The Church’s Social Engagement: A Theological Foundation according to H. U. Balthasar and Its Pastoral Implications
The Church’s Social Engagement: A Theological Foundation according to H. U. Balthasar and Its Pastoral Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54855/csl.25546Keywords:
Social engagement; Salvation “theo-drama”; Church and world; Spiritual discernmentAbstract
The article presents a solid theological foundation for the Church’s social engagement, drawing on Hans Urs von Balthasar’s view of salvation history as a “drama” involving God, the human person, and Christ. Starting from Jesus’ saying “render to Caesar…,” the author highlights a paradoxical balance: the Church belongs to God yet remains present within the world—neither withdrawing from it nor dissolving into it. The imagery of heaven and earth illuminates this relationship: God is transcendent, yet chooses to be near and to act through mediation. Therefore, the Church’s motivation for engagement arises from God’s saving plan rather than calculations of power. Such engagement aims at humanity’s “true progress,” centered primarily on the spiritual dimension that strives toward Truth–Goodness–Beauty, and is carried out through spiritual discernment and a life of prayer.
References
Theo-drama: Theological Dramatic Theory, Vol I: Prologomena, trans. Graham Harrison (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1988), 48-50.
Hans Urs von Balthasar, Theo-drama: Theological Dramatic Theory, Vol II: The Dramatis Personae: Man in God, trans. Graham Harrison (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1990), 173-188.
Theo-drama: Theological Dramatic Theory, Vol IV: The Action, trans. Graham Harrison (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1994), 87-94.
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