A Testimonial to Grace: And Reflections on a Theological Journey

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Summary: Esteemed Jesuit Theologian Dulles's Autobiography a Goldmine
Review: Father Avery Dulles,S.J., has once again demonstrated his intellectual acuity and literary talent with the augmentation of his autobiographical account, "A Testimonial to Grace," which, in its updated form, with its 47 supplementary post-conversion account pages, has been subtitled "Reflections on a Theological Journey." Originally penned in 1946, Fr. Dulles's impressive autobiography,imbued with his trademark erudition, traces the evolution of his philosophy from his early days at Harvard University, where he encountered many thinkers to whose influence he acknowledges a debt, through his Jesuit training years and,ultimately, his work in fields such as ecclesiology and ecumenism in the wake of the Second Vatican Council.Interspersed throughout are unique anecdotes of episodes in Fr. Dulles's illustrious academic and professorial careers involving such luminaries as John Courtney Murray,S.J., and Gustave Weigel,S.J. Fr. Avery Dulles's autobiography will serve as an inspiration to Catholics and non-Catholics alike,interested in the reality of God's ineffable grace and its operation in the human soul by the will of God.It is to this mysterious reality that Dulles wisely attributes his conversion to Christ and His Church, reminding us once again that grace must be freely accepted by everyone who would come into union with God, be he extraordinarily learned or not. Fr. Dulles has indeed performed a great service to us laymen in reminding us of the eternally precious gift of grace, to which his life has indeed been a testimonial.