Hans Urs von Balthasar; Explorations in Theology
"If he, as the One finally come, is the complete, definitive fulfillment, he is also, as a living person, the progressive, continual fulfillment. And since he is both of these in one, and always remains such, the possibility ensues of there being scripture even after him, though of a quite difference character."
"And although Jesus made his life as man the compendium of scriptures, and realized in himself all its promises of eternal life (Jn 5:39-40), still there can be a scripture subsequent to him; and this fact is proof that the fulfillment of the Father's decrees does not imply annihilation; that Jesus' fulfillment is not a conclusion (as in human affairs) but rather a new opening (as always with God); that he makes fulfillment issue in a new promise so as to remain at all times what he is, namely, the One who ever and again fulfills beyond expectations." (Page 13-14)
"Neither the pre-Christian nor the Christian conception of history claimed to solve the problem of the inner meaning and movement of history through a consideration of the course of events. The only "solution" achieved in this manner was through a reduction of the real metaphysical questions to a superficial, arid pattern of historical "progress". This pattern in turn CAN BE MADE TO SERVE AS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE ONLY BY MISCONCEIVING, INDEED DEPRECIATING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF THE HUMAN PERSON AND THE WHOLE PHILOSOPHY OF MAN. A philosophy of history which DOES NOT TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE "MYSTERY" OF MEANING, BUT WHICH OFFERS A FINAL SOLUTION, A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF THE BEGINNING AND END OF HISTORY, IS RIDICULOUS FROM THE OUTSET, just as any philosophy is that claims to be able to define being and existence." (Page 28)
