Beyond the utopia and disenchantment: Christian hope today

Father Gabriele
— Theologica —

BEYOND UTOPIA AND THE DISENCHANTMENT: HOPE CHRISTIAN TODAY

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The Christian hope, today must make his way with much effort and fatigue between the new experiences of millenarianism, between the political eschatology claims of American Protestantism, the apocalyptic narrative of Jihadism in the West, to the strange experiences of religiosity New Age he was born in Mayan calendar ended 21 December of 2012. From these extremes, as almost a touch of boredom bottom of immanence, we can move towards a completely different dimension, one that opens the door to the prospect of Christian hope.

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Author:
Gabriele Giordano M. Scardocci, o.p.

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The Dominican theologian Daniel Aucone

Daniel Aucone, Dominican priest and theologian of the Roman province of St. Catherine of Siena [cf. see WHO], already author of The question of community between philosophy and theology [Ed. Nerbini, cf. WHO] It offers the public of scholars and researchers his latest book, Beyond the utopia and disenchantment - Christian hope today, also the result of the doctoral dissertation work in theology [Ed. Angelicum University Press, cf. WHO].

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The central theme of the text is the hope, as evidenced by the title; the author tries to outline and identify in it fruitful trajectories [cf. pag. 10] to reinvigorate the announcement of this theme very dear to Catholic theology. Hope for believers residing in the face and in the encounter of Jesus Christ.

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The text is divided into two parts: in the first part of the Father Daniele Aucone he pauses to scan the society and Western culture and the prospect of waiting, from different authors: Kojève and Zizek among others. In the second part, instead, he pauses to generate a theological-systematic perspective of hope, with assistance from various authors including Theobald, Durand and Mendoza - Alvarez.

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the last work of the Dominican theologian Daniel Aucone

The first part can be defined strict sense as a description of a "scream" of the post-modern society that, now waned worldly hopes, It is enclosed between resignation, disillusionment and new fears.

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Alexander Kojève, the interpreter as of the end of history in the Hegelian sense, opens the door to a search of earthly immortality. Slavko Žižek then conducts an analysis of the vicinity of the zero point, where it provides a apocalyptic classic type in which they live only an overview of panic scenarios. In this first part, There seems very interesting, also for the reader less expert in philosophical matters, accurate section that tells the new experiences of millenarianism: between the claims of political eschatology of American Protestantism, the apocalyptic narrative of Jihadism in the West, to the strange experiences of religiosity New Age and the Mayan Calendar ended 21/12/12. From these extremes, as almost a touch of boredom bottom of immanence, Finally the author can make a transition and move the prospect of Christian hope. He writes the Father Daniele Aucone:

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"In this context of contemporary West uncomfortable fact, but also of the search for meaning and direction, It is called upon to integrate the message of Christian hope that the encounter with the Risen waiting defined as end [N.d.R. telos, “purpose”, “fine”] e end [pears: “unlimited”, “Infinity”] of history". [cit. pag. 114].

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The hope is then a gift, a desire to create a all’man Desiring, over the claim of a liquid postmodern life, to establish firmly a dignified life in the time of the End. It hopes that finally allows you to escape from the tyranny of everything at once, a wait time based on the final memory of the resurrection; at last, very interesting idea that the author He takes the theologian Roberto Repole: hope understood as Humble Thought and opening the perspective of Revelation, over weak thought vattimiano, but without even claim to resolve it completely, over the unthinkable return to a strong thought: hope is the root of a humble thought [cit. pag. 116].

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In the analysis of the biblical section, it abundantly clarifies the meaning of the apocalyptic horizon exegetical current, showing how the analysis of the last book of the Bible, far from perspectives about the "end of the world ''s intention is to show that there are various purposes, that enclose different historical epochs; and at the same time the Apocalypse reveals narcissism of contemporary man down, that hides a deep existential instability [cit. pag. 126].

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The previous work of the Dominican theologian Daniel Aucone

Since the studies of Christoph Theobald, Father Daniele Aucone finally proposes Christianity as a lifestyle in which to live and give life to the world; This is possible because it creates bonds of fraternity beyond space and time, that exceed the current individualism. [cit. pag. 142]. In the theological section, he binds at the thought of the Dominican brother Emanuel Durand offering interesting reflections on the theology of Providence. For many believers it has in fact noticed that faith in God the Creator did not lead to a deep attention to his work of providence, even in the smallest daily. With the Father Emanuel Durand is the recovery of a theology of providence in which, man is founded by a continuous living relationship with God. The Lord of creation, He concludes our author with the Dominican theologian Emanuel Durand, It acts through purely natural phenomena, as well as those miraculous: Providence has thus action in necessary and contingent: nothing escapes the invisible hand, Maternal and at the same time collaborating with the man of the Triune God [cit. pag. 163].

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Very interesting are finally the final five ideas on current ecclesial missions, that make up the latest chapter: a new sense of mission of the Word [cit. pag. 267], an evangelization in the spirit breath [cit. pag. 270], a focus for an integral human ecology [cit. pag. 273], training to brotherhood and communion [cit. pag. 277] and finally a transfiguration of time through the liturgical celebration - sacramental [cit. pag. 281].

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The book is highly recommended the theology fans, as well as to professionals for a breath of fresh air about the theological speculation on hope and eschatology, able to get out of classic patterns and propose even in comparison with the current culture. Above all, the ideas about the church missions can be a source for a personal meditation, as well as speculative, Also to lay pastoral guidelines.

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Rome 27 May 2019

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