This book has done me so much good, pope francis from one of the leading intellects in the church todayone whom pope francis has described as a superb theologiancomes perhaps his most important book yet. He looks at empathy and compassion as a starting point for theological reflection on the topic. Mercy pain and suffering have been universal human experiences since our beginning. Cardinal walter kaspers most recent book translated into english bristles with the claim that mercy has been criminally neglected in recent dogmatic theology, a disappointing, even. Before serving as president of the pontifical council for promoting christian unity 20012010, kasper was bishop of rottenburgstuttgart 19891999. Feb 18, 2014 describing kasper as a superb theologian, the pope said his book on mercy has done me so much good, so much good. Cardinal walter kaspers most recent book sets aside as inadequate the mercyjustice divide because there is a breadth to gods. Sep 17, 2014 many of you will have read cardinal walter kasper s plea for mercy for divorced and remarried catholics, excerpted in america magazine last week, in anticipation of the bishops upcoming synod on the family, scheduled for oct. In mercy, the important new book praised by pope francis, cardinal walter kasper examines gods mercy while holding these devastating facts and questions in hand. Saint john paul ii and cardinal kasper on mercy and holiness tom gourlay with the year of mercy just around the corner, it is fitting to return to what is perhaps the greatest explication of the doctrine of mercy in recent years, that of pope, now saint, john paul ii. It was, then, with low expectations that i began reading the book that cardinal kasper was promoting during his recent american sojourn. He is president emeritus of the pontifical council for promoting christian. The huge stress on mysticism bores me rigid i have to say.
T he fact that first things published a long article on my book mercy. The primary aim of kaspers book on mercy, all the same, is to give systematic order to the great absentee. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life by. While i much appreciate being and how it underpins all i kept saying but this is not what christ was about. Cardinal walter kasper on mercy mary catherine brouder january 17, 2017 matt malone, s.
The book has opened my eyes to a merciful god like jesus christ vs the angry god. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life cardinal walter kasper on. The interviewer asked cardinal kasper why mercy is so essential today. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life. In the heart of jesus, we recognize that god himself has a heart cor fo. In these days, i have been able to read a book by a cardinalcardinal kasper, a talented theologian, a good theologianon mercy. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian. By doing so the reader comes to understand why european protestants and now american fundamentalist catholics obsess about retributive justice as opposed to merciful justice.
Pope francis from one the leading intellects in the church todayone whom pope francis has described as a superb theologiancomes perhaps his most important book yet. They also will note cardinal kaspers commitment to reclaiming divine mercy from a culturally dominant bourgeois optimism, which downplays the seriousness of human. The primary aim of kaspers book on mercy, all the same, is to give systematic order to the great absentee in theological speculation and debate, provoking a wider awareness. A further grave misunderstanding of mercy is one which would end up disregarding, in the name of mercy, the divine command of justice we cannot, through false mercy, counsel someone to have an abortionp. As cardinal walter kasper turns 85, the former president of the pontifical council for the promotion of christian unity has written a new book published by the italian publisher queriniana. The troubling case of cardinal kasper onepeterfive. Love, which is proven in mercy, can and must become the foundation of a new culture for our lives, the church, and for society. He is president emeritus of the pontifical council for promoting christian unity, having served as its president from 2001 to 2010. German cardinal, author of book on mercy, to address worlds.
Now i see more clearly that every one of us needs gods mercy and that mercy is constantly offered to us. During pope franciss first angelus message after ascending to the chair of peter, he approvingly cited the book, saying he had read it recently and it had done him much good. During pope franciss first angelus message after ascending to the chair of peter, he approvingly cited the book, saying he had read it recently and it had done. Renowned theology scholar issues strong critique of cardinal. Cardinal kasper explains in detail the study, in systematic theology, of justice and a punitive god. Spending time with cardinal kasper and reading his book really helped me reflect on mercy. Cardinal kasper gave an eloquent speech looking at how marriage. Pope francis, who chose gods mercy as the theme of his first angelus address on the sunday after his election, credited the influence of cardinal kasper on his choice of topic. A further grave misunderstanding of mercy is one which would end up disregarding, in the name of mercy, the divine. Mar 25, 2014 cardinal kasper affirms this himself with great clarity in his book mercy. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Walter kasper born 5 march 1933 is a german roman catholic cardinal and theologian. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life kindle edition by kasper, cardinal walter.
In the national cathedral, cardinal kasper stated, mercy is the essence of the gospel and the key to christian life. In mercy, a new book praised by pope francis, cardinal walter kasper examines gods mercy by looking at empathy and compassion as a starting point for theological reflection on the topic. With this in mind, it is difficult for many people to speak of an allpowerful and simultaneously just and merciful god. Renowned theology scholar issues strong critique of. All religions ask, in one way or another, where suffering comes from, why it exists, and what it means. The cardinals book is set to be published in english in early may. That the book in question is mercy will likely not come as a surprise given that mercy has shown itself to be so prominent a part of pope franciss words and actions. In his latest book, mercy, cardinal walter kasper offers a comprehensive study that reads as a. Kasper came to attend events at fordham university related to the publication of his newest book, mercy. But how god is merciful is a theological conundrum, especially if we conceive of god in metaphysical terms as pure being. The confounding and curious pontifications of cardinal kasper. Cardinal kasper provided a gem for those who are seeking to understand the. In one of his first statements after his election, pope francis said of cardinal walter kaspers book mercy that this book has done me so much good.
