Balthasar Meditating on the Mystery of Death
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Description
Book Introduction
Hans Urs von Balthasar, the great 20th century theologian,
Exploring the Mysteries of Death
This book contains the meditations on the mystery of death by Hans Urs von Balthasar, a representative theologian of the 20th century.
Life and death are inextricably linked to human beings.
Humans are mortal beings, but at the same time they have a longing for immortality.
Balthasar views these paradoxes as ultimate questions that humans cannot avoid or answer.
He says that finite humans are mysteriously inscribed with a longing for eternity, and that the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ reveal this.
Through this book, you will learn how to view death and how to find hope beyond death.
Exploring the Mysteries of Death
This book contains the meditations on the mystery of death by Hans Urs von Balthasar, a representative theologian of the 20th century.
Life and death are inextricably linked to human beings.
Humans are mortal beings, but at the same time they have a longing for immortality.
Balthasar views these paradoxes as ultimate questions that humans cannot avoid or answer.
He says that finite humans are mysteriously inscribed with a longing for eternity, and that the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ reveal this.
Through this book, you will learn how to view death and how to find hope beyond death.
- You can preview some of the book's contents.
Preview
index
Translator's Note · 5
Chapter 1: Life Towards Death · 17
1.
Existence in Contradiction · 24
2.
Giving up is an active choice · 37
3.
The Mission of Christ · 48
Chapter 2: From Death to Life · 63
1.
The Power of God · 68
2.
The Reality That Flowed Out · 82
3.
Death in the Mission · 95
Chapter 3: Becoming One Through Death · 107
Chapter 1: Life Towards Death · 17
1.
Existence in Contradiction · 24
2.
Giving up is an active choice · 37
3.
The Mission of Christ · 48
Chapter 2: From Death to Life · 63
1.
The Power of God · 68
2.
The Reality That Flowed Out · 82
3.
Death in the Mission · 95
Chapter 3: Becoming One Through Death · 107
Detailed image
Into the book
When the death of a loved one is imminent, all meaning in his or her life is called into question and suspended.
Its meaning is neither forever definitive nor valid.
Rather, in many cases, even the best meanings are revealed only fragmentarily.
We can only perceive a little meaning in a vast sea of meaninglessness.
Even at the end of life, when facing death, “one cannot look up at the sky” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).
All the views put forward to delve into the mystery of death behind the veil of death (spiritualism, the idea of soul transference, materialism, all ideas created by man) will never delve into that mystery.
--- p.19~20, from “Chapter 1: Life Towards Death”
These negative views, which encourage people to renounce the world and the flesh, have been the most powerful enemies, burdening not only Christianity but the entire human family.
Because it paralyzes all the real effort we make in acting or loving in this fleeting life, while it is carried out earnestly to the end.
However, it is not yet clear how this interpretation can be avoided, or, in other words, how commitment and renunciation can be united.
This is a question about humanity, a humanistic question.
Yet, only through a Christian interpretation of life can we find a satisfactory answer to the contradictions of life.
--- p.46~47, from “Chapter 1: Life Towards Death”
Christ not only 'fills' the kingdom of heaven from the highest heavenly and divine level, but also distributes to people all the heavenly missions ordained by Him.
So this mission was also imprinted through His life toward death and His life coming out of death.
But if death is imprinted upon the entire eternal life of Jesus Christ, then death is also necessarily imprinted upon all that mortal things determined His earthly life.
There is nothing that constitutes life on earth that is not imprinted with the renunciation and annihilation that must be accomplished within the will of the Father.
--- p.75, from “Chapter 2 From Death to Life”
“I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
“I hold the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18)
Jesus has these keys.
Because He Himself has returned and is in Sheol, and therefore has authority over the entire kingdom of the dead beyond this.
Since Christ's earthly life was focused on this death, which has universal value, the eternal life he gives begins with this death and is revealed through the Eucharist.
--- p.92, from “Chapter 2 From Death to Life”
In this way, light must forget itself in order to shine in the darkness and become a “hammer that shatters the rock” (cf. Jer 23:29).
This rock symbolizes our inner attitude of closing ourselves off and stubbornly resisting the 'rising and flowing' communication of adults.
We can only roll away this rock with the power that comes from the suffering and death of Christ.
But the rock of death (who will take this stone from us?) cannot withstand all attacks.
Because “love is strong as death” (cf. Song of Solomon 8:6) and the river of chaos “cannot quench its fire” (cf. Song of Solomon 8:7).
Its meaning is neither forever definitive nor valid.
Rather, in many cases, even the best meanings are revealed only fragmentarily.
We can only perceive a little meaning in a vast sea of meaninglessness.
Even at the end of life, when facing death, “one cannot look up at the sky” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe).
All the views put forward to delve into the mystery of death behind the veil of death (spiritualism, the idea of soul transference, materialism, all ideas created by man) will never delve into that mystery.
--- p.19~20, from “Chapter 1: Life Towards Death”
These negative views, which encourage people to renounce the world and the flesh, have been the most powerful enemies, burdening not only Christianity but the entire human family.
Because it paralyzes all the real effort we make in acting or loving in this fleeting life, while it is carried out earnestly to the end.
However, it is not yet clear how this interpretation can be avoided, or, in other words, how commitment and renunciation can be united.
This is a question about humanity, a humanistic question.
Yet, only through a Christian interpretation of life can we find a satisfactory answer to the contradictions of life.
--- p.46~47, from “Chapter 1: Life Towards Death”
Christ not only 'fills' the kingdom of heaven from the highest heavenly and divine level, but also distributes to people all the heavenly missions ordained by Him.
So this mission was also imprinted through His life toward death and His life coming out of death.
But if death is imprinted upon the entire eternal life of Jesus Christ, then death is also necessarily imprinted upon all that mortal things determined His earthly life.
There is nothing that constitutes life on earth that is not imprinted with the renunciation and annihilation that must be accomplished within the will of the Father.
--- p.75, from “Chapter 2 From Death to Life”
“I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
“I hold the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18)
Jesus has these keys.
Because He Himself has returned and is in Sheol, and therefore has authority over the entire kingdom of the dead beyond this.
Since Christ's earthly life was focused on this death, which has universal value, the eternal life he gives begins with this death and is revealed through the Eucharist.
--- p.92, from “Chapter 2 From Death to Life”
In this way, light must forget itself in order to shine in the darkness and become a “hammer that shatters the rock” (cf. Jer 23:29).
This rock symbolizes our inner attitude of closing ourselves off and stubbornly resisting the 'rising and flowing' communication of adults.
We can only roll away this rock with the power that comes from the suffering and death of Christ.
But the rock of death (who will take this stone from us?) cannot withstand all attacks.
Because “love is strong as death” (cf. Song of Solomon 8:6) and the river of chaos “cannot quench its fire” (cf. Song of Solomon 8:7).
--- p.115, from “Chapter 3 Becoming One Through Death”
Publisher's Review
The great theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar,
Exploring the Mysteries of Death
Every human being faces death.
The reality of death becomes even more apparent when someone close to you leaves.
Because death seems to be the end of everything, humans want to avoid death and long for eternity.
Can we ever find hope in moving from death to eternity?
Hans Urs von Balthasar, the great theologian of the 20th century, seeks an answer to this very question.
The book that contains this content is “Balthasar Meditating on the Mystery of Death.”
In this book, Balthasar delves into the subject of death, especially from a Christian perspective.
Through this book, readers will be able to explore the meaning of death and move forward into the 'mystery' contained within it.
As a living being, no human being can ever find a clue to resolving the contradictions he harbors on a purely human level.
But if Christianity is presented as salvation for humanity, we must listen to what solution it offers to resolve this contradiction.
Because ultimately, we cannot handle this contradiction with our own strength alone.
- From the preface
Humans are finite beings, yet they long for eternity.
How to answer this inevitable paradox
First, Balthasar examines the process by which humans discover their own selves from birth to growth in this world.
And it shows how humans, realizing their own limitations, try to overcome them.
In particular, he cites the works of many great artists to provide concrete examples of the human yearning for eternity.
Balthasar then moves on to a Christian perspective.
That is, it tells the story of how Jesus Christ's mission to humanity, his death, and his resurrection enabled him to bring life out of finite death.
To this end, Balthasar meditates deeply on the Bible, especially the New Testament, and argues that a new way of understanding life and death is revealed through the death and resurrection of Christ.
It also emphasizes that through the resurrection of Christ, death is transformed from a simple physical end into a gateway to eternal life.
From this perspective, death is not the ultimate defeat, but rather a step toward a more complete and profound existence.
Through this book, we will gain insight into what the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to all humanity, and how we can respond to the paradox of human longing for eternity in death.
Jesus' activities and passion are ultimately revealed as one in his death.
