SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.36 suppl.1Impact of new policy developments in higher education on theological educationKarl Barth's contribution to the German Church struggle against National Socialism índice de autoresíndice de materiabúsqueda de artículos
Home Pagelista alfabética de revistas  

Servicios Personalizados

Revista

Articulo

Indicadores

    Links relacionados

    • En proceso de indezaciónCitado por Google
    • En proceso de indezaciónSimilares en Google

    Compartir


    Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae

    versión On-line ISSN 2412-4265versión impresa ISSN 1017-0499

    Studia Hist. Ecc. vol.36  supl.1 Pretoria jul. 2010

     

    "Direct experience of God": A quest for refinement and illumination in Christian faith and practice

     

     

    Jennifer Slater

    Department of Philosophy and Systematic Theology. University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

     

     


    ABSTRACT

    "Direct experience of God", a concept that is frequently used by theologians, was a topic Simon Maimela wrestled with in conjunction with his students since its meaning became increasingly complicated through the processes of secularisation. In the 1960's, it was asserted that modern people cannot have a direct experience of God; albeit one could still live by faith and by commitment to religious values in a world which claimed that "God is dead". This article explores the concept "experiencing God directly" according to Karl Rahner, who situates a direct experience of God in a human self-transcendent (philosophical-theological) environment. This article is an effort to return to theology's historical quest of ascertaining the experiential relevance of God in a human milieu that is often riddled with social, human, economic, political and cultural complexities. It is also a tribute to Simon Maimela, who did not hesitate to present his students with theologically challenging topics for academic exploration.


     

     

    “Full text available only in PDF format”

     

     

    Works consulted

    Carr, A 1973. Theology and experience in the thought of Karl Rahner. Journal of Religion 53(3), July, 359-376.         [ Links ]

    Carr, A 1981. The God who is involved. Theology Today 38(3), 314-328.         [ Links ]

    Dych, WV 1992. Karl Rahner. London: Geoffrey Chapman.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1960. Encounters with silence. London: Burns & Oates.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1961. Theological investigations. Vol 1. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1963. Theological investigations. Vol 2. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1965. Studies in modern theology. London: Burns & Oates/ Freiburg: Herder.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1966. Theological investigations. Vol 4. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1967. Theological investigations. Vol 3. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1968. Spirit in the world. London: Shead & Ward.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1969. Hearers of the Word. London: Sheed & Ward.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1970. Meditations on priestly life. London: Sheed & Ward.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1972. Theological investigations. Vol 9. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1974a. Theological investigations. Vol 11. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1974b. Opportunities for faith: elements of a modern spirituality. London: SPCK/York: Seabury.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1975. Theological investigations. Vol 13. London: Darton, Longman & Todd.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1985. The practice of faith: a handbook of contemporary spirituality. London: SCM.         [ Links ]

    Rahner, K 1989. Foundations of Christian faith. An introduction: the idea of Christianity. New York: Crossroad.         [ Links ]

    Vorgrimler, H 1986. Understanding Karl Rahner: an introduction to his life and thought. London: SCM.         [ Links ]