Metaphysics of Mystery: Revisiting the Question of Universality Through Rahner and Schillebeeckx

How can we theologically reflect on universality in a world that increasingly focuses on particularities and differences? Marijn de Jong argues that the question of universality calls for a reconceptualized form of metaphysical theology, which he finds in the work of Karl Rahner and Edward Schillebeeckx. Casting a new light on these theologians, de Jong demonstrates that their methods contain a dialectical interrelation of hermeneutics and metaphysics – an interrelation which seemingly has been lost in more recent hermeneutical theology. Rahner and Schillebeeckx carefully balance particularity and universality without falling prey to relativist or absolutist ways of reasoning. By analyzing fundamental themes such as experience and interpretation, nature and grace, faith and reason, and intelligibility and mystery, de Jong reveals the modest theological metaphysics that lies at the heart of their methods. This critical retrieval demonstrates the enduring relevance of these thinkers and opens up new avenues of thought for theologians that do not want to shy away from the difficult question of the universality of God.

Marijn de Jong received his PhD from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.

Dr Frederiek Depoortere is a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) at the Faculty of Theology, K.U.Leuven (Belgium) and a member of the research group 'Theology in a Postmodern Context'.

Stephan van Erp is Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium