FROM INSIDE SLEEVE & BACK COVER:

• Over 1800 pages

• More than 400 articles, many specially prepared for this edition

• Written by more than 600 theologians, exegetes, and specialists

• The indispensable handbook of modern theological thought for every reader

When the six-volume, 2500-page Sacramentum Mundi (now out-of-print and no longer available) was published in the 1960's, it quickly took its place as the Summa of twentieth-century theology-the single most comprehensive reference work for theologians, priests, and religious of all denominations as well as for scholars, teachers, students, and laymen everywhere. This new, concise edition now places this work within the means of everyone.

Based upon the work of some six hundred theologians, exegetes, and specialists, the Encydopedia of Theology presents, in debt and straightforward language, the findings of modern theological research into the major themes of the essential theological disciplines. In order to compress the work into the new, smaller format, bibliographical references have been excluded and only the more comprehensive and basic articles have been retained. More than 400 articles appear in this volume, -several of them entirely new and many prepared specially for this edition by Father Rahner. In addition, a group of English language specialists have contributed totally new surveys of certain key areas.

A theological Work that is truly contemporary and truly relevant to the present moment, Encylopedia of Theology does more than merely restate in a modern idiom the traditional doctrines and practices of religion. Rather, it is a unified theological -synthesis, animated by a single idea, written out of a definite religious perspective and directed towards a precise goal. It is theology written in and for the world where man dwells and God reveals himself.

"An expression of the essence of Catholic tradition at its best, the Encyclopedia of Theology illustrates not ,only the deep continuity of Catholic thealogy with its own past but also its present vigorous and courageous creativity." -Langdon Gilkey

"A remarkable collection of brief and lucid articles on many of the key questions of contemporary theology. This encyclopedia brings to a wide reading public the insights of experts from many lands." -Avery Dulles

"The clarity, fullness, and thoroughly contemporary tone of the articles gave me an extremely favorable impression. In such a work it is difficult to maintain close contact with advanced thinking and the authors have done this in a notably superior manner. The work will be a most valuable addition to theological resources." -John L. McKenzie