Vierteljahresschrift für das Gesamtgebiet der katholischen Theologie
Begründet von Kardinal Leo Scheffczyk • ISSN 0178-1626
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Abstract

Leo Scheffczyk (†):
Redemption as Perfection of the Supernatural Order
(FKTh 2015-4, p. 241–253)

Leo Scheffczyk (1920–2005) shows that in the theology of Matthias Joseph Scheeben (1835–1888) the creation is included in a supernatural order which is perfected by the redemption. The redemption succeeds in the Christ event; it serves not only to overcome sin and evil, but glorifies God, which is the goal of the supernatural order. It is typical for Scheeben that he includes also his theology of Incarnation into salvation history. The Incarnation is the basic fact of redemption in salvation history; the deeds of Christ, also the sacrifice of the Cross, receive their effect of expiation and the glorification of God from Incarnation. The present importance of Scheeben’s theology of redemption, according to Scheffczyk, consists in the dimension of universal history of salvation, which accentuates human solidarity against mere individualism, and in the supernatural dimension, which avoids any confusion between salvation history and evolution or social action; Scheeben’s approach is theocentric, which overcomes the danger of anthropocentrism.

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