The Difference Nothing Makes

Brian D. Robinette is an associate professor of theology at Boston College. He is the author of Grammars of Resurrection: A Christian Theology of Presence and Absence.

Acknowledgements Introduction Part I. Grammar and Contemplation 1. The Difference Nothing Makes 2. Undergoing Something from Nothing Part II. Christ as Concentrated Creation 3. Jesus and the Non-Other 4. Strange Victory Part III. Purgation and Union 5. On the Contemplative Consummation of Atheism 6. Return to Love Bibliography Index

"The Difference Nothing Makes is not the usual, well-heeled essay in foundational theology. Conceived and born in the matrix of contemplation, Brian Robinette's deeply engaging contribution is a learned, grounded, and perceptive exploration of creation, incarnation, and redemption in a refreshingly new register. An unintended fruit of this remarkable book is itself a subtle redemption of theology from its own self-conscious servitude to scripted cliche." -Martin Laird, O.S.A., author of An Ocean of Light "I found this book to be immensely engaging and illuminating. It offers a finessed account of creatio ex nihilo, one that is protological, eschatological, and Christological. Admirably conversant with the constancies of traditional views, it recreates for contemporaries a fitting sense of the lovable surprise of the gift of being, and what G. M. Hopkins called 'the dearest freshness deep down things.' Very warmly recommended." -William Desmond, author of Godsends "The Difference Nothing Makes is incredibly learned, the product of a mature thinker who has been reading deeply and cross-sectionally for decades. The argument is sophisticated, intricate, and, in the end, convincing." -Grant Kaplan, author of Rene Girard, Unlikely Apologist "Deftly demonstrating nihil's semantic flexibility and fecundity, Robinette illuminates the expansive yet negative nature of the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo." -Modern Theology "A passionate and poetically written defence of God's creation of the universe 'from nothing'...provides much valuable material for reflection on the practice of contemplative prayer and the God-world relationship." -Theology "The ideas in this book are rigorous and carefully argued, and its vision of transformation based on a deep acceptance of the world's givenness by God is also quite beautiful. ...We are in the author's debt for this carefully argued, ecumenically engaged work of theology that is deeply attentive to connections between Christian theology and Christian life."-Reading Religion "I praise Robinette's placid bearing as a writer and thinker, which makes his critical imagination more, not less, powerful. Scholars and advanced students will find plenty of intellectual interest in this text, but what they should take away is the call to emulate Robinette's contemplative spirit: to return theological discourse to love." -Heythrop Journal "Let me cut to the chase: this book is a stunning achievement. Brian D. Robinette. . . has gifted us with a deeply pondered work about God's utterly gratuitous gift of creation, redemption, and fulfillment in Christ." -Commonweal "Robinette's irenic and thought-provoking work can help scholars, pastors, and other educated readers rediscover and retrieve creation theology for today." -The Christian Century