Arguably the most influential Catholic theologian of the twentieth century, Karl Rahner developed a theology representative of much post-Vatican II Catholicism and its modern inclusivist approach to missions. Yet little has been written on him from a Reformed perspective. In this introduction and critique, Camden Bucey seeks to guide readers to an understanding of Rahner's theology as a whole. Beginning with Rahner's trinitarian theology, he moves through each of the traditional departments of theology to show how Rahner developed one basic idea from beginning to end. Rahner set out to explain how God communicates himself to humanity, whom he created specifically for the purpose of self-communication. Once we trace this thread, we will have gained a deeper understanding of his thought and its reach today.
Camden M. Bucey (MDiv, PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is pastor of Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Grayslake, Illinois, and president of Reformed Forum.