Ecurb
12-19-2014, 03:24 PM
Are any of the theologically inclined members at Litnet familiar with Oliver O'Donovan? He was the Professor of Moral Theology at Oxford, and has since retired. His latest book is "Self, World and Time: Ethics as Theology". I think I'm getting it for Christmas, and if I don't, I'll buy it.
I'm interested because I'm friends with his brother, Myles O'Donovan, who lives here in Eugene. Their father was Frank O'Connor (real name Michael O'Donovan), the famous Irish short story writer, translator of Celtic poetry, and all-around man of letters. Myles and Oliver are half brothers -- the literary gossip is that their father, both their mothers, Myles' sister, Myles and Oliver all lived together for a time. Also, the brilliant story "Christmas Morning" is (acc. Myles) based on a real experience -- Myles being the older brother, and Oliver the younger.
Here's a review of O'Donovan's book: http://www.reformation21.org/shelf-life/self-world-and-time.php
I've read some of O'Donovan's theology, and, as might be expected of Frank O'Connor's son, he is liberal in his interests and writes well. I've read some of his journal articles about the theology and ethics of sex and war, two of his areas of interest. He mixes theology with literary references, the tenor of popular morality, etc. When I read the book,I'll report back --but I thought perhaps some people here are either already familiar with it, or would like to read it.
P.S. I'm not sure how Oliver, the son of an Irish Republican who was imprisoned for a year for protesting the partition of Ireland, became an Anglican, but so it is.
I'm interested because I'm friends with his brother, Myles O'Donovan, who lives here in Eugene. Their father was Frank O'Connor (real name Michael O'Donovan), the famous Irish short story writer, translator of Celtic poetry, and all-around man of letters. Myles and Oliver are half brothers -- the literary gossip is that their father, both their mothers, Myles' sister, Myles and Oliver all lived together for a time. Also, the brilliant story "Christmas Morning" is (acc. Myles) based on a real experience -- Myles being the older brother, and Oliver the younger.
Here's a review of O'Donovan's book: http://www.reformation21.org/shelf-life/self-world-and-time.php
I've read some of O'Donovan's theology, and, as might be expected of Frank O'Connor's son, he is liberal in his interests and writes well. I've read some of his journal articles about the theology and ethics of sex and war, two of his areas of interest. He mixes theology with literary references, the tenor of popular morality, etc. When I read the book,I'll report back --but I thought perhaps some people here are either already familiar with it, or would like to read it.
P.S. I'm not sure how Oliver, the son of an Irish Republican who was imprisoned for a year for protesting the partition of Ireland, became an Anglican, but so it is.