Hans Urs von Balthasar and Theological Style - by Christopher Myers (Hardcover)

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Book Synopsis

In this book, Christopher W. Myers uses Hans Urs von Balthasar's (1905-1988) concept of theological style to "sketch" the characteristics of foundational theology in distinctly aesthetic terms.

Reflecting on Balthasar's twelve exemplars of theological style, spanning from Irenaeus to Charles Péguy, this book demonstrates how a given theological style results from the confluence of three factors: the glory of divine revelation, the Church's reception and interpretation of that revelation, and the fruitful expression of that revelation through the particular charism of the theologian. Myers argues that, in expositing these theologians, Balthasar seeks to "sketch" each of them as a means to determine and define their particular theological styles. By aesthetically defining theological style, this book illuminates an under-explored section of Balthasar's Herrlichkeit, providing a context for reading Balthasar on his own terms and offering a fresh assessment of his strengths and weaknesses as a theologian.

Review Quotes

"What does Hans Urs von Balthasar mean by "theological style", and what can we learn if we begin to think about Balthasar's own oeuvre in relation to this concept of style? In this rich and lucid study, Chris Myers not only turns the spotlight on an under-examined element in the Glory of the Lord, but also develops a fresh and fascinating lens through which to explore Balthasar's work more broadly." --Karen Kilby, Bede Professor of Catholic Theology, Durham University

"Many and varied are the positions on Balthasar's theological method. This important volume sheds helpful light on an under-appreciated aspect of his method: the notion of style. In the most thorough investigation of Balthasar's notion of theological style to date, Myers details how Balthasar uses this notion to uncover the charism of thinkers and unearth the heart of their theological vision. The clarity this brings is helpful not only in interpreting Balathasar's readings of others, but also in interpreting the man himself." --Junius Johnson, Executive Director of Junius Johnson Academics

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