Theo-Drama, vol. V: The Last Act
Overview
This is the final volume of this series on “theological dramatic theory” by the great 20th century theologian Balthasar. This series is the second part of Balthasar’s trilogy on the good, the beautiful, and the true which is his major work. The first series in the trilogy is The Glory of the Lord, and following this Theo-Drama series is Theo-Logic.
In this series “the good” has been the focus. Balthasar maintains that it is in the theater that man attempts a kind of transcendence to observe and to judge his own truth about himself. He sees the phenomenon of theater as a source of fruitfulness for theological reflection on the cosmic drama that involves earth and heaven. This fifth volume is Trinitarian, focusing on the mystery of God. He draws heavily on Scripture and many passages from the works of the mystic Adrienne von Speyr. Some of the topics covered include “A Christian Eschatology,” “The World is from the Trinity,” “Earth moves Heavenward,” and “The Final Act: A Trinitarian Drama.”
With the Logos edition the reader has an abundance of resources that offer applicable and insightful material for their study. You can easily search the subject of theological dramatic theory to access an assortment of useful resources and perspectives from a variety of pastors and theologians.
Key Features
- Focus on the mystery of God
- References the works of Adrienne von Speyr
- Critical survey of Christian eschatology
Top Highlights
“self-surrender to God-forsakenness and powerlessness” (Page 327)
“the trinitarian conversation is the prototype of all prayer” (Page 96)
“each of the Divine Hypostases is identical with the divine essence” (Page 76)
“What does the entire work of creation and redemption mean to God?” (Page 507)
“ it is possible to possess eternal life and yet not remain in it” (Page 298)
Praise for the Print Edition
Balthasar’s most important works, at least in his own eyes, are not his writings but his foundations.
—Peter Henrici
. . . meeting Balthasar was for me the beginning of a lifelong friendship I can only be thankful for. Never again have I found anyone with such a comprehensive theological and humanistic education as Balthasar . . . and I cannot even begin to say how much I owe to my encounter with him.
—Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
Product Details
- Title: Theo-Drama, vol. V: The Last Act
- Author: Hans Urs von Balthasar
- Publisher: Ignatius
- Publication Date: 1998
- Pages: 529