"Saved through the death of Christ on the cross" in the light of Hans Urs von Balthasar's theology

Abstract

Hans Urs von Balthasar's reflections on the death of Christ are at the centre of this study-paper. It seeks first to present the "drama in three acts" of the paschal mystery and secondly to explore the Swiss theologian's Soteriology. Good Friday representing Christ's self-surrender, Holy Saturday as the day of silence and Easter Sunday as the day of triumph provide the indispensable hermeneutic for an understanding of the Trinity. Jesus' death on the cross is presented in terms of "surrender", "obedience" and "mission". "Solidarity" and "reality" are other keywords with which Christ's descent into Sheol is explained. Lastly, in the event of the resurrection, not only do the cross and descent of Jesus reveal their inner meaning, but the Father's power over sin and death by raising the Son to eternal life is likewise manifested. For Balthasar, the death of Christ was different from every other human death in that Christ bore the full weight of sin in humanity's place. It turns around the whole course of human history. Ultimately, the cross as an event has a unique efficacy that can never be replaced by anything or anyone.