Complete Bibliography of Lonergan Studies

REVIEWS

Barden, Garrett. Irish Theological Quarterly 73/3 & 4 (2008) 385-86.

Stebbins, J. Michael. Theological Studies 69/4 (2008) 962.

Liptay, John J, Jr. And David S. Liptay. The Importance of Insight: Essays in Honour of Michael Vertin. (See LSN 28/2 [2007] 4-5.

Stebbins, J. Michael. Theological Studies 69/4 (2008) 940-42.

Ormerod, Neil. The Trinity: Retrieving the Western Tradition.

Norris, Tom. Irish Theological Quarterly 73/3 & 4 (2008) 199-202.

DISSERTATIONS & THESES

This dissertation proposes a theory of group cognitive development by arguing that intentional adult groups are complex and dynamic, and that they have the potential to evolve over time. Groups are complex in that they are made up of individuals within different orders of consciousness (Kegan), and they are dynamic in that different orders of consciousness interact and conflict (Lonergan) during the formation and enactment of group vision, values, and procedures. Dynamic complexity theory of group development as it is referred to in this study is grounded in Robert Kegan’s constructive developmental theory and in Bernard Lonergan’s transcendental method. While both Kegan and Lonergan attend to the growth of individuals, their theories are adapted to groups in order to understand the cognitive complexity of groups, intragroup and intergroup conflict, and the mental complexity of leader curriculum. This theory is applied to two case studies, one from antiquity in the case of the first century Corinthian community engaged in conflict with its founder, St. Paul, and in one contemporary study of American Catholic parishioners engaged in contentious dialogue with diocesan leaders from 1994 to 2004.

Rosenberg, Randall Stephen. Theory and Drama in Balthasar’s and Lonergan’s Theology of Christ’s Consciousness and Knowledge: An Essay in Dialectic. Dissertation for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Theology, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Boston College, 2008. Advisor: Frederick Lawrence.

This dissertation explores the respective systematic theologies of Hans Urs von Balthasar and Bernard Lonergan. The primary methodological question is: Can both dramatic and theoretical categories complement each other to deepen our theological understanding of the mysteries of faith? In order to answer this question, this dissertation explores an issue in systematic theology and attends to the respective approaches of Lonergan and Balthasar. The primary theological question is: What are the implications of Christ’s consciousness and knowledge in general for his experience of the Cross? ... [T]he dissertation affirms that the principal function of systematic theology is to achieve an understanding of the mysteries of faith through (1) natural analogy; (2) an analogy of faith; and (3) the interconnection of the mysteries with the human person’s final end. It also acknowledges that an aesthetic-dramatic operator underpins the theologian as he or she attempts to understand the permanently inexhaustible mysteries of faith.

Lonergan Studies Newsletter 30/1 March 2009

PUBLICATIONS

Dadosky, John D. ‘The Official Church and the Church of Love in Balthasar’s Reading of John: An Exploration in Post-Vatican II Ecclesiology.’ Studia Canonica 41 (2007) 453-71.

This article explores post-Vatican II ecclesiology based on a reflection by Hans Urs von Balthasar in which he distinguishes between ‘the official church’ symbolized by Peter and ‘the church of love’ symbolized by John. The author combines Balthasar’s distinction with the notion of mediation, self-mediation and mutual self-mediation in Bernard Lonergan.

Deodato, Giuseppe. ‘Conoscenza e conversione: Un rilevante << circolo ermeneutico>> nell’epistemologia teologica di Bernard Lonergan.’ Lateranum 73 (2007) 797-833.

Doran, Robert M. ‘Discernment and Lonergan’s Fourth Level of Consciousness.’ Gregorianum 89/4 (2008) 790-802.

‘Some have taken Lonergan’s statements about the difference between the presentation of decision in Insight and the chapter on the human good in Method in Theology to mean that chapter 18 of Insight is to be discarded in favor of chapter 2 of Method. This paper argues that there is validity to both presentations, a validity that corresponds to the third (Insight) and second (Method) modes of making an election in the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. A concluding suggestion relates the second mode of election and Method’s presentation of decision to René Girard’s mimetic theory.’

