Office of Peter and the Structure of the Church [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ Hans Urs von Balthasar (Author) "Why write this book?..." (more)
Key Phrases: ecclesial office, eccentric nature, pure church, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, New Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Pr; illustrated edition edition (October 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898700205
• ISBN-13: 978-0898700206
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,312,606 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent scholarly, but readable presentation, September 2, 1999

By A Customer

Fr. von Balthasar has enunciated, in remarkably cogent fashion, a theory of ecclesiology which as both thoroughly Catholic and expertly reasoned.

What I found most compelling, was his scheme of authority structures in the New Testament, and how each one (James, representing Law; John, representing love; Paul, representing freedom; and Peter representing authority)was necessary to the proper functioning of the Church.

A good read for anyone wishing to understand the theology behind the papacy, and how the Church is organized.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the perspective of this non-Roman Catholic reader. . ., October 25, 2000

By	David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

. . .Fr. von Balthasar has provided a thoroughly scriptural and theological defense of the Papacy.

Fr. von Balthasar has enunciated, in remarkably cogent fashion, a theory of ecclesiology which as both thoroughly Catholic and expertly reasoned.

What I found most compelling, was his scheme of authority structures in the New Testament, and how each one (James, representing Law; John, representing love; Paul, representing freedom; and Peter representing authority)was necessary to the proper functioning of the Church. His incorporatin of the role of Mary in the Church was also worthy of note.

A good read for anyone wishing to understand the theology behind the papacy, and how the Church is organized.

This book gave me a lot to think about.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fed my mind and changed my heart..., November 30, 2001

By	Pete Vere (Ottawa) - See all my reviews

I was not a fan of von Balthasar's before reading this book. I would find him incredibly difficult and dense to read. However, this book changed my mind about this great theologian.

Written at a level the average theologically educated reader can understand, von Balthasar's questions raised in this book are no less penetrating. I particularly enjoyed his insightful expositions of Simon-Peter's human fallibility, as well as von Balthasar's theological speculation why Our Lord would choose this very apostle to be graced with the Petrine Primacy and the gift of infallibility.

Nevertheless, as von Balthasar reminds the reader, these gifts are not given to St. Peter for his personal benefit, but rather to facilitate his service to the entire Church.

A must read for all Catholic apologists, as well as those struggling with the Petrine Primacy.