Hans Urs Von Balthasar's Theological Aesthetics: A Model for Post-Critical Biblical Interpretation

346 Pages·2016·5.11 MB·English

by  W.T. Dickens

Hans Urs von Balthasar's
Theological Aesthetics
A MODEL FOR POST-CRITICAL
BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
W. T. Dickens
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME PRESS
Notre Dame, Indiana
I
Copyright © 2003 by University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
www.undpress.nd.edu
All Rights Reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Dickens, W. T. (William Thomas), 1957-
Hans Urs von Balthasar's theological aesthetics: a model for
post-critical biblical interpretation / W. T. Dickens.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 0-268-03063-4
ISBN 0-268-03064-2 (pbk.)
1. Bible-Hermeneutics. 2. Balthasar, Hans Urs von, 1905-
Herrlichkeit. 3. Aesthetics-Religious aspects-Catholic Church.
4. Catholic Church-Doctrines. 5. Theology, Doctrinal. I. Title.
BS476 .DS3 2003
230'.2'092-dc21
2003013588
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
00
for my mother
&
in memory of my father

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments lX
Introduction I
Chapter I Theological Aesthetics: 25
A Methodological and Historical Orientation
The Ailments of Modern Theology • Theological Aesthetics
Analogies between Revelation and Beauty • Conclusion
Chapter 2 Theological Hermeneutics 73
The Wholeness of Forms • Authorial Intent
Ecclesial Mediation • Conclusion
Chapter 3 The Unity of Scripture I25
Fragmentation • Integration
Conclusion
Contents
Vlll I
Chapter 4 The Authority of Scripture 163
Corpus Triforme • Biblical Inspiration
Biblical Authority
Chapter 5 Theological Exegesis 207
Mary as a Type and as the Bride of the Church
An Analysis of Balthasar's Exegesis
Alternative Descriptions of Balthasar's Exegesis • Conclusion
Conclusion 235
Notes 239
Bibliography 309
Index 329
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have had the great fortune to learn from outstanding teachers.
Marcus Borg and Bardwell Smith nurtured my interest in the interpre
tation of religious texts during my undergraduate years at Carleton Col
lege. While I was at Yale, Brevard Childs, perhaps the best classroom
instructor I ever had, provided a first demonstration of biblical exegesis
that seeks to serve the Church while remaining attuned to the lessons of
historical criticism. Rowan Greer, a particularly striking example of the
benefits of a learned clergy, was an early, encouraging guide through
the thickets of ancient biblical interpretation. Readers of this book's
fourth chapter will recognize my reliance on David Kelsey's keen ana
lytical mind, though I am equally grateful to him for the hours he spent
with me in directed reading courses. George Lindbeck has been unfail
ingly kind and supportive, both while I was at Yale and since. Of the
many things I have learned from him, I would highlight his insistence
on setting oneself the goal of reading critically, yet charitably. Along with
Professors Greer, Kelsey, and Lindbeck, Cyril O'Regan, Nicholas Wol
terstorff, Paul Molnar, and Edward Oakes all read and commented on
the manuscript. Their suggestions measurably improved it.
IX
X ~I Acknowledgments
For the editorial staff at the University of Notre Dame Press and es
pecially its director, Barbara Hanrahan, I have nothing but praise and
gratitude. It is a privilege to work with such fine people. And I could not
have completed the final stages of bringing the manuscript to press
without the generous support of the benefactors of the Cornell Catholic
Community.
My wife, Joyce Schuld, deserves special thanks, not simply because
of her remarkable intellect and rhetorical skills, but also because,
through more than a dozen years of marriage, her devotion, compas
sion, and steadfastness have been to me a shield and a buckler.
I gratefully dedicate this book to my parents, whose patient work as
my teachers-and as so much eJse-I hope to honor with this effort.
Hans Urs von Balthasar's
Theological Aesthetics