Foundations of Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Idea of Christianity

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding introduction. . .
Review: . . .to the theology of the foremost Catholic theologian of the 20th century.

I'll admit up front that I am not a "Rahnerian" in my thinking. Nevertheless, the contributions this man made to philosophy and theology in the 20th century cannot be measured. In "Foundations of Christian Faith", the reader can gain an understanding of Rahner's beliefs presented in a more or less systematic fashion. This is refreshing, because most of Rahner's writings are preserved in collections of essays -- very valuable in and of themselves, but not systematic in their presentation.

This volume is a systematic presentation. Rahner begins from a philosophical perspective informed primarily by St. Thomas Aquinas, but filtered through the lens of German idealism. He begins with discussions on such subjects as Man as Person, Man as Transcendent Being, Questions of Personal Existence, and moves first to God as Absolute Mystery, Guilt, God's Self-Communication, and leads naturally into soteriology, Christology, and ecclesiology.

Whether at the end of the day one find's Rahner's arguments convincing (I don't fully) they are nevertheless compelling and should be studied by Protestants as well as Catholics.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding introduction. . .
Review: . . .to the theology of the foremost Catholic theologian of the 20th century.

I'll admit up front that I am not a "Rahnerian" in my thinking. Nevertheless, the contributions this man made to philosophy and theology in the 20th century cannot be measured. In "Foundations of Christian Faith", the reader can gain an understanding of Rahner's beliefs presented in a more or less systematic fashion. This is refreshing, because most of Rahner's writings are preserved in collections of essays -- very valuable in and of themselves, but not systematic in their presentation.

This volume is a systematic presentation. Rahner begins from a philosophical perspective informed primarily by St. Thomas Aquinas, but filtered through the lens of German idealism. He begins with discussions on such subjects as Man as Person, Man as Transcendent Being, Questions of Personal Existence, and moves first to God as Absolute Mystery, Guilt, God's Self-Communication, and leads naturally into soteriology, Christology, and ecclesiology.

Whether at the end of the day one find's Rahner's arguments convincing (I don't fully) they are nevertheless compelling and should be studied by Protestants as well as Catholics.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding introduction. . .
Review: . . .to the theology of the foremost Catholic theologian of the 20th century.

I'll admit up front that I am not a "Rahnerian" in my thinking. Nevertheless, the contributions this man made to philosophy and theology in the 20th century cannot be measured. In "Foundations of Christian Faith", the reader can gain an understanding of Rahner's beliefs presented in a more or less systematic fashion. This is refreshing, because most of Rahner's writings are preserved in collections of essays -- very valuable in and of themselves, but not systematic in their presentation.

This volume is a systematic presentation. Rahner begins from a philosophical perspective informed primarily by St. Thomas Aquinas, but filtered through the lens of German idealism. He begins with discussions on such subjects as Man as Person, Man as Transcendent Being, Questions of Personal Existence, and moves first to God as Absolute Mystery, Guilt, God's Self-Communication, and leads naturally into soteriology, Christology, and ecclesiology.

Whether at the end of the day one find's Rahner's arguments convincing (I don't fully) they are nevertheless compelling and should be studied by Protestants as well as Catholics.

Rating:
Summary: Development of Dogma
Review: As Rahner states in his introduction, this work was taken from his introductory lectures to seminary students. These were college graduates who already had an undergraduate exposure to Catholic theology. In addition, he states with his typical clarity, that frequently the topics he is covering in this book require much more detailed discussion, but not in this introductory work. Having read this work, if your interest is challenged, you need to read a few of the collections of the journal articles he published under the titles " Theological Investigations". In these works you will see why Rahner has had such a monumental influence on the direction the Catholic Church has taken this century. It is in these collections of journal articles that you see his true talent and brilliance: he starts with the background of the issue at hand as found in scriptures, then in the writings of early fathers of the church, then the various Councils and theololgians throughout the centuries. Finally he gets to the present day and, having set the context for the issue, raises and discusses what he feels are the important factors and questions surrounding the issue. For those looking for a catechism of faith they will not find it in this volume or any other work by Rahner (that I have read, and I have read much of what has been translated into english). But if you are looking for a thinker who can stimulate you to examine your faith with your whole heart and soul, then Rahner is for you.

