Jean Danielou's theology of history

Many outstanding thinkers who had a decisive influence on the development of Catholic theology in the 20th century were concerned with the theology of history (H. de Lubac, H.-I. Marrou, H.U. von Balthazar, K. Rahner, L. Bouyer, and others). A significant role among them belongs to Jean Danielou (1905-1974), whose theology of history is based on the idea that two key themes of the Old Testament were unified in Jesus Christ: of the great deeds of God and of the fruits that the people of God shall bear by fulfilling the commandments. Concerning the relationship of the sacred and profane history of the world, he proceeds from the understanding of the continuity of the actions of God and the synegria (cooperation) of a human being in the economy of salvation at all its stages. Due to it the biblical history is perceived as an internal content and a hermeneutic key to the history of mankind before and after Christ. The paradox of the Christian understanding of history after the Incarnation lies in the conjugation of its already completed final fulfillment and its further continuing development. Danielou’s interpretation of world history is based on such concepts as cosmic symbolism, sacramental synergy and biblical typology. Noting the aspiration of history towards the final accomplishment, he also comes to the idea that the economy of the covenants concluded with Noah and with Moses can serve as a theological basis for the dialogue of Christianity with non-Christian religions.