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Elucidations
Elucidations provides readers with short, clear, insightful reflections on widely disputed topics of Christian belief and life. Written by one of the great theologians and spiritual writers of the twentieth century, Hans Urs von Balthasar, this work feeds both the mind and heart, exploring the substance of Christian life, experience, and faith.
Among the topics that von Balthasar addresses are the mystery of God, the role of the saints and the Marian principle, the nature of Tradition and Authority, the Pope, the Priesthood, the nature of religious life, unity among believers, the subject of why remain in the Church, and more. Each of the twenty-five chapters focuses on a particular topic, and together they bear witness to an underlying comprehensive vision on essential spiritual questions for modern believers. Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-88) was a Swiss theologian, and widely considered to be one of the most important Catholic theologians and spiritual writers of the twentieth century. Incredibly prolific and diverse, he wrote over one hundred books, including Prayer , Heart of the World , Mysterium Paschale , Love Alone is Credible , and his major 7-volume work of theological aesthetics, Glory of the Lord .
Among the topics that von Balthasar addresses are the mystery of God, the role of the saints and the Marian principle, the nature of Tradition and Authority, the Pope, the Priesthood, the nature of religious life, unity among believers, the subject of why remain in the Church, and more. Each of the twenty-five chapters focuses on a particular topic, and together they bear witness to an underlying comprehensive vision on essential spiritual questions for modern believers. Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-88) was a Swiss theologian, and widely considered to be one of the most important Catholic theologians and spiritual writers of the twentieth century. Incredibly prolific and diverse, he wrote over one hundred books, including Prayer , Heart of the World , Mysterium Paschale , Love Alone is Credible , and his major 7-volume work of theological aesthetics, Glory of the Lord .
- GenresTheology
321 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
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About the author
Hans Urs von Balthasar
456 books312 followersHans Urs von Balthasar was a Swiss theologian and priest who was nominated to be a cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is considered one of the most important theologians of the 20th century.
Born in Lucerne, Switzerland on 12 August 1905, he attended Stella Matutina (Jesuit school) in Feldkirch, Austria. He studied in Vienna, Berlin and Zurich, gaining a doctorate in German literature. He joined the Jesuits in 1929, and was ordained in 1936. He worked in Basel as a student chaplain. In 1950 he left the Jesuit order, feeling that God had called him to found a Secular Institute, a lay form of consecrated life that sought to work for the sanctification of the world especially from within. He joined the diocese of Chur. From the low point of being banned from teaching, his reputation eventually rose to the extent that John Paul II asked him to be a cardinal in 1988. However he died in his home in Basel on 26 June 1988, two days before the ceremony. Balthasar was interred in the Hofkirche cemetery in Lucern.
Along with Karl Rahner and Bernard Lonergan, Balthasar sought to offer an intellectual, faithful response to Western modernism. While Rahner offered a progressive, accommodating position on modernity and Lonergan worked out a philosophy of history that sought to critically appropriate modernity, Balthasar resisted the reductionism and human focus of modernity, wanting Christianity to challenge modern sensibilities.
Balthasar is very eclectic in his approach, sources, and interests and remains difficult to categorize. An example of his eclecticism was his long study and conversation with the influential Reformed Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, of whose work he wrote the first Catholic analysis and response. Although Balthasar's major points of analysis on Karl Barth's work have been disputed, his The Theology of Karl Barth: Exposition and Interpretation (1951) remains a classic work for its sensitivity and insight; Karl Barth himself agreed with its analysis of his own theological enterprise, calling it the best book on his own theology.
Balthasar's Theological Dramatic Theory has influenced the work of Raymund Schwager.
Born in Lucerne, Switzerland on 12 August 1905, he attended Stella Matutina (Jesuit school) in Feldkirch, Austria. He studied in Vienna, Berlin and Zurich, gaining a doctorate in German literature. He joined the Jesuits in 1929, and was ordained in 1936. He worked in Basel as a student chaplain. In 1950 he left the Jesuit order, feeling that God had called him to found a Secular Institute, a lay form of consecrated life that sought to work for the sanctification of the world especially from within. He joined the diocese of Chur. From the low point of being banned from teaching, his reputation eventually rose to the extent that John Paul II asked him to be a cardinal in 1988. However he died in his home in Basel on 26 June 1988, two days before the ceremony. Balthasar was interred in the Hofkirche cemetery in Lucern.
Along with Karl Rahner and Bernard Lonergan, Balthasar sought to offer an intellectual, faithful response to Western modernism. While Rahner offered a progressive, accommodating position on modernity and Lonergan worked out a philosophy of history that sought to critically appropriate modernity, Balthasar resisted the reductionism and human focus of modernity, wanting Christianity to challenge modern sensibilities.
Balthasar is very eclectic in his approach, sources, and interests and remains difficult to categorize. An example of his eclecticism was his long study and conversation with the influential Reformed Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, of whose work he wrote the first Catholic analysis and response. Although Balthasar's major points of analysis on Karl Barth's work have been disputed, his The Theology of Karl Barth: Exposition and Interpretation (1951) remains a classic work for its sensitivity and insight; Karl Barth himself agreed with its analysis of his own theological enterprise, calling it the best book on his own theology.
Balthasar's Theological Dramatic Theory has influenced the work of Raymund Schwager.
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April 22, 2024
Balthasar presents a series of musings over various theological topics and concerns about topics concerning God, theology, humanity, the Church, and moral living. A read that is worth pondering and reflection.
December 1, 2015
Wow. So powerful. This book challenged me in so many ways.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews