Master of Arts in Theology, Mount St. Mary's Seminary & School of Theology, 2022, School of Theology

In this thesis, I propose that the synthetic thread of Balthasar's theological trilogy is his understanding of the apocalyptic. The problem that I am trying to tackle is that within such a massive body of work, it is easy to lose hold of Balthasar's project. Many scholars have proposed ways of summarizing, synthesizing, and analyzing Balthasar's thought (chapter 1), but none address the specifically biblical and thus eidetic, historical, and noetic way that Balthasar's project concretely comes together. My methodology, then, is aporetic: responding to the gap in scholarship, I propose that it is precisely the apocalyptic that holds image and history in Balthasar in their proper tension with each other and with concept in his thought (chapter 2). The aporetic methodology continues, though, since my examination of Balthasar's apocalyptic synthesis and retrieval raises questions about his definition of the apocalyptic and his relationship with biblical studies. In response to this gap, I articulate Balthasar's specific definition of apocalyptic as imminent expectation of the coming of the kingdom of God while I also point toward Balthasar's own dissatisfaction with the apocalyptic in biblical studies as he reaches out for a more Johannine apocalyptic (chapter 3). I conclude that Balthasar's thought is synthesized by an understanding of the apocalyptic which preserves the horizontal and vertical tension of salvation history as it unites within itself the perennial importance of image and drama, but Balthasar's own understanding of the apocalyptic is more substantially informed by his reading of John's Apocalypse rather than biblical studies. I end by gesturing towards a continued rapprochement between Balthasar and the ‘new perspective on apocalyptic' begun by Christopher Rowland, championed by Crispin Fletcher-Louis, and centered around the open heaven and the Temple: each side could benefit substantially from the other.

Committee: Alan Mostrom Ph.D. (Advisor) Subjects: Bible; Biblical Studies; Philosophy; Religion; Theology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), University of Dayton, 2016, Theology

The principal goal of this dissertation is to demonstrate that the Confucian interpretation of xiao (“filial piety”) provides a fruitful hermeneutical lens for Christology in two respects. Most immediately, I argue the early Confucian xiao is a salutary resource for understanding, appreciating, clarifying, and amending the Christology of Hans Urs von Balthasar, who gave profound importance to Christ's obedience in his thought. More generally, I argue the Confucian reading of xiao can help theologians enter into the mysteries of the Church's Christological dogmas and doctrines in new and expansive ways. Consequently, the main argument of the dissertation is that through Balthasar and the early Confucian tradition, we arrive at a rich and compelling orthodox account of Christ's filial love and obedience. After situating the dissertation's theological approach to incorporating Confucian philosophy in chapter 1, the dissertation develops two sets of studies. The first is devoted to examining and exploring Balthasar's Christology on its own terms. The second is similarly devoted to analyzing themes in the Confucian treatment of xiao on its own terms. The final chapter of the dissertation undertakes a theological synthesis of these two studies, showing how the combination of Balthasar's theological vision and the Confucian philosophical distinctions produce fruitful reflections on how Christ's filial obedience functions within and expresses his life as eternal Son.

Committee: William Portier Ph.D. (Advisor); G. Alexus McLeod Ph.D. (Committee Member); Peter Casarella Ph.D. (Committee Member); Jana Bennett Ph.D. (Committee Member); Dennis Doyle Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Comparative; Philosophy; Theology

Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.), University of Dayton, 1998, International Marian Research Institute

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Committee: Johann Roten S.M. (Advisor) Subjects: Philosophy; Theology

Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2012, Theological Studies

This project attempts to expound the theological anthropology of Hans Urs von Balthasar as a decidedly Trinitarian anthropology. The method of this project explores the writings of Balthasar on the analogy of the sexes grounded in the Godhead, and incorporates the critical engagement of feminist theologian Tina Beattie. Central to the conclusion of this thesis is an understanding of the Trinity as a reciprocal Gift-Exchange of Love between the Persons; a model after which the human sexes, male and female, were created and called to imitate. This thesis questions the degree to which Beattie's critique of Balthasar fails to take into account the Trinitarian grounding of Balthasar's vision of the human sexes.

Committee: Matthew Levering PhD (Advisor); William Portier PhD (Committee Member); Bennett Jana PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Religion