Raymond Gawronski - Word and Silence: Hans Urs von Balthasar and the Spiritual Encounter Between East and West

word and silence

Fr. Raymond Gawronski, SJ

WORD AND SILENCE

Hans Urs von Balthasar

and the

Spiritual Encounter

between

East and West

First published 1995 by T&T Clark, Ltd.
Second edition published in 2011 by Vianney Press
Third edition published by Second Spring,
an imprint of Angelico Press, 2015
Copyright T&T Clark, Ltd., 1995
Copyright Angelico Press, 2015

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted,
in any form or by any means, without permission.

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ISBN 978-1-62138-110-5 paperback
ISBN 978-1-62138-111-2 cloth
ISBN 978-1-62138-112-9 ebook

Cover image credit: Crucifixion with Mary and
Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint Mary Magdalene
(detail), between 1482 and 1485. Attributed to
Pietro Perugino (14481523)
(formerly attributed to Raphael [ 1483 1520 ])
Cover design: Michael Schrauzer

To the loving memory
of my father
Stanley Gawronski,
who by his counsel and his life
taught me to love learning

CONTENTS

List of Abbreviations

Hans Urs von Balthasar

(All translations into English of the work of

Hans Urs von Balthasar used in this work are original)

Preface to the First Edition

T he written work of Hans Urs von Balthasar is encyclopedic both in scope and in volume. Perhaps more than of any other writer in this century can it truly be said of him that he wrote more in his lifetime than most people ever read. Thus any study of his work cannot readily claim to be exhaustive. This study certainly does not make that claim.

Rather, it is the ambition of this work to present an overview of the thought of von Balthasar as it regards the theme of Word and Silence. In setting his point of view against the background of some aspects of world religions and some of the philosophies of Europe, it is necessary of course to present some of his understanding of these systems of thought. But as the point of the work is to present Balthasars own understanding, this book does not attempt to go back to the original texts of the religions themselves, nor does it ambition a study of the many thinkers whofrom St. Anselm to Przywara and Guardini, from St. Gregory of Nyssa to Nietzsche and Heidegger to name but a fewwere significant for Balthasar. Some few thinkers are mentioned in our work; far more are left untouched. Further research into the roots of Balthasars thought must be made, one which will be able to take into greater account other secondary literature as well, and it will greatly enrich the theme we are investigating. Given the limits of one already ambitious book, such was unfortunately impossible here.

This book took shape during years of search for an articulation of the Catholic Faith which would let the Beloved Face (bruised and covered with thorns as Balthasar might say) show in a world looking elsewhere for meaning, one which would attune the ear for that Voice which once heard leaves one forever listening (lauschend).

There are many to whom I owe profound gratitude, more than I can here mention. But I must call to mind some who stand out as guides on this journey.

First of all, then, I am profoundly indebted to Huston and Kendra Smith, teachers, models, friends who opened my mind and heart to the wide world I had heard and read of in my home. Without their encouragement and example, I would not have ventured into many worlds, academics among them, and my respect for ways other than the Catholic would likely not have blossomed. They are joined by Phil Novak in love of Asia and her wisdom.

This book could not have been written without the wisdom, intellectual awareness and kindness of Fr. John ODonnell, S.J. of the Gregorian University. Fr. Rino Fisichella of that University was most generous in supplying helpful suggestions.

The Society of Jesus is the mother who has encouraged me and supported me in many years of study, and I am mindful that without the support of my superiors and brothers in the Society, this study would not have been possible. I owe especial gratitude to the Maryland Province which has kept a venerable tradition of Jesuit scholarship alive. Of note is Fr. Thomas King of Georgetown University whose commitment to the Logos refused to let me long abandon discursive reason for quieter realms. It was Fr. Leo ODonovans generous suggestion that led me to write on von Balthasar.