Systematic theology seeks to understand and render more intelligible the central doctrines of faith and to show how they are related to each other. It tries to demonstrate how these doctrines are rooted in Scripture and develop in the history of the church; most important, it strives to more adequately express and sometimes reinterpret the church's doctrinal tradition, always in the interest of better communicating the mystery of salvation and bringing it into a dialogue with culture. The present text is intended to be concise and accessible, an introduction that explores basic themes in Catholic systematic theology from a biblical, historical, and contemporary perspective, always aware of today's theological pluralism.

"If Christian hope is reduced to the salvation of the soul in a heaven beyond death," wrote Jurgen Moltmann, "it loses its power to renew life and change the world, and its flame is quenched." Thomas Rausch, SJ, agrees, arguing that too often the hoped-for eschaton has been replaced by an almost exclusive emphasis on the "four last things"-death and judgment, heaven and hell. But eschatology cannot be reduced to the individual salvation. In his new book, Rausch explores eschatology's intersections with Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and, perhaps most intriguingly, liturgy. With the early Christians, he sees God's future as a radically social reality, already present initially in Christian worship, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist. This fresh and insightful work of theology engages voices both ancient and contemporary.

In the spirit of nineteenth-century philosopher John Stuart Mill's admonition to fully, frequently, and fearlessly" discuss what we profess to be true in order that it remain a "living truth" rather than dead dogma, Thomas P. Rausch gives us "I Believe in God: A Reflection on the Apostles' Creed. "Rausch carefully explores the controversies that led to the development of the Creed and thereby brings the Creed to life for modern readers. More important, he maintains that the Creed is most fully alive when those who profess it do so as a personal response to their baptismal cal.

"I Believe in God" carefully unpacks the three articles of the Creed but does so always with an eye and heart toward communion with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As baptized Christians, to profess the Creed is to be committed to enter more deeply into this trinitarian relationship and thus more fully into communion with one another. Rausch clearly shows that the Apostles' Creed is grounded in Scripture, first came to expression in the church's baptismal liturgy, and can be better understood in light of contemporary theological reflection. Attentive to the ways in which the language of the Creed is relevant to the experience of twenty-first-century Christians, he leads us to understand what Pope Benedict meant when he said the Creed is "a tiny summa in which everything essential is expressed." With Rausch's guidance, readers will confess those essentials with greater conviction and appreciation.

"Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, is the T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is the author of "Being Catholic in a Culture of Choice, Towards a Truly Catholic Church, Who is Jesus?, Catholicism in the Third Millennium, "and editor of the bestselling "The College Student's Introduction to Theology, "al published by Liturgical Press.""

What is Catholicism? And where is the Catholic Church headed in the third millennium? These two questions provide the structure for Thomas Rausch's "Catholicism in the Third Millennium." Here Rausch combines a faithful presentation of the tradition with a critical theological reflection and interpretation of where the Church is today and where it might be moving.

"Catholicism in the Third Millennium" offers an appreciation of the forces and movements that have shaped, and continue to influence, the ongoing change and development of Roman Catholicism. Chief among these is the influence of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in reshaping Catholicism.

This revised edition includes updated text from Rausch's "Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium" particularly the final chapter on The Unfinished Agenda" of Vatican II. Each chapter concludes with focus questions developed by Catherine E. Clifford of St. Paul's University, Ottawa. This experience of guided reading provides readers with a broad survey of Roman Catholic faith and practice in its contemporary context.

For readers who wish to compare particular passages of this volume with the "Catechism of the Catholic Church," an outline is provided in an appendix, with references to the appropriate sections of the Catechism. A second appendix offers a glossary of terms used in the book, while a third appendix lists a number of basic works for further investigation of Catholic faith and life.

Chapters are *The Church and the Council, - *Faith and the Believing Community, - *A Visible Church, - *a living Tradition, - *Sacraments and Christian Initiation, - *Christian Life and Discipleship, - *Sin, Forgiveness, and Healing, - *Sexual Morality and Social Justice, - *Prayer and Spirituality, - *The Fullness of Christian Hope, - and *The Unfinished Agenda. - Includes "Appendix I" Outlook of Book, with References to the "Catechism of the Catholic Church, Appendix II: " Glossary of Terms, and Appendix III: Basic Reference Works on Catholicism. An "Index of Names," and an "Index of Subjects" are also included.

"Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, PhD, is professor of theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is the author of "Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, Reconciling Faith and Reason," and editor of the bestselling "The College Student's Introduction to Theology" published by Liturgical Press."

"Catherine E. Clifford, PhD, is a professor of theology at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Ontario.""

Who is Jesus? This is the fundamental question for christology. The earliest Christians used various titles, most of them drawn from the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, to express their faith in Jesus. They called him prophet, teacher, Messiah, Son of David, Son of Man, Lord, Son of God, Word of God, and occasionally even God. In "Who Is Jesus?" Thomas Rausch, S.J., focuses on the New Testament's rich variety of christologies.

"Who Is Jesus?" covers the three quests for the historical Jesus, the methods for retrieving the historical Jesus, the Jewish background, the Jesus movement, his preaching and ministry, death and resurrection, the various New Testament christologies, and the development of christological doctrine from the New Testament period to the Council of Chalcedon.

Chapters are The Three Quests for the Historical Jesus," *Methodological Considerations, - *The Jewish Background, - *Jesus and His Movement, - *The Preaching and Ministry of Jesus, - *The Death of Jesus, - *God Raised Him from the Dead, - *New Testament Christologies, - *From the New Testament to Chalcedon, - *Sin and Salvation, - and *A Contemporary Approach to Soteriology. -

"Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, PhD, is the T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A specialist in ecclesiology, ecumenism, and the theology of the priesthood, he has published eight books including the award-winning "Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, The College Student's Introduction to Theology," and"Reconciling Faith and Reason: Apologists, Evangelists, and Theologians in a Divided Church," published by Liturgical Press.""

This book provides an introduction to the study of theology and its various methods of investigation. While most theological texts focus on one facet of study, "The College Student's Introduction to Theology" introduces the whole rich and complex area of theological studies. It is written from a Roman Catholic perspective, but the book is consciously ecumenical in its approach.

Part I: Foundations examines the nature of theology as both a science and a work of the Church (and the resulting tension between theologians and bishops), the Hebrew Scriptures, and development of the New Testament canon, and an overview of the Church history.

Part II: Systematic Questions tackles Christian faith, Christian anthropology, moral theology, and the sacramental and liturgical life of the Christian.

Part III: Contemporary Issues introduces the concept and various expressions of spirituality, the Second Vatical Council, and two post conciliar issues: ecumenism and feminism.

Contributors include Christopher Key Chapple, PhD; John R. Connolly, PhD; Michael Downey, PhD; Mary M. Garascia, CPPS, PhD; Marie Ann Mayeski, PhD; Mary Milligan, RSHM, STD; John R. Popiden, PhD; Thomas P. Rausch. SJ, PhD; Herbert J. Ryan, SJ, STD; Jeffrey S. Siker, PhD; and Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, D. Phil.