Author: Eric J DeMeuse

Indulgences as Imputation: A Review of Indulgences: Luther, Catholicism, and the Imputation of Merit

by Eric Demeuse In a recent article commemorating ‘Luther at 500,’ Phillip Cary argues that Luther ‘had to find a Word of God that was not an accusation but a bestowal of grace and forgiveness. What is often overlooked is that he found it in Catholic sacramental theology.’ Cary continues, ‘The result surprised everyone. He… Read More Indulgences as Imputation: A Review of Indulgences: Luther, Catholicism, and the Imputation of Merit

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Between Regensburg and Vatican II: Historical Light and Theological Development

A Review of On the Road to Vatican II: German Catholic Enlightenment and Reform of the Church by Eric J. Demeuse The 1541 Diet of Regensburg—the namesake of this forum—proved a significant dialogue between Catholics and Protestants. Essential agreement was reached on a number of still contentious issues, though lamentably these agreements came to naught.… Read More Between Regensburg and Vatican II: Historical Light and Theological Development

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Substitution and Liberation: A Review of Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ

by Eric Demeuse Few theological texts garner the cross-confessional praise won by Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion (Eerdmans, 2015). With accolades from George Hunsinger, David Bentley Hart, Stanley Hauerwas, John Witvliet, Marilyn McCord Adams, and Bishop Robert Barron, to name just a few, the book certainly lives up to the hype. Rutledge writes unabashedly from the… Read More Substitution and Liberation: A Review of Fleming Rutledge’s The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ

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How Many Churches? A Critique of Benoît-Dominique de la Soujeole

by Eric J. Demeuse In an important work recently translated into English,[1] the French Dominican Benoît-Dominique de la Soujeole presents a bold and largely successful “introduction to the mystery of the Church.” This 628 page “textbook,” as he calls it, is anything but what that arid term suggests. Offering both an historical examination of sources… Read More How Many Churches? A Critique of Benoît-Dominique de la Soujeole

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Roman Catholic Lutherans?

A review of Franz Posset’s Unser Martin: Martin Luther aus der Sicht katholischer Sympathisanten (Münster: Aschendorff Verlag, 2015). by Eric J. Demeuse Historians of the Reformation understandably and perhaps necessarily delineate figures into confessional camps, even before those camps were themselves delineated. As early as 1519, John Eck is a Catholic (because he opposed Luther),… Read More Roman Catholic Lutherans?

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The Ecclesiology of the Catechism of Trent: Some Observations

by Eric J. Demeuse In a rich and now classic work, Models of the Church 1 Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., outlines six conceptual tools or ‘models’ prevalent today which serve to explain and explore the mystery of the Church—the Church as institution, mystical communion, sacrament, herald, servant, and community of disciples. None are sufficient in… Read More The Ecclesiology of the Catechism of Trent: Some Observations

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Trent, Vatican II, and Enlightenment

A Review of Ulrich Lehner’s The Catholic Enlightenment: The Forgotten History of a Global Movement (Oxford, 2016) by Eric J. Demeuse  In a recent post for The Regensburg Forum, Trevor Anderson notes that ‘the question of the continuity between the pre-Vatican II (read: Tridentine) and post-Vatican II Church is one worth asking, and if left unanswered… Read More Trent, Vatican II, and Enlightenment

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Does Unity Matter? Luther on the Unity of the Church

by Eric J. DeMeuse In his now classic study of Martin Luther, Heiko Oberman writes that ‘Luther does not stand for the alternatives “truth not unity,” “conscience not institution,” “individual not community”.’ This sentence sums up, I think, Oberman’s project rather succinctly; namely, to overturn an old, ingrained ‘Here I stand’ narrative of radical discontinuity… Read More Does Unity Matter? Luther on the Unity of the Church

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Aquinas, Luther, and LoveA Review of Tuomo Mannermaa’s Two Kinds of Love (Fortress Press, 2010)

A Review of Tuomo Mannermaa’s Two Kinds of Love (Fortress Press, 2010) by Eric DeMeuse In Two Kinds of Love, Tuomo Mannermaa once again treads a new path in Luther studies which will likely bear many after him. Kirsi I. Stjerna’s lucid translation has finally brought this older work to English audiences, giving new life… Read More Aquinas, Luther, and LoveA Review of Tuomo Mannermaa’s Two Kinds of Love (Fortress Press, 2010)

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