He points out that in the section of his book regarding the trinity, the section entitled mercy as mirror of the trinity, he makes no such assertion. Kaspers considerations on mercy have doctrinal and. Cardinal kasper said that feeling mercy, that this word changes everything. Cardinal kasper is enjoying the spotlight, and taking heat. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life ebook written by cardinal walter kasper. Neither is divine mercy limited, exhausted or made exclusive. Cardinal kasper affirms this himself with great clarity in his book mercy. Download mercy the essence of gospel and key to christian. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian existence is an honor even when the article is a critique, whichas usual in academic disputesneeds critique from my side as well. Mercy quotes by walter kasper goodreads share book.
Theology scholar issues critique of cardinal kasper on. It includes chapters on mercy from a philosophical point of view, in the bible and in the teaching of jesus. Gods mercy breaks the notion that people only receive what they deserve and earn. Describing kasper as a superb theologian, the pope said his book on mercy has done me so much good, so much good. There was much talk at the conference that, perhaps, in the providence of god, kaspers most influential years are now and in the future, as the key. Cardinal walter kasper, whose book on gods mercy drew special praise from pope francis, has said that the jubilee year of mercy corresponds to the signs of the times today. Cardinal walter kasper, noted german prelate and theologian, has been on a book tour in the states in support of his most recent work, mercy.
Mercy according to cardinal kasper fides catholica. Sep 08, 2015 saint john paul ii and cardinal kasper on mercy and holiness tom gourlay with the year of mercy just around the corner, it is fitting to return to what is perhaps the greatest explication of the doctrine of mercy in recent years, that of pope, now saint, john paul ii in his encyclical dives in misericordia. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading mercy. While it might not be the case that his vision of a more merciful church is identical to the popes, the german cardinals views are certainly a significant factor. Cardinal walter kaspers most recent book sets aside as inadequate the mercyjustice divide because there is a breadth to gods justice that encompasses mercy.
An interview with cardinal walter kasper commonweal magazine. Cardinal kasper has also played a prominent role in discussions about how to extend mercy in the church, specifically to the divorced and civilly remarried. Many of you will have read cardinal walter kaspers plea for mercy for divorced and remarried catholics, excerpted in america magazine last week, in anticipation of the bishops upcoming synod on the family, scheduled for oct. The core of the gospel and the key to christian life by walter kasper published by paulist press, april 2014. Walter kasper author of mercy goodreads share book. Available for the first time in english, cardinal kasper looks to capture the essence of the gospel message. After spending some years on the metaphysical trail kasper s book is a tonic. Walter kasper is a german cardinal of the roman catholic church. Cardinal walter kasper speaks with media in new york. Cardinal walter kasper s most recent book sets aside as inadequate the mercy justice divide because there is a breadth to gods justice that encompasses mercy. A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.
In his letter, cardinal kasper complains that i attribute to him the view that there is mercy within the trinity, that for example, the father shows mercy to the holy spirit. Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an articles initial publication. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. It includes a blurb from pope francis, who has made mercy a cornerstone of his. Reading the book on the subway made me realize the countless places where mercy could be. Kasper sees god as mercy and the church as the place where this mercy lives and loves. The book received a more extendedand criticalassessment in daniel p. Gods mercy is infinite, unbounded, a magnificent gift to. My book is not the first thing ive written about mercy. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life kindle edition by cardinal walter kasper author 4.
Our author, in this manner, after having examined attentively the message of mercy in the old testament and in the preaching of jesus, offers important reflections for a general speculative outline for mercy. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life 9780809106097 by walter kasper. While i was rereading cardinal walter kaspers book mercy. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life is neither a collection of flippant remarks nor teeming with obscurities. Compassionate, bold, and brilliant, cardinal kasper has written a book. Readers will note cardinal kaspers critical attention to christianitys contribution towards casting a dark shadow on the biblical understanding of divine mercy. May 26, 2016 before reading cardinal kaspers book, whenever i thought of gods mercy, i tended to think of someone who had rejected gods love throughout his or her life and then, at the last moment, accepted gods mercy. Mercy is the title of his seminal book published by paulist press. Compassionate, bold, and brilliant, cardinal kasper has written a book which will be studied for generations. The interviewer noted that francis cited the cardinals book, mercy, during his first sunday address as pope. While it might not be the case that his vision of a more merciful church is identical to the popes, the german cardinals views are certainly a. Walter kasper notes in this stimulating book that gods mercy has not found its place within this framework. What cardinal kasper stresses, as does pope francis, is that gods justice is his mercy.
Kaspers basic proposal in his bookthat mercy is the primary way in which we understand god and the primary characteristic of living a christian lifecan be. German cardinal, author of book on mercy, to address world. In this important catholic book, praised by pope francis, cardinal walter kasper examines gods mercy while holding these devastating facts and questions in hand. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life 2012 has played a prominent role in setting the pastoral agenda in todays church. Saint john paul ii and cardinal kasper on mercy and holiness. The essence of the gospel and the key to christian life by cardinal walter kasper, which was recently published in english by paulist press. May 15, 2014 it was, then, with low expectations that i began reading the book that cardinal kasper was promoting during his recent american sojourn. In one of his first statements after his election, pope francis said of cardinal walter kaspers book mercy that this book has done me so much. Jan 17, 2017 cardinal walter kasper on mercy mary catherine brouder january 17, 2017 matt malone, s. Cardinal kasper, the popes theologian, downplays vatican. Paulistpress this message teaches people the essence of the. Now, two prominent cardinals have issued strong rebuttals kaspers call for a new pastoral approach to the question. In mercy, the important new book praised by pope francis, cardinal walter kasper examines gods mercy while holding these.
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