Theologica Xaveriana

The Thought of R. Guardini and H. U. von Balthasar on the Issue of the “Faith of Jesus”

Sommario Negli ultimi anni il tema della fede “di” Gesù ha suscitato un grande interesse nella teologia sistematica. In questo breve studio saranno trattate le posizioni di due grandi teologi cattolici del XX secolo sulla questione della “fede di Gesù”: quella del teologo italo-tedesco R. Guardini (1885-1968) e quella del teologo svizzero H. U. von Balthasar (1905-1985). Il presente articolo avrà, perciò, la struttura seguente: (1) Il dato biblico sulla fede di Gesù; (2) la fede di Gesù, la sua obbedienza e la sua solitudine secondo R. Guardini; (3) la fides Christi secondo H. U. von Balthasar. (4) Una breve conclusione.

Abstract During the past years, “Jesus’ faith” has been a matter of interest to Sistematic Theology. This article analyzes the thought of two of the most recognized Catholic theologians of the twentieth century on this question: the Italian- German R. Guardini (1885-1968) and the Swiss H. U. von Balthasar (1905-1985). Its structure will then be the following: (1) Biblical data on the faith of Jesus; (2) the faith of Jesus, his obedience and his loneliness according to R. Guardini; (3) the fides Christi according to H. U. von Balthasar; (4) a brief conclusion.

Introductory Notes on the Decolonial Challenge for Latin American Theologies

Resumo A desvinculação epistêmica proposta pela decolonialidade revela não só a colonização do saber, como a do poder e do ser também, pelas culturas dominantes. Uma forma de saber construído nos espaços liminares, nas fronteiras da diferença colonial, na perspectiva do subalterno, está deslocando e absorvendo as formas hegemónicas do conhecimento e empoderando novos movimentos de emancipação. A teologia cristã é afetada por tal contexto e interpelada ao exercício libertador de remexer a sua base e repensar as suas categorias a partir de outros lugares de enunciação. O nosso objetivo é mostrar os passos necessários para uma formação teológica decolonial.

Abstract The epistemic decoupling proposed by decoloniality reveals not only the colonization of knowledge, but also of power and of the being, by the dominant cultures. A form of knowled- ge built in liminal spaces, at the frontiers of the colonial difference is—from the point of view of the subaltern—displacing and absorbing the hegemonic forms of knowledge, as well as empowering new movements of emancipation. Christian theology is affected by such a context and challenged by the liberating exercise of tinkering with its own basis and rethinking its categories from other places of enunciation. Our purpose is to show the necessary steps to acquire a decolonial theological formation.

The Challenge of Truth to Interreligious Dialogue

Resumen Este artículo defiende la posibilidad de evaluar la verdad de las posturas presentadas en el diálogo interreligioso como una de sus condiciones de posibilidad. Con esto se separa de las teorías del diálogo que pretenden formular criterios argumentativos, pragmáticos o éticos dejando en suspenso la pretensión de verdad de las religiones. En la primera parte se explora el lugar de la verdad en el diálogo; en la segunda se analizan las características de las pretensiones de verdad religiosa y sus diferencias con otros tipos de verdad; finalmente, se proponen dos criterios para evaluar la verdad en un diálogo interreligioso basados en la función dadora de sentido de las religiones y en el carácter relacional e histórico de la verdad religiosa.

Abstract This paper argues that the evaluation of religious truth claims is one of the conditions for the possibility of interreligious dialogue. This thesis takes distance from the theories that, bracketing the truth of religious claims, suggest that it is enough with argumentative, pragmatic or ethical criteria for making dialogue possible. Firstly, it explores the role of truth in dialogue; then it analyses the features and functions of religious truth claims, showing its differences with regard to other types of truth. The last part presents two criteria to evaluate the truth of religious claims in dialogue—one based on the meaning-giving function of religion, and the other on the historical and relational character of religious truth.

The “Dark Night” as Mysteryophany. A Phenomenological Approach

Resumen Este artículo constituye una aproximación fenomenológica de la misteriofanía de noche oscura. La intención es presentar las imperfecciones de los principiantes, derivadas de la meditación, para luego mostrar la necesidad de que estos sean introducidos por Dios en la segunda fase del proceso místico, que abarca tanto la noche pasiva del sentido como la noche activa del espíritu, y los provechos que se desprenden de ello. La importancia de estas páginas radica en la exhibición de la identidad de la contemplación purgativa descrita por San Juan de la Cruz en “Subida del Monte Carmelo” y “noche oscura”.

Abstract This article is a phenomenological approach to the mysteryophahy of dark night. The intention is the imperfections of the beginners derived from meditation, in order to show why they need to be introduced into the mystical process’ second phase, which includes the passive night of the sense and the active night of the spirit, and its benefits. The importance of those pages is to exhibit the identity between the purgative contemplation, described by St. John of the Cross in the “Ascent of Mount Carmel” and in the “Dark Night of the Soul”.

Alterity in the Contemporary Ethical Debate

Resumen Nos hallamos en la continua construcción y evolución del consenso ético mínimo universal de trascendental importancia para la humanidad. Con el presente ensayo pretendo contribuir a la edificación de tal consenso, argumentando cómo la alteridad es un mínimo ético en el que convergen la filosofía y la teología. Para ello analizaré algunas escuelas ético-filosóficas actuales relevantes (todas es imposible), la ética teológica cristiana y los aportes que cada una de estas corrientes morales hace desde su diferencia a la alteridad.

Abstract We are in the permanent construction and evolution of the universal minimal ethical consensus, a matter of transcendental importance for mankind. Through this essay, I want to contribute to the conformation of this consensus, arguing that alterity is an ethical minimum in which Philosophy and Theology come together. Therefore, I will analyze some current and important ethical philosophical schools (as analyzing all would turn out to be impossible). On the same line, I will also analyze the Christian theological ethics and the contributions that each of the mentioned schools make on behalf of alterity, taking into account their differences.

