Balthasar on the Power of the Cross and Salvation History
As Balthasar explains, the Cross is the “mid-point of saving history, all the promises are realized in it, every aspect of the Law, with its quality as curse, is dashed to pieces on the Cross. [...] What he [St. Paul] takes it upon himself to announce thereby is not just one historical fact among others, but that complete upheaval, that re-creation of all things, which the Cross and Resurrection brought about. ‘The old has passed away, behold, the new has come!’ (II Corinthians 5, 17). Here, then, in the innermost truth of history. This truth appears to the Jews to be a stumbling block, to the pagans as folly, since it seems to speak of the ‘weakness and foolishness of God.’ Yet it so speaks in such a way that it is endowed with an unconditional power to test, to judge, to discriminate and to separate. In the Cross, then, is manifested the entire ‘power of God’ (I Corinthians 1, 18, 24). This power is so great that, paradoxically, it can, in the very act of falling whereby Israel stumbles over the stumbling-stone (Romans 9, 30 ff), catch and save her (Romans 11, 26). Christian existence is a ‘reflection’ of the form of Christ; as one has died for all so, at the deepest level, all have died (II Corinthians 5, 14). Faith must ratify this truth (Romans 6, 33 ff); life must manifest it (II Corinthians 4, 10). And if this death happened out of love ‘for me’ (Galatians 2, 20), then my response must be a ‘faith’ which consists in total self-gift to this divine destiny. In this way, scandal and persecution become titles of glory for the Christian (Galatians 5, 11; 6, 12-14)” [Mysterium Paschale, pp. 16-17]
2 Responses so far
5:17 am
Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing this wonderful insight.
8:45 am
Sean,
I’m really enjoying reading Balthasar’s book. His Christocentricity is so refreshing.
Cheers,
Cynthia
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