The Spirit in the drama: Balthasar's "Theo-Drama" and the relationship between the Son and the Spirit
Abstract
The dissertation addresses the relationship between the Son and the Spirit presented in Hans Urs von Balthasar's Theo-Drama and evaluates this in light of contemporary trinitarian theology. Through an examination of Spirit Christology, ecumenical dialogue over the Filioque clause, and new trinitarian models, several narrow issues and broad themes are highlighted for comparison with Balthasar's proposal. Balthasar's Son-Spirit theology is presented in the context of three main constructs: the drama metaphor, the trinitarian inversion, and mission Christology. This dissertation demonstrates that, despite the difficulty in assimilating Balthasar into the mainstream dialogue concerning the Son and Spirit, his Theo-Drama is consonant with the broad themes in contemporary trinitarian theology. He presents an understanding of the trinitarian relationships that is "Dynamic," "Temporal," "Relational," and "Serious."
This paper has been withdrawn.