A Theological Curiosity...

In my travels through England and theological reading, I've picked up a few books that don't easily fit into my limited library, and also turn up blank faces from friends when I ask them about the tomes. The latest of these - to me - is Dogmatic vs Biblical Theology, a collection of essays by Catholic theologians edited by Herbert Vorgrimler (awesome name). This little hardback book, in a fetching faded olive green from Burns & Oates, bears both the 'Nihil Obstat' and 'Imprimatur' from the Catholic Church. For those who don't know, and I quote; 

"The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstrat and Imprimatur agree with the opinions expressed" 

I don't tend to read many books that have such a stamp - from the 'Censor Librorum' and Archbishop of Baltimore - so I was intrigued to wade in and see what Vorgrimler has collected. By way of introduction, I reproduce below the chapter titles/authors, in the hope that someone might have some interesting comment or wonderful tangent...

Sacred Scripture and Word of God 

- Karl Hermann Schelkle

Exegesis and Dogmatic Theology 

- Karl Rahner, S.J.

Progress and Problems in New Testament Exegesis 

- Anton Vogtle

The Meaning and Function of a Theology of the New Testament 

- Heinrich Schiler

Exegesis, Dogmatics and the Development of Dogma 

- Eduard Schillebeeckx, O.P.

The Dogmatic Evaluation of the New Testament 

- Rudolph Schnakcenburg

Transposition of Themes as Principle of Form and Tradition in the Old Testament 

- Heinrich Gross

The Historical Jesus and the Christ of Faith 

- Franz Mussner

Dogmatic Considerations on Knowledge and Consciousness in Christ 

- Karl Rahner, S.J.

I hope to explore some of the essays/themes in this book over a few blog posts - partly to highlight the complexities and difficulties of 'Catholic' theology, but also to consider the important question of the 'vs' in the title - asking whether or not Dogmatic/Systematic and Biblical theological endeavours have to be 'vs'.

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Thankyou for reading, I hope this has been thought-provoking or even helpful. I'd appreciate comments, or to connect with you and continue a conversation via Twitter or Facebook.