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.