Walter Kasper

"This book has done me so much good," Pope Francis
From one the leading intellects in the Church today one whom Pope Francis has described as a "superb theologian" comes perhaps his most important book yet. Available for the first time in English, Cardinal Kasper looks to capture the essence of the gospel message. Compassionate, bold, and brilliant, Cardinal Kasper has written a book which will be studied for generations.
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By Jayon September 25, 2017

Format: show more Hardcover|Verified Purchase

It is easy to see why Pope Francis exclaimed the book did him a lot of good. Me too. The book has opened my eyes to a merciful God like Jesus Christ vs the angry God portrayed in the Torah, particularly Exodus.

Cardinal Kasper explains in detail the study, in systematic theology, of justice and a punitive God. 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. It stems from Martin Luther's inner conflict of reconciling a merciful God to one who was just.

This book is worth every penny. I bought the Kindle version and will be holding a book discussion at our parish. The Rector and DRE are on board.

"The best known example and the one with the greatest consequences in church history is young Martin Luther, for whom the question—“ How do I get a gracious God?”—caused a frightening turmoil of conscience for a long time until he came to know that, according to the Bible, God’s justice is not God’s punitive justice, but rather God’s justifying justice, which includes his mercy. The church became divided over this issue in the sixteenth century. The relation of justice and mercy thus became the fateful question of Western theology." show less

This is really a collection of addresses and articles spanning Kasper's time at the PCPCU and edited together in book form. Thus although it does not really flow as a book, it gives a marvelous insight into the Cardinal's approach to questions around Chritisn Unity, and contains much that is inspirational, thought provoking and profound. A must read for any ecumenist, and indeed anyone who wants to see the Catholic Church's perspective on ecumenism.

This volume, published under tha name of Cardinal Kasper but in many ways aso the work of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, seeks to sumarise and synthesise the results of 40 years dialogue between the Catholic Church and four communions arising out of the Reformation, namely the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, the Methodist Church and the Reformed churches.

Coming from a theologian of the staure of Kasper, it is no suprise that the analysis is (in my opinion) show more both fair and succinct. Areas of agreement are well and sympathetically set out, but remaining questions and difficulties within those agreements are by no means overlooked.

Overall this is an essential read for anyone interested in the 'nuts and bolts' of ecumenical dialogue between Catholics & Protestants, and will provide a very useful starting point for those who wish to move the dailogue on the the comming years. show less

Not for the novices, or casual Catholics. I read it for my church's book club; I'm hoping more sinks in after tomorrow's discussion.