Beginning at Jerusalem: Five Reflections on the History of the Church
Owen F. Cummings
General Beginning at Jerusalem: Five Reflections on the History of By Glenn W. Olsen. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press. 2004. Pp. 236. Paperback.) This book represents fruit lifetime devoted to study history, and especially history Church, part W Olsen, Professor University Utah in Salt Lake City, I find myself profound agreement with its point view. A careful glance footnotes clearly establishes that positions Olsen takes are grounded minutiae meticulous historical research as well engagement contemporary philosophy theology. In terms research, counted about thirty-seven articles essays by cited dealing, for example, Anselm Canterbury, Bede, Dhuoda Septimania, John Salisbury, Bernard Clairvaux. theology his published work engages Christopher Dawson, Rawls, Orthodox Anglican theologians Milbank Catherine Pickstock their Catholic first-cousins Aidan Nichols, O.P., Michael Baxter, C.S.C., William Cavanaugh. However, think it is fair say favorite Pope Paul II Hans Urs von Balthasar, whose influence or stimulus omnipresent throughout book. The consists five reflections followed two appendices prayer Catechism first reflection chapter 1, Christianity Us: Once Future Church. central contrast between our times time ancient we have lost God, thereby sense who are. elimination God [or divine providence] from narratives ends substitute deity It not case there has been no progress such. Rather, moved seeing form permanent struggle which may be discerned linear story charting inevitability progress. concern Olsen's just early church history. Ancient help us reclaim struggle. Irenaeus Lyons provides an example a process man educated, allowed make mistakes learn discipline. . so much progressive open ended indeterminate (p. 27). Augustine Hippo saw all mixed, is, composed intermingling good evil would never separated until Last Judgment 31). this antique Christian view ongoing drama, ever scripting anew sin grace radical evil, enlightenment degradation 34). That lesson (post)-moderns could learn. second 2, Late Early Medieval Christianity: World We Have Lost. Without espousing ecclesial primitivism, earlier better, reflects elements world lost, consequently impoverished: angels, Pseudo-Dionysius, cult saints, communion certain medieval liturgical developments (Carolingian civilization). These represent integral world-view center, held invited greater one another through liturgy. third 3, High An Assessment Third Millennium. His assessment period based permeative axiom: Because mixed quality achievement, my goal humiliating sobering anything else 68). runs Gregorian Reform Innocent III Lateran Council IV At each twist turn road compares contrasts high viewpoints modern perceptions. …