Erich Przywara, S.J. (1889-1972) is one of the important Catholic intellectuals of the twentieth century. Yet, in the English-speaking world Przywara remains largely unknown. Few of his sixty books or six hundred articles have been translated. In this engaging new book, Thomas O'Meara offers a comprehensive study of the German Jesuit Erich Przywara and his philosophical theology.

Przywara's scholarly contributions were remarkable. He was one of three theologians who introduced the writings of John Henry Cardinal Newman into Germany. From his position at the Jesuit journal in Munich, Stimmen der Zeit, he offered an open and broad Catholic perspective on the cultural, philosophical, and theological currents of his time. As one of the first Catholic intellectuals to employ the phenomenologies of Edmund Husserl and Max Scheler, he was also responsible for giving an influential, more theological interpretation of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola.

Przywara was also deeply engaged in the ideas and authors of his times. He was the first Catholic dialogue partner of Karl Barth and Paul Tillich. Edmund Husserl was counted among Przywara's friends, and Edith Stein was a close personal and intellectual companion. Through his interactions with important figures of his age and his writings, ranging from speculative systems to liturgical hymns, Przywara was of marked importance in furthering a varied dialogue between German Catholicism and modern culture.

Following a foreword by Michael Fahey, O'Meara presents a chapter on Pryzwara's life and a chronology of his writings. O'Meara then discusses Pryzwara's philosophical theology, his lecture-courses at German universities on Augustineand Aquinas, his philosophy of religion, and his influence on important intellectual contemporaries. O'Meara concludes with an in-depth analysis of Pryzwara's theology -- focusing particularly on his Catholic views of person, liturgy, and church.

These essays are an important resource for American medievalists. They show that St. Albert was not only a scientist and philosopher, but a theologian and a political mediator as well. They range from Cardinal Lehmann's overview of St. Albert's conception of theology to a comparison of Albert's and Thomas' commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew by Ulrich Horst, to Erhard Schlieter's discussion of artistic portrayals of St. Albert in art. While St. Albert is the subject of a great deal of scholarly research in his homeland, he is less well known in the United States. Fr. O'Meara's translations and study guide will help bring the life and thought of this remarkable medieval scholar, who was considered to be an "astonishing wonder" by his contemporaries, to an American audience. This volume is being published by New Priory Press to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great which is based in Chicago.

Erich Przywara, S.J. (1889-1972), is one of the important Catholic intellectuals of the twentieth century. Yet, in the English-speaking world Przywara remains largely unknown. Few of his sixty books or six hundred articles have been translated. In this engaging new book, Thomas O'Meara offers a comprehensive study of the German Jesuit Erich Przywara and his philosophical theology. Przywara's scholarly contributions were remarkable. He was one of three theologians who introduced the writings of John Henry Cardinal Newman into Germany. From his position at the Jesuit journal in Munich, Stimmen der Zeit, he offered an open and broad Catholic perspective on the cultural, philosophical, and theological currents of his time. As one of the first Catholic intellectuals to employ the phenomenologies of Edmund Husserl and Max Scheler, he was also responsible for giving an influential, more theological interpretation of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola. Przywara was also deeply engaged in the ideas and authors of his times. He was the first Catholic dialogue partner of Karl Barth and Paul Tillich. Edmund Husserl was counted among Przywara's friends, and Edith Stein was a close personal and intellectual friend. Through his interactions with important figures of his age and his writings, ranging from speculative systems to liturgical hymns, Przywara was of marked importance in furthering a varied dialogue between German Catholicism and modern culture. Following a foreword by Michael A. Fahey, S.J., O'Meara presents a chapter on Pryzwara's life and a chronology of his writings. O'Meara then discusses Pryzwara's philosophical theology, his lecture-courses at German universities on Augustine and Aquinas, his philosophy of religion, and his influence on important intellectual contemporaries. O'Meara concludes with an in-depth analysis of Pryzwara's theology-focusing particularly on his Catholic views on person, liturgy, and church.

This text considers Aquinas the theologian, his profession as a teacher and preacher, his influence past and present, and theology as the subject of his thought and most of his writings. It examines the "Summa theologiae" in terms of its purpose and multiple structures. The centre piece of this volume is a tour through the themes of Christianity, as presented in the Summa, themes which range from Triune divine being, to the graced person as the image of God, and a member of the body of Christ, to the life beyond death. The perspective shifts between present and past, and O'Meara complements his study with an overview of six centuries of interpretation of Thomas's theology, revealing how through the centuries - various schools and disciples of Thomas have advocated his thought - but few have understood the structure and intent of his theology. It provides a contemporary exposition of Aquinas theology set against a backdrop of insight that reveals how it mirrored the creative directions of his personality and the times in which he lived, as well as the cultural and scientific forms and insights available to him. The author also discusses how some of Thomas's themes can contribute to theology in contemporary times, such as in psychology, art, and a theology of world religions.

Drawing on the tradition of the Dominican Order and over twenty-five years of classroom teaching, O'Meara makes a well-qualified guide to the faith and vision of Thomas Aquinas. Introducing readers to the cultural and theological worlds of Aquinas, O'Meara examines the Summa theologiae in terms of its purpose and multiple structures. Also, he conducts a tour through the great themes of Christianity as presented in the Summa -- themes which range from the Triune divine being, to the graced person as the image of God and a member of the body of Christ, to life beyond death.

O'Meara complements his study with an overview of six centuries of interpretation of Aquinas, revealing how many schools and disciples have advocated and employed his thought. Providing a vivid contemporary exposition of Aquinas's theology, O'Meara reveals how it mirrored the creative directions of his personality as well as the times in which he lived, and also incorporated the cultural and scientific insights available to him. Also, O'Meara discusses how Aquinas's themes can contribute to meaningful study of contemporary theology, particularly in relation to psychology, art, and a theology of world religions.

An insightful contribution to our contemporary understanding of Aquinas, O'Meara's new book is intelligent, articulate, and will prove accessible to beginning readers and veteran Thomists alike.