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Against Rahner

Against Rahner

By Peter Leithart

Graced nature, yes.  We are always already encountering God, of course.

But not this: “Insofar as this subjective, nonobjective luminosity of the subject in its transcendence is always oriented toward the holy mystery, the knowledge of God is always present unthematically and without name and not just when we begin to speak of it.”

Not this, and not just because it’s full of opaque Rahnerian diction.  Not this, because: a) Is experience ever “unthematized”? and b) most extra-Christian religious experience is not unthematized but wrongly thematized.  Rahner knows there are idols, but hasn’t he set things up so as to make a smooth transition from Baal to Yahweh?  Better to smash the idols first.

Peter Leithart

Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.

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In Medias Res

Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.

Donate

Theopolis is nearly 100% donor-supported. Consider joining us on our mission.