Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World: A Theology for the Third Millennium [Paperback]

Kenan B. Osborne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000

Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World offers a fresh perspective on the sacramental event by bringing together two generally unrelated subjects in a new way: sacramental theology and postmodern philosophical thought.

Osborne shows, in an innovative way, how these two factors of third millennium life can be positively united to encourage powerful new thinking on the ways we Christians not only theorize about sacraments but also live sacraments. Using a key section on sacraments from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and by employing foundational concepts of postmodern philosophy and several issues from medieval Franciscan philosophy, the author develops a distinctly different approach to sacrament events.

Here is a visionary, thoughtful work by a major theologian, writer and educator. It is sure to stir thinking and discussion among theologians, philosophers, liturgists and religious educators

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Osborne (retired, systematic theology, Franciscan Sch. of Theology, Berkeley, CA; Christian Sacraments of Initiation, Sacramental Theology: An Introduction) has written several well-reviewed books on sacramental theology. Osborne enjoys the reputation of an authoritative and original thinker with an understandable writing style. This welcome title summarizes current research and provides the philosophical and theological basis for a discussion on shaping sacramental theology well into the third millennium. The text is highly philosophical and presupposes a knowledgable Roman Catholic reader. "My basic hope," he writes, "is to indicate that postmodern ways of thinking have something powerful to say to the ways Christians live sacraments." An exceptional book that is well researched and carefully documented, this is recommended for libraries of Catholic colleges and seminaries.
-John Leonard Berg, Univ. of Wisconsin Lib., Platteville
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A carefully researched and thought-provoking book. -- Josephinum Journal of Theology

An exceptional book that is well researched and carefully documented, this is recommended for libraries of Catholic colleges and seminaries. -- Library Journal

Excellent matter for Catholic thinking! -- New Theology Review

For those who are willing to chew it slowly and thoroughly, this book is profoundly nourishing, a meal in itself. -- America

Osborne's book is like good pain de campagne from rural France. -- America

Osborne's insights into the need to take seriously our contemporary context and the values of postmodern thinking are timely. -- The Living Light

Osborne's insights take seriously our contemporary context and the values of postmodern thinking. -- The Living Light

Well researched and carefully documented, this is recommended for libraries of Catholic colleges and seminaries. -- Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Pr (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809139049
• ISBN-13: 978-0809139040
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Postmodern Foundation for Future Sacramentology, July 26, 2000

By 

Alexander J. MacDonald - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christian Sacraments in a Postmodern World: A Theology for the Third Millennium (Paperback)

Prof. Osborne, in this book, critiques the traditional theological paradigm (which is based upon an objectivist ontology) and shows us the direction in which theology and sacramentology must go in order to be relevant to contemporary people. He considers the subjectivist epistemology of postmodern philosophy to be the only valid way in which we can now express our theological affirmations.

This book is NOT for the general reader, as it assumes a lot of philosophical knowledge, but is directed to his fellow theologians and students of theology. The book is well outlined and very thorough in it's coverage of the topic.

I found Prof. Osborne's book to be interesting and I agreed with his basic conclusions concerning sacramentology and postmodern thought. The older theological paradigm (which is based upon an objectivist epistemology and ontology) is frought with too many difficulties. It is becoming more and more irrelevent. Postmodern thought, however, allows us to get fresh look at the philosophical basis of our current theological affirmations. With this fresh look we can then move forward in expressing our theological affirmations in such a way that the Christian sacraments are seen in a phenomenological, existential and subjective way. In short, in a way that will speak to the postmodern person.