What does it mean to be holy in America? 

David L. Schindler, for forty years editor of the American edition of the international theological journal Communio (founded by Joseph Ratzinger, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Henri de Lubac), devoted much of his career to a theological analysis of American culture. In the 1980s and ’90s, he carried on a high-profile debate on the question with George Weigel, Michael Novak, and Fr. Richard John Neuhaus. Until now, however, none of his books has focused directly on the topic.

America in the Mystery of Christ and the Church brings together Schindler’s key writings on American culture, presenting his profound and multi-faceted thought in full. It contains a complete chronology-bibliography of his works on America and of the debate with Neuhaus, Novak, and Weigel. In addition, an extensive, original Critical Introduction gives a synthesis of his thought, with special attention to the theme of holiness and to the easily-overlooked positivity of his pursuit: to purify, in Christ, the uniqueness and gifts of the United States.

Praise for America in the Mystery of Christ and the Church

With your thoughtful theological and philosophical reflection [in the American edition], you have significantly contributed towards the sharpening of the Catholic profile of Communio. In Germany today, we see how important it is to subordinate one’s culture to the common claim of faith. It is precisely in this way that our own culture can become effective in general and be an element of unity.

— Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, from a personal letter on the occasion of Schindler’s retirement

David L. Schindler’s theological originality ... is based on a solid knowledge of theology, especially of the great European and American authors, accompanied, however, by a cultural sensitivity to ecclesial life on the one hand and to the Western world, especially North America, on the other. He has succeeded in this way in overcoming the divisions that exist in the US world and beyond between ... progressivism ... and ... traditionalist rigorism.

— Cardinal Angelo Scola

David L. Schindler was a great theological critic of modern pieties, which invariably assume that Christ is not Lord of all creation. He shows us that liberalism is not just a political system—it is an ontology, which cordons off Christian faith as “subjective” and gelds the culture-creating power of the Catholic Church. He insists upon a profound truth: In Christ, the Father is working, even now, not upon the world, but from within it.

— R. R. Reno, editor of First Things

As the alliance between neo-conservatism and Catholic “Murrayite” liberalism loses ground and some now champion theocracy in its wake, the republication of David L. Schindler’s writings on America is a genuine gift. What are the theological roots of being “American” at a time when even the Bishop of Rome traces his origins to this soil? Those tired of the usual nostrums and willing to consider his ontology of generosity will not be disappointed.

— Peter Casarella, Duke Divinity School

his new collection of essays from the late David L. Schindler fills a void. Schindler’s neglected analysis of the American ordo is as relevant today as ever, perhaps more so. Reuben Slife’s brilliant introduction is worth the price of the book by itself. I cannot recommend the text more highly.

— Larry Chapp, Retired professor of theology; writer and podcaster at Gaudiumetspes22.com

David L. Schindler was one of the leading North American theologians of the past fifty years, and this rich collection of some of his key contributions, edited with a helpful and illuminating introduction by Reuben Slife, is a tribute to his memory. I am very grateful for it and therefore warmly recommend it. It is indispensable reading for anyone who would like to know what Schindler thought about everything from ontology to political theology and the specific challenges facing American Catholics, who must navigate between the Scylla of neo-liberalism and the Charybdis of neo-conservatism.

— John Betz, University of Notre Dame

About the Author:

David L. Schindler (1943–2022) was one of the founders of the American edition of Communio: International Catholic Review, later serving as its editor from 1982 until his death. He was for thirty years the Edouard Cardinal Gagnon Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at the Catholic University of America, and served as the Provost-Dean of the Institute from 2000 to 2010. He authored over 80 articles and four books, including Heart of the World, Center of the Church: “Communio” Ecclesiology, Liberalism, and Liberation (1996).