Catechesis for the New Evangelization

"A first- rate study of the thought of the most prolific pope of our times. Pedraza offers an outstanding demonstration of the way in which St. John Paul II's anthropology corresponds to the Council's understanding of revelation, gives a nuanced reading of his understanding of nature and grace (helpfully distinguishing him from Henri De Lubac, which many do not), and provides a careful treatment of his concept of person (distinguishing him from Joseph Ratzinger, his friend and close collaborator). But beyond this deep and elegantly captured theological portrait of the human person, this study applies this vision to the field of catechetics, demonstrating the importance and the limitations of experience within the theological enterprise. A must read for students and scholars of John Paul II and in the field of catechetics."—John Grabowski, The Catholic University of America

"Catechetical theory has been marked by an uncreative stasis, either rehashing old debates or rehearsing magisterial statements without sufficient philosophical or theological precision. In Pedraza's reclamation of the philosophical, theological, and pedagogical dimensions of the work of John Paul II, one discovers a way forward for the field of catechesis. In this constructive project, Pedraza proposes a way of doing catechesis that is attuned to a theological anthropology grounded in love. This work will be important for scholars of catechesis for years to come."—Tim O'Malley, University of Notre Dame

"For nearly half a century, Catholics throughout the world have heard incessantly the invitation to embrace the New Evangelization. Such an invitation is ultimately a summons to encounter Jesus Christ—again and again—in the here and now of our historical existence, to reclaim who we are as women and men profoundly transformed by God's merciful love. This compelling book argues that to understand the extent of that encounter and to grow in this ever-new anthropological awareness, the New Evangelization demands a catechesis grounded in the unity of truth and love. In this well-written contribution to catechetical theory, Brian Pedraza reminds readers that good catechesis always presupposes sound theological reflection. He models such relationship by entering in conversation with one of the most influential Catholic voices of the twentieth century, St. John Paul II. This work is definitely a primer on evangelizing catechesis for our day."—Hosffman Ospino , Boston College

"Offers some interesting and specialized treatment of the field of catechesis and its connection with the phenomenon of the New Evangelisation...a valuable addition to the debate on the relationship between theology and catechesis."—Innes Review

"Paints with both broad strokes and detailed traces, a compelling portrait of the historical development of catechesis for the New Evangelization in the decades following Vatican II. Of particular concern, in Pedraza's exploration, is the catechetical recovery of the unity of revelation and experience and the integration of truth and love in response to the superficial dichotomy that pits human experience against revelation and casts orthodoxy versus orthopraxis."—The International Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics

"Dr. Brian Pedraza provides a superb tour of the three phases of the modern catechetical movement and a sound analysis of what has yet to be done. His book is an intelligent read that will be of great interest to those who are leading in the New Evangelization in the field of catechesis."—Catechetical Review