Book Symposium

Jamesian Notes Toward a More Catholic Theology

Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt

Abstract

Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt engages John Betz’s Christ, the Logos of Creation, utilizing William James’s "will to believe" to examine the imperatives of truth-seeking and error-avoidance. While praising Betz’s use of Przywarian analogy to achieve ecumenical "reconciled diversity," Bauerschmidt cautions against transforming analogy into an all-encompassing system. He advocates for a "Jamesian modesty" that respects irreducible historical "jolts," particularly regarding divine humility and the Incarnation, to ensure a truly Catholic theological method.