Andrew Kaethler’s “The Eschatological Person” – Review by Ron Dart
Andrew T.J. Kaethler, The Eschatological Person: Alexander Schmemann and Joseph Ratzinger in Dialogue (Cascade Books, Veritas Series, 2022)
There is a tendency within the Orthodox clan to uncritically genuflect to the life and writings of Alexander Schmemann. There are also the leanings of those with a more conservative bent within the Roman Catholic tribe to bow to Joseph Ratzinger. Both men, in short, are held high within their respective traditions. And, there can be no doubt both men drew deeply from the wells of the life-giving waters of the fuller Christian Tradition. The focus, though, of this probing PHD thesis turned insightful and informative book is the way Andrew Kaethler deftly and discerningly unpacks how and why Schmemann and Ratzinger turned to the essential issue of “personhood,” as well as their affinities, parting of paths, and the difference it makes.
The Eschatological Person is divided into 5 chapters, two on Schmemann (in which “Eschatology as Context” and “Eucharistic Beings” is pondered and explored), two on Ratzinger (in which “Eschatology as Christology” and “Beyond the Self” is massaged), and a concluding chapter in which “A Matter of Time” takes front stage.
read more…Winnowed Wisdom 6 – Ron Dart
Addictions Many years ago a young man was hitchhiking across North America---he was most fortunate, as dusk was arrived, to be picked up. The driver of the car and hitchhiker soon fell into conversation. The driver mentioned that he had once been an alcoholic, but he...
Matrix of Hope – with Walter Brueggemmann
Walter Brueggemann looks at Peter Bruegel's Way to Calvary. This film by Joonhee Park was premiered at the CIVA JUSTart conference in Wheaton, IL in June 2013.
Learning to Love our Enemies – Jim Forest
Talk given (Aug 2014) at Iona pilgrimage with Friends of Orthodoxy on Iona, led by Metro. Kallistos Ware By Jim Forest One of the stories told about St Columba has to do with a custom still familiar to Orthodox Christians. How often we bring an object that has special...
Ron Dart’s ‘Canadian Christian Zionism: A Tangled Tale’ – review by Brad Jersak
If I told you, "You should never question your pastor or priest," how would you respond? If I told you, "You should never question your president or prime minister," what would you say? If I told you, "You should never question...
“An eye for an eye” – Prot (KPAX)
"Let me tell you something, Mark. You humans, most of you, subscribe to this policy of an eye for an eye, a life for a life, which is known throughout the universe for its stupidity. "Even your Buddha and your Christ had quite a different vision; but...
One day God planted a stake in the ground – by Jo Pestell
God spoke Darkness came God was thereGod...
Winnowed Wisdom 5 – Ron Dart
The Prophet and the Raven There once was a prophet who spoke searchingly and sternly to his people when they failed to uphold their high standards of justice and peacemaking. The prophet was often treated indifferently or opposed. The ongoing rejection of the prophet...
What Should Christians Do About the Violence in Northern Iraq? — Andrew P. Klager
To answer my title right off the bat, I don’t really know. This piece won’t solve anything, but I think I’m in good company in this regard. The following might, however, help us change the way we think to avoid making the situation worse and perhaps move in a more...
Winnowed Wisdom 4 – Ron Dart
The Rabbi There was once a young student keen to learn about God and the world. The hunger to learn and grow in learning consumed the young student. It did not take long before the young student had accumulated many facts and much information about the...
‘Biblical Orthodoxy’ in popular use – Brad Jersak
This article was inspired by and in response to Andrew Klager's piece on The Contradictory, Convenient, and Self-Serving Impulses in Selective Biblical Literalism. He addressed the buzz to and fro regarding Michael Gungor's supposed departure...