Church and World
New York: Herder and Herder, 1967. First edition. Octavo, original pale blue cloth, original dust jacket. Gentle toning to the spine and edges of the boards, very modest edge-wear to the dust jacket. A bright, near-fine copy. Item #460
"MANY WINDOWS HAVE BEEN OPENED FOR US TO SEE INTO THE CENTER BUT IN THE MOST SECRET CHAMBER THE CHURCH REMAINS HIDDEN"
First edition in English of Hans Urs von Balthasar's contemplation of the fundamental nature and mission of the Church. This ecclesiological study is divided into four sections: 1. The Contemporary Experience of the Church, 2. Office in the Church, 3. Who is the Church?, 4. The Church and Israel. The English translation of Church and World appeared in 1967, shortly after the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. Von Balthasar was evidently not invited to the Council and his brief Introduction seem almost blunt in its corrective intent: "The Church, insofar as she is the Bride of Christ, remains enshrouded in mystery. Certainly, she is the 'People of God,' and, as such, in great measure accessible--resembling here the synagogue...The Church is a mystery of love, to be approached only with reverence. Many windows have been opened for us to see into the center, but in the most secret chamber the Church remains hidden. In faith we know this, and it is from this standpoint that we are directed to interpret what can be seen of the Church. And if that is so, then the image of the Church which results is likely to be quite different from the current fashionable ones."
The Swiss theologian was later among the founders of the journal Communio and he exerted a deep and lasting influence over Karol Wojtyla, Joseph Ratzinger and "other prominent theologians seeking a different path after the Council from the one promoted by the earlier, more progressive journal Concilium, with which several of them were initially affiliated." Robert Royal, A Deeper Vision: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition int he Twentieth Century). Translated by A.V. Littledale with Alexander Dru. Approbations.
Price: $75.00