This publication could be the most misunderstood works of Catholic theology of our time. Critics contend that von Balthasar espouses universalism, the concept all males will surely be kept. but, as von Balthasar insists, damnation is a true possibility-for others but additionally for ourselves. certainly, he explores the character of damnation with sobering readability. even as, he contends deep figuring out of God's merciful love and human freedom, and a cautious studying of the Catholic culture, element to the possibility-not the certainty-that, in any case, all males will settle for the salvation Christ received for all. For this all-embracing salvation, von Balthasar says, we might dare desire, we needs to pray, and with God's support we needs to paintings.

The Catholic Church's instructing on Hell has been normally missed by means of theologians, with the outstanding exception of von Balthasar. He grounds his reflections in actual fact in Sacred Scripture, and in Catholic instructing. whereas the Church asserts that definite everyone is in Heaven ("saints"), it by no means pronounces a particular person to be in Hell. in reality, the Church hopes that during their ultimate moments of lifestyles, even the best sinners may have repented in their negative sins, and be stored.

Sacred Scripture states, "God...desires all males to be stored and to come back to the data of the reality. For there's one God, and there's one Mediator among God and guy, the guy Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all." (1st Timothy, 2:4)

"Truly deep theological questions can hardly ever be replied with an easy definite or no. particularly, they're approached via the cautious theologian, who circles round them, making differences, bringing crucial facets to mild. the difficulty of who and the way many might be kept is unquestionably one of many thorniest theological puzzles within the Catholic culture, and that i do not know any theologian-classical or contemporary-who plays the nimble activity of bringing out the complexity and profiles of this factor greater than Hans Urs von Balthasar. during this brief yet wealthy textual content, you are going to listen of grace, punishment, mercy, the bleak self-absorption of sin-but peculiarly of hope."
- Fr. Robert Barron, Rector/President Mundelein Seminary/University of Saint Mary of the Lake