Balthasar ─ A Very Critical Introduction

While many of his generation saw their fortunes revived with the Second Vatican Council, Catholic theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988) remained marginalized until far more recent years, but now there is a tendency to lionize him and the pendulum may have swung too far in the other direction, writes Kilby (systematic theology, U. of Nottingham, England). Seeking balance, she both introduces and critically engages with Balthasar's theological writings, finding that a characteristic mode of his theology is a "presumption of a position above Scripture, tradition, and history, and also above his readers." She pursues the argument in a discussion of four images that she argues pervade Balthasar's work--the picture, the play, fulfillment, and the circle--as well as his treatment of the doctrine of the Trinity and the role of gender in his thought. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)