Book Review - “Engagement with God” by Hans Urs Von Balthasar.

“Engagement with God” by Hans Urs Von Balthasar.

The far ranging scale and erudition of the Swiss theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar’s (1905-88) thought can sometimes daunt even the most adventurous reader.

This compact volume however, provides a lively and accessible entry point to von Balthasar’s “theo-dramatics”. This theo-dramatics is in part his response to liberal humanism and to totalising systems such as Marxism. It recovers the notion that human history and experience is situated within the drama (ultimately comedic) of God’s active and revelatory commitment to His creation.

This volume summarises some of the key ideas that are contained in von Balthasar’s five volume series “Theo- Drama” which in turn is part of massive trilogy of works.In the drama of Creation, Redemption and Glory therefore the Triune God is not a remote producer- but the author, director AND actor.

Von Balthasar challenges Christians to follow Christ- not by our initiative in “imitating” him- still less by our adopting some vague and selective list of “Christian values” but by immersing ourselves radically and personally through sacramental, mystical and practical avenues into life of Christ crucified. Only this will overcome the rift that has come about in the modern Christianity – between contemplation and action, between liberty and law and between the world and the Church.

This shorter work provides a valuable addition to the Library’s Von Balthasar collection that has been augmented gradually as our collection funds and donations permit. 

Anna Krohn.

Interested in volunteering at the Library?

Our volunteers are the life of our Library. We are not just a treasure of books and writing, but a treasure trove of good friends and support.

Our volunteers sort and catalogue books, contact our members and answer our phone. They also paint the lunch room, clean out the office, raise funds and tidy the toys. Others teach the practice of Iconography and lead discussions. They do this with a warm welcoming smile as you walk in the door.

They also have so much to teach us at the Library.

One of our regular volunteers, is an intrepid adventurer in her 70’s, she is now in Siberia. When asked why Siberia? Her answer was ‘why not?’ Another volunteer is a dynamo cataloguer, she is also a medical doctor specializing in Cystic Fibrosis. Just to keep her mind sharp she is studying Hebrew!

Another regular volunteer buries himself in our latest donated collections and surfaces with fabulous book reviews – watch out for his contributions to later Library Briefs editions.

The one common grace about our volunteers is their love for our Library and their big welcome when you visit us.

What would you like to do at ‘The Caroline?’ We need more people like you, ready to make new friends, learn new skills and show your smile!

Join us at ‘The Caroline’. Contact Anna Krohn on 03 9670 1815 and one of

our friends will get back to you.

Book Review

A HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY IN AUSTRALIA

Corrupting the Youth. James Franklin, New South Wales, 2003, 465pp.

Reviewed by John Young.

 

This book gives a vivid picture of philosophers in Australia: their lives, their contrasting views and their influence on the students. James Franklin has done a great deal of research, as shown in the numerous references throughout the volume.

The first part has a detailed account of the thought of the famous (or infamous) Professor John Anderson of Sydney, and contrasts this with alternative views, especially with the Thomistic philosophy taught by Dr Austin Woodbury SM at the Aquinas Academy in Sydney. Professor Anderson was a materialist: the mind is matter, like everything; there is no ultimate self to which motives belong. There are only material things in space and time. Ethics is a study of human activities, but no absolute rights exist. Clearly this philosophy rules out anything supernatural and also any universally valid system of ethics and any transcendental realities.

Anderson was Professor of Philosophy at Sydney University from 1927 till 1958, and in that time influenced numerous students who later went on to occupy prominent positions in teaching, law, politics, journalism and other fields. His views changed the outlook of numerous students, and led to many abandoning Christianity.

In contrast to Anderson was Dr Austin Woodbury, who founded the Aquinas Academy in 1945, and conducted it until his retirement due to ill health in 1974. It was for long a remarkably successful operation. In 1961 “…it was running nineteen classes a week, with a total enrolment of some 500”. They were mostly lay people of all ages and occupations. Most classes were in the evening. Franklin quotes Woodbury on the philosophy of Anderson and his associates: “The department of philosophy at Sydney University is a cancer at what ought to be the heart of the scholastic life of this city. It is a disgrace to the University of Sydney, and would be a disgrace to any university anywhere…”

(p. 81).

Despite Franklin’s awareness of the erroneous character of Anderson’s philosophy he fails to fully appreciate Woodbury. Like others, Franklin is influenced by the myth of an alleged inward looking philosophy promoted by Father Garrigou-Lagrange, and he sees this as influencing Dr Woodbury and Dr P. J. Ryan.

I studied at the Aquinas Academy for many years and I am familiar with the main schools of philosophy through the ages. Critiques of these were given at the Academy – and in the writings of Garrigou-Lagrange. Philosophy at the Academy was certainly not inward looking.

The later chapters deal with a variety of philosophical ideas among Australia’s academics, explaining these in clear language and giving detailed references. A good insight is given into the intellectual life in Australia to the end of the twentieth century. The reader sees the roots of current ideas in related subjects, including law and

art.

One can see more clearly why Professor Peter Singer is influential and respected, and why he could say that “…the grounds for not killing persons do not apply to newborn infants” (p. 82).

John Young leads the Philosophy and Discussion Group on

Wednesdays at the Library.

Message from the Library President

9th September, is the Feast of Blessed Antoine-Frederick Ozanam, the founder of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Frederick Ozanam was married, a father, and died at the age of 40. In 1997 he was beatified by Saint John Paul II.

What does he have to do with the Caroline Chisholm Library?

Our library exists to nourish Catholic faith and culture, and that means that in the first place, the Library is an oasis of learning and wisdom, study and peace, and, of contemplation in the bustle of the city. We are not, however, a monastery, withdrawn from the activities of the world and serving only by prayer.We exist to equip our members and those we serve to give those whom we know and those whom we can contact the fruits of our contemplation and study.

Our Lord was definite about the two greatest commandments – to love God with our whole being, and to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Love means action. This was the challenge that Frederick Ozanam met when he was challenged by critics, who accused him and his fellow students, of talk without action. He led others in the practical relief of the poor, the work his committed followers still carry out.

Like Caroline Chisholm, and very many of our members and supporters, he was a lay member of the church, married, a parent, and with a particular vocation as an organizer of relief for people in need. Especially when others had seen the need but not recognized it, or had not known what to do about it.

May the library (in which we labour, study and delight) nourish our hearts and minds as we find the works of love we are called to do, each with our own gifts.

Blessed Frederick Ozanam, pray for us that we may love and serve our brothers and sisters wisely and fruitfully.

Anthony Krohn is President of the Caroline Chisholm Library.