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Credo: Meditations on the Apostles' Creed
In the twelve months before his sudden death, Hans Urs von Balthasar had been writing a series of reflections on the twelve articles of the Apostles' Creed. These texts, which are undoubtedly among the last things he wrote, take on the character of a legacy, a spiritual testament. For they amount in their extraordinary compactness and depth to a little "summa" of his theology. What he had set out in detail in numerous books over five decades, he summarizes here in contemplative plainness and simplicity. All the characteristics that make von Balthasar's work so distinctive and valuable are to be found breadth of vision, loveliness of style, and an intuitive-contemporary passion that allows him to "pray intellectually and think 'cordially'." In his warm and extensive introduction to the book, Medard Kehl speaks of von Balthasar's "unclouded, almost childlike joy in the richness and beauty of the Mystery" of the threefold God, which "is evidenced in his interpretation of the creed."
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Hans Urs von Balthasar
389 books263 followersHans Urs von Balthasar was a Swiss theologian and priest who was nominated to be a cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is considered one of the most important theologians of the 20th century.
Born in Lucerne, Switzerland on 12 August 1905, he attended Stella Matutina (Jesuit school) in Feldkirch, Austria. He studied in Vienna, Berlin and Zurich, gaining a doctorate in German literature. He joