Reading von Balthasar Together: An Interview with Adam Janke | Carl E.

Olson | February 22,

2007

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The Swiss theologian Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-88) is widely considered to be one of the
most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century. Incredibly prolific and
diverse, praised by both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, he wrote over one hundred
books and hundreds of articles. But where does one begin reading his work? And how does the
non-specialist make his way though the daunting and often dense writings of this significant
theologian?

A new online reading group provides readers from hither and beyond an opportunity to read,
study, and discuss together online von Balthasar's sixteen-volume "Trilogy." The online reading
group was founded by Adam Janke, who is a senior theology and catechetics student at the
Franciscan University of Steubenville where he has been studying since his conversion to the
Catholic Church in 2004. Adam is the president of the St. John Bosco Society for Catechetics,
webmaster at CatecheticsOnline.com, and lives in Ohio with his wife and son. He recently spoke
with IgnatiusInsight.com about the group and von Balthasar.

IgnatiusInsight.com: How and why did the Hans Urs von Balthasar online reading group get
started? Is it officially connected to Franciscan University of Steubenville?

Adam Janke: The reading group started for two reasons. On a personal level I was searching for a
way in which I could keep in touch with my classmates after our academic careers here at
Franciscan University draws to a close. While the occasional email and phone call are enjoyable,
a reading group can help to keep our minds sharp.

On the other hand, having recently read my way back into full communion with the Church from
a fundamentalist background I am always on the look out for great theological works. I had read
some of von Balthasar's works, but nothing nearly as daunting as his 16-volume "Trilogy". This is
not the type of reading someone begins casually, but at the same time will be very fruitful for
anyone who can make the journey. By approaching an author like von Balthasar through a
reading group you have much needed support through more difficult reading and can gain a
fuller understanding by hearing the insight by others into the text. After discussing the feasibility
of launching such a group with a couple of my classmates we decided the email group we are
using now would be best. It allows anyone no matter where they are to join and read with us.

The group is not officially connected with Franciscan University. Similar to the Catechetics Online
website, we saw a need and an opportunity, and after prayerful consideration began work on
our own to start the group. At the time of writing this we have 18 members, ranging from those
with no special training in theology, to those who have achieved doctoral degrees in theology.
We have undergraduate students, masters students, college professors, and directors of religious
education.

IgnatiusInsight.com: How does the online reading group work? Is it related to or based on the
Communio reading group model?

Adam Janke: I am afraid I am not familiar with the Communio model. This has been the most
difficult part of starting our reading group as no one in the group so far has any real experience
with this type of online format. The reading has been broken down into four years ending in
2011 and covers an average of one book every three months. We have decided to start by
allowing one person to lead the discussion each month by giving commentary on the text, and
then opening the floor for anyone else to discuss and ask questions. While we are leaving room
to make adjustments as we need to in the future, so far it is going well. We already have some
good discussions taking place on the introduction to the first book "Seeing the Form".

IgnatiusInsight.com: How and where do people sign up?

Adam Janke: The group's URL is: http://groups.google.com/group/balthasar

The group makes use of the new "Google Groups" platform which allows the user to sign up and
opt either to receive and respond to emails directly in their in box which will then be received by
the entire group, or they can opt not to receive any emails and login to the Group online where
they can read and reply to new messages.
Anyone is welcome to join. You will need to have a free account with Google, and then you will
need to register with the group. The registration process asks you if you are planning on reading
the text with the group, or if you would like to simply observe the discussions. We wouldn't want
anyone to be surprised with being asked to lead the next month, when they are really just
interested in reading the books occasion and listening into the discussion.

IgnatiusInsight.com: Von Balthasar's "Trilogy" is a rather daunting work. What would you say to
people who might be concerned that they don't have the background and specialized learning to
undertake reading and discussing such a work?