Communion, Diversity, and Salvation

[A] valuable introduction to the ecclesiological contribution of Jean-Marie Tillard. Brian Flanagan deftly situates major facets of Tillard's life work in relation to contemporary debates about communion ecclesiology and theological method. His most important contribution is his assessment of Tillard's achievement and his appeal to remedy his limitations by critically engaging social theories in the study of the concrete practices of the church. -- Bradford Hinze, Fordham University, USA
The contribution of the late Jean-Marie Roger Tillard, OP to post-Vatican II communion ecclesiology and his influence on Christian unity was immense and far-reaching and in many respects is still not widely known. In this book, Brian Flanagan draws on a large number of Tillard's works, including those most important not yet translated into English, presenting an excellent summary of Tillard's thought and developing his ecclesiology in order to make it more meaningful to the questions of church life today. Flanagan's grasp of the key elements of Tillard's theological system and method and his ability to perceive the nuances within, is superior. It is now required reading for anyone wishing to understand Tillard and his work. Moreover, it is an essential resource for those working in twenty-first-century ecumenical ecclesiology. -- Michael Attridge, University of Toronto, Canada
The late Jean-Marie Tillard, OP (1927-2000), was arguably, after Yves Congar, the leading French ecclesiologist of the twentieth century. In this comprehensive study, Brian Flanagan explores for English-speaking readers the theological corpus of this major ecumenist. The key concept is that of communion (koinonia) with emphasis also on salvation and grace. This probing monograph, clearly articulated and richly documented, is the latest in the valuable new series from T. & T. Clark entitled Ecclesiological Investigations (volume 12). -- Michael A. Fahey, S.J., Professor of Ecclesiology, Boston College, USA
This book offers anintroduction to Tillard's work, and brings together, not uncritically, thevarious strands of his understanding of the Church as a communion as systematictheology. It puts this in the context of Christology, which is important. Itshould lead the reader to a re-reading of Tillard's works and articles and thusa reflection on the life of the Church as a communion. -- One in Christ