Intro to Theology of Balthasar

Catalog description

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988) is widely regarded as one of the greatest Catholic theologians of the twentieth century. Yet approaching him can seem daunting: many of his 100 books contain ornate language and long, technical treatments of other authors. This course aims to provide an accessible entryway into the heart of Balthsar’s vast theological project by focusing on his notion of love as mutual self-giving. According to Balthasar, the Trinitarian God, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, is an eternal mystery of giving and receiving love. This groundless love in the Holy Trinity is the cause of mankind’s creation and redemption in Christ. In light of this unifying claim, we shall introduce the following: Balthasar’s life and spirituality, his philosophy, his Christology, and his Trinitarian theology. The course begins with an overview of Balthasar’s life, influences, and central works. The rest of the course will be a close reading of his two short books, Love Alone is Credible and Life out of Death, and several essays from his Explorations in Theology.