A Rahnerian Surprise - First Things

A Rahnerian Surprise - First Things

Karl Rahner, S.J. (1904–1984), one of the most influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century, is a favorite whipping boy for many traditionally minded Catholics. Yet Rahner was something of a split personality. Part of him was the pious Swabian who, shortly after Vatican II, sat on stage at Notre Dame telling his rosary beads while another scholar read his lecture in English for him—and who, at the same event, told a youngster asking…