The Eschatology of Hans Urs von Balthasar: Being As Communion (Oxford Theological Monographs)

The unifying centre of Nicholas J. Healy's book is an analysis, in dialogue with the metaphysics of Thomas Aquinas, of Balthasar's understanding of the analogy of being. This discussion of analogy is framed by an interpretation of Balthasar's trinitarian eschatology. Healy shows that the ultimate form of the end, and thus the measure of all that is meant by eschatology, is given in Christ's eucharistic and pneumatic gift of himself - a gift that simultaneously lays bare the mystery of God's trinitarian life and enables Christ to 'return' to the Father in communion with the whole of creation. Contents 8 Abbreviations 9 1. The Idea of a Christian Eschatology 10 2. The Analogy of Being 28 3. The Hypostatic Union 100 4. Within the Divine Life 168 General Conclusion: Eschatology as Communion 219 Bibliography 226 Works by Hans Urs von Balthasar 226 Select writings on relevant themes in Balthasar 229 Other works cited 231 Index 239 A 239 B 239 C 239 D 239 E 239 F 239 G 240 H 240 I 240 J 240 K 240 L 240 M 240 N 240 O 240 P 240 R 240 S 240 T 241 U 241 V 241 W 241 Y 241 A helpful guide to the writings of perhaps the greatest Catholic theologian of the twentieth century. Healy shows how for Balthasar the ultimate form of 'the end' is given in Christ's eucharistic and pneumatic gift of himself - a gift that simultaneously lays bare the mystery of God's trinitarian life and enables Christ to return to the Father in communion with the whole of creation. A guide to the writings of perhaps the greatest Catholic theologian of the 20th century, this work shows how for Balthasar the ultimate form of 'the end' is given in Christ's eucharistic and pneumatic gift of himself