Books in Brief

BOOKS IN BRIEF The Spirit of 76, by Holmes Alexander (Arlington House, $6.00). This political novel is an enjoyable combination of fact, futuristic fancy, and right-wing doctrine. Hero of the Drury-like plot is a conservative Republican who ascends to the Presidency upon the assassination of his GOP running mate, and proceeds to re-order U.S. policy at home and abroad according to conservative principles. Overtones of the Kennedy reign and LBJ’s performance, projections of liberal absurdities to their illogical consequences, and pungent observations on contemporary events are interlaced with a well-constructed, fast-moving story line. Of particular interest is Alexander’s parody of the liberal no-think in the aftermath of Kennedy’s assassination, when a Marxist crime was made the pretext for crucifixion of conservatives. An entertaining take-off on some frequently unpleasant subjects.

M. S. EVANS The Work IN History, edited by T. Paul Burke (Sheed and Ward, $4.50). The “Word” of the title is the Logos, and the ten essays that make up this volume deal with the futuristic concerns of Christian theology as those concerns are conceived by the Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox contributors. The central concern is how to bring man and God together in history. Thus, for Karl Rahner theology must be anthropologized, must be made man-centered while also remaining God-centered. Rahner works in mysterious ways this wonder to perform and comes out with a rather heavy essay. So, too, does his colleague Edward Schillebeeckx. Jean Danielou’s discussion of Christian and non-Christian religions is imaginative, while Joseph Sittler on Protestant theology is quite solid. A really fine essay on nature and grace is provided by Henri de Lubac. On the other hand, Charles Davis emerges as the champion of tedium in a piece on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Somewhat mystical, but at the same time passionate and sharp, is Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann’s treatment of freedom in the Church. The related topic of institutionalized religion is handled unimpressively by Yves Congar.

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BOOKS IN BRIEF The Spirit of 76, by Holmes Alexander (Arlington House, $6.00). This political novel is an enjoyable combination of fact, futuristic fancy, and right-wing doctrine. Hero of the Drury-like plot is a conservative Republican who ascends to the Presidency upon the assassination of his GOP running mate, and proceeds to re-order U.S. policy at home and abroad according to conservative principles. Overtones of the Kennedy reign and LBJ’s performance, projections of liberal absurdities to their illogical consequences, and pungent observations on contemporary events are interlaced with a well-constructed, fast-moving story line. Of particular interest is Alexander’s parody of the liberal no-think in the aftermath of Kennedy’s assassination, when a Marxist crime was made the pretext for crucifixion of conservatives. An entertaining take-off on some frequently unpleasant subjects.

M. S. EVANS The Work IN History, edited by T. Paul Burke (Sheed and Ward, $4.50). The “Word” of the title is the Logos, and the ten essays that make up this volume deal with the futuristic concerns of Christian theology as those concerns are conceived by the Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox contributors. The central concern is how to bring man and God together in history. Thus, for Karl Rahner theology must be anthropologized, must be made man-centered while also remaining God-centered. Rahner works in mysterious ways this wonder to perform and comes out with a rather heavy essay. So, too, does his colleague Edward Schillebeeckx. Jean Danielou’s discussion of Christian and non-Christian religions is imaginative, while Joseph Sittler on Protestant theology is quite solid. A really fine essay on nature and grace is provided by Henri de Lubac. On the other hand, Charles Davis emerges as the champion of tedium in a piece on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Somewhat mystical, but at the same time passionate and sharp, is Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann’s treatment of freedom in the Church. The related topic of institutionalized religion is handled unimpressively by Yves Congar.