Catholic Theology After Kierkegaard

Although he is not always recognized as such, Soren Kierkegaard has been an important ally for Catholic theologians in the early twentieth century. Moreover, understanding this relationship and its origins offers valuable resources and insights to contemporary Catholic theology. Of course, there are some negative preconceptions to overcome. Historically, some Catholic readers have been suspicious of Kierkegaard, viewing him as an irrational Protestant irreconcilably at odds with Catholic thought. Nevertheless, the favorable mention of Kierkegaard in John Paul II's Fides et Ratio is an indication that Kierkegaard's writings are not so easily dismissed. Catholic Theology after Kierkegaard investigates the writings of emblematic Catholic thinkers in the twentieth century to assess their substantial engagement with Kierkegaard's writings. Joshua Furnal argues that Kierkegaard's writings have stimulated reform and renewal in twentieth-century Catholic theology, and should continue to do so today. To demonstrate Kierkegaard's relevance in pre-conciliar Catholic theology, Furnal examines the wider evidence of a Catholic reception of Kierkegaard in the early twentieth century--looking specifically at influential figures like Theodor Haecker, Romano Guardini, Erich Przywara, and other Roman Catholic thinkers that are typically associated with the ressourcement movement. In particular, Furnal focuses upon the writings of Henri de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and the Italian Thomist, Cornelio Fabro as representative entry points.

About the Author :
Joshua Furnal is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology in the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies at Radboud University, the Netherlands. Previously, he was a Visiting Research Fellow with the Leslie Center for the Humanities and a Lecturer in the Department of Religion at Dartmouth College (USA), and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Durham University (UK) in the Department of Theology and Religion.

Review :
"Catholic Theology After Kierkegaard is a revised dissertation, of the highest caliber. It is a model of thorough research, clarity of writing, and importance of thesis. The author, Joshua Furnal, demonstrates a deep knowledge of Kierkegaard's writings, and of the scholarship on him from the twentieth century up to the present, in English, German, French, and Italian."-Charles K. Bellinger, Reading Religion "Due to its nuanced argument and thorough research, this volume merits its place in the growing field of research on the Danish existentialist. While too advanced for new readers of Kierkegaard, this volume would be an excellent companion for any readers familiar with his works and ressourcement."--Brett McLaughlin, SJ, Theological Studies "[Furnal shows how Kierkegaard] not only lent weight to the 'new theology' endorsed by the decrees of Vatican II, but also, we might add, to ecumenical dialogues pursued by ARCIC [Furnal's work] is important, because it re-affirms SK's trans-denominational and trans-confessional significance."--Church Times "Furnal shows that Catholic 'thinkers actually engaged with Kierkegaard, looking for ways he could be of help to Catholics seeking to rejuvenate theology, particularly those involved in the 'ressourcement, ' the attempt to get back to the early sources of Christian thinking. It is fascinating to see this engagement and recognize that Kierkegaard actually played a significant role in the theological renewal that made such an impact at Vatican II." --C. Stephen Evans, Baylor University "Overall, this book's combination of original research, creative thought, and clearly developed arguments make it a valuable scholarly contribution to both Kierkegaard studies and ressourcement theology." --Horizons