Comments on: Theology and the Drama of History

By: Derek Resler

Derek Resler — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:08:29 +0000

Thanks for the post Kyle and I echo Matt’s sentiments regarding all of the authors devotion not just to the proliferation of subjects and books that you describe, but more importantly the proliferation of thought. You guys bless more people than you know!

I have given much thought to the the movement of man through history and at times struggle with the concepts of understanding history theologically. As, if I am understanding your description rightly Kyle, Quash seeks to distill the totality of human history into four distinct philosophical categories in which certain theologies inform us. I suppose that to engage in theologizing upon history one has to have basic criteria in which to understand and divine truth through history. As a teacher of history, I do have a few concerns though with the overall task (by which I am currently struggling with myself):

1. Theologizing history runs the risk of reading back into the event from today’s cultural, religious, and theological biases and does not allow for the event and/or person to speak for themselves/itself.

2. Theologizing history has a tendency to devalue the event by overvaluing the (supposed) deeper truths of the event.

3. Theologizing history runs the risk of being driven too much by theological paradigms of the interpretation of the events.

This being said, the understanding of history theologically is radically important as we seek to attach events from history to the greater events of God in this world.

Thoughts or responses?

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:12:34 +0000

But you should read Schindler’s book on The Dramatic Structure of Truth which answers some of Quash’s own (mis)reading of Balthasar…

By: Kent Eilers

Kent Eilers — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:28:10 +0000

Matt, we greatly appreciate the affirmation. TF is a labor of love and we are grateful you find it helpful. Visit often and chime in anytime.

Kent

By: Kyle Strobel

Kyle Strobel — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:53:20 +0000

Matt, thanks for your kind words. We really appreciate it. We hope TF will continue to be helpful.

Blessings, kyle

By: Matt Jenson

Matt Jenson — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:54:21 +0000

Kyle and Kent, just a quick general comment: I love what you guys are doing on here. Clear, kind, smart, eminently helpful. Thank you!

Matt Jenson