The Dialectics of Creation: Creation and the Creator in Edward Schillebeeckx and David Burrell (T&T Clark Theology)

## Preface xi Th e fi rst of these concerns the interaction between dialectical and correlational theologies and theologians. Whether it is the modern debate between Barth and Schleiermacher that is attended to, or the more recent one between George Lindbeck and David Tracy -who, in diff erent ways, are striving to develop theologies that engage a postmodern era -the tendency towards polarization seems almost inevitable at times. My use of the term 'relational' to describe the dialectic operative in Schillebeeckx is partly intended to show that the interesting ground of these debates is to be found between the extremes, whether they be rival theological schools or thematic poles. Another intention is to show that it might well be possible to articulate theology in a relational key by using the doctrine of creation as a hermeneutic for such a theology. Many current responses to the call to place relation at the centre of theology start with the Trinity. However, this is made somewhat complex (at best) by the way in which the relations and relationships that pertain between the persons of the Trinity are by no means identical with those between human persons, or those that may pertain between human persons and the other creatures with which we share the planet on which we live. Th is study proposes the relational dialectic of creation as a hermeneutic, not only for Schillebeeckx's thought, but also for a philosophical theology that follows in his footsteps. Such a theology has retrospective and prospective advantages in its interpretation both of the tradition of Christian faith and also of the current situation in which Christians live and to which we must craft a faithful response. My grateful thanks go out to many people who were signifi cant animators of this process. Philip Kennedy, my supervisor in Oxford, gave me great support over the course of my studies, encouraging me in particular to disagree with him in my text. (I am glad to say that I managed it in the end!) Other interlocutors in Oxford were invaluable for the insight they gave me into the various authors in the background of the study. Particular mention must be made of John Webster, Philip Endean and Gerard J. Hughes in this regard, from whom I learned a great deal. I spent four very happy years at Campion Hall and am deeply grateful, too, that I was able to return there during a term's sabbatical to work on this version of the text. Th e pastoral ministry that I undertook with the Salesian family in Cowley, and more widely in Oxford, during my years of study, helped me to relate the ecclesial and academic vocations of the theologian in ways that enrich me still. I was blessed with many opportunities to discuss Schillebeeckx's thought with Jennifer Cooper in Oxford. It was a delight to meet Erik Borgman and Ted Schoof in Nijmegen in August 2004. Schillebeeckx himself was unwell that summer and unable to receive academic Preface xii visitors, but the personal insights that Erik and Ted passed on to me in those few short days were invaluable. I thank Michael Winstanley, Michael Cunningham, Francis Preston and Martin Coyle, the confreres of the British Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco who have been my Provincial so far in my Salesian life, for their support of my studies and for allowing me to pursue the dream of serving the young in tertiary education. Th e members of my community in Battersea, both when I was in Oxford and today, have been great companions on the journey of life in the footsteps of Don Bosco. A special vote of thanks goes to my good friend Anita Cobb, who was the fi rst to suggest that I read Schillebeeckx on creation and who kindly helped proofread both my doctoral thesis and this text. I thank my family, especially my parents, to whom this book is aff ectionately dedicated, for all you give and are to me. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the two authors themselves: I thank David Burrell for his encouragement, assistance and support during my research. I give thanks to God for Edward Schillebeeckx, for the inspiration and example of his life as a theologian. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations used Preface Introduction The importance of creation Creation and philosophical theology A project for today What their project is not What their project is Rules for discourse about creation 1 The Structure of Discourse A task for contemporary philosophical theology Opposing oppositions Pairing diff erence and relation Tending towards difference and sameness Privileging difference Difference and distinction as interchangeable Privileging the negative Relation and relationship as interchangeable Directional sensitivity Beyond difference and sameness Between difference and sameness Forming a community of argument Functional complementarity and theological schools 2 Investigating Complementarity I: Common Ground Non-contrastive accounts Sources Specifying misunderstandings of creation Pantheism Panentheism Dualism Emanationism Creation is not an explanation Creation