How Does Rahner Define God?

Question 1 (i).

According to Elizabeth Johnson in what sorts of ways does Rahner describe God?

Rahner describes God as ‘incomprehensible’(Johnson 2008, p.38). We as human beings are limited in knowledge and hence we will never be able to fully comprehend God in its entirety. Human beings are unable to fathom how complex God is as we cannot exceed our limited realm of knowledge. Rahner (2008, p.36) states that God ‘escapes all categories’. God cannot be defined as just one thing and therefore cannot be categorised. Humans prefer all things to fit into a class and for everything to have a rightful place.

Rahner also describes God as a ‘Holy Mystery’(Johnson 2008, p.35). A mystery suggests unanswered questions and a certain curiosity. Rahner (2008, p.36) states that ‘we will never reach the end of exploring, having figured it all out’. We will never have all of the answers to our questions simply because no one knows the whole truth about God. Our own limitations prevent us from understanding the entire reality of God.

Question 1 (ii).
Summarise the reading.

This reading highlights Rahner’s quest for answers to a popular question, what is God? In the beginning Rahner focuses on humans innate curiosity. ‘The human spirit is characterized by an unrestricted drive
toward the truth’ (Johnson 2008, p.33). People want to know every answer to every question. God has made humans free and has given all human beings free will, therefore we are free to ask limitless questions. Humans can question the fabrication of God forever but answers are more scarce which only enhances our curiosity.

Rahner is not trying to prove that God exists because that would be an impossible task.
‘Rahner is trying to relocate the question of God’ (Johnson 2008, p.35). He is not looking for the answer to what God is, but is instead turning his attention to human nature. Why do human beings have an endless yearning for answers? Johnson claims that Rahner accepts that God is beyond our understanding. He does not seek the answers but instead takes comfort in the belief that God is always there. ‘Don’t tell me of Your Infinity – just say that You love me, just tell me of Your Goodness to me’ (Johnson 2008, p.39). Even without answers, many people have an acceptance that whatever God is, he is always
there.

Towards the end of the reading ‘created grace’ and ‘uncreated grace’ are discussed (Johnson 2008 p.41). Both are seen and interpreted as gifts from God. Rahner states that the greatest gift from God is love. God is always close to offer security, love or just someone to talk to. Rahner says that ‘the offer is not thereby revoked’ (Johnson 2008, p.42). God never takes away this offer of closeness even if you are angry or bitter towards God. The offer stands forever as God is infinite. ‘The Giver himself is the Gift’ (Johnson 2008, p.42). Here, Rahner states that the love and security we receive from god is not the gift, instead God is the actual gift because God is all of those things. At the beginning Rahner questioned what is God but is now understood that God is everything, God is love.

Bibliography
(Johnson, A. (2008) Quest for the Living God, London: Continuum)