Review of Urs Von Baltasar's "Dare We Hope: that all men be saved?" by Andre Harden

Is a somewhat misleading title for this book that examines the core nature of God's relationship to mankind. "Dare we" suggests that hope in God's intent and power to save his creation should be exercised tentatively, furtively and only at great risk, perhaps with the same manner that one might dash across a minefield, or urinate on an electric fence. "Uh ... go ahead, if you dare ... but to what purpose?"

Hans Urs Von Balthasar's purpose is extraordinary. His title reflects his awareness that dominant theology aggressively defends a lack of hope in God's desire and power to save all. His suggestion, that God wills to save all (which is not so much his suggestion as it is God's own expression of his will for Man) is an attack against an idolatry of pride and self-separation which leads one to declare himself blessed over others.

In recalling Jesus' story of the pharisee and sinner who each prayed to God, the self-conscious sinner asking for mercy, the oblivious pharisee thanking God that he is not like the fallen, we see that we have not come far in embracing the mercy of God. It is not for the Christ follower to remain mired in a theology which consigns practitioners of certain sins to hell, while teaching those who think they are above such sins to thank God they're elected to salvation.

Balthasar's hope for all is not built on the notion that all merit reconciliation, but on the firm conviction that none of us do, especially those who have begun to follow Christ, for the more we know of Christ the more aware we ought to be of our own need for mercy. Paul, in his humility, declares himself the worst of all sinners. Balthasar builds on this moral line - that it is not our behaviour that attracts God to us - but our nature as his creation that draws him to us. If God can see past my own behaviour to draw me into reconciliation, then it is not possible for me to believe he will not do the same for others, especially in light of his promise to draw the whole world to himself.

Speaking about hell as though it is a reality is beyond our capacity as people who live in the now. We are not judged yet, we are under judgment and the only person I am able to judge, to any degree is myself. And as I judge myself it is my own distance and separation from God that concerns me and I cry, "Have mercy on me Jesus", not, "Thank God I am not like those sinners." Hell is a very real possibilty, argues Balthasar, and it is what I should expect if I turn away from the abundant life offered through relationship with Jesus. And it begins now, in my very choice of shadow over light, of self over God and others. And even if I follow God with devotion, I am not beyond judgement. My life will be tested by fire and all that is dross will be burned away. Is this a torment? No for it is Jesus Christ that is my judge. The same Jesus who had no condemnation for the woman caught in adultery.

Balthasar also contrasts how the differences in thinking prepare us for action. The one who truly hopes that all will be saved bases that hope on God's great love and exercises godly action in loving them despite all obstacles. But for the one who suspects his neighbors are damned and beyond hope it is not godly to truly love them as we love our brethren, for God's own love is not efficacious in that way. To accept in one's mind that the idea that some are not saved prevents one from truly loving others in the now. Indeed, in the conventional thinking this lack of love could be considered a kind of practice for when we are eventually separated into heaven and hell, when those in heaven will supposedly be unconcerned, or perhaps even delighted at the idea that their formerly loved ones are now in endless torment. This lack of love and compassion is the utter opposite of the compassion evidenced in Jesus Christ, who gave himself for all, and in those who followed him, many of whom expressed their willingness to perish themselves if it would be of help to others. This endless concern for others is not a human sentiment - it is the love of God shining through our frailty.

Balthasar argues that since God has revealed that his will is to save the whole world we are bound to pray for and hope for just such an occurrence. In other words - given God's revelation in the life and death of Jesus Christ, how dare we not hope that all are saved?

And I'm just scratching the surface of what Balthasar works out. I heartily recommend the book, but with the caveat that it is very dense writing.

Comments

[anns]

"The one who truly hopes that all will be saved bases that hope on God's great love and excersizes godly action in loving them despite all obstacles"

What a great quote!
In the end I cannot help but believe that love and compassion are irresistable.
Thanks