is not just initiation God is not a thing The language of creation Burrell on ‘the distinction’ Is ‘the distinction’ specifically Christian? Distinction and difference Directionality issues Burrell on ‘the relation’ Relation and relationship Directionality issues Intentionality Non-duality Schillebeeckx on ‘the distinction’ Is ‘the distinction’ specifically Christian? Distinction and Difference Directionality issues Schillebeeckx on ‘the relation’ Relation and relationship The relationship of faith 3 Investigating Complementarity II: Complementary Emphases and Dialectic Balancing ‘the distinction’ and ‘the relation’ Reading Burrell as prioritizing ‘the distinction’ Reading Schillebeeckx as prioritizing ‘the relation’ Other functionally complementary themes The directionality of presence Hope and optimism Apophatic and kataphatic aspects Moving towards dialectic The dialectics of ‘the distinction’ and ‘the relation’ Burrell’s dialectic Schillebeeckx’s dialectic The characteristics of relational dialectic Mediated immediacy Continuity and change 4 Relational Dialectic in Schillebeeckx’s Philosophical Theology Schillebeeckx’s method of correlation Praxis Praxis and practice as interchangeable The relational dialectic of theory and practice Praxis is more than practice What comes first? Praxis as a way of life Schillebeeckx’s way of doing theology The relational dialectic of mysticism and politics Correlating mysticism and politics The role of theology Active and passive aspects Praxis and ethics Humanism Christian and atheistic secular humanism – distinct and related Critical affirmation: The value of atheistic secular humanism Critical negativity: The inadequacy of atheistic secular humanism The relational dialectic of finitude and contingency Critical positivity: The inexhaustible surplus of Christian humanism Schillebeeckx’s Sequela Sequela Jesu Sequela Aquinas Sequela Irenaeus 5 Schillebeeckian Relational Dialectic I: Aquinas on Analogy Aquinas and analogy What analogy is not What analogy is Aquinas’s accounts of analogy A proposed reading of Aquinas on analogy Summa Theologiae Ia, 13, 5 Three terms or two? 13, 5 in context – What is the unum? What is the middle term? Analogical relations Analogy in De Veritate and the Summa Theologiae A Schillebeeckian reading An analogia entis ? Defending the reading Hemming on Schillebeeckx Schillebeeckx’s project Schillebeeckx on analogy in Aquinas 6 Schillebeeckian Relational Dialectic II: Prospects for Philosophical Theology Participation and creation in Aquinas The possibilities of participation Linking philosophy and theology Linking beatitude and sanctification Linking beatitude and sanctification with creation Seamlessness in theological themes Divine and human action The underdetermination of creation The underdetermination of God Divine and human freedom The relational dialectic of freedom and commitment The causal connection and God’s knowledge Making a better future and creating the world Bibliography Index "This book investigates the philosophical components of Christian faith in creation, by analyzing the distinction and the relation between creation and its Creator.The writings of Edward Schillebeeckx and David Burrell supply a terminology of distinction and relation that shapes the discourse, following in the footsteps of Aquinas. Poulsom elucidates the relational dialectic in the thought of Schillebeeckx as a way of thinking about the Creation and offers a helpful comparison with the thought of David Burrell. Relational dialectic is an organizing principle, not only of Schillebeeckx's account of creation, but of his philosophical theology more generally. It can operate as a hermeneutic for his material on praxis and humanism, in a way that resolves some problems noted by other Schillebeeckx scholars. Poulsom's interpretation of Schillebeeckx enriches current approaches to this thinker and offers a significant contribution to thinking on the doctrine of Creation and issues surrounding the 'ontological distinction' which is of major concern in philosophical theology today."--Bloomsbury Publishing. This book investigates the philosophical components of Christian faith in creation, by analyzing the distinction and the relation between creation and its Creator. The writings of Edward Schillebeeckx and David Burrell supply a terminology of distinction and relation that shapes the discourse, following in the footsteps of Aquinas. Poulsom elucidates the relational dialectic in the thought of Schillebeeckx as a way of thinking about the Creation and offers a helpful comparison with the thought of David Burrell. Relational dialectic is an organizing principle, not only of Schillebeeckx's account of creation, but of his philosophical theology more generally. It can operate as a hermeneutic for his material on praxis and humanism, in a way that resolves some problems noted by other Schillebeeckx scholars. Poulsom's interpretation of Schillebeeckx enriches current approaches to this thinker and offers a significant contribution to thinking on the doctrine of Creation and issues surrounding the 'ontological distinction' which is of major concern in philosophical theology today