Balthasar and Prayer

Book Description

In this scholarly exploration, Travis LaCouter presents a comprehensive examination of prayer through the theological lens of Hans Urs von Balthasar, one of the twentieth century's most influential Catholic thinkers. Rather than treating prayer as an isolated spiritual practice, LaCouter reveals how it functions as a central organizing principle within Balthasar's entire theological framework.

The study unfolds prayer's significance across multiple interconnected dimensions, examining its trinitarian foundations, its relationship to Christ, its role within the church community, its connection to human nature, and its ultimate purpose in the divine plan. LaCouter demonstrates how these various aspects work together to create a rich understanding of prayer's true scope and meaning within Catholic theology.

What makes this work particularly valuable is LaCouter's methodical approach to navigating Balthasar's extensive body of writings. He provides readers with a clear framework for understanding both Balthasar's texts and the scholarly conversations surrounding them, making this complex theological territory more accessible.

The book also engages with contemporary philosophical discussions, particularly around the concept of parrhesia, showing how classical theological insights can dialogue with modern thought. This creates bridges between traditional Catholic prayer theology and current intellectual discourse.

For readers seeking to deepen their understanding of prayer within a systematic theological context, this study offers both scholarly rigor and practical insight into one of spirituality's most fundamental practices.