Balthasar for Thomists
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Students of Catholic theology are often presented with a choice between two great masters: Thomas Aquinas and Hans Urs von Balthasar. What starts as a cordial difference in form and method often morphs into a bitter rivalry.
Since Aquinas is the classic theologian of the Latin tradition, readers and devotees of Balthasar can hardly repudiate Thomas. But Thomists are under no comparable obligation to develop a sympathy for Balthasar. This study by a highly-respected Dominican theologian seeks to show the many debts of Balthasar to Aquinas, as well as the points where Balthasar departs from Thomas, or goes beyond him.
Dominican theologian Father Aidan Nichols sees no need for competition. Balthasar for Thomists gives a panoramic view of Balthasar’s thought and spirituality, unearthing many of his innumerable debts to Aquinas and providing context for their points of divergence.
The enormous cultural project of Balthasar, writes Father Nichols, differs too much from St. Thomas’ pedagogical one “to count as a rival to Thomism on the latter’s own ground (and, of course, vice versa)”.
Father Nichols concludes that, while constituting an original form of Catholic thought, Balthasarianism may be regarded as a synthesis of the influences of St. Thomas and his Franciscan contemporary, St. Bonaventure. Balthasar for Thomists also serves as a general introduction to Balthasar for those unacquainted with his profound and wide-ranging theology.
- Gives a panoramic view of Balthasar’s thought and spirituality.
- Concludes that Balthasarianism may be regarded as a synthesis of the influences of St. Thomas.
- Serves as a general introduction to Balthasar for those unacquainted with his theology.
- Preface
- 1 Introducing Balthasar for Thomists
- 2 The Trilogy: Theological Aesthetics
- 3 The Trilogy: Theological Dramatics
- 4 The Trilogy: Theological Logic
- 5 Doctrine: God, Christ, and Human Salvation
- 6 Doctrine: Eschatology, Ecclesiology, and Ethics
- 7 Spirituality
- 8 The Underlying Principle of Balthasar’s Theology
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Father Nichols, author of both a sympathetic study of Balthasar and a sympathetic study of Garrigou-Lagrange, brings his extraordinary eloquence and erudition to the task of introducing Balthasar to Thomists and, indeed, to anyone who loves Christ. His ability to illuminate Balthasar’s intentions is masterful, and his respect for contemporary Balthasarian and Thomistic contributions to the Catholic theological symphony is exemplary. This book is a work of love, and hope.
—Matthew Levering, Ph.D., James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary
This work shows that the theological systems of Aquinas and Balthasar are not diverse universes, but more like two planets circling the same Sun, illumined by the same Light, though refracted differently due to distinct historical, cultural, and philosophical atmospheres.
—Douglas Bushman, S.T.L., Pope St. John Paul II Chair of Theology, Augustine Institute
This book is a must-read for graduate students in systematic theology. Sauntering in where disciples of the Angelic Doctor have feared to tread, Fr. Nichols shows Thomist teenagers how to appreciate von Balthasar, and Balthasarian hipsters why the injunction to ‘go to Thomas’ still matters. In this work, we see the symphonic unity of the greatest of the mediaeval Schoolmen and the greatest of modern theologians.
—Francesca Aran Murphy, Ph.D., Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
- Title: Balthasar for Thomists
- Author: Aidan Nichols
- Publisher: Ignatius
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Pages: 244
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- ISBNs: 9781621643395, 1621643395
- Resource ID: LLS:BLTHSRTHMSTS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-04T17:07:17Z