The Bonaventure Lecture 2014; The Roots of Catholicism delivered by Dr John McDade

Dr John McDade looks at what is meant by the terms ‘Catholicism’ and ‘the Catholic Church’ - and argues that one should see Christianity as ‘Reconfigured Judaism.’

[@DonalLeader]

I very much enjoyed this lecture. In fact, I took notes. The lecture was brilliantly structured and intellectually satisfying in its five0point architecture.
For me, the the emphasis on the unresolved relationship of Catholicism to its Jewish origins was an insight that shed light on the troubled history of Jewish-Catholic relations in the West. From my school days I had always naively thought of Catholicism/Christianity as having in some sense 'left Judaism behind'. The continued existence of Judaism following Christianity remained as a sort of enigmatic foil to the truth of divine revelation in the Church. Thank you for this new perspective.
I also enjoyed being reminded of Antioch (which I have never visited) because it recalled my undergraduate theology excursions in Theodore of Mopsuestia and the other Antiochenes. With Pope Francis they have made a welcome return, I think!

[@eddyg1215]

Donal Leader y

[@LA-kc7ev]

He is an excellent lecturer. I have been doing some studies regarding the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, starting with St Paul's address to fellow Christians as having been 'grafted in' to the Hebrew tradition, and that they are to remember that this 'root supports them', and not the other way around. (Romans 11:18). In regard to the Body of Christ, there is continuity to be found with the 'body of Israel' as the Son of God, 'even my firstborn.' (Ex 4:22), and with Israel as the 'Bride of God', His Shekinah, all a reflection of the pre-existent Son from 'before the foundation of the world', the Son of Man, made in the 'image of God.' These few thoughts point to perhaps a richness that can take us far.

[@st.thomasaquinaso.p.2946]

Dr McDaid always referred to early Christians as reformed Jews. I learned this in his lectures at Heythrop Jesuit College whilst he was principal and Jesuit priest and a great lecturer.