Background
Lawler, Michael Gerard was born on January 7, 1933 in Saltcoats, Scotland. Came to the United States 1970. Son of Michael J. and Margaret (Cairns) Lawler.
(Two foundational principles guide our author in his explo...)
Two foundational principles guide our author in his exploration of sacramental theology in his book Symbol and Sacrament. First, Lawler has a practical edge faithful to the ancient maxim that "Sacramentum propter hominem" (sacraments are for people). This helps inform his approach to the subject matter with insights from the anthropological investigation of ritual (which involves a synthesis of psychology, sociology and semiotics). Second, the author encapsulates the richness of his synthetic approach with his categorization of sacraments as prophetic symbols, thereby successfully recontextualizing relevant findings of the modern science within a thoroughly Catholic framework. Lawler first grounds his sacramental theory solidly on both a sophisticated knowledge of semiotics (that challenges modern assumptions about what is "real") and a historically sensitive theological framework, he then addresses each sacrament individually with a view to practical concerns without shying away from controversy. On the basis of contemporary symbolic analysis, Lawler claims that every genuine human symbol goes beyond a mere one-to-one signification (as with simple signs) to actually concretize the reality they signify, or "make concretely present what they symbolize" (22). For example, a man may have deep love for a woman without her even being aware of it, but when he writes her love letters, holds her hand and whispers in her ear "I love you," or unites his body to hers in the act of sexual union, his love is not merely symbolized in and through such actions, for in some sense his love for her consists in these symbolic acts. Thus, although his love is not exhausted by such symbolic acts, these love rituals are his love for her in concrete form. The author also speaks of symbols as "participating" in the reality to which they point .
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theology educator university dean
Lawler, Michael Gerard was born on January 7, 1933 in Saltcoats, Scotland. Came to the United States 1970. Son of Michael J. and Margaret (Cairns) Lawler.
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, National University, Dublin, Ireland, 1955. Higher diploma, National University, Dublin, Ireland, 1957. Bachelor of Divinity in Theology, Gregorian University, Rome, 1961.
Licentiate of Sacred Theology, Gregorian University, Rome, 1963. Doctor of Philosophy in Theology, Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, 1975.
Instructor, St. Joseph College, Nairobi, Kenya, 1963-1967; assistant professor, Holy Ghost College, Dublin, 1968-1969; assistant professor theology, Creighton U., Omaha, 1970-1977; associate professor, Creighton U., Omaha, 1977-1981; professor, Creighton U., Omaha, since 1981; dean Graduate School, Creighton U., Omaha, since 1985. Consultant Religious Education Office, Omaha.
(Two foundational principles guide our author in his explo...)
(Lawler develops a theology of the sacraments which seeks ...)
(Book by McCaslin, Patrick, Lawler, Michael G.)
(Paperback, as pictured (chr))
(Book by Lawler, Michael G.)
(Book by Lawler, Michael G.)
(Book by Lawler, Michael G.)
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Professional theologian Permanent Diaconate Program, Omaha, 1972-1985. Fellow Danforth Foundation. Member American Academy Religion, Religious Education Association, College Theology Society, Catholic Theological Society of America.
Married Susan R. Hoffman, December 23, 1970. Children– Michael, Anya, David.