Reviews for Light in Darkness: Hans Urs von Balthasar and the Catholic Doctrine of Christ's Descent into Hell

The average rating for Light in Darkness: Hans Urs von Balthasar and the Catholic Doctrine of Christ's Descent into Hell based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-07-14 00:00:00 Brian Payne This is a necessary read for anyone who wants to compare and contrast von Balthasar's theology (specifically that of the Descent into Hell and his Trinitarian theology) with the traditional theology of the Church. Pitstick gives extensive examples from a wide variety of traditional sources (the Scriptures, the Councils, the Fathers, the Doctors of the Church, the liturgies of both East and West, the iconography of the East, and the non-liturgical artwork of the West) supporting the traditional doctrine on the Descent (and showing that it was not unimportant in Christianity, but was a real devotional key). She then engages the writing of von Balthasar from multiple sources in depth to ascertain the nature of his doctrine and pointing out points of concern. She closes with some more global concerns that point out (a) inconsistencies in von Balthasar himself that are not resolved and (b) points of conflict between von Balthasar and the traditional doctrine. She then argues for the traditional doctrine as the true doctrine of the faith revealed in the Deposit of the Faith.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-06-16 00:00:00 Martin Pelletier The author, a Jesuit and Catholic Priest, having a substantial knowledge of the Catholic faith, does not write pedantically to his readers. He is upfront and direct when presenting the material in his book. Now, by personal conviction from the Scripture, I make no apology for being a Protestant; so, I do not agree with the Catholic approach to the Bible, as Harrington prescribes. However, I appreciate Harrington's sincerity, clarity, and careful handling of Catholicism's disposition toward the Bible.