Appearance Quote by Hans Urs von Balthasar
“Prior to an individual's encounter with the love of God at a particular time in history, however, there has to be another, more fundamental and archetypal encounter, which belongs to the conditions of possibility of the appearance of divine love to man.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Glory of the Lord by Hans Urs von Balthasar, 1971
Divine love requires a prior, universal encounter that makes personal experience of God's love possible.
In simple terms: God’s love needs a prior universal encounter.
Key Takeaway
Seek the foundational encounter before personal divine love.
Themes
spirituality
theology
human experience
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- community worship
- interfaith dialogue
- spiritual formation
Key Concepts
archetype
possibility
divine love
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we recognize the universal encounter?
- What practices reveal this foundational experience?
A Different Perspective
The prior encounter may be abstract and hard to articulate.
