Many Paths

In Many Paths, Eugene Hillman, a pioneer in the area of interreligious dialogue and Catholic thought, argues that the wider ecumenism to which Christians were summoned by Vatican II may prove to be the most radically demanding of the Council's many calls. It requires a reexamination of christology, of ecclesiology, of missiology, and a coming-to-terms with the reality of religious pluralism. By exploring religion's historico-cultural dimensions, examining the Church's tradition and practice vis-a-vis other cultures and religions, and explicating the challenges of a post-Vatican II ministry, Many Paths makes a vital contribution to the development of interreligious dialogue.

""Writing out of many years of friendly dialogue with men and women of other religions and cultures, Fr. Hillman, in the spirit of Vatican II, offers us this important book to promote respect and openness among the great faiths of the world.""
--John Macquarrie, Oxford University

""With insightful clarity and expertise, Hillman integrates his own transcultural experience and academic professionalism to present an overview of Catholic thought on the world's living faith traditions. This work is an obvious choice for those grappling with Christian theological approaches to religious diversity and pluralism. . . . I consider it essential for courses on theology and world religions.""
--James M. Kroeger, Loyola School of Theology, Manila

""Christians everywhere are now plunged into questions that lie at the heart of their faith. Eugene Hillman deals with these questions in a perceptive way which will lead even those who disagree with him into a fuller understanding of their beliefs.""
--Charles W. Forman, The Divinity School, Yale University

""Hillman's path toward a 'wider ecumenism' has been hammered out of concrete experiences in Africa and especially among the Masai people. His cultural approach to religion and his emphasis on the role of symbol systems give his understanding of evangelization as inculturation plausibility. A good example of this is to be found in [his] relating of the Christian Paschal Mystery to the Masai's understanding of death. Here one can perceive how evangelization as inculturation demands ongoing dialogue at ever deeper levels.""
--Lucien Richard, School of Theology, Boston University

Eugene Hillman, CSSp, emeritus professor of humanities at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, served as a missionary in Africa for over twenty-five years. He has been a visiting professor at the University of Nairobi, Yale University Divinity School, and Weston Jesuit School of Theology. He is the author of several books on missionary themes, most recently, Toward an African Christianity: Inculturation Applied (1993). His articles have appeared in such publications as Concilium, Louvain Studies, The Jurist, The Journal of Ecumenical Studies, Irish Theological Quarterly, and Africa Today.