A Theology of Grace in Six Controversies (Interventions (INT))

The late Edward Oakes, SJ was a theologian perhaps most associated, like several others, with hisstudies of Hans Urs von Balthasar. He taught at Mundelein in Chicago, and the foreword to this bookis by now-Bishop Robert Barron. This book is a theology of grace, cleverly done by looking at six ofthe most interesting topics in theology.Oakes begins with the issue of the relationship between nature and grace. This is often debatedregarding the question of the hypothetical state of "pure nature", and whether or not this is a usefulcategory for understanding grace. Neo-Scholastic theology, represented in the 20th century byReginald Garrigou-Lagrange, held a sharp distinction between the order of nature and that ofgrace. This was challenged by Henri de Lubac with his view of the natural desire for the vision ofGod, in his Surnaturel, followed by Balthasar in his Theology of Karl Barth. In a different way, KarlRahner took a similar position with the supernatural existential. All of these took inspiration fromMaurice Blondel, Joseph Marechal, and Erich Przywara. Oakes goes back to the 19th century andMatthias Scheeben in his Nature and Grace. He made a sharp distinction, like Garrigou-Lagrange,but his nuptial metaphors made the relationship between the two not as extrinsic as in otherneo-Scholastics. The study of Scheeben has also been done recently by Andrew Dean Swafford.The debate on pure nature continues, with Lawrence Feingold and Steven Long proposing theusefulness of pure nature. John Milbank and David Bentley Hart have weighed in, opposing theextrinsic position. Oakes is fair to the contributions on both sides of the debate.The next topic is justification, with an engagement with Luther, Barth, and the New Perspectiveon Paul represented by E.P. Sanders. The question of free will and predestination goes into allkinds of speculative questions. Continuing to look at Barth, Oakes shows how the predestinationof Christ connects with that of Israel and the Church in Romans. The topic of free will also getsinto the famous de auxiliis controversy between Luis Molina and Domingo Banez, more recentlystudied by Bernard Lonergan in Gratia Operans or Grace and Freedom. The fascinating questionof evolution and original sin is next, looking at some of the same issues as the recent study byWilliam Lane Craig.Continuing the ecumenical discussion, Oakes examines the relationship between experienceand divinization or theosis. Finally, there is Mary as the mediatrix of graces. While Mariandogmas and theological titles can be difficult in ecumenical discussion, Oakes showscounterintuitively how prevenient grace can actually fit well with the doctrine of solagratia or grace alone.

Great book from a fine Jesuit.