Another match between two Americans, both with one victory behind them. The winner can be sure of advancement.
Sallie McFague and Vladimir Lossky both lost pretty badly in the first round. Both need a clear victory in this game to have a future in this tournament.
Nothing Matters
2 weeks ago
6 comments:
I'm not sure people are voting for the best theologians...seems like the underdogs and the unknowns are getting more votes than credulity can spare. I mean, come on now, MacFague and Jenson over Lossky? Jungel over Ratzinger? Zizioulas over Schillebeeckx? This is becoming too much of a sympathy contest than a true competition to find the greatest systematic theologian of the 20th century. Let's get it together.
I think it reflects a diversity of tastes and influences. I kinda like that the results are a bit unpredictable. That is what makes a great game.
Jenson is an underdog next to Lossky? C'mon...Jenson doesn't need a sympathy vote...he's simply one of the strongest systematic theologians North America has produced! As far as his ST goes, it, at the very least, rivals any publication by Lossky! There's not a pinch of sympathy there (though I do agree regarding McFague).
Jüngel next to Ratzinger was close as it should be. With regard to theological and philosophical sophistication, Jüngel should be ranked with the top theologians in the world even though his direct influence is not as strong as Benedict's.
I think the competition is coming along very well. We have a diversity of opinion and I'm sure that some of the standings are a result of certain theologians (like Schillebeeckx) unfortunately dropping off the theological radar (I work in a theological bookstore in Toronto and in the past three years, I've sold maybe 5 or 6 Schillebeeckx titles and probably close to five hundred of Zizioulas' Being as Communion!)
Excellent points, Patrick. Perhaps our anonymous commentator prefers to see the polls match his/her bookshelf.
In defence of Schillebeeckx, his influence and prestige did not decline until after the publication of "Ministry" and "The Church with a Human Face", both published in the early 80's. The buzz he constituted immediately after Vatican II lasted a good 20 years. Though in your defense, I do believe Schillebeeckx became too predictable in the 90's and his work in contextual and liberation theology seemed a bit contrived. Nevertheless, when speaking of the 20th century, he certainly deserves mention among the best of them.
It is an interesting question though, allthough not one that one has to base one's voting on: In 200 years time who will be more remembered? The guy that brought the eastern tradition of the fathers to the west or the guy wroting the 25th western Systematic theology? The guy that wrote the 100th excellent book on Jesus, or the guy that gave the poor a voice in theology and an entire continent an branch of theology they can call their own (even if Eduardo don't like to do that).
To me then answer is pretty clear really. Western culture is in decline, and Theology is no exception.
Jenson
Lossky
Maybe I'm simply a trend-rider without discernment, but as far I remember (apart from the qualifiers, where my strike rate was considerably lower), I think I've only voted for two losers so far. Though since the new voting system has been introduced, I have no way of proving it.
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