The Inner Word and Outer Word
MST Review June 15, 2023 DOI: 10.67641/mstr.v25i1.693 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that a comprehensive knowledge of God requires attending to both God's inner Word (the Holy Spirit) and outer Word (Jesus Christ), as exemplified by Eckhart's focus on inner union and Jüngel's focus on the outer Word. |
Abstract
Can we know God? If so, how? This essay considers Bernard Lonergan’s thoughts on God’s inner and outer Words (the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ) and how they are received in human consciousness. It applies these two ways of knowing God to two theologians who each emphasized one of these Words: Meister Eckhart, a medieval, Neoplatonic monk, who focused on union with the inner Word, and Eberhard Jüngel, a recently-deceased Protestant theologian, who focused on the outer Word. It offers the view that by keeping in mind God’s revelation through both divine Words, Christians and the Church in general might come to a more comprehensive knowledge of God that will help us face future challenges.