Figuring Out the Church: Her Marks, and Her Masters

Aidan Nichols, O.P., is a Dominican friar who has taught theology in England, Italy, the United States, and Ethiopia. He held the John Paul II Memorial Lectureship in Roman Catholic Theology and was for many years a Member of the Cambridge University Faculty of Divinity. He has published over fifity books on a variety of topics in fundamental, historical, and ecumenical theology, as well as on the relation of religion to literature and art. His books include Lovely Like Jerusalem, Conciliar Octet, Figuring Out the Church, Rome and the Eastern Churches, and The Theologian's Enterprise. 

"Fr. Nichols takes an extremely complex and important topic -- the Church's holiness, unity, catholicity, and apostolicity -- and delivers a marvelously limpid, succinct, and balanced theological portrait.  He lovingly illuminates the Church herself, the mystery of communion with the God the Father in Christ and the Holy Spirit.  No contemporary work on the Church comes close to the level of Father Nichols's achievement here." 
- Matthew Levering, Chair of Dogmatic Theology, Mundelein Seminary 

"A brilliant explanation of the characteristics of the Church.  Nichols offers the reader a clear summary of the ’marks' that are the key to apologetics and ecclesiology."
- Fr. Kenneth Baker, SJ, Author, Inside the Bible

"This work draws together the seminal contributions in twentieth century and contemporary ecclesiology.  Nichols is sensitive to the different nuances found across the spectrum of theological traditions, including Eastern Orthodoxy.  It is simply the best work available for understanding the fundamental elements of Catholic ecclesiology.  It is also a case study in how to present scholastic material without putting readers to sleep. Nichols can be read for the sheer beauty of his prose."
- Professor Tracey Rowland, John Paul II Institute, Melbourne, Australia