Balthasar for Thomists

by Fr. Aidan Nichols O.P.

Students of Catholic theology are often presented with a choice between Thomas Aquinas and Hans Urs von Balthasar as the best masters to follow. What starts as a genial rivalry can sometimes morph into a less well-tempered competition. Since Aquinas is the classic theologian of the Latin tradition, readers and devotees of Balthasar can hardly repudiate Thomas. But Thomists are under no comparable obligation to develop a sympathy for Balthasar. This study by a highly-respected Dominican theologian seeks to show the many debts of Balthasar to Aquinas, as well as the points where Balthasar departs from Thomas, or goes beyond him. Father Nichols concludes that, while constituting an original form of Catholic thought, Balthasarianism may be regarded as a synthesis of the influences of St. Thomas and his Franciscan contemporary, St. Bonaventure. Balthasar for Thomists also serves as a general introduction to Balthasar for those unacquainted with his profound and wide-ranging theology.

Genres: Theology

244 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2020

Reviews

[Maximilian Nightingale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the author is certainly sympathetic to Balthasar, he ended up confirming for me that all things I don’t like about Balthasar are definitely in there and take a central role that they shouldn’t. Most important among these for me is the importance he gives to the supposed revelations of von Speyr. Though it makes sense for theologians to account for that sort of thing (see St. Maximilian), it seems irresponsible to base a vast theological project on doubtful theses presented such a “mystic”.

Nichols does a great job summarizing the thought of such a verbose theologian and comparing it to the thought of Thomas. Most illuminating were the passages where Balthasar actually comments on Thomas, such as the section on the charismatic gifts.

[David Paternostro, · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hans Urs von Balthasar is one of the great Catholic theologians of the 20th century, and Thomas Aquinas one of the great theologians of the Middle Ages. Their disciples can sometimes be a bit antagonistic to each other, so Fr. Nichols wrote a work outlining their points of harmony, observing that their projects are actually different in a way that makes them complementary. There were a few contested points I wish he had addressed, but as someone with a fondness for both thinkers, I was generally pleased. The book might even be a solid intro to Balthasar

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aidan Nichols is a sure guide to von Balthasar, so here he maps the relation to Aquinas,through a survey of Balthasar's great trilogy. Quite good.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction of Balthasar

[Harrison Glaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid, dizzyingly learned yet succinct introduction to a major theologian.