A Comparison of Rahnerian to Reformed Apologetics
Christ the Center discusses the theology of the influential Roman Catholic Karl Rahner. Rahner’s theology is a composite of Kantian, Hegelian and Heideggerian philosophies. The panel discusses these philosophic influences and compares Rahner’s approach to apologetics with a Reformed approach – particularly the system taught by Cornelius Van Til. This episode will prove useful not only for the philosophically-minded apologist, but also for anyone interested in seeing the influence of one’s theological system upon apologetic methodology. The discussion may also help listeners to realize that much of modern Roman Catholic theology is quite different from that which was taught during the Reformation.
This episode is brought to you in part by The Confessional Presbyterian, a journal for discussion of Presbyterian doctrine and practice.
This discussion follows the structure of Camden Bucey’s recent paper entitled A Reformed Critique of the Role of Natural Law in Rahnerian Apologetics which won the 2009 Greene Prize in Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary. Ten years ago, Jeff Waddington won the same award for his paper Worldviews Collide: The Unapologetic Apologetic of Abraham Kuyper.
Links
Bibliography
Kilby, Karen. Rahner: Theology and Philosophy. London; New York: Routledge, 2004.
Livingston, James C., Francis Schussler Fiorenza, Sarah Coakley, and James H., Jr. Evans. Modern Christian Thought: The Twentieth Century. 2nd ed. Fortress Press, 2006.
Marmion, Declan., and Mary E. Hines. The Cambridge Companion to Karl Rahner. Cambridge companions to religion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Rahner, Karl. Foundations of Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Idea of Christianity. New York: Seabury Press, 1978.
———. Hearers of the Word. [New York: Herder and Herder, 1969.
———. Spirit in the World. [New York: Herder and Herder, 1968.
Other Formats
Related Posts
- Paul’s Two-Age Construction and Apologetics - Bill Dennison on Paul's two-age scheme and what it means for apologetics.
- Van Til and Barth
- Cornelius Van Til: A Life
- The Reformed Doctrine of Justification
- Apologetics and Islam
Sound very interesting!
[...] Karl Rahner v. Cornelius Van Til 2009 June 20 tags: Apologetics, Cornelius Van Til, Karl Rahner by Richard Do check out the latest discussion at Reformed Form. [...]
Being quite interested in contemporary Catholic theology and the works of Henri de Lubac, Joseph Ratzinger, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Yves Congar I am aware that much of modern Roman Catholic theology is quite different from that which was taught during the Reformation. I think it would be interesting if you could spend an episode working through; (1) what is the ressourcement movement? (2) how does it differ from the Catholicism the Reformers interracted with? (3) How can we deal with our Catholic neigbours? I am sure that introducing listeners to la nouvelle théologie and how Reformed Christians can interract with it would prove quite beneficial.
Y’all lost me on this one. It was interesting stuff, but the philosophy languages was intense!
just an FYI:
Shai Linne’s newest CD “Storiez” is available in Christian Book/Music stores.
Tim
Thanks for the reminder that we need to translate the technical philosophical language. That would, undoubtedly, make the program longer. But so be it. Technical jargon evolves as shorthand communication, and every area of life has it. Are there any particular terms you need translated? Some of the fog may be related to the fact that we were delving into continental philosophy. Here’s a suggestion: go back and listen to the episode while wearing a London Fog raincoat. It may help.
Seriously, we appreciate the feedback.
I have to confess that one of the reasons I love CTC is the jazzy piano theme. The content is quite good too! I’m especially indebted to you guys for kindling an interest in Geerhardus Vos.