The Meaning of Being Human: Synodal Considerations

This collection of essays explores the meaning of being human as beloved creatures of God in the context an ever-evolving creation. As baptized members of the body of Christ the authors of these essays explore themes raised by the global synod, with particular attention to Theological Anthropology, and the capacity of God's Spirit and Grace to break into our ordinary lives to manifest goodness, beauty, and divine love in the world.

Endorsements

"The chapters of this edited collection are like facets of a diamond, illuminating various aspects of human interrelatedness and particularity. As this book makes clear, the meaning of being human requires that we take seriously humans as part of the community of creation; human bodiliness as marked by race, gender, and culture; and humans as yearning for new interpretations of 'natural law' and 'complementarity.' This book will stretch your imagination."
--Nancy Pineda-Madrid, president, Catholic Theological Society of America

"In 2023, Pope Francis at the close of the XVth General Assembly of the Synod summoned theologians to provide new ways of understanding our humanity. Rather brilliantly, Elsie M. Miranda and Cristina L. H. Traina accepted the invitation and recruited eleven colleagues to proffer their ideas. The result is astonishing because they chose the theologians most inclined to take us further forward in comprehending the meaning of being human. Buy it now, form a group, and listen to the Spirit as she leads us forward."
--James F. Keenan, SJ, Canisus Professor, Boston College

"The succinct and insightful essays gathered here are perfectly attuned to Pope Francis's vision of the synodal, relational Church we are and must become. Miranda and Traina have convened some of today's best scholars, old and young and from richly diverse backgrounds, to reflect creatively on the very meaning of being-human in light of the wisdom of scripture and tradition. We are invited to ponder anew what it means to be human persons, embodied selves in a deeply interconnected world of God, humans, and all living beings."
--Francis X. Clooney, SJ, Parkman Professor of Divinity, Harvard University

Elsie M. Miranda, DMin, is a Cuban American scholar and a Catholic practical theologian. She is currently serving as director of diversities at the Association of Theological Schools of the United States and Canada.

Cristina L. H. Traina, PhD, is the Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ, Chair in Catholic Theology at Fordham University.
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