This dogmatic study addresses two perennial questions. First, how do we reconcile God's sovereignty with human freedom, not just in general, but particularly with respect to the Church's full understanding of God's plan of salvation as a work of grace? Second (and equally crucial) is the question of how we reconcile God's universal salvific will with the mystery of predestination, election, and reprobation. The author of this study does theology within the normative tradition of confessional Catholicism, and thus in the light of Catholic teaching. But this study is also an ecumenical work, indeed, a work in receptive ecumenism, and hence he listens attentively to the reflections and arguments not only of his fellow Catholic theologians (Matthias Joseph Scheeben and Hans Urs von Balthasar) but also theologians of the Evangelical and Reformed traditions (John Calvin, Herman Bavinck, Karl Barth, and G. C. Berkouwer). This book concludes with a Catholic synthesis regarding the doctrine of divine election in dogmatic and ecumenical perspective.
"A careful analysis, a fresh approach, and an honest
attempt for mutual understanding are the basic characteristics of
Echeverria´s new book. The biblical notion of divine election
is here described through the works of major catholic and reformed
theologians in a highly accessible style. This book is a very
welcome contribution to that ecumenicity that takes Bible,
theology, and tradition serious, and that on the deep and rich
topic of God's electing grace."
--Herman Selderhuis, Theological University Apeldoorn; Director,
Refo500
"Professor Echeverria has an extraordinary command of both the
Reformed and Catholic traditions. He puts that command to excellent
use in this learned analysis of a critical theological question
today--How are Christians to understand the mystery of divine
election?"
--Gerald R. McDermott, Beeson Divinity School
"An exciting scholarly contribution to our understanding of God's
election as well as to furthering contemporary theological
ecumenism."
--Thomas G. Weinandy, Member of the International Theological
Commission
"Eduardo Echeverria's Divine Election laudably returns
the doctrine of election to the center of ecumenical dialogue. The
author engages an array of impeccably Catholic sources--from
Scheeben to Balthasar--and sets them alongside an assembly of
solidly Reformed ones--from Calvin to Barth and Berkouwer. Catholic
'synergism,' he argues, is neither Pelagian nor semi-Pelagian.
Instead, it is rooted in the 'Augustinian principle' that sin has
wounded but not destroyed human nature. An important work!"
--Mickey L. Mattox, Professor of Theology, Marquette University,
where he directs the Luther Studies in a Catholic Context program;
Author of Changing Churches: An Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran
Theological Conversation (Eerdmans, 2012)
"In this discerning study, building on Calvin, Scheeben, Barth,
Bavinck, Berkouwer, and Balthasar, Echeverria develops a Catholic
doctrine of election. By showing how God's election of humans is
solidly rooted in God's love, he succeeds in articulating election
without implying arbitrariness. He does so in a way that is both
erudite and accessible, both Catholic and ecumenical. This book
adds a whole new dimension to our belief that God acts 'for us and
our salvation.'"
--Marcel Sarot, Dean and Professor of Fundamental Theology, Tilburg
School of Catholic Theology, Tilburg University
"This study can be called Catholic in the broad sense of the word.
Theologians from Roman-Catholic and Protestant origin get to speak
about themes, related to God's election. Professor Echeverria
listens attentively to his theological discussion partners and
weighs their vision from a systematic theological and ecumenical
perspective. The books requires an attentive reading, but those who
are prepared to do so definitely receive a reward for their
efforts."
--Gerard de Korte, Bishop of the Diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch, The
Netherlands
"Imagine that a Jesuit, a Dominican, a Barthian, and an Evangelical
were locked in the Vatican Library and fed sparingly until they
came to a consensus on predestination. What conclusion might they
reach? Clear, clean, and cogent in argumentation, Echeverria's
superb study juxtaposes and synthesizes diverse perspectives,
offering a viewpoint that is Catholic in the preeminent sense,
congruent with the church's magisterial teaching, yet open to
insights from such Protestant thinkers as John Calvin, Karl Barth,
Herman Bavinck, G. C. Berkouwer, William Lane Craig, and Oliver
Crisp. One concludes the book with a sense that the
long-controverted doctrine of predestination is not an impossible
riddle or logical muddle, but a core Catholic teaching that
reconciles the priority of God's grace with the reality of a human
response in faith and obedience. This work will appeal to Catholic,
Orthodox, Protestant, and Pentecostal scholars, and to others
intrigued by this notoriously challenging doctrine."
