I dare predict that we will have some exciting games in this group today. Jüngel, that immensly popular Lutheran with Barthian influences is going up against his Excellency the Bishop of Rome! Now, let's see if the ecumenical attitude among the voters will prove to be just pretty words!
For the second game, we have the only theologian to receive negative votes in the nomination round against Rosemary Radford Ruether. Will we see the first victory by a female theologian? Or maybe Hick isn't that bad after all?
The Threat to Democracy
1 week ago
5 comments:
Warning: An Apology for Ratzinger
I think it's important to judge Ratzinger by his work as a personal theologian. Keep in mind that his decade-and-a-half long duties as Prefect of the CDF only allowed him to write ONE book, and his work there was always collaborative and never expressive of his own theological sensibilities (think of Kasper's current predicament). The other publications during this time were either reprints or collections of essays gathered by his former students, his former associates or publishers. Twice he attmepted to resign as Prefect so he could return to academia and "write my books", but Pope John Paul II did not accept the resignation.
Ratzinger was instrumental in drafting Dei Verbum, the Second Vatican Council's teaching on Revelation and its communication. His Introduction to Christianity has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide and continues to make impacts across denominational lines. He was a founder of both Concilium and Communio. His first encyclical as pope, Deus Caritas Est, has impressed many non-Catholic thinkers including those in the Radical Orthodoxy camp. His strong push for the inclusion of a reference to Europe's Christian roots in the EU constitution is admirable. And let's be frank, his neo-Augustinianism is a refreshing shift in Catholic theology.
I do not intend to demean Jungel or portray Ratzinger as the flawless scholar, but I really cannot see how Ratzinger is the "lesser" theologian considering his academic, ecclesial, public influence. If he were not the pope, would the results be different in this contest???
www.theophenomenon.com
Hmmm. I like Ruether. I've never heard of Hicks. Can you guess where my vote went?
Agreed w/r/t Ratzinger. Jungel's reputation rests on one book - admittedly one brilliant book - whereas Ratzinger has been far more influential, whatever one makes of his position.
On the other side, it's amusing to see Hick having it handed to him by Ruether.
Patrik: again, could you please put an option for "none", like a draw? I wouldn't vote for neither Hick nor Ruether
Naah, I don't see the point. If you can't decide for one of the two, just abstain from voting.
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