Church: The Human Story of God

by Edward Schillebeeckx

English (translation)Original Dutch

Genres: Theology

268 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Edward Cornelis Florentius Alfonsus Schillebeeckx was a Belgian Roman Catholic theologian born in Antwerp. He taught at the Catholic University in Nijmegen. He then continued writing. In his nineties, he still wanted to finish a major book about the Sacraments.

He was a member of the Dominican Order. His books on theology have been translated into many languages, and his contributions to the Second Vatican Council made him known throughout the world.

Reviews

[John Laliberte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book on the human investment God has made in creating the human species “in his image and likeness”. It’s a history lesson like none other detailing the essentialness of experiencing the living God for all of humanity. Fr. Schillebeeckx historical scope is eye-opening, but his challenge for the future church (which ironically is all about our relationship with each other and all of God’s creation) dealing with the vast social issues and most importantly the ecological challenges that were present in the latter part of the 20th Century – oh, how much more now!

This is about the church – the hope and promise that has existed through time, through God’s grace. Yes, the Church organization is discussed, but not the focus.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an inviting title, but it is apt and welcome. It is not "The" Church, but "Church".
This book was published in 1990. For reasons too dismaying to go into here, it's theology is still fresh and new, a gale of fresh air.
Much of Schillebeeckx is difficult to read, whether because of translators or because it is technical. But this one, the third volume of a trilogy, is very accessible.
Its concern is what we might discern from the available evidence about God, about men and women, and about the meaning of life. He takes into account historicity's implications for theologies, and he uses categories and language that is in line with where we live. It was for me an exhilarating read. I care about the questions theology addresses and I am critical of methodology. This book does a great job of it all.