Hammond, David. ‘Interpreting Faith and Reason: Denys Turner and Bernard Lonergan in Conversation.’ Horizons 35/2 (2008) 191-202.

‘The dogmatic constitution Dei Filius of the First Vatican Council held as a matter of faith that it is possible to prove the existence of God through the natural light of reason and apart from the aid of revelation. The doctrine has been criticized for its abstractness and lack of historical consciousness, in that it neglects the conditions in the human subject for the possibility of such a proof. Denys Turner has recently defended the claim of Dei Filius. In Faith, Reason and the Existence of God ... however, Turner does not address the nuanced position of Bernard Lonergan, who interpreted Dei Filius in a way that defended its conclusion but severely limited its applicability. I propose to bring Turner and Lonergan into conversation on the matter of Dei Filius’ doctrine regarding the possibility of proving the existence of God.’

Korzeniowski, Ireneusz Wojciech. Il Verbum Mentis in Bernard Joseph Francis Lonergan: Excerptum theseos ad Doctoratum Philosophia. Rome: Pontificia Università Lateranense, 2008.

Moloney, Raymond. ‘The Freedom of Christ in the Early Lonergan.’ Irish Theological Quarterly 74/1 (2009) 27-37.

‘The central problem posed in this article concerns the coexistence in Christ of both divine freedom and human freedom. Drawing on the thought of Bernard Lonergan the article first considers the problem against the background of the difference between intellectualist and voluntarist tendencies. Human freedom arises in considering means to an end, but only in so far as the will is necessitated with regard to the end. This fits in well with the notion of the unshakeable commitment of Christ’s human will to that of his Father. When this is treated in terms of Lonergan’s account of how God stands outside the order of past, present and future, and in a sense outside the order of the necessary and the contingent, we have some basis for resolving the antinomies which arise from the coexistence of two freedoms in the one person.’

Orji, Cyril. Ethics and Religious Bias in Africa: An Analysis of Bias Decline and Conversion Based on the Work of Bernard Lonergan. Marquette: Marquette University Press, 2008.

‘Africa has often been perceived as a confluence of tension and conflict and the recent upheavals in Sub-Saharan Africa have done little to help this perception. The rising wave of ethnic and religious violence continues to drain the continent of its material and human resources, leading to what Bernard Lonergan describes as a state of “cumulative decline.” Lonergan offers an analysis of bias that addresses the root cause of conflict in the human person and society, an analysis that can contribute to a deeper understanding of ethnic and religious conflict in Africa. The import of this work lies in the fact that it brings into the African discussion Lonergan’s work on “bias,” and is significant for promoting a “responsible self,” which in turn ensures the promotion of the common good and brings about a meaningful social change.’ (Previously listed as a dissertation, under a slightly different title. See LSN 26/4 [2005] 4.)

Ormerod, Neil. ‘What is the Goal of Systematic Theology?’ Irish Theological Quarterly 74/1 (2009) 38-52.

‘Following on the recent publication by Robert Doran of What Is Systematic Theology? the article examines the goal of systematic theology through an examination of contrasting positions: is the goal the understanding of data (for example, the data of the Scriptures) or the understanding of truth (as mediated by the Scriptures)? It argues that current work by systematicians illustrates a confusion over these two positions and demonstrates this confusion by reference to the Trinitarian theology of David Coffey and Thomas Weinandy.’

Ries, John C. ‘From “What” to “How” ... and Back: Reflections on Be(com)ing a Catholic Liberal Arts College in the Light of Bernard Lonergan.’ Current Issues in Catholic Higher Education 25/2 (2006) 157-68.

‘There can be no doubt that Lonergan’s thought and work on insight have profound implications—and challenges—for “higher education” and engaging a mission therein. I propose to indicate but a few areas that I think are particularly pertinent in the case of Carroll College as well as for other Catholic liberal arts institutions.’