Introductory notes for readers of this thesis - Theses - Flinders ...

knowledge. For we are not saved by knowledge but by love’ 101 ; love and knowledge acttogether in a perichoretic 102 dynamism with love as the primary force and ultimate goalof the relationship 103 . In this sense, mystery is the primordial, eternal, loving presence bywhich humanity may be grasped and drawn into participation in the divine life whichultimately leads to consummation in the event of the beatific vision. Such a vision revealsmystery as the source and goal of knowledge but cannot nor will not be defined by such.In this sense, the ‘answers’ to the mysteries of faith are not to be found in progressivecognitive enlightenment but in existential immersion in a divine love that defines andmakes sense of the entire human journey in categories of meaning that cannot beexpressed or explained in words; Rahner’s theology of mystery clearly points towards anencounter with silence.In beginning with his appeal to the beatific vision as the basis for reframing thetheological meaning of mystery, Rahner has the end in mind. In the second lecture, whenhe sketches the anthropological/theological basis for the possibility of encounter withmystery in the beatific vision (fleshed out earlier in this chapter), Rahner argues that theelevation of grace—which results in a divinised human existence orientated towards thebeatific vision—does not eliminate mystery but makes its proximity possible 104 . God canbe known by grace but never comprehended; mysteries are removed but not rationallyresolved. Mystery is contemplated but never defined 105 To illustrate his point Rahnercontends that experiencing the Trinitarian life of God means no longer relying on a wordor concept about the Trinity: in experiencing the Trinity the concept of the Trinity hasbeen manifested in its own substance. This does not, however, mean that the Trinity hasbeen ‘clearly understood’ or made ‘intelligible’ 106 . Though the mystery remains themystery, questions of meaning and transcendence are ‘answered’ because in experiencing101 Ibid.102 Meaning ‘interpenetration’.103 Ibid, 43-44.104 Ibid, 54.105 Ibid, 54-55.106 Ibid, 56.108