Matthew W. Levering

"He Descended to the Dead"

Theology

“A treasure trove of biblical and theological wisdom! Matthew Emerson has read everything on the subject. For Catholics, his correction of Balthasar needs to be listened to—especially given that, with Balthasar and the creedal tradition, he insists upon the profound importance of Christ's descent to the dead. This book is a word that needs saying in our death-despairing age.”

"In the Beginning . . ."

Theology

“This book is a stunning achievement. The author's sophisticated biblical, philosophical, and theological explanation of the Theology of the Body makes manifest that homosexual activity fails to foster the true flourishing of persons and communities. As if this were not contribution enough, Echeverria has given us the first study of the Theology of the Body that takes evangelical Reformed theology as its conversation partner. Offering an extraordinary opportunity for Catholic-Evangelical dialogue, this book simply could not have come at a better time.”

“You Made Us for Yourself”

Theology

“Surely this is now the go-to book for scholars wishing to understand and appreciate Augustine's Confessions. Jared Ortiz not only ably defends his thesis, but he also marvelously synthesizes and incorporates the best insights of numerous other commentators, manifesting a rare combination of historical acumen and theological profundity. The result is a balanced and serene study that makes plentiful room for the liturgical, participatory, Christological, ecclesial, and Godward structures of the Confessions, undergirding and enriching its pattern of creation/recreation in the Word. Simply put, Ortiz invites readers of the Confessions into the eschatological Way of Life that is Christ.”

A Catholic Introduction to the Bible

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“This book far outpaces the competition with its historical erudition and liturgical depth.”

A Classical Response to Relational Theism

Theology

“In this exemplary and instructive book, Brian Orr undertakes a theological conversation of the utmost importance. The reality of God’s goodness and love—supremely revealed by Christ’s Pasch—is paramount for Orr’s interlocutor, Thomas Oord. The question consists in how best to articulate this divine love in accordance with Scripture. We have Orr to thank for laying out the issues so lucidly, and for retrieving resources from the Christian tradition that have so much to offer.”

A Heart of Flesh

Philosophy

“For non-specialists, continental philosophy can be an imposing thing, filled with abstruse thinkers, neologisms, and the latest trendy European name. But this collection should prompt even the most determined avoiders of continental thought to reconsider. Uniformly strong, these essays demonstrate the immense fruitfulness of reading Scripture through William Desmond's lenses. This book is a breakthrough that left me eager for more and deeply grateful to Desmond and the authors.”

A Jewish Trinity

Theology

“This book brims with generosity to Brill's Christian interlocutors, grounded in his lifelong serious study of Christian texts and theologies and in his mastery of Jewish traditions. That such a book exists is a cause for rejoicing. Too often, Jewish and Christian thinkers avoid talking together in a constructively comparative way, due to a paralyzing fear of getting things wrong or being criticized by the other. This book is a treasure-trove for future conversation, undertaken in a spirit of respect while avoiding a false syncretism.”

A Philosopher in Provence

Philosophy

“After the Council, the disciples of Blondel--led by Henri de Lubac and Hans Urs von Balthasar--did not fall into the religious liberalism to which many others fell. This alone should tell us something, and Aidan Nichols shows why in this brilliant book. With the renewal of Thomistic theology, there will be a temptation to re-fight the mid-twentieth-century battles that, on the one side, raised the cry of ahistorical extrinsicism, and, on the other side, the cry of modernist subjectivism. Since the two sides adhere to doctrinal and moral orthodoxy, their internecine warfare would be a tragic boon to those who are their true opponents. What is needed is allowance for legitimate diversity of philosophical and theological schools of thought. Nichols's richly nuanced reading of Blondel's texts and philosophical development should make this allowance possible. He introduces a Blondel whose thought and intentions can be appreciated even by those who disagree, while admirers of Blondel will admire him even more.”

A Short History of the Roman Mass

Preaching & Worship

“Balanced, erudite, accessible, charitable, and thorough, this book is now the gold standard for introducing the liturgy of the Catholic Church across the centuries, from the Last Supper to the present day. Aided by his characteristically winsome and serene prose, Lang traverses terrain filled with scholarly and pastoral landmines. Reasonableness and good sense shine forth from every page.”

A Table in the Presence of My Enemies

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Psalm 23 has been domesticated, and never did I realize the riches underlying its fifth verse. Demonstrating a mastery of ancient Near Eastern cultures and texts, plus a thoroughgoing understanding of the covenant-renewing pre-battle banquet and the eschatological banquet in the books of the Old Testament, Matthew Umbarger draws striking connections to the Gospel narratives of miraculous feedings. The capstone of the book is the church fathers’ eucharistic interpretations of Psalm 23:5. A brilliant tour de force!”

