Christianity in a Nutshell

by Leonardo Boff, Phillip Berryman

Overview

From one of the world's most prophetic voices, and inspiring sumary of the Christian message. For over fifty years and in over sixty books, Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff has explored the mysteries of the Christian message. In this short work he sets out to describe the essence of Christianity in language that is accessible and meaningful in terms of our awareness of the evolution of the universe and an expanding cosmos. In this perspective he asks, "What does Christianity intend to reveal? What message does it bring to human beings? For believers, how does it reveal God and how is God revealed in it?" Boff situates the story of Jesus in the immense history of the cosmos, the story of the Divine Mystery that seeks to be known. He goes on to relate the story of Jesus to the history of Christianity, which carries on his mission, despite its failing and distortions. Thus, the Christian movement takes part in the common mission of other religious and spiritual paths "to keep alive the sacred flame of the divine presence in each person, in history, and in the entire cosmic process."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608333042
Publisher:	Orbis
Publication date:	10/01/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

1 Christianity and Mystery 5

1 All is Mystery 5

2 In the beginning is communion 7

3 The Originating Source of all being 9

4 The great silent explosion 10

5 Birth of the sun that supports the earth 14

6 The universe seen from within 17

7 The human being, infinite project 18

8 The advent of Mystery 21

9 The spiritualization of Mary by the Holy Spirit 22

10 The incarnation of the Son in Jesus of Nazareth 24

11 The personalization of the Father in Joseph of Nazareth 27

12 God in all things, all things in God 30

2 Christianity and the Ages of the Blessed Trinity 33

1 The era of the Spirit/Mary 33

2 The era of the Son/Jesus 37

3 The era of the Father/Joseph 42

3 Christianity and Jesus 47

1 A root experience: The end is near 47

2 A dream: The reign of God 53

3 A practice: Liberation 57

4 A message: Our Father and our bread 61

5 An ethic: Unlimited love and mercy 77

6 A destiny: The execution of the liberator 81

7 An anticipation: The resurrection scarcely begun 83

4 Christianity and History 89

1 The distinction between reign of God and the church 90

2 Christianity as movement and spiritual way 91

3 Christianity encountering cultures 92

4 Christianity and the churches 93

5 Christianity at the mercy of sacred and political power 95

6 Christianity subjected to the pathologies of power 97

7 Christianity from the side of the people 101

8 Christianity and its reductionisms 102

9 The future of Christianity in the age of globalization 107

10 Christianity and its civilizing contribution 108

Conclusion: Et tunc erit finis (All is consummated) 115

Bibliography 121

Editorial Reviews

09/23/2013
In this short work, influential liberation theologian Boff (Jesus Christ Liberator) focuses on Christianity's core: the Lord's Prayer, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus's call to peace, unconditional love, and preferential care for the poor, all of which proclaim the reign of God. In Boff's reading, Christianity's true meaning has been buried under the dogmas, creeds, and sacraments of the institutional church. The hope for the reign that will bring justice and end suffering has resided in those who, like Francis of Assisi, have poured themselves out in love of God, neighbor, and all creation. "The reign is the key thing; the church is secondary," Boff writes. Although the book's first 20-odd pages, which conflate faith concepts with science, yield a mystical stew that might be off-putting to some, Boff's later focus on Christianity's gentle and loving essence, written with heartfelt and persuasive simplicity, becomes inspired reading. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly