Theology from Below.Roger Haight's Christian Community in History is not well served by Luke Timothy Johnson's review ("Theology from Below," January 28), nor are Commonweal's readers. Johnson questions Haight's "ecclesiology ec·cle·si·ol·o·gy n. 1. The branch of theology that is concerned with the nature, constitution, and functions of a church. 2. The study of ecclesiastical architecture and ornamentation. from below" and, on the basis of his close reading of chapter 1, remains unconvinced that the book communicates "why the topic really matters." Yet Commonweal's critical but constructive coverage of the clergy sexual-abuse scandal and the ecclesial Ec`cle´si`al a. 1. Ecclesiastical. crisis it precipitated has certainly demonstrated "why the topic really matters," and in doing so has embodied an "ecclesiology from below" at its best, without severing sev·er v. sev·ered, sev·er·ing, sev·ers v.tr. 1. To set or keep apart; divide or separate. 2. To cut off (a part) from a whole. 3. its faithfulness to an "ecclesiology from above." In continuity with your mission as "a review of religion, politics, and culture," I respectfully re·spect·ful adj. Showing or marked by proper respect. re·spect  ful·ly adv. urge you to continue the
conversation about Haight's important book among systematic
theologians, church historians, ecclesiologists, sociologists of
religion, and engaged "lay" readers "from above" and
"from below." It is too soon to let one reader's
dismissive dis·mis·sive adj. 1. Serving to dismiss. 2. Showing indifference or disregard: a dismissive shrug. Adj. 1. review end the conversation. LUCRETIA B. YAGHJIAN Concord, Mass. |
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