Meaning: The quote "St. Paul would say to the philosophers that God created man so that he would seek the Divine, try to attain the Divine. That is why all pre-Christian philosophy is theological at its summit" by Hans Urs von Balthasar, a Swiss Catholic theologian, encapsulates a profound insight into the relationship between human existence, philosophy, and the pursuit of the divine. Balthasar's statement invites reflection on the intrinsic human inclination towards seeking and attaining the divine, as well as the theological underpinnings of pre-Christian philosophy.

Balthasar's reference to St. Paul, a key figure in the development of Christian theology, serves as a foundational basis for understanding the quote. In the New Testament, St. Paul's teachings emphasize the innate human longing for the divine and the belief that God created humanity with an inherent desire to seek and connect with the divine. This theological perspective forms the backdrop for Balthasar's assertion regarding the purpose of human creation and the subsequent philosophical implications.

The quote suggests that the fundamental purpose of human existence, as understood through a theological lens, is to seek and strive to attain the divine. This implies that the quest for the divine is an essential aspect of human nature, transcending cultural and historical contexts. Balthasar's assertion aligns with various religious and philosophical traditions that emphasize the human yearning for transcendence and ultimate meaning.

Furthermore, Balthasar's reference to pre-Christian philosophy being "theological at its summit" underscores the interconnectedness of philosophy and theology in the pursuit of understanding the divine. In the ancient world, many philosophical traditions grappled with fundamental questions about the nature of existence, the cosmos, and the divine. From the Stoics and Platonists to the Epicureans and Neoplatonists, pre-Christian philosophers engaged in profound reflections on the transcendent and sought to articulate a comprehensive understanding of the divine.

Balthasar's assertion implies that pre-Christian philosophy, at its highest expressions, inevitably converges with theological inquiries, reflecting a shared concern for grappling with the ultimate questions of existence. This aligns with the notion that philosophy, in its original sense, encompassed a wide range of inquiries that included metaphysical, ethical, and theological dimensions. The quest to comprehend the divine and humanity's relationship to it was a central theme that permeated the works of pre-Christian philosophers.

In contemporary discourse, Balthasar's quote prompts consideration of the enduring relevance of the human search for the divine and the enduring interplay between philosophy and theology. It invites reflection on the ways in which diverse philosophical traditions have grappled with the transcendent and sought to illuminate the human quest for meaning and purpose.

In conclusion, Hans Urs von Balthasar's quote offers a thought-provoking insight into the intrinsic human inclination to seek and attain the divine, as well as the theological dimensions of pre-Christian philosophy. By invoking St. Paul and highlighting the theological underpinnings of human existence, Balthasar's assertion underscores the enduring significance of the human quest for the divine and the interconnectedness of philosophy and theology in addressing fundamental existential questions. This quote serves as a poignant reminder of the perennial pursuit of the divine that has animated human thought and inquiry across civilizations and epochs.