Rating:
Summary: This is the culmination of Rahner's life
Review: Karl Rahner is confounding to most people who only touch him and veer off looking for a more acceptable theology. If you read the early Rahner, you will have difficulty. If you read Rahner's last tome, you will be treated to the fullness of his spiritual development. William Dych is the best English translator of Rahner, bar none! In "Foundations . . . ," Karl Rahner lets down his guard and reveals to the reader, who he has become in his lifetime. He is no longer speaking about God but rather, is telling the listener who God is. There is still the extensive backgrounding and rambling German sentence structure, but once you understand that this text, like all of Rahner's published works, was written from dictation, you will begin to understand just what is missing from the printed word. Even though Dych translates brilliantly and with great insight, not even he can capture the characteristic vocal inflections that made the rambling sentences concise and clear. The reader must supply the drama of the words, understanding that not a word that was uttered has been left out of print. Thus, Karl Rahner is not to be read so much as to be experienced, and this will take some work. But in this way, the reader will suddenly discover what Karl Rahner, in his persuasive and vastly diverse way is attempting to say. This book is well worth hearing, for those who have ears.

Rating:
Summary: Not representative of Catholic Theology
Review: Karl Rahner was an amazing intellectual power and his philosophy of being is worth reading in the context of other german and french phenomenologists. However, this work and much of Rahner's theology is too highly speculative and subjective. I was disturbed by the lack of biblical references and the lack of exegesis of the biblical text as well as exegesis of the Tradition. It seems that this book is apply subtitled "An introduction to the IDEA of Christianity," since this book seems to treat Christianity as just that, an intellectual idea rather than a living historical religion. In addition to these problems, Rahner is often vague and much of his thought is ambiguous.

If one is interested in reading Rahner's unique contribution to Western Thought, then one should read "Hearer of the Word" and "Spirit in the World." These early works show Rahner's attempt to overcome Kantian Subjectivism and reclaim the possibility of man's openness to divine revelation. Though I do not think that Rahner was entirely successful, I do think that these works are intellectually stimulating and show that Rahner really should have stayed in philosophy, rather than venture into speculative theology.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent - but hardly introductory in the usual sense
Review: Karl Rahner's brilliance in presenting systematic theology is well-illustrated in this work, the material of which will give those with such an interest much food for thought, reflection, and (in the outcome) prayer. Of particular interest is Rahner's theology of the Church, critical in an era when too much of what passed for spirituality was seen as totally personal.

Place this book on the shelf of anyone with an interest in systematic theology. However, it is not an "introductory" text in the sense of a catechism at all, nor is it a reflective work for spiritual reading. It assumes a knowledge of Scripture, doctrine, and the like, and could be very confusing for those who do not have a previous background.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Summary Introduction to the Author's own Theology
Review: Karl Rahner, the theologian acknowledged as the most influential among the peritii of Vatican II of the Roman Church, also a kind of symbol of present mainline thoughs of her, summarizes his own theology.

On acount of vast amounts of his theological treatises and their sporadic subject-dealing ('Theological Investigations' etc etc etc! ), this kind of summary from the author himself is extremely helpful. Of course, this does not mean that this book tells everything on Rahner, as he himself warned in this work. Nevertheless,I bet There are such plenty of materials that every reader will by far ease a burden on understanding, get some important insights on the interpretation of, this important theologian (and perhaps, RC after Vatican II in general also) through digeting this little(-.-;) book.

Highly speculative and without proper Biblical references and interpretations - well comparable with Paul Tillich's style, but in itself very interesting and fascinating suggestions and brilliant insights - so it was even to this 3rd World - Reformed christian.

But I felt that unlike Karl Barth, Rahner does not so fit for homiletical purpose. Of course, this two highly sophisticated elites of theological world are very, very difficult to read. But at least to my experience, the digesting of the former, even a few pages, proves to be very great help and guide to the preparation of a sermon. But Rahner seems to be more adequate to the 'meditation in silence' rather than the task of preaching. This difference is perhaps from the fact that their field was respectively the Reformed (underling all times the task of prophetic preaching of the Word of God, the Bible), and Roman Cathoic (of which life is around the Mass, the everyday sacrifice of Christ,or the Mystirious Presence of the Body of Christ on the Bread, which is transubstatiated into Christ himself).

At any rate, as for me, the existence of this book is a happiness itself. It did teach to me the beauty of meditation on the Christian Truth.

Good reading material.

Rating:
Summary: Tough transcendental sledding
Review: Rahner's "Foundations" is a long, bumpy, difficult ride. The concepts are brilliant and challenging. They undoubtedly illuminate the faith of Christians and profoundly portray Catholicism. Rahner's mode of expression, however, is dense and difficult....

Rating:
Summary: Rahner's "Foundations" is outstanding theology!
Review: This book is a must if one is studying Christian Theology. Rahner touches on the vital aspects of the "person" and their interaction with God. Not really an introduction, it takes several passes to pull the most important details out of the text. This book is a true work of moderm theology and will sure to be ranked amongst the best theological works ever. I strongly recomend this work!