Signs of Freedom

Book excerpt: Modern secular culture has severely eroded the religious foundations on which traditional sacramental practice was based. Built upon the sacramental bedrock, the very Christian identity and mission were affected. German Martinez looks at this challenge from the perspective of freedom as an opportunity to develop a sacramental worldview relevant to the new millennium. To this effect, he applies a series of methodologies and fresh pastoral approaches to the highly complex sacramental reality and to each individual sacrament. Beginning with ten key interpretative elements, he offers a coherent synthesis of the remarkable development of sacramental theology in our time. Envisioned for both scholarly research and pastoral ministry, this book presents the key issues of a renewed sacramentality--rooted in ordinary life and celebrated in the liturgical mystery. This theology is grounded in a biblical, patristic, historical and theological background. It tries to articulate especially the Christological, ecclesial, individual and social aspects of the celebration of the sacraments as a dynamic and organic whole, emphasizing their spirituality. The material is organized into four parts: - the Sacramental Way of Life, - the Initiation and Foundational Church, - the Healing Church - the Church at the service of Communion. Highlights: - scholarly, yet pastorally sensitive - perfect text for courses on the sacraments - solid, one-volume, comprehensive text +