Pope JPII and Hans Urs von Balthasar
Posted on 03/16/2007 1:30:48 PM PDT by NYer
EDWARD T. OAKES, S.J., teaches theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. He is the author of Pattern of Redemption and many other works on the thought of Balthasar.
Not wishing to speculate on subject beyond my comprehension, I offer only that "hell" in the Bible seems to be the Hades of the parable of Lazaeas and the rich man, which is to say the abode of the dead. He would then rise from the dead and with him the souls of the Fathers. Unlike them he would be assumed body and soul into heaven on Easter. As to the rest, I suppose that Baltazar is stressing the identity of Jesus with his brother men.
Interesting and heavy discussion...also an example of how academic careers are made, by causing a stir in the academic world. I think the first writer makes assumptions about Balthazar's state of mind, intentions and assumption that go beyond good taste and into mindreading.
He has been the person to shoot arrows at lately. Multiple academic careers will be made in the process.
Heh. I only got about halfway through.
I've been reading this discussion in "First Things" for several months. Very deep, and not likely to make much impact on my faith, I have to say.
However, I have to say that, although on the basic point, I generally agree with Ms. Pitstick, she's such a superior-toned grump that I really want to agree with the other guy!
Heads-up, Alyssa, if you're reading this ... your attitude is making enemies for your analysis.
That too...`It feels like a hit piece on him.
Yes, it does. I have to wonder if anyone else in the world really cares that much :-). I've seen an occasional two- or three-paragraph excerpt from Balthasar, but never purchased a book ... and I'm a fairly serious consumer of theological literature, compared to the rest of the world.
It reminds me of the saying about academic battles, "The wars are so vicious because the stakes are so small."
LOL!
As a refugee from Academe, I can say that seems to be a true saying.
I only know about it from reading :-).
Seriously, I guess you have to do something drastic to make a living as an academic theologian. It obviously makes people cranky, so I'm glad I found something else to do with my life.
You and me both!
Von Balthasar wrote some great things, particularly about the Church. I liked two of them, Heart of the World and The Office of Peter, in particular.
I don't care much for the visionary, Adrienne Speyer, who was his inspiration for some of his more radical ideas, though. One of the problems with von Balthasar is that he moves back and forth between being a solid (and extremely wordy and detailed!) German theologian and being a mystic. There is the famous phrase that mysticism "begins in mist and ends in schism," and it is certainly true that some of his more "mystical" things may not be great doctrinal expressions. But many of his other works are really worth reading.
I have only read the Threefold Garland, but I was impressed.
I've read a couple of books of Adrienne von Speyr's, and they were interesting. However, they really didn't work for me, and ended up donated to the homeschool association book exchange or the parish used book sale.
Some writers, I just say, "Huh?" and she's one of them.
Check out "Theology and Sanity" by Frank Sheed. I need the royalties.
;-o)
Seriously, it has been one of the most influential Catholic books I've ever read. I am also partial to Flannery O'Connor. Grace administered by sledge hammer is how God works often, I think.
F
I've never bought a Frank Sheed book, although I see them in the catalogs. I'll have to try the used book sites, after searching the library catalog.
Flannery O'Connor doesn't reach me, for some reason. What I've read leaves me saying, "Why did I put myself through this?"
I highly recommend Frank. He writes beautiful prose and it is so easy to comprehend.
I think one must read the letters of O'Connor before reading her work. She was dying, knew she was dying and that had a huge impact on how she needed to portray God's grace. That is why I call it the "sledge hammer" approach.
Pick up his book on the Creed. It's short and wonderful!
Thanks for the suggestion - I'm sure the Ignatius catalog has it. Maybe there will be a post-Easter clearance sale.
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