Kneeling Theology

Anton Štrukelj, in this English edition of his book Kneeling Theology , which was published in German, Italian, Polish, Russian and Slovenian, based his theme on the concept first developed by Hans Urs von Balthasar. This Swiss intellectual is considered one of the most important theologians of the 20th century. Štrukelj sees as his task, through a synthetic survey of questions, to seek from his subjects a holistic perspective regarding the role of the theologian, without doing a critical analysis of all their work. Kneeling Theology analyzes the process and its consequences that gave rise to the religious and cultural developments of the past and the present. It is his thesis that the essence of theology should flow from holiness. He relies for his evidence on the life and work of Hans Urs von Balthasar (which included the insights of Adrienne von Speyr, physician and mystic), Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), the Slovenian theologian Anton Strle (now servant of God) and Anton Vovk, former Archbishop of Ljubljana, fearless witness of Christ and his Church, also servant of God. Štrukelj's purpose with this book is to point out that Catholic theology is best served, not only by competent research and a thorough knowledge of Church tradition, but by theologians who approach their work prayerfully and on their knees. The rich theological and pastoral heritage that has been bequeathed to us by a small group of special people in this book has come about because of their scholarship and their holiness. They have, each in their own way, demonstrated what it means to do theology on their knees, and they have shared their scholarship and insights with us. Contents Acknowledgments Foreword to the German Edition by Christoph Cardinal Schönborn Foreword to the Russian Edition by Archbishop-Metropolitan Thaddäus Kondrusiewicz Foreword to the American Edition by Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss Introduction Chapter 1. “Servants of Your Joy”: Joseph Ratzinger as Priest, Professor, Prefect, and Pope Chapter 2. “Coworkers of the Truth”: The Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian in the Light of Pope Benedict XVI Chapter 3. From a Sitting to a Kneeling Theology: Theology and Holiness in Hans Urs von Balthasar Chapter 4. “Beauty Will Save the World”: The Christian Message about Beauty according to Pope Benedict XVI and Hans Urs von Balthasar Chapter 5. Hans Urs von Balthasar and Adrienne von Speyr: The Unity of Two Works Chapter 6. A Continuing Legacy: Adrienne von Speyr Chapter 7. Man and Woman under God: The Dignity of the Human Being according to Hans Urs von Balthasar Chapter 8. The Theo-Logic of Hans Urs von Balthasar Chapter 9. Life in Christ: The Christian States of Life according to Hans Urs von Balthasar Chapter 10. Hope Does Not Disappoint Chapter 11. Lord Jesus Christ as Judge and Savior Chapter 12. From Mutable to Immutable Life Chapter 13. “In God I Trust”: Servant of God Archbishop Anton Vovk Chapter 14. “God in All Things”: Servant of God Anton Strle Chapter 15. The Purification of Memory Bibliographic Notes Bibliography Index Analyses the process and its consequences that gave rise to the religious and cultural developments of the past and the present. It is the book's thesis that the essence of theology should flow from holiness.