The concept of salvation in the theology of Karl Rahner

Abstract

This work explores the adequacy of Karl Rahner 1 s theologicalmethodology through an analysis of the concept of salvation in histheology. Karl Rahner represents one of the most significant oftwentieth century Roman Catholic theologians. His life work was togive expression to the inherited tradition in the vastly changed milieuof the modern world. He did not seek only to reformulate particulardoctrines but to re-express the very foundations of theology. Building/ upon the work of Joseph Marechal, he sought to root theology in atranscendental analysis of the knowing and willing human subject.Rahner's methodology remains foundational for many contemporarytheologians. However, questions remain as to the adequacy of thismethodology: Does Rahner, in the final analysis, simply seek tocorrelate the inherited tradition and theological methodology tocontemporary self-understanding, or does he genuinely seek to rearticulatethe Christian tradition and theological methodology in thelight of contemporary self-understanding? We explore this questionin dialogue with concerns drawn from fundamental soteriology.Throughout Christian history soteriological concerns have provokedtheological debate. Soteriology brings to a focus fundamental questionsin Christian theology and practice: the dignity and significance ofJesus of Nazareth; the relationship between a transcendent God and animmanent saving activity; the nature of the Christian vocation; therelationship between the historical order and eternal beatitude;whether theology fits with human concerns and if so, how? We examinethese questions through a study of Karl Rahner 1 s theology and in sodoing inquire as to the adequacy of his theological method and hisattempted re-articulation of the Christian tradition.