Holy Blasphemies: God, Mystery, and the Spiritual

"How do we preach the gospel today when so many no longer accept the old narratives? They no longer walk with us; so many have joined the 'nones.' How do we tell the Christian story? We can't simply fall into a biblical literalism, which makes little sense in a postmodern world...yet the good news is meant to be proclaimed. How do we find the language today to convey that message?

What follows are short chapters, brief meditations on these difficult questions, some of which I call 'holy blasphemies, ' questions we are reluctant to raise with other Christians, though we often find ourselves asking them in the silence of our hearts."

--from the introduction

Endorsements

"Holy Blasphemies is an oxymoronic title that captures Rausch's desire to honor both the disenchantment with Christian faith among many today and the perennial wisdom contained in the Christian heritage. This book is a helpful example of faith seeking understanding."

--Wilkie Au, PhD, coauthor, with Noreen Cannon Au, Aging with Wisdom and Grace

"A much-needed spiritual text from a trustworthy guide! Holy Blasphemies invites thoughtful and prayerful consideration of big and challenging questions in language that makes sense for readers today."

--Emily Reimer‐Barry, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego

"This book offers lucid responses to questions raised by contemporary issues for enriching the experience of interconnectedness and greater justice in light of the core themes of the Christian tradition."

--María Pilar Aquino, professor emerita, University of San Diego

Rev. Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, has a PhD in religion from Duke University and is the Emeritus T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A specialist in the areas of Christology, ecclesiology, and ecumenism, he has published many books and over three hundred articles and reviews. He has lectured internationally, and his works have been translated into nine different languages.

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