Evelyne Maurice publishes the spiritual texts of Karl Rahner with Editions du Cerf

11 march 2024

Evelyne Maurice, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Domuni-Universitas, has edited the spiritual texts of the renowned theologian Karl Rahner, recently published by Editions du Cerf under the title "Vie chrétienne. Essais-Méditations-Homélies, Karl Rahner".

This is an authorised critical edition in French. The newspaper La Croix devoted a recension to the book at this beginning of March.

A look back at the work carried out, which sheds light on a major figure in 20th-century Christian theology, Karl Rahner, whose fortieth death anniversary is being celebrated in 2024. Evelyne Maurice explains.

WHO WAS KARL RAHNER?

Karl Rahner was a German Jesuit priest and Catholic theologian who had a major influence on Catholic theology in the 20th century. Born on 5 March 1904 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, he joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1922 and was ordained priest in 1932. Rahner studied philosophy in Pullach, Germany, and theology in Valkenburg, the Netherlands. He also obtained a doctorate in theology from the University of Freiburg im Breisgau.

WHAT INFLUENCE DID HE HAVE?

A connoisseur of St Thomas Aquinas, Rahner was above all a teacher who was keen to pass on to his students the essentials of the faith by bringing them up to date. Author of several thousand pages, he tackled both the classic questions of theology and contemporary issues. As an expert theologian at the Second Vatican Council, Karl Rahner contributed major texts, such as Gaudium et Spes, on the Church in the modern world. His work was considerable when he passed away in 1974.

EVELYNE MAURICE, IN 2023 ÉDITIONS DU CERF HAS PUBLISHED THE 14TH VOLUME OF THE THEOLOGIAN'S COMPLETE WORKS.

Yes, more than ten volumes of Rahner's complete works in French have already been published. This volume brings together contributions from the 1950s and 1960s. The texts collected have a singular place in the theologian's entire oeuvre. It could be said that they shed light on his entire work, and reading them provides an introduction to his entire oeuvre. The style is simple and direct, giving a key to understanding a complex work. Contrary to what is sometimes said, Rahner is not just interested in concepts: he makes the link between Scripture and life, and comments passionately the Word of God.

IN A WORD, EVELYN MAURICE, WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS 14TH VOLUME?

I would say that this volume allows us to discover what Rahner is in depth, namely a religious committed to pastoral ministry, a man of faith who helps us to pray and meditate on the Word of God. This is the source that irrigates all his work.

DID RAHNER HAVE A "METHOD"?

Karl Rahner received a very strong education. Broad-minded and keen on freedom, he never rejected any question. Before being a theologian, he was first and foremost a Jesuit, a companion of Jesus. These texts reveal a man of faith. Obviously, he is very comfortable with concepts, but he knows how to use them by putting them into perspective, so that the essential emerges. In this way, his theology is rooted in reality and can be passed on to as many people as possible. Rahner is not disconnected!

WHAT DO YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THESE TEXTS?

An enormous spiritual richness and a rediscovery of preaching. Rahner enables Christianity to engage in a fruitful dialogue with contemporary society. He gives us words to say and to believe!

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN KARL RAHNER? WHERE SHOULD THEY START?

I would suggest that they start with this volume, which gives access to Rahnerian thought. I'd tell them that Rahner is still a good teacher today for structuring theological thought... and I'd work with them!

IS IT POSSIBLE TO READ RAHNER WITHOUT BEING AN EXPERT IN THEOLOGY?

I think so. You have to start with the spiritual writings where you find the author's coherence.

DOES DOMUNI OFFER ANY TEACHING ON RAHNER?

I've run a research seminar on Rahner's writings on several occasions, including with graduate students in 2023. Rahner is a source of inspiration for them. His writings help us to understand and think about faith.

We have studied some of the great texts and deepened our reading together.

We are offering a seminar on "Rahner and the Liturgy" in autumn 2024, with access to the texts themselves. We shouldn't just read books about Rahner, but come face to face with his thought, with what he himself said and wrote. Hence the importance of this 14th volume of his Collected Works, which sheds light on his entire thought in a simple and accessible way.

Presentation of Dr. Evelyne Maurice

Read the recension published in the newspaper La Croix on 5 March 2024

Purchase the book, under the editorship of Evelyne Maurice

Other works by Evelyne Maurice

La christologie de Karl Rahner, Jésus et Jésus-Christ 65, Desclée, Paris, 1995, 265 p.
‘Die Entwicklung des christologischen Denkens Karl Rahners (1934-1984)’ dans Karl Rahner in der Diskussion herausgegeben von R.Siebenrock, Tyrolia, Innsbruck-Wien, 2001, S.91-99.
En collaboration avec A. Dupleix, Christ présent et universel. La vision christologique de Teilhard de Chardin, "Jésus et Jésus-Christ" 95, Mame-Desclée, Paris, 2008.
« Saint Paul et Teilhard, deux hommes, une même passion : le Christ » Teilhard aujourd’hui 30, 2009, pp. 27-39.
Traité fondamental de la foi. Etudes sur le concept du christianisme, Edition critique autorisée en français, volume XXVI, Paris, Cerf, 2011.
« Être homme et le devenir homme de Dieu » Etudes sur le fondement de la dogmatique, la christologie, l’anthropologie théologique et l’eschatologie, Karl Rahner, Edition critique autorisée en français, volume XII, Paris, Cerf, 2019.
« Vie chrétienne. Essais-Méditations-Homélies, Karl Rahner, Edition critique autorisée en français, volume XIV, Paris, Cerf, 2023.