Participation and Kenosis: A List for Schindler

Metaphysics is dangerous, for it easily lapses into onto-theology, subordinating our God-talk into a philosophical project that eliminates mystery, or tries to, and in the process renders our God-talk religiously useless. This is not necessary if, with Aquinas, we do metaphysics as ancilla theologiae and don’t confuse fides quaerens intellectum with a demand for transparency. Schindler’s paper "What’s the Difference?" is evaluated from this perspective. It is questioned whether and why we need the principle he seeks; it is suggested that only theology and not metaphysics can provide it; and the hope is expressed that Schindler will expand his reflection on our participation in our own being to consider our participation in God’s being.