Chapter 12: Hans Urs von Balthasar
Stellar Catholic Theologian of the 2oth Century
Balthasar was a fellow Swiss and contemporary of Barth and his theology is quite similar to Barth’s
An Unusual Life.
A New Version of the Analogy of Being. The analogy of being is an approach to nature that finds traces of God in it. Barth rejected it. Balthasar redefined it tone more acceptable.
Yet Still Triumphantly Catholic. Balthasar defended Catholicism against Protestantism and Eastern Orthodox.
Theology at Prayer. He centered his theology in God’s beauty, synonymous with God’s glory according to him.
A Controversial Take on Holy Saturday. He believed that Jesus continued to suffer on Saturday in Hell, contrary to Christian tradition.
Universal Hope. He gets close to being a universalist, but doesn’t quite step over the line.
A Grand Synthesis of Philosophy, Theology, and the Religions.
Philosophers Feeding on Christian Bones. He maintained that all philosophy has hints of Christianity in it.
The Secret Work of the Logos in the Religions. He found glimpses of Christianity in other religions, but also noted their differences.
What We Can Learn.
- Protestans and Catholics should learn from each other.
- Prayer is essential for theology.
- Theology is for the sake of God’s glory.
- We should not be afraid of rival philosophies and religions.