The twentieth century witnessed a renewed interest in a Roman Catholic theology of the word. The beginning of this renewal is marked by the work of Karl Rahner who, before the Second Vatican Council, decried the fact that Roman Catholicism, in contrast to the Protestant theological tradition, lacked an adequate theology of the word. Rahner's contributions, as well as those of sacramental theologian Louis-Marie Chauvet, demonstrate the Roman Catholic conviction that the word is fundamentally sacramental: it has the capacity to bear God's presence to humanity. Rooted in patristic and medieval sacramental tradition, and engaged in dialogue with Reformation theologies, Rhodora Beaton examines the further advances in Rahner and Chauvet to articulate the relationship between word and sacrament within the context of language, culture, and an already graced world as the place of divine self-expression, as well as analyzes the implications for Trinitarian theology, sacramentality, liturgy, and action.
Rhodora E. Beaton is assistant professor of theology at Saint Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and a former instructor of theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is the editor of the forthcoming monograph, Illuminating Unity: Four Perspectives on Dei Verbum's 'One Table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ'. This volume is a revision of a dissertation completed at the University of Notre Dame under the supervision of Mary Catherine Hilkert, O.P.
"In an ecumenical spirit, Rhodora E. Beaton masterfully surveys two twentieth-century giants of the Catholic tradition - Karl Rahner and Louis-Marie Chauvet. Offering a theology of the proclaimed word that bursts forth from a graced world, Beaton's Embodied Words, Spoken Signs opens out into theologies of preaching and language, ritual and embodiment, creation and Trinity. An excellent contribution to systematic theology, liturgical theology, and ecumenical theology." Edward P. Hahnenberg John Carroll University "Deeply researched and beautifully written, Rhodora E. Beaton's book not only offers a magisterial assessment of the works of Karl Rahner and sacramental theologian Louis-Marie Chauvet but is also a timely and remarkable contribution to our understanding of the sacramentality of the word and world. As such, it is an impressive scholarly achievement." Nathan D. Mitchell University of Notre Dame "Embodied Words, Spoken Signs makes a significant contribution to overcoming the long-term divide in Catholic theology between word and sacrament. Rooted in the classic insights of Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and John Calvin, Rhodora E. Beaton draws on the sacramental theologies of Karl Rahner and Louis-Marie Chauvet to craft a creative contemporary reading of the claim that words of faith proclaimed and heard in the power of the Spirit are 'audible sacraments.' An excellent resource for ecumenical reflection on the power of the wordin a world in which sin abounds, but grace abounds still more, this volume will prove valuable for scholars, students, pastors, and preachers from a wide variety of Christian traditions." Mary Catherine Hilkert University of Notre Dame "A welcomed new voice for sacramental and fundamental theology, Rhodora E. Beaton has provided a much-needed scholarly treatment of the revelatory nature of liturgically proclaimed word. With its original entree into two of the most important twentieth-century theologians building on chapters surveying major historical contributors, this lucid book will serve as a reliable text for students and professionals alike." Bruce T. Morrill Vanderbilt University "Rhodora E. Beaton has given us, in this intelligent, fair, and fresh book, a genuine ecumenical gift. Both Luther and Calvin are read accurately and profoundly, in company with excellent scholarship on the Reformation, against the background of Augustine and Aquinas, as laying important groundwork for Schillebeeckx, Rahner, and Chauvet. The resultant emerging Roman Catholic theology of the sacramental word is one that we all need now." Gordon W. Lathrop Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia "After exploring the Theology of Word expounded of Rahner and elaborated by Chauvet, Rhodora E. Beaton develops her Theology of Word, reverencing its context both in the ritual event and in the sacrament of created reality. Beaton's approach is welcome and timely as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vatican II's Declaration on Divine Revelation and ponder anew how the Word becomes flesh in our day." Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
