Issue 106/1 (2025) of the magazine “Gregorianum” is available, quarterly published by the Gregorian University.

ARTICULI

Llane B. Briese, Salvation Stories: The Rhetoric of Story in Sacred Scripture

Abstract - Pope Francis has observed that evangelizing communities encounter others “by word and deed” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 24), echoing language from Dei Verbum and Luke-Acts that describes how revelation occurs within the historia salutis. This article explores the scope of this history of salvation, arguing that all history is narrative and that all narrative is rhetorical. Employing the scholarly tools of rhetorical narratology, the essay discusses how the salvation history recounted in Scripture persuades readers not only of truths, but also of goodness and beauty, leading to the conclusion that the same qualities that make biblical revelation persuasive also make the present-day transmission of divine revelation that occurs in evangelization effective. Biblical exegesis thus offers a model for discernment in the apostolate, as attention to narrative nuance promotes sensitivity to nuance in human relationships.

Keywords: exegesis – narratology – rhetoric– salvation history – evangelization

 

Eduard López Hortelano, S.I, La visualidad del Logos trinitario: dogma y experiencia

Abstract - The objective of this research is to determine the importance of Christ, the image of the invisible God, for theological and spiritual reflection and the experience of Christian faith. To do this, this article analyzes, first of all, the relationship between the image and imitation of Christ and the function of the Holy Spirit who shows what is imitable. This movement from top to bottom helps to get out of the self-referentiality of the baptized and is complemented, secondly, with a recovery of the eternal in front of the immediate, which allows adoration and ordering towards the divine. Thirdly, these aspects mark Christian existence from a contemplative perspective (elevation of the mind) to spiritual motions and missionary or apostolic commitment (the Christian follower and apostle).

Keywords: Image of Christ – Mind raised on high – Adoration – Spirituality – prayer

 

Aaron Pidel, S.I., Aquinas on the Limited Authority of Erroneous Conscience

Abstract - Some theologians, beginning with Karl Rahner, have claimed a Thomistic pedigree for the idea that acts occasioned by an erring conscience can be morally good, even when said acts contradict known ecclesial clarifications of the natural law. But this construes the authority of erring conscience in a way foreign to Aquinas’s thought, isolating the act of conscience from the regulating habits of synderesis and prudence. There are good reasons, moreover, for preferring Aquinas’s understanding of conscience to the revisionist interpretation.

Keywords: conscience – dissent – ignorance – natural law – prudence – Karl Rahner – synderesis – Thomas Aquinas

 

Christopher Staab, S.I., Growing in reverence and receptivity. A comparative study between Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Diary and Teresa of Ávila’s Spiritual Testimonies

Abstract - This study seeks to discover the spiritual growth that Ignatius of Loyola experienced during the period of his discernment as recorded in the Spiritual Diary. Albeit still an enigmatic and oft-forgotten text in Ignatian studies, the Diary not only presents the reader his discernment process, but it also points to significant spiritual growth that Ignatius underwent. As a way to bring into relief this growth, this study will place Ignatius’s Diary in dialogue with Teresa of Avila’s Spiritual Testimonies. The points of comparison between the two texts are the relationship with Jesus and the Eucharist. The differences on these points in both texts allow for a more careful observation of the way that Ignatius was growing in reverence for the Lord and in his receptivity to God’s communication with him in the Eucharist. The mystic’s path to transformation is ours: the quotidian practices of prayer and the Eucharist can function for us, as they did for Teresa and Ignatius, as that path into an ever-deepening relationship with God.

Keywords: Spiritual Diary – Ignatius – spirituality – Jesus – Eucharist

 

Simone Fagioli, È possibile concepire “Una teoria della giustizia” senza una presupposta idea di bene? Considerazioni sul pensiero di J. Rawls

Abstract - The article deals with J. Rawls’ attempt to develop a theory of justice independent of an a priori notion of the good. This aspect of Rawls’ thought was considered highly original in the criticism of P. Ricoeur. The analysis does not imply a rejection of Rawls’ theory of justice; on the contrary, Rawls’ attempt to formulate a valid and complete theory, as an alternative to both teleological theories and intuitionism, appears impressive. However, the theoretical framework chosen by Rowls to eliminate any form of teleologism and to establish the principles of justice despite any idea of the good (or the non-interpretation of justice as maximizing the good) seems to be a path that is not entirely fruitful and not entirely practicable.

Keywords: Rawls – principles – theory – justice – good – freedom – equity – original position – equality – public sphere

 

NOTAE

Henri de Lubac et Michel de Certeau : C. Álvarez, Henri de Lubac et Michel de Certeau: Le débat entre théologie et sciences humaines au regard de la mystique et de l’histoire (1940-1986), (J. Servais), 157-160.
Maine de Biran, la phénoménologie et au-delà : E. Falque, Spiritualisme et phénoménologie. Le cas de Maine de Biran (P. Gilbert), 161-165.
Teologia, Storia e Antropologia al femminile: A-S. Martínez Cano – M. Vidal i Quintero, ed., Miradas a todo color. Teologías feministas poscoloniales en un mundo en conflicto (E. Cesarale), 166-168; I. Gagliardi, Anima e corpo. Donne e fedi nel mondo mediterraneo (secoli XI-XVI), (A. Valerio), 168-169; M. Vidal i Quintero, ed., Genealogías del trauma. Cuerpos abusados, memorias reconciliadas (R. Gonzàlez Casas), 169-171.

RECENSIONES

Biblia: S. Ammann, Der zerbrochene Spiegel: Die babylonische Eroberung Jerusa­lems als kulturelles Trauma (F. Martins), 173-175; S. Arden Long, Dynamics of Charity and Reciprocity in the Book of Sirach (N. Calduch-Benages), 175-177; M. D. Lancaster, Hosea’s God: A Metaphorical Theology (E. M. Obara), 177-179.

Theologia: G. El Hage, De la Terre promise au règne de Dieu. La pensée politique d’Origène (H. Pietras), 180-182; R. M. Lynch, Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae and Eucharistic Sacrifice in the Early Modern Period (A. Lusvardi), 182-184; C. Maggioni, Maria nel mistero di Cristo celebrato dalla Chiesa (N. Capizzi), 184-186; A. T. Okala Nkama, L’homme dans le dessein de Dieu selon Louis Bouyer. La vie dans la communion (A. Gibbs), 186-188.

Ius Canonicum: D. Dimodugno, Gli edifici di culto come beni culturali in Italia. Nuovi scenari per la gestione e il riuso delle chiese cattoliche tra diritto cano­nico e diritto statale (G. P. Montini), 188-190.

Historia Ecclesiae: M. Camaioni, Il governo dei pulpiti. Predicatori, potere e pub­blico nell’Italia della prima età moderna (M. Saulini), 190-192; M. Cristini, Ba­duila: Politics and Warfare at the End of Ostrogothic Italy (C. Sáenz), 192-193; U. L. Lehner, Inszenierte Keuschheit. Sexualdelikte in der Gesellschaft Jesu im 17. und 18. Jahrhundert (F. Sobiech), 194-195; M. Letteney, The Christianiza­tion of Knowledge in Late Antiquity. Intellectual and Material Transforma­tions (D. Garribba), 196-198.

Judaica: J. Yahalom, Origins of Hebrew Liturgical Rhetoric and Poetics: Magic, Midrash and Merkavah Mysticism (D. Del Prete), 198-200.

 

OPERA ACCEPTA

(201-202)