The dramatic encounter of divine and human freedom in the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar

Bibliographic Information

The dramatic encounter of divine and human freedom in the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar

Thomas G. Dalzell

(Studien zur interkulturellen Geschichte des Christentums = Études d'histoire interculturelle du christianisme = Studies in the intercultural history of Christianity, v. 105)

P. Lang, c1997

  • : gw
  • : us

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Note

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--Queen's University of Belfast, 1996

Bibliography: p. 293-312

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This work surveys the major theological writings of Hans Urs von Balthasar from the perspective of the relationship between finite and infinite freedom. The first part examines Balthasar's early treatment of the question in the context of the analog of being. The second part concentrates on his more mature work, the "Theological Dramatics", with its understanding of the relationship between finite and infinite freedom in terms of a dramatic encounter in which, controversially, human freedom is thought to participate actively in an ever-greater exchange of love in God. Observing the persistence of the "analog of proportionality" within the "Dramatics" leads the author, in third part, to a critique of Balthasar's thought. The continuation of the earlier perspective explains Balthasar's emphasis on the freedom of the individual to the neglect of social structures and their transformation; while the "historical" as such is not neglected, as some claim it is, the focus is on the history of the individual and his or her relationship with God. Thus Balthasar's theology of the Trinity is more concerned with interpersonal relationships than truly social ones and this is what inhibits a fruitful dialogue with social theologies.

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Details

  • NCID
    BA40747093
  • ISBN
    • 3906759059
    • 0820434213
  • Country Code
    sz
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Bern
  • Pages/Volumes
    315 p.
  • Size
    21 cm
  • Subject Headings
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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