclesiology in Trinitarian theology, arguing its critical issues. After having discussed the reasons that make useless the simplistic versions of this approach, we will analyze a vision of great importance and depth, the one of Ioannis Zizioulas, to show that it reveals some structural weaknesses as well, along with numerous valuable acquisitions. These acquisitions, however, can be found also in a process ecclesiology without the problems highlighted in the vision of Zizioulas or caused by a direct deduction of the ecclesial identity from the Trinitarian mystery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper sketches some insights on the possibility and value of theological thinking for a democratic, pluralistic and secularized society. After some ecclesiological premises about the changes of the ecclesial mission promoted by Vatican II Council and about the current role of theological knowledge in civil realm, the focus of the analysis will be put on D. Tracy's vision of the intrinsically public character of theology and on its pluriform rationality, which will be seen as the real cause of its marginality in the public context, in order to finally offer a possible reinterpretation of its perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Questo contributo intende mettere a fuoco il tema della sinodalità dal punto di vista teologico come via imprescindibile per valorizzare il senso di fede di tutti i membri del popolo di Dio e per consentire loro di contribuire all'ascolto ecclesiale della voce dello Spirito. La riflessione si conclude con alcune considerazioni di natura pratica su alcune dinamiche che potrebbero impedire un autentico esercizio dello stile sinodale nelle comunità cristiane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The aim of this note is examining the communion ecclesiology by J.-M.R. Tillard, pointing out its remarkable values but also showing that it would have required a more accurate theoretical foundation of the concept of communion in order to avoid some structural critical points. At the end of this analysis, a possible re-reading of the communional approach is mentioned, starting from a process ecclesiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The post-synodal exhortation Amoris laetitia clearly recognizes the traditional theological foundation of the sacramentality of marriage which is deemed necessary to enable bride and groom to express the love of Christ for His Church through their union. However, the fact that baptism is not sufficient by itself to provide the sacramental basis for this symbolic ability rises some questions of exegetic and theological nature; this contribution tries to make them clear and to propose a hypothesis of solution. It states that baptism is a sacramental basis which enables spouses to be a sign of the love of Christ for the Church and yet the sacrament of marriage is necessary for them to be enabled to perform that specific ecclesial ministry that results from the marriage union and that is inextricably linked to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

L'intento di questo contributo è quello di riflettere sui tratti dello stile relazionale di Gesù per cogliere la sua capacità di porsi nello stesso tempo come Signore e come Servo delle persone che incontra. Analizzando alcuni passaggi del vangelo di Marco, si mette in evidenza come la natura divina di Gesù e il suo singolare rapporto con il Padre non rappresentino affatto degli ostacoli al suo rapporto con le persone ma, al contrario, siano la condizione della sua originale e unica capacità di amarle. Nell'evangelizzazione occorre, dunque, stare attenti a non marginalizzare la divinità di Gesù, come se fosse un aspetto scomodo del cristianesimo, ma è necessario valorizzarla come condizione dell'effettiva capacità del Signore di rendere possibile il suo incontro con ogni persona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper deals with the indefectibility of the Church in regard to her faith, to show that only if history is understood as the form of revelation - that is, God's self-communication exists only in its historical form - it is possible to imagine that indefectibility as compatible with the effective evolution of doctrine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The article aims to study the teaching of Dei verbum 8 as regards the development of Tradition, in order to verify whether and how this council document can legitimize a doctrinal evolution which sometimes seems to be lacking in continuity. In particular, it examines the reception of this teaching in some manuals of ecclesiology in the Italian language, so as to consider if it actually played an outstanding role in the way the development of the ecclesial faith has been dealt with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The aim of this contribution is to investigate the reception of Lumen gentium in some manuals of ecclesiology recently available in Italian, specially as far as their methodological approach is concerned. The research shows how the contents of the Constitution are extensively dealt with in the works examined but each of them uses a different hermeneutic approach to the council document. This lets us think that the Council is now considered more as a start than as a point of arrival in the theological reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The process philosophy by A.N. Whitehead and the theologies it inspired, represent one of the most original and captivating positions in the theological panorama of North America, even though their compliance with the faith tradition of the christian Churches is under certain aspects disputable. The aim of this contribution is proposing a reinterpretation of Whitehead's philosophy to make it closer to a theology that is in line with the traditio fidei. For this purpose, it is suggested that it can be considered as complementary to Thomas' metaphysical position and that this relation can be of mutual advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The aim of this contribution is providing an overview on the main perspectives of theological hermeneutics of the Second Vatican Council, considering in particular the value that is recognized to its official documents. Instead of presenting the thought of the various authors who gave a considerable contribution on this matter, three keyideas, representing the most interesting perspectives, have been examined: the Council as an event, its ecclesial reception and its texts, including the contributions of some remarkable scholars. The basic idea being supported is that the actual object of the theological hermeneutics of the Second Vatican Council is represented by its official documents. For this reason, they cannot be relativized by the vision of the Council as an event and the study of the way the council was received must depend upon them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...