Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary : Latin Expressions Commonly Found in Theological Writings (Reference Works)
Review
“For anyone working in Christian theology who lacks this degree of linguistic sophistication, Consecrated Phrases is a welcome desk aid.”
Product Description
Designed to give readers a simple but accurate idea of an expression, this dictionary compiles, translates, and briefly explains the Latin phrases found in theological writings and canon law that may puzzle readers unfamiliar with Latin or the theological meaning and nuances of these terms. “Consecrated Phrases” is a valuable reference for anyone interested in theology at all levels .
Bretzke’s Consecrated Phrases may not be comprehensive or exhaustive, but it gets the job done. What I like about this work is that it contains a number of Latin theological phrases that are then succinctly defined in a clear and relatively precise manner. The work is 140+pp. in length including the bibliography. I think the author has done his homework here, but don’t buy it if you want depth and exhaustiveness. Some examples of phrases defined are as follows:
Deus semper maior-”God is always greater” (than human attempts at understanding).
Lex valet ut in pluribus-”The law holds in most cases.”
Summa Theologiae-”Sum of theology.”
I also like the way that Bretzke provides a historical context to a number of the definitions. That is very helpful to those of us who are not Catholics.
This compendium of common Latin phrases is worth the price just for the phrase “Ubi deficiunt equi trottant aselli”, which I had never heard before, but found immensely valuable.
As a reference, it has already been helpful, particularly in dispute with a “Church of God” associate regarding IHS vs. “in hoc signo vinces”.
What was surprising about the book is its value as a “browse-through” volume. On the one hand, us post-Vatican II Catholics don’t really have a good feel for the interests of the pre-Vatican II world. The staggering number of Latin phrases referencing sexual activity is a pretty strong indicator of the amount of time spent by theologians on this subject (although why theologians should be any different from the rest of the world is another question).
Simply paging through this book is to touch upon long-considered ideas. I believe we tend to ignore the aphorisms and phrases we hear every day, no matter what cleverness or wisdom may lie behind them. To browse through the aphorisms and phrases of a learned language is to put aside this disability and see old concepts in a new light.
Nicely done!
Jim Bretzke, S.J. is an Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies. This small book contains Latin phrases that express a significant position of the Roman Catholic theology of the Pre-Vatican II era. It also includes the Latin titles of many Church documents and major works.
The book not only includes the literal translation. But what that phrase meant in the Traditional Roman Catholic sacramental theology. I found these entries to be quite useful in helping understand the meaning and not just the words.
There are also various Protestant traditions included. If you are looking for a dictionary, this is not the book for you and not why it was written.