John Henry Newman Sermons 1824-1843

Volume I: Sermons on the Liturgy and Sacraments and on Christ the Mediator

John Henry Newman
Edited by Placid Murray, OSB, DD

OUP/Birmingham Oratory

John Henry Newman Sermons 1824-1843

Volume I: Sermons on the Liturgy and Sacraments and on Christ the Mediator

John Henry Newman
Edited by Placid Murray, OSB, DD

OUP/Birmingham Oratory

Description

From 1824 to 1843 Newman was an active clergyman of the Church of England; during this time, he entered the pulpit about 1,270 times. Newman published 217 of the sermons which he wrote during these years; a further 246 sermons survive in manuscript in the Archives of the Birmingham Oratory, some only as fragments but the majority as full texts. These sermons will be published in a series of five volumes, the aim being to transcribe them accurately, with sufficient editorial apparatus for the theological development within them to be understood, and their historical situation to be clear.

The forty-three sermons contained in Volume I reveal Newman's attitude to his pastoral charge, his theology of liturgy based on the Book of Common Prayer; his gradual acceptance of the doctrine of baptismal regeneration as a substitute for his earlier belief in conversion as understood by the Evangelicals; the eventual supremacy of the Eucharist in his own spiritual life; his growing reserve about preaching on the Atonement; his faith in the divinity of Christ the Mediator; and finally, his understanding of the Church as the remedial and mediatorial kingdom of Christ on earth.

John Henry Newman Sermons 1824-1843

Volume I: Sermons on the Liturgy and Sacraments and on Christ the Mediator

John Henry Newman
Edited by Placid Murray, OSB, DD

OUP/Birmingham Oratory

Reviews and Awards

`Scrupulously edited text ...' Eric Griffiths, Times Literary Supplement -

'An important research text.' C.C. O'Gorman, The Queen's College, Oxford, Theological Book Review, May 1992 (vol. 4 no. 3) -

`If the rest of the series measures up to Dom Murray's careful editing here, it will be the standard for such collections in the future. Graduate students in history and theology.' D.A. Brown, Choice -

'The project is a veritable labor of love, not only in transcribing Newman's handwriting, but also in editing sermons, some of which were preached once, but others as many as eight times, with repeated revisions (which are appropriately indicated). This volume, and presumably the rest of the series, will be of primary value to Newman scholars interested in research into Newman's theological development.' John T. Ford, C.S.C. The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Worship -

'The transcription of the 43 manuscripts in this first volume is magnificent. Murray's footnotes are superb in drawing attention to the theological and biographical significance of the sermons.' Martin X. Moleski, S.J., Canisius College, Buffalo, Theological Studies -

'These compositions are like a mirror which reflects Newman's development as a preacher and a theologian. The attentive reader will notice the pronounced evangelical tone of some and the incipient patristic tone of others. This volume should whet the appetite for the succeeding ones.' Tom Norris, The Furrow, March 1993 -

'It is good to have the full texts available. Fr Murray's careful editing and judicious annotation, makes this a valuable addition to Newman studies. The subject index in particular will make it an easy work of reference for all concerned with Newman's developing thought on particular theological topics. We look forward to the remaining four volumes.' Geoffrey Rowell, Journal of Theological Studies -

'This book constitutes a fundamental research instrument for Newman scholars.' Gerard Magill, Saint Louis University, Journal of Religion, April 1993 -

'It is greatly to be welcomed, not only because there are a number of sermons which are comparable in quality to the published ones, but because it throws new historical light on Newman's theological development. The volume has been carefully edited with helpful notes placing the sermons in their historical context and in relation to Newman's published writings.' Ian Ker, Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, Ecclesiastical History, Volume 45, No. 3, July 1994 -

this book is "must" reading for Newman scholars, for those who want to nourish their own spirituality, and for others, such as pastors, who can take some of Newman's ideas and use them in their own sermons. Newman scholars are indebted to the excellent editorial work of Placid Murray...All in all, a sturdy book. - History of Christianity