A Man of the Church
Honoring the Theology, Life, and Witness of Ralph del Colle
Edited by Michel René Barnes
Epilogue by Joseph G. Mueller
Imprint: Pickwick Publications
Ralph del Colle was born in New York City on October 3, 1954 and was raised in Mineola, Long Island. He attended Xavier High School in Chelsea and received a BA in History and Literature of Religions from New York University, and MDiv, MPhil, and PhD degrees from Union Theological Seminary. Ralph taught for 17 years in the Marquette University Theology Department; prior to that he taught at Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida and at St. Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire.
Ralph's lively Christian faith and interest in church unity led to his participation in ecumenical dialogues. He served as a representative to the International Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue for the Pontifical Council on Christian Unity for 12 years and also served on the Catholic-Reformed Dialogue and Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue, both for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was invited by the Pontifical Council to serve as a representative to the World Council of Churches Assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1998. In 2002-2003, he served as the President of the Society for Pentecostal Studies and in 2003 Ralph received the Archbishop's Vatican II Award. Ralph's scholarly work, especially his work on the Holy Spirit, made significant contributions to the field of Systematic Theology.
Ralph died in July of 2012, slightly more than four weeks after he was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. He was fifty-seven.
Michel Rene Barnes is Associate Professor for Patristics at Marquette University. He has written extensively on the trinitarian theologies of Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa. His most recent publication, "Ebion at the Barricades: Moral Narrative and Post-Christian Catholic Theology," is a radical critique of Catholic Systematic theology as it has been practiced since Vatican Two.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Michel Rene Barnes, Richard J. Barry, Peter J. Casarella, David M. Coffey, D. Lyle Dabney, The Reverend Andrew Grosso, Paul R. Hinlicky, D. Thomas Hughson, Ulrich L. Lehner, Matthew Levering, D. Stephen Long, Bruce D. Marshall, Mickey L. Mattox, Rodrigo J. Morales, Joseph G. Mueller, S.J., C. C. Pecknold, R. R. Reno, Philip J. Rossi, S.J, James K. A. Smith, Geoffrey Wainwright, John Webster, Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M.
"This book gives due honor to Ralph del Colle, whose untimely death neither obstructs the timeliness of his reflections on Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Trinity, nor veils the ecclesial spirit that animated his thought and person. . . . These wise contributions demonstrate the gifts he gave were rich, fertile, and enduring."
--Cyril O'Regan, University of Notre Dame
"Some of the theological world's key figures--across a broad ecumenical field--come together to offer a real theological feast. The variety of topics covered, as well as the originality and depth of the treatments offered, witness to the importance of the conversations Ralph del Colle inspired."
--Lewis Ayres, Durham University
"Those who long for substantive theological reflection will be edified and inspired by the craft manifest herein--a fitting and lasting legacy for this theologian of the church whose short time with us will nevertheless cast a long and brilliant shadow."
--Amos Yong, Regent University School of Divinity
"The theologian whose untimely death elicited such an intellectually engaging and spiritually moving tribute by an ecumenical gathering of colleagues and collaborators must have indeed been a remarkable Christian, theologian, and friend. The comprehensive breadth of theological topics discussed and the impressive spectrum of contributors give persuasive witness to Ralph del Colle's unique contribution as a theologian."
--Reinhard Hutter, Duke University Divinity School
"This book is a delectable collection of articles by today's best living theologians. Packed with tight and beautifully composed arguments, this book is a treat to devour. . . . This enduringly valuable collection is a fitting tribute to the genius of Ralph del Colle."
--Francesca Murphy, University of Notre Dame