Rodney Howsare – författare

Hans Urs von Balthasar and Protestantism examines Balthasar's engagement with Protestantism, primarily in the persons of Martin Luther and Karl Barth and explores the implications of this engagement for Fundamental Theology. At the very root of Luther's confrontation with the Catholic Church of the late Middle Ages lies his antipathy for Aristotle and for "natural theology". In other words, the Protestant difference has as much to do with its suspicion of the Catholic treatment of faith and reason as it does with the Catholic treatment of faith and works. This is a suspicion that is only exacerbated in Barth's association of the "analogy of being" with the Antichrist. Balthasar takes these criticisms very seriously, and, in addressing them, not only has much of relevance to say about the Catholic-Protestant differences, but also about the Yale-Chicago differences. In short, this study shows how Balthasar's dialogue with Luther and Barth sheds light on the impasse that has arisen between the so-called "correlational" and "revelocentric" schools of contemporary theology. If, indeed, Christ is the "concrete universal," then, it argues, we should not have to decide between the two.

This is a concise and helpful guide for students grappling with the main principles of Balthasar's thought. Balthasar's thought, if it is anything, is perplexing, and it is perplexing for a number of reasons. In this "Guide for the Perplexed", Rodney Howsare gives the reader a handle on these perplexing aspects of Balthasar's thought. In the first chapter he introduces the reader to the man and his unique method of doing theology. He then moves on to explaining the basic structure and nature of the triology: the aesthetics, dramatics and logic. He then deals with various theological topics: Jesus Christ, The Trinity, The Drama of Redemption, The Church and Mary, and The Last Things. A final chapter summarizes Balthasar's place in modern theology and suggests further readings for the interested reader. "Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed" are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging - or indeed downright bewildering.Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material.