The Cambridge Companion to Hans Urs von Balthasar

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905–1988) is one of the most prolific, creative and wide-ranging theologians of the twentieth century who is just now coming to prominence. But because of his own daring speculations about the meaning of Christ’s descent into hell after the crucifixion, about the uniqueness of Christ as savior of a pluralistic world, and because he draws so many of his resources for his theology from literature, drama, and philosophy, Balthasar has never been an easily-categorized theologian. He is neither liberal nor conservative, neither Thomist nor modernist and he seems to elude all attempts to capture the exact way he creatively reinterprets the tradition of Christian thought. For that reason, this Companion is singularly welcome bringing together a wide range of theologians both to outline and to assess the work of someone whom history will surely rank someday with Origen, John Calvin, and Karl Barth.

• Accessible and comprehensive guide to one of the most prolific theologians of the twentieth century who is now rising in prominence • Wide-ranging methodologies and approaches to enable the reader a wide exposure to the many fields where this theologian has made significant contributions • Eighteen chapters from eighteen authors who are highly respected in their fields

1. Introduction Edward T. Oakes and David Moss; Part I. Theology: 2. Revelation Larry Chapp; 3. Christology Mark McIntosh; 4. Trinity Rowan Williams; 5. Church, ecumenism and culture David Schindler; 6. Mariology Lucy Gardner; 7. Prayer and the saints David Moss; 8. Gender Corinne Crammer; 9. Eschatology Geoffrey Wainwright; Part II. The Trilogy: 10. The Aesthetics Oliver Davies; 11. The Theo-Dramatics Ben Quash; 12. The Theo-Logic Aidan Nichols; Part III. Disciplines and Methodologies: 13. Patristics Brian Daley; 14. Literary criticism Edwin Block; 15. Contemporary metaphysics Fergus Kerr; Part IV. Conversations: 16. Balthasar and Karl Barth John Webster; 17. Balthasar and Karl Rahner Karen Kilby; 18. Balthasar’s reception among theologians Edward T. Oakes and David Moss.