An Interpretation of Salvation History in the Theology of K. Rahner

Abstract

The theme of salvation history occupies an important position in the thought of Karl Rahner. Contemporary man experiences the world around him as an impenetrable network of diverse events which in their unique way constitute the history of mankind. Interwoven into this same history are countless human destinies which to us sometimes seem meaningless. Thus it appears to be when history is viewed in a consumeristic manner. We extract from it only that which we currently need and deposit all else into the »wastebin.« However, this is an incorrect approach to human history. There exists also another way of looking at historical events and assessing them. Rahner is of the opinion that human history receives a totally different mark when God has His place in it. He feels that God manifests Himself as an unattainable mystery in the network of human events. The less God is present in everyday human history, the less eventful, the less valuable it becomes. Also it becomes an object of manipulation. When there is no true devotion to God in history, even religion itself becomes an ideology with manifold mottos and laws, regulations and customs which become an impenetrable wall shutting out God’s mysterious voice, obstructing our ability to hear and discern it. Despite all human limitations. God continues to be present in human history, as Rahner stresses, in a symbolic way. The basic symbol for God the Father in human history is Logos. Therefore, the theology of Logos in its most eminent sense is the theology of symbols in the true sense of the word. Logos is the »Word« of the Father, His perfect »image«, a reflection of His essence, an expression of Himself. In this respect, Logos is the »symbol« of the Father, consubstantial with the Father, but still different from the reality which it symbolizes.