Karl Rahner, who died in 1984 at the age of eighty, is recognized as one of the greatest of twentieth-century Roman Catholic theologians, but his works are forbidding in their extent (the list ofhis writings numbers over 4000 titles!) and his language has often been found extremely difficult by his readers. Moreover, many of those who never had the opportunity to meet him know little about his personality and his life. In this attractive study, Herbert Vorgrimler, a former pupil and lifelong friend, demonstrates that Raiier's work is not as unapproachable as it is made out to be. He begins by producing a portrait of Rahner, his personal characteristics, his main interests, his style, his language, his audience and his spirituality, so that without having specific details of his work and career, we feel that we know the man we are to meet. Then he traces the course of Rahner's life, setting his major writiligs in a personal context and against the background of the development of Roman Catholic theology in the twentieth century, before and after the Second Vatican Council. An appendix illuminates the Council from letters by Rahner to the author, some of which appear for the first time.

This bold and original book explores the relationship between Rahner's philosophy and his theology, which reveal it as much more progressive and open-ended than previously considered.

Karl Rahner's (1904-84) creative proposals in theological areas made him one of the giants of 20th-century theology. The depth of his contributions has made study of Rahner's writings difficult, but Kelly's anthology of Rahner's writings overcomes the obstacles beautifully. A select bibliography neatly organizes the vast work by and on Rahner. Part of The Making of Modern Theology Series.

Karl Rahner (1904–84) was one of the most significant theological voices of the twentieth century. For many his theology has come to symbolise the Catholic Church's entry into modernity. Part of his enduring appeal lies in his ability to reflect on a whole variety of issues in theology and spirituality and concentrate this plurality into a few basic convictions. This Cambridge Companion provides an accessible introduction to the main themes of Rahner's work. Written by an international array of experts, it will be of interest to both students and scholars alike. Each chapter serves as a guide to its topic and recommends further reading for additional study. The contributors also assess Rahner's significance for contemporary theology by bringing his thought into dialogue with many current concerns including: religious pluralism, spirituality, postmodernism, ecumenism, ethics and developments in political and feminist theologies.

One of Rahner's classic studies, this volume employs the German Jesuit theologian's deep understanding of the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas to explore the relationship between the spirit and matter, metaphysical and concrete realities.

V. 1, God, Christ, Mary and Grace; v. 2, Man in the Church; v. 3, Theology of the Spiritual Life; v. 4, More Recent Writings; v. 5, Later Writings; v. 6, Concerning Vatican Council II; v. 7, Further Theology of the Spiritual Life; v. 8, Further Theology of the Spiritual Life 2; v. 9, Writings of 1965-1967 I; v. 10, Writings of 1965-1967 II; v. 11, Confrontations; v. 12, Confrontations 2; v. 14, Ecclesiology, Questions in the Church, The Church in the World; v. 15, Penance in the Early Church; v. 16, EXperience of the Spirit: Source of Theology; v. 17, Jesus, Man, and the Church; v. 18, God and Revelation; v. 19, Faith and Ministry; v. 20, Concern for the Church; v. 21, Science and Theology; v. 22, Humane Society and the Church of Tomorrow; v. 23, Final Writings.

Padriac Conway is Director of the UCD International Centre for Newman Studies and a Vice-President of University College Dublin. --Book Jacket.