| Author Quoted | Hans Urs von Balthasar |
| Title Quoted | Herrlichkeit. Eine theologische Ästetik. |
| Date (Year/Month/Day) | 1964/09/27 |
| Imprint | [S.l.] : [s.n.]. 1961 |
| Quotation | Slowly plugging at Von Balthasar's Herrlichkeit. Certainly this one central thing: all theology is a scientific doctrine and originates at the point where the act of faith (in God acting and revealing Himself in history) becomes understanding. This sounds trivial, but is extremely important. Here our theology actually contacts all the primitive revelations including Zen, though the contrary might seem true. (Wonderful article of Cardinal Suenens was read in refectory based on a principle laid down by John XXIII in Candlemas talk, 1963-that in all religions there is trace of a "primitive revelation"). The true beauty of Theology is then in the wisdom and grace that apprehend salvation in the act of belief in an anticipation of the eschatological fulfillment promised by God-i.e., in Augustinian fructio [fruition]. |
| Quotation Source | Dancing in the Water of Life: Seeking Peace in the Hermitage. The Journals of Thomas Merton, Volume 5, 1963-1965.; Edited by Robert E. Daggy. / San Francisco : Harper Collins. 1997, p. 149 |
| Letter to | |
| Notes | |
| Link to Merton's Copy |
(If there is a link above showing up as a number, click it to open another window with a full text version.) |