In the Fullness of Faith: On the Centrality of the Distinctively Catholic

by Hans Urs von Balthasar

  Virtually every aspect of Catholicism which is controversial within the Church or a stumbling block to non-Catholic Christians is treated in this book. Rather than avoiding what is most glaringly un-modern or what is most criticized by non-Catholics, Balthasar reviews these elements one by one, and shows how they are rooted in the central Christian mysteries and the commonly accepted tradition. What is specifically Catholic is not defended polemically, but described in such a way that others can see, even from their own point of view, the inner consistency with the mystery affirmed by all. Here is a form of thought which is truly ecumenical precisely because it is fully Catholic. "We are not only interested in those aspects of the mystery of the Roman Catholic Church which set her apart from the other Christian communities, but also to show how often they are central beliefs by describing what is specifically Catholic in such a way that the partner in dialogue can see, even from his own standpoint, the inner consistency."
— Hans Urs von Balthasar

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Religion

130 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1988

About the author

Hans 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.

Reviews

[Vic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, profound, and inspiring little book. Balthasar demonstrates both the glorious mystery and the sharp inner rationality of the Catholic faith, inviting us to ponder and carry within ourselves the sanity and sublimity that can only be found in the vibrant paradoxes of the Catholic 'both/and', as it was, is, and ever shall be - world without end, Amen.

[Gui Nabais Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little book which handles the questions of modernity, faith, and various elements of ecclesiology (church structure).

He has some very beautiful descriptions of how, like Origen describes, Scripture is the 'body of the Word' allowing for its vibrancy and self-expression and not the Word itself, which is Christ. The Church becomes tied to the Word as the Word allowed the Church to 'bind and loose' things. He also really penetrates what it means to talk about 'catholic' and catholica - what do these notions actually mean and why are they the label which the Western Latin church is known by? It really does detail, in only about 120 pages or so, most key elements of what it means to be Catholic and offers a way for non-Catholic Christians to see its expressiveness. A very beautiful read - especially for Lent.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Balthasar writes like a poet. Yet, despite the beauty of his writing, I find his Roman Catholic ecclesiology unconvincing. Supposedly, he does not have such an apologetic goal primarily in mind but is rather writing for fellow Roman Catholics. If I were a convinced Roman Catholic, I suspect I would appreciate how he artfully (not polemically) expresses the distinctiveness of Roman Catholicism.

[Christopher Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and concise explication of the Catholic Faith. A very good introduction and defense of the understanding of 'Catholica' in the Catholic Church.