Balthasar in Light of Early Confucianism

“Balthasar in Light of Early Confucianism is unique in its comparison between Western Catholic Christology’s concept of Jesus’s Sonship, especially as developed by Balthasar, and the Confucian ideal of sonship. Academic theologians, specifically comparative or constructive theologians, and religious scholars will benefit from this project.” —Sunggu Yang, author of King’s Speech and Evangelical Pilgrims from the East

“In this highly original book, Joshua Brown approaches the dialogue between traditional Chinese culture and Christianity in a fresh way, showing how the ancient Confucian institution of filial piety can cast a surprisingly helpful light on Hans Urs von Balthasar’s central notion of the Son’s obedience to the Father. Balthasar in Light of Early Confucianism not only deepens our understanding of Confucius and Balthasar, but gives us a whole new way to think about what the ‘inculturation of faith’ could mean.” —D.C. Schindler, author of Freedom from Reality

"The book began as a doctoral dissertation but has become much more than that: a full-fledged, original treatise on intercultural and comparative theology. The main thesis is that the early Confucian concept of xiao or 'filial piety' has a unique potential to shed new light on the nature of Jesus Christ's obedience to God as Father." —Religious Studies Review

"Recent years have seen a fortunate surge in contributions to Confucian-Christian comparison. Joshua Brown’s Balthasar in Light of Early Confucianism stands tall among them. Brown matches rigorous methodology with original insights. ...as accessible as it is scholarly." —Reading Religion