Karl Rahner is one of the great Jesuit theologians, and indeed, one of the great theologians of the church. Rahner was a mystagogue. A mystagogue is one who teaches mystery and one who leads the learner into the realm of mystery.
Rahner was both a theologian of mystery and had a deep mystical spirituality.
And Rahner developed a "Mysticism for Everyone."
Here is a beautiful quote. I originally read it in a longer context in Brennan Manning's book,Ruthless Trust. Here it is as Rahner said it inTheological Investigations 7:15.
The devout Christian of the future will either be a mystic, one who has experienced something, or he will cease to be anything at all.
The Ignatian Way is a way that helps us inveterate rationalists encounter the mystery of Christ in experiential and personal ways. The brilliant theologian Rahner, was also the devout spiritual director who led many in the Spiritual Exercises. For these Exercises helped Rahner become one who has encountered the living and loving God.
In the end, we must all become mystics... or else become nothing at all.
Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com
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