A Theology of Grace in Six Controversies

Theology

“Deeply cultured, brilliant, and witty, Edward Oakes was an irreplaceable theologian. Reading Oakes, I always think that this is what it would have been like had Chesterton written the works of von Balthasar. One finds here a master of Christian apologetics drawing upon the full spectrum of the Christian tradition's resources and delivering highly intellectual arguments in wonderfully accessible prose. Specialists and nonspecialists alike will relish this fitting last testament to grace from the pen of one of America's greatest Jesuits.”

Al investigar el misterio de la Iglesia

Theology

“Esta es otra obra teológica, muy bien escrita y con mucho vigor, del destacado teólogo judío mesiánico Mark Kinzer. Kinzer, que no es católico, pero cuya vida ha estado marcada por un enriquecedor diálogo con católicos, insta a la Iglesia católica a abrir entornos eclesiales explícitamente judíos para los judíos mesiánicos observantes de la Torá dentro de la Iglesia católica. Aunque difiero de él en aspectos significativos, estoy de acuerdo con él en que los católicos deben prestar mayor atención y ahondar en las implicaciones de la elección del pueblo judío en su alianza con Dios y el valor espiritual perdurable, en el plan de Dios, de la observancia de la Torá por parte del pueblo judío.”

All This, and Heaven Too

Theology

“This amazing book addresses the truly important issues: death, heaven, resurrection, forgiveness, judgment. The heart of the book asks what the resurrected state will be like, not in a rationalistic way but with enough force to awaken our yearning for resurrection and eternal life. With beautiful art by Carol Scott, this book reveals Smith Gilson to be the rarest of modern theologians, one who writes for everyone and does so not only as theologian, but mystic.”

An Introduction to Christian Mysticism

World Religions

“In reassuring prose, Jason Baxter gives us Christian mysticism undomesticated—bold, inflamed, insistent, pushing to the very boundaries of speech, and communing with God beyond every merely human mode of communication. Baxter is one to watch—will he too be among the mystics? May it be so!”

An Invitation to Analytic Christian Theology

Theology

“At the outset of this extraordinary and much-needed book, Tom McCall promises to introduce nonspecialists to analytic theology. He superbly accomplishes this task, but so much more. No mere introduction, this book engages constructively with a wide variety of theologians and philosophers on central theological topics. McCall's balance and lucidity make this a breakthrough book, not only for the project of analytic theology, but also for the full arrival of McCall's charitable and wise theological voice.”

Analogous Uses of Language, Eucharistic Identity, and the ‘baptist’ Vision

Theology

“"sacrament of unity" and "sacrament of charity". He powerfully reminds us why this may well be the most important conversation that Christians can have today.”

Approaching the Atonement

Theology

“Everything Oliver Crisp writes is worth reading. Readers will find here the fruits of his extensive contemplation of the mystery of Christ's reconciling work. He skillfully sifts and evaluates a number of ways of depicting the atonement before presenting his own constructive proposal. For readers, this book is a chance to join one of the most important contemporary laborers in the vineyard of 'faith seeking understanding.'”

Augustine and the Mystery of the Church

Theology

“No theologian is more important than Augustine. James Lee here provides an authoritative account of the main lines of Augustine's theology of the Church, rightly emphasizing the unity of visible and invisible in Augustine's ecclesiology. This contribution would already be important enough, but Lee does it with equally admirable brevity and clarity. Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox theologians—and especially those who care about ecumenical unity—will need this seminal study on their bookshelves.”

Because He Has Spoken to Us

Theology

“This marvelous book begins with a lucid presentation of the key elements of Karl Rahner’s dense theology. Bursa then persuasively links Rahner’s thought to the highly influential catechetical strategies of Gabriel Moran and Thomas Groome, and also to the postmodern catechetical strategies advocated by Didier Pollefeyt under the influence of Lieven Boeve. Bursa’s presentation of Ratzinger’s Christological or logos-centric personalism as the best alternative to these dreadful theological and catechetical approaches is absolutely masterful.”

Between Faith and Reason

History & Biography

“Professor Morrow has emerged as a leading voice in the study of the Catholic Modernists of the early twentieth century, with a focus on the impact of historical-critical biblical scholarship. Given the ongoing influence of the perspectives they championed, the widespread neglect of the Catholic Modernists among scholars today is shocking—especially since the Modernists’ viewpoints are in fact embraced by many contemporary Catholic scholars. Morrow’s short volume provides a superb impetus toward reigniting this crucial field.”