--Michael J. McClymond, Professor of Modern Christianity, Saint
Louis University
"A careful analysis, a fresh approach, and an honest
attempt for mutual understanding are the basic characteristics of
Echeverria´s new book. The biblical notion of divine election
is here described through the works of major catholic and reformed
theologians in a highly accessible style. This book is a very
welcome contribution to that ecumenicity that takes Bible,
theology, and tradition serious, and that on the deep and rich
topic of God's electing grace."
--Herman Selderhuis, Theological University Apeldoorn; Director,
Refo500
"Professor Echeverria has an extraordinary command of both the
Reformed and Catholic traditions. He puts that command to excellent
use in this learned analysis of a critical theological question
today--How are Christians to understand the mystery of divine
election?"
--Gerald R. McDermott, Beeson Divinity School
"An exciting scholarly contribution to our understanding of God's
election as well as to furthering contemporary theological
ecumenism."
--Thomas G. Weinandy, Member of the International Theological
Commission
"Eduardo Echeverria's Divine Election laudably returns
the doctrine of election to the center of ecumenical dialogue. The
author engages an array of impeccably Catholic sources--from
Scheeben to Balthasar--and sets them alongside an assembly of
solidly Reformed ones--from Calvin to Barth and Berkouwer. Catholic
'synergism,' he argues, is neither Pelagian nor semi-Pelagian.
Instead, it is rooted in the 'Augustinian principle' that sin has
wounded but not destroyed human nature. An important work!"
--Mickey L. Mattox, Professor of Theology, Marquette University,
where he directs the Luther Studies in a Catholic Context program;
Author of Changing Churches: An Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran
Theological Conversation (Eerdmans, 2012)
"In this discerning study, building on Calvin, Scheeben, Barth,
Bavinck, Berkouwer, and Balthasar, Echeverria develops a Catholic
doctrine of election. By showing how God's election of humans is
solidly rooted in God's love, he succeeds in articulating election
without implying arbitrariness. He does so in a way that is both
erudite and accessible, both Catholic and ecumenical. This book
adds a whole new dimension to our belief that God acts 'for us and
our salvation.'"
--Marcel Sarot, Dean and Professor of Fundamental Theology, Tilburg
School of Catholic Theology, Tilburg University
"This study can be called Catholic in the broad sense of the word.
Theologians from Roman-Catholic and Protestant origin get to speak
about themes, related to God's election. Professor Echeverria
listens attentively to his theological discussion partners and
weighs their vision from a systematic theological and ecumenical
perspective. The books requires an attentive reading, but those who
are prepared to do so definitely receive a reward for their
efforts."
--Gerard de Korte, Bishop of the Diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch, The
Netherlands
"Imagine that a Jesuit, a Dominican, a Barthian, and an Evangelical
were locked in the Vatican Library and fed sparingly until they
came to a consensus on predestination. What conclusion might they
reach? Clear, clean, and cogent in argumentation, Echeverria's
superb study juxtaposes and synthesizes diverse perspectives,
offering a viewpoint that is Catholic in the preeminent sense,
congruent with the church's magisterial teaching, yet open to
insights from such Protestant thinkers as John Calvin, Karl Barth,
Herman Bavinck, G. C. Berkouwer, William Lane Craig, and Oliver
Crisp. One concludes the book with a sense that the
long-controverted doctrine of predestination is not an impossible
riddle or logical muddle, but a core Catholic teaching that
reconciles the priority of God's grace with the reality of a human
response in faith and obedience. This work will appeal to Catholic,
Orthodox, Protestant, and Pentecostal scholars, and to others
intrigued by this notoriously challenging doctrine."
--Michael J. McClymond, Professor of Modern Christianity, Saint
Louis University