Higher Education and the Magisterium of the Church. The Goal of Truth and the Method of Dialogue

Resumo O presente estudo expõe um panorama sobre a questão do ensino superior no magistério da Igreja Católica. Estrutura-se em dois tópicos que focam, respectivamente, as raízes históricas do ensino superior, no âmbito do processo de institucionalização do cristianismo e os textos do magistério dedicados ao assunto. Afirma que a tradição escolástica e o Concilio Vaticano II constituem dois epicentros em torno dos quais gravita a questão, sendo esse último a referência fundamental para o diálogo entre a fé a razão no contexto da sociedade plural e tecnocientífica de nossos dias.

Abstract This study presents an overview on the issue of higher education in the magisterium of the Catholic Church. It structures itself on two topics that focus on the historical roots of higher education in the context of the process of institutionalization of Christianity and on texts of the magisterium devoted to the subject. It affirms that the scholastic tradition and Vatican II Council constitute two epicentres around which the issue gravitates, the latter being the fundamental reference for the dialogue between faith and reason in the context of the plural and techno-scientific society of our days.

Globalization: Chimera and Religion

Resumen La globalización es una forma económica, política e ideológica que asume la sociedad contemporánea en conjunto. Aquí se analizan estas tres dimensiones de manera crítica, sopesando diversos juicios en torno del fenómeno y buscando evidenciar su sustrato religioso e inhumano. Se busca, por último, indicar algunos referentes alternativos para la construcción de una sociedad más justa.

Abstract Globalization is an economic, political and ideological form assumed by contemporary society as a whole. In this article, these three dimensions are analyzed in a critical way, weighing various judgments about the phenomenon, and seeking to evidence its religious and inhuman substratum. Finally, it seeks to indicate some alternative references for the construction of a more just society.

From a Western Church to a World Church An Interpretation of the Ecclesial Reform

Resumen Según la tesis de Karl Rahner, de que el Vaticano II marcó el inicio de una Iglesia mundial, se habría concretado germinalmente un salto cualitativo que deja atrás el tiempo en el cual la Iglesia exportó su modelo cultural europeo de cristianismo. Dicha tesis puede aportar una clave para interpretar los procesos de reforma eclesial en desarrollo con el “caso Francisco”. El artículo analiza tres asuntos conciliares claves que revelarían la transición de una Iglesia occidental a una Iglesia mundial: se ha frenado la “reforma de la reforma” litúrgica; en el caso de la eclesiología, ha “retornado” la categoría de pueblo de Dios; y ha llegado al obispado de Roma la recepción de Gaudium et spes más coherente con la voluntad de los padres conciliares.

Abstract According to Karl Rahner’s thesis that Vatican II constituted the beginning of a World Church, a qualitative leap would have taken place, by leaving behind a historical era in which the Church has exported its European cultural model of Christianity. This thesis provides a key to interpret the processes of ecclesial reform under development with the “Francis case”. The article discusses three key conciliar issues that would reveal the transition from a Western Church to a World Church. The liturgical “reform of the reform” has come to an end. In the case of ecclesiology, the category God’s people, has “returned”. The reception of Gaudium et Spes—more coherent with the will of the Council Fathers—has reached the Church of Rome.

Religion and Modern Society: The Unrealized Modernity and Gnosis Immanence

Resumen El artículo pretende desarrollar dos nociones poco conocidas en las ciencias de la religión y la teología: “Modernidad no realizada” e “inmanencia de la gnosis”, de Bruno Latour y Eric Voegelin. ¿Qué contribuciones teóricas brindan esas dos ideas a la comprensión del fenómeno religioso en la sociedad moderno-contemporánea? Como hipótesis general, aquí se defiende que esas dos nociones son instrumentos conceptuales útiles para comprender el estatuto de lo religioso en la sociedad moderno-compleja. Para lograr el objetivo propuesto, el artículo se ha basado en la metodología de revisión bibliográfica parcial.

Abstract This article aims to present two notions that are not well known in the religion sciences and in theology: “unrealized modernity” and “immanence of gnosis”, by Bruno Latour and Eric Voegelin. What theoretical contributions do these two ideas give to the understanding of the religious phenomenon in modern-contemporary society? As a general hypothesis, this article defends that both notions are useful conceptual tools to comprehend the status of being religious in the complex-modern society. In order to give an answer to such problem, the article is based on the partial bibliographic review methodology.

Approaches and Critical Posture of the Relationship between Theolog y and Neurosciences

Resumen Se presentan los enfoques y crítica del encuentro de la teología y las modernas neurociencias, y se insiste en la necesidad de un diálogo auténtico entre la revelación en teología y lo que las neurociencias revelan en su propio discurso. El trabajo aporta una clave de interpretación, la revelación se da en la autonomía del mundo y afecta lo constitutivo de la teología, hasta el punto de exigir un giro en la pregunta por la fuente de la revelación: pasar de un modelo de trascendencia-inmanencia, a un modelo de monismo relativo, donde la red neural humana se hace fuente constitutiva de la Palabra de Dios.

Abstract The text presents approaches and critique of the encounter of Theology and Neurosciences, and the need for an authentic dialogue between revelation in THeology and what Neuroscience reveals in its own discourse. The work provides a key of interpretation, revelation occurs in the autonomy of the world and affects what is constitutive of THeology, to the point of demanding a turn in the question of the source of revelation: this means leaving behind a model of transcendence-immanence, and moving towards a model of relative monism where the human neural network becomes the source and constitution of the Word of God.