"The "Word" was at the heart of John Henry Newman's endeavors as a preacher and writer, and the "Word made flesh" was the primary object of his faith as a Christian. In this collection of essays, theologians, philosophers, historians and literary scholars reflect on Newman's engagement with the word and relate his thought to contemporary developments in their disciplines. The topics discussed include Newman's understanding of the nature of faith and the church, his standing as an ecumenist and a philosopher, and the significance of his literary and theological work in relation to postmodernism. This collection constitutes a thoroughgoing and critical analysis of Newman's reputation as a master of the word, both written and proclaimed, and of his status as a thinker of contemporary significance."--BOOK JACKET.