Analogy Between Theory and Praxis: Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Trinitarian Obedience

This essay presents four different steps that we can follow to establish an analogical connection between the Christian praxis and the Trinitarian immanent life. To illustrate these steps, we have provided a case study of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s treatment of obedience. Obedience is employed analogically to speak of the Trinitarian life of God and of the Christian life, by means of grounding this concept in the personhood of Christ, to be more precise, in his mission. In other words, the Christian obedience becomes a participation in the eternal Trinitarian love between the persons. Balthasar’s treatment of this subject illustrates an example whereby a theory–practice split is overcome with the employment of analogy in systematic theology.