The living body of Jesus, who fulfills this mission, is the greatest work of art, transcending the world's art and love.
The most horrific reality in the history of our humanity was revealed in stark reality through this very body, and at the same time, from there, it was transformed into something most beautiful.
- From the text
From Jesus Christ
Finding Hope Beyond Death
Death is still a fear for humans.
Yet, we can find hope beyond death in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And you will be able to realize how carrying out the Christian mission with that hope becomes the path to eternal life.
In the final chapter, Balstadt speaks of the mystery of the 'Communion of Saints' and describes the character that Christians should have as the Church on earth and the Church in heaven become one.
According to him, our death is a life of service that purifies this world and a journey toward Trinitarian love.
Through this book, we can recall Jesus' words, "I am the resurrection and the life," and live with hope beyond death in our hearts.
This will be a meaningful message not only for those who believe in and follow Christ, but also for all who seek a deeper understanding and peace about life and death.
We can fully face the fear of death with hope and love for the Lord.
… … At that time, for believers, death will become an event of joy and hope that ‘decisively’ unites them with the Lord, who is resurrection and life.
I hope that through this book, readers will discover the true light of hope that transcends the contradictions of life amidst death.
- From the translator's note
Exploring the Mysteries of Death
Every human being faces death.
The reality of death becomes even more apparent when someone close to you leaves.
Because death seems to be the end of everything, humans want to avoid death and long for eternity.
Can we ever find hope in moving from death to eternity?
Hans Urs von Balthasar, the great theologian of the 20th century, seeks an answer to this very question.
The book that contains this content is “Balthasar Meditating on the Mystery of Death.”
In this book, Balthasar delves into the subject of death, especially from a Christian perspective.
Through this book, readers will be able to explore the meaning of death and move forward into the 'mystery' contained within it.
As a living being, no human being can ever find a clue to resolving the contradictions he harbors on a purely human level.
But if Christianity is presented as salvation for humanity, we must listen to what solution it offers to resolve this contradiction.
Because ultimately, we cannot handle this contradiction with our own strength alone.
- From the preface
Humans are finite beings, yet they long for eternity.
How to answer this inevitable paradox
First, Balthasar examines the process by which humans discover their own selves from birth to growth in this world.
And it shows how humans, realizing their own limitations, try to overcome them.
In particular, he cites the works of many great artists to provide concrete examples of the human yearning for eternity.
Balthasar then moves on to a Christian perspective.
That is, it tells the story of how Jesus Christ's mission to humanity, his death, and his resurrection enabled him to bring life out of finite death.
To this end, Balthasar meditates deeply on the Bible, especially the New Testament, and argues that a new way of understanding life and death is revealed through the death and resurrection of Christ.
It also emphasizes that through the resurrection of Christ, death is transformed from a simple physical end into a gateway to eternal life.
From this perspective, death is not the ultimate defeat, but rather a step toward a more complete and profound existence.
Through this book, we will gain insight into what the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to all humanity, and how we can respond to the paradox of human longing for eternity in death.
Jesus' activities and passion are ultimately revealed as one in his death.
The living body of Jesus, who fulfills this mission, is the greatest work of art, transcending the world's art and love.
The most horrific reality in the history of our humanity was revealed in stark reality through this very body, and at the same time, from there, it was transformed into something most beautiful.
- From the text
From Jesus Christ
Finding Hope Beyond Death
Death is still a fear for humans.
Yet, we can find hope beyond death in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And you will be able to realize how carrying out the Christian mission with that hope becomes the path to eternal life.
In the final chapter, Balstadt speaks of the mystery of the 'Communion of Saints' and describes the character that Christians should have as the Church on earth and the Church in heaven become one.
According to him, our death is a life of service that purifies this world and a journey toward Trinitarian love.
Through this book, we can recall Jesus' words, "I am the resurrection and the life," and live with hope beyond death in our hearts.
This will be a meaningful message not only for those who believe in and follow Christ, but also for all who seek a deeper understanding and peace about life and death.
We can fully face the fear of death with hope and love for the Lord.
… … At that time, for believers, death will become an event of joy and hope that ‘decisively’ unites them with the Lord, who is resurrection and life.
I hope that through this book, readers will discover the true light of hope that transcends the contradictions of life amidst death.
- From the translator's note
GOODS SPECIFICS
- Date of issue: February 8, 2024
- Page count, weight, size: 116 pages | 154g | 127*188*8mm
- ISBN13: 9788932118888
- ISBN10: 8932118884
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