Kristologi Transendental Karl Rahner: Jebakan Mitologi dan Relevansinya dalam Menghadapi Tantangan Dunia Kontemporer

Abstract

The accelerating wave of modernization has contributed to the erosion of Christian faith in Jesus Christ in today’s world. The classical Christological formulation of the Council of Chalcedon, which affirms Jesus Christ as truly God and truly human, has historically failed to give sufficient emphasis to the human nature of Christ, resulting in a faith understanding that often falls into mythological interpretation and loses relevance to modern human experience. The problem becomes apparent when this doctrinal formulation is confronted with the existential condition of contemporary humanity, which is critical of myth and demands a more reflective and experiential approach. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing library research with a descriptive–analytical method (Creswell, 2016), to conduct an in-depth examination of Karl Rahner’s works. Data were collected through the analysis of Rahner’s primary texts and relevant theological literature, and were interpreted using a theological hermeneutical model proposed by Lonergan (1972) to synthesize theological insights pertinent to contemporary faith contexts. The findings show that through his transcendental anthropological method, Rahner developed a transcendental Christology grounded in human experience as a being endowed with supernatural existence and a fundamental orientation toward God. This approach opens a new path for understanding Jesus Christ more existentially and contextually without departing from the Church’s traditional faith. Thus, this article offers a theological contribution toward renewing Christological understanding that bridges the Chalcedonian heritage with the dynamics of faith in the modern era.