Theological Investigations by Karl Rahner, S. J.

Abstract

448 BOOK REVIEWS entire process. In like manner, inspiration must be extended to all those who were engaged in the composition of the sacred book to the degree of their engagement. All of this, Benoit calls " verbal inspiration " or " total inspiration," the later expression perhaps being more acceptable to those who find the former one alarming and smacking of a return to the old theory of " dictation." A consequence of inspiration, but not its sole result, is inerrancy. "Instruction is only one of the aims proposed to the practical reason of the inspired subject; there are other ends which belong especially to the affective order, such as to encourage, console, reprimand, etc. Truth will then be one of the qualities of the inspired word, but not the only one . . ." (p. 18!l). Formal criteria should define the limits of biblical inerrancy, and Benoit proposes three: 1) the point of view or formal object of the sacred writer; 2) the extent of his affirmations; and 8) the degree to which he demands acceptance from the reader of his views. As he points out, interrancy like the inspiration from which it derives is a divine gift which is operative in all of Scripture, not univocally, but analogically. The author then rounds out his treatment of inspiration by applying it to the fields of textual, literary, and historical criticism; he concludes by considering its relation with rational exegesis and the rule of faith-all this in some twenty closely written pages, tantalizingly brief. A fuller presentation apparently not desirable here in view of the over-all plan would be welcomed in some future supplementary work or occasional paper. The translators deserve congratulations for a readable rendering of the original text in what is usually termed serviceable prose; a spot check indicated that they translated faithfully but slavishly. The original format of the work was preserved save that the English reader will have to supply his own tract on prophecy from the Summa to make the " Explanatory Notes" more intelligible; though all of these notes are not equally pertinent to an understanding of inspiration, still the omission of some, such as note 85, would be a distinct loss. We consider this book a modem classic in its field and sincerely hope that a future less expensive edition will make it more accessible to the average student. Dominican Howte of Studie8, Washington, D. C. ALAN SMITH, 0. P. Theological Investigations. Vol. 1: God, Christ, Mary and Grace. By KARL RAHNER, S. J. Translated with an Introduction by CoRNELms ERNST, 0. P., Helicon Press, Baltimore; Darton, Longman and Todd, London 1961. Pp. xxii-88!l. Father Karl Rahner is professor of Dogmatic Theology at the University of lnnsbruck. He is one of the most important and influential writers BOOK REVIEWS 449 on theological matters in Germany to-day and through the translation of his works into many languages his fame and influence are known and felt internationally. For well over twenty years now he has applied his acute mind to grappling with almost every aspect of the proper method and content of theological science. By the freshness and originality of his approach to old and new problems in theology and cognate sciences he appeals in a special way to the younger generation of theologians. He is convinced, and rightly so, that our traditional theology (as contained and served up in a great number of modern theological manuals, about which Fr. Rahner has many severe things to say) needs to be rethought and presented to the modern mind in a manner suited to its needs and its modern modes of thought. "Dogmatic theology to-day," he tells us, "is very orthodox. But it is not vividly alive " (p. 13) . Taking into account the burning problems that torture the modern mind and basing himself on a return to the only sound sources of all theology, Scripture and Tradition as manifested in the official teaching of the Church, he has set himself the task of making theology 'vividly alive.' From 1954 onwards he began to publish in book form, under the general title of 'Schriften zur Theologie,' different theological studies which had already appeared in various theological journals in...