The Mystery of the Supernatural

by Henri de Lubac

First published in 1965, this book represents a refinement and further development of the core thesis that Henri de Lubac had originally put forward many years earlier in a bold and controversial work in which he first called into question the idea of pure nature.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Philosophy, Catholic, Christianity

247 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Henri-Marie de Lubac, SJ (1896-1991) was a French Jesuit priest who became a Cardinal of the Catholic Church, and is considered to be one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century. His writings and doctrinal research played a key role in the shaping of the Second Vatican Council.

De Lubac became a faculty member at Catholic Faculties of Theology of Lyons, where he taught history of religions until 1961. His pupils included Jean Daniélou and Hans Urs von Balthasar. De Lubac was created cardinal deacon by Pope John Paul II on February 2, 1983 and received the red biretta and the deaconry of S. Maria in Domnica, February 2, 1983. He died on September 4, 1991, Paris and is buried in a tomb of the Society of Jesus at the Vaugirard cemetery in Paris.

Reviews

[L. M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about how we have lost our way in recognizing the intrinsic human desire for God, which has led to a false "natural" anthropology with all its secularist consequences. Given the subject, I found it a fitful read and I'm not sure why. De Lubac is a formidable scholar but the writing (or translation) seems muddled and less effective than it should be.

[Scott Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!--a worthwhile read for the theology student and the lay Christian alike, filled with all sorts of precious treasure. De Lubac carefully and truly beautifully destructs the modern notion of "pure nature," arguing that this corruptive simplifying of Thomist thought results in a misunderstanding of both human nature and human destiny. Nature, says De Lubac, is grace already, waiting in anticipation, in desire for, that coming grace which remains pure grace despite our desire. In this way nature is never complete--never the can there be natural fulfilment of the human life, rather the rational being remains mysteriously unfulfilled without the supernatural. This work is not merely a great introduction to Thomist theology and debate, but introduces the reader to a long tradition of Western Christian thought. Moreover, in the beauty of its quotations, it will itself enlighten that mysterious desire of the human mind for Beatific Vision!!

[Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I still don't have the skills enough to read French, so I was quite disappointed that there is no English translation of the great Cardinal's Surnaturel. Fortunately, he was able to distribute its contents into two books, this among many others. Thus, the research project continues, as I still stand in awe and wonder with the way he deals with Thomism, the Church Fathers, and the religious conditions of his time.

[Rafael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of theological errors, condemned by Pius X (Pascendi Dominici Gregis) and Pius XII (Humani Generis)

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, which is one of the most important theological books of the 20th Century, is a difficult read. It is also worth the difficulty. Cardinal De Lubac speaks of the question that continues to cause controversy to this day: the question of the relation between the natural and supernatural, nature and grace. The book was more derivative (I don't use that pejoratively) than I was expecting. De Lubac covers much theological terrain, quoting from scads of theologians and philosophers in the tradition. He makes a persuasive case that Cardinal Cajetan and Suarez misread Aquinas and the tradition in their attempts to describe pure nature.

The most compelling part of De Lubac's argument is its rootedness in reality, in the anthropology of man as he is. I think this might be De Lubac's greatest contribution. Both explicitly and implicitly throughout the book he makes the case that in examining the question of man's natural desire and the object of that desire, one must look to man as he really is, not as he could have been, but as he exists. I saw some correspondence here between De Lubac and Msgr. Luigi Giussani's The Religious Sense, which speaks of man's desire for the infinite.

At the same time as he talks of man's natural desire or openness to the infinite, for supernatural beatitude, De Lubac maintains the gratuity of grace. That we have been made this way does not mean that God is required to fulfill our desire. I probably am making a hash of the book -- I know just enough to make myself sound stupid -- but I think it is worth the hard read.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henri de Lubac's criticism of the overdetermined neo-scholasticism of his day may not seem particularly relevant today, but nothing could be further from the truth. With his careful use of Scripture, patristics, and medieval writers, de Lubac reminds us all that the mysteries of the Christian faith, the supernatural, are best understood gifts and best explained as paradoxes. Though post-modern thought has pushed theology to an almost opposite situation from the one in which de Lubac writes, his advice and warnings remain prescient: 1) Return to the essential sources of the Christian tradition and take seriously what you find there. 2) Do not sell truth for clarity nor orthodoxy for precision of expression. 3) Conduct all theological inquiry from a posture of prayer and worship.

An excellent book for seminary students or young theologians. Chapter 9 could be read as a stand alone essay and would be beneficial to all thoughtful Christians.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sure this book is worth far more than three stars, objectively speaking. However, it is a very dense and deep theological book, and I can't honestly say I personally found it amazing (5 stars), simply because my brain would need a significant tune up to be able to take in every nuance of everything DeLubac writes. For me, this was a book I bought for grad school, but somehow the prof neglected to ever assign reading from it, as far as I can tell. So it has been taunting me from my bookshelf for years. Several weeks ago I was inspired to read it, and I am very glad to have done so, although at some points I had to really force myself through it. For those deeply concerned with the history of theological trends, this book is indispensable. It did give me a better appreciation of the depth of the theological implications of the gratuitousness of God.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once the reader understands what de Lubac is trying to discuss, the book is interesting. It is, however, a heavy and difficult read.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though some of the critiques of this book are legitimate, its importance is hard to over state.

[Peter Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Amazon review -

http://www.amazon.com/review/R17OTUH7...

[Christina “6 word reviewer” Lake]

Human being radiates with divine purpose.