Kneeling Theology
Foreword by Elden Francis Curtis, Christoph Schonborn and Thaddaus Kondrusiewicz
Imprint: Catholic University of America Press
Anton Štrukelj, in this English edition of his book Kneeling Theology, which was published in German, Italian, Polish, Russian and Slovenian, based his theme on the concept first developed by Hans Urs von Balthasar. This Swiss intellectual is considered one of the most important theologians of the 20th century. Štrukelj sees as his task, through a synthetic survey of questions, to seek from his subjects a holistic perspective regarding the role of the theologian, without doing a critical analysis of all their work.
Kneeling Theology analyzes the process and its consequences that gave rise to the religious and cultural developments of the past and the present. It is his thesis that the essence of theology should flow from holiness. He relies for his evidence on the life and work of Hans Urs von Balthasar (which included the insights of Adrienne von Speyr, physician and mystic), Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), the Slovenian theologian Anton Strle (now servant of God) and Anton Vovk, former Archbishop of Ljubljana, fearless witness of Christ and his Church, also servant of God.
Štrukelj's purpose with this book is to point out that Catholic theology is best served, not only by competent research and a thorough knowledge of Church tradition, but by theologians who approach their work prayerfully and on their knees. The rich theological and pastoral heritage that has been bequeathed to us by a small group of special people in this book has come about because of their scholarship and their holiness. They have, each in their own way, demonstrated what it means to do theology on their knees, and they have shared their scholarship and insights with us.
Anton Štrukelj is Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the University of Ljubljana and author of more than a dozen books. From 1997 to 2003 he was a member of the International Theological Commission. Elden Francis Curtiss served as Bishop of Helena from 1976-1993, and Archbishop of Omaha from 1993-2009.
"This is the only work of which I am aware where Von Balthasar's 'kneeling theology' has been ‘unpacked’ by tracking through various dimensions of the theological output of Joseph Ratzinger, Von Balthasar, and Adrienne von Speyr. I think it is a significant contribution."
~Tracey J. Rowland, University of Notre Dame, Australia
"'The only truly interesting theologians are the Saints.' This observation anchors the attractive thinking within the pages of this book. Ratzinger, Balthasar, and other contemporary thinkers have been trying to sew together what was torn apart in the practice of theology, specifically love and rationality. Objectivity in the academic world has come to mean depersonalization, when in fact, only the one who loves can think clearly. The lover engages his or her mind to the core of human nature, one made in the image and likeness of God, who is love itself. For a theologian to seek after holiness as a key facet of his professional labor is not some quaint quest born of piety, but an essential component for his or her vision to be clear, serene and truthful. Love is objectivity, as as such bears fruit for both theologian and students."
~Deacon James Keating, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
"Štrukelj is an excellent connoisseur of the theological vision of Joseph Ratzinger and Hans Urs von Balthasar, and he is able to present it transparently....His style, easy to read and to understand, is yearning for readers who want to quench their thirst at the spring of a noble and down to earth inspiring theological thought."
~Janez Zupet, University of Ljubljana