Light in Darkness: Hans Urs Von Balthasar and the Catholic Doctrine of Christ's Descent Into HellHe descended into hell. Hans Urs von Balthasar, one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century, placed this affirmation of the Nicene Creed at the heart of his reflection on the world-altering events of Holy Week, asserting that this identification of God with the human experience is at the "absolute center" of the Christian faith. Yet is such a descent to suffering really the essence of Catholic belief about the mystery of Holy Saturday? Alyssa Lyra Pitstick's Light in Darkness -- the first comprehensive treatment of Balthasar's theology of Holy Saturday -- draws on the multiple yet unified resources of authoritative Catholic teaching on Christ's descent to challenge Balthasar's conclusions. Pitstick conducts a thorough investigation of Balthasar's position that Christ suffered in his descent into hell and asks whether that is compatible with traditional teaching about Christ. Light in Darkness is a thorough argument for the existence and authority of a traditional Catholic doctrine of Christ's descent as manifested in creeds, statements of popes and councils, Scripture, and art from Eastern and Western traditions. Pitstick's carefully argued, contrarian work is sure to spur debate across the theological spectrum. |
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Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Creeds and Catechisms | 9 |
Scripture and the Traditional Doctrine of Christs Descent | 30 |
Liturgy and Art | 61 |
The Descent Event | 89 |
lpi at 45 degrees | 102 |
The Centrality of the Descent in the Theology | 244 |
Global Questions about the Theological Opinion | 281 |
General Conclusion | 341 |
bibliography | 349 |
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Common terms and phrases
abandonment according active actual appears attributes Balthasar beatific vision become body Catholic Chapter Christ Christ’s descent Christian Church considered continues contrast creatures Cross darkness dead death distance distinction divine divine Persons doctrine emphasis Eschatology essential eternal event existence experience expression fact faith Father Finally freedom given gives glory GloryVII God’s hell Hence Holy Spirit human nature Incarnation indicates insofar interpretation Jesus kenosis knowledge light living means mission mystery Note obedience object original passage passive perfect Person possible precisely present principle procession proper punishment question reality receives redemption reference regard rejection relation remains resurrection reveals says Scripture seen sense separation Sheol sinners sins Son’s soul speak suffering suggests taken Testament texts ThDrIII ThDrV theology Thomas tion traditional Trinitarian Trinity unity virtue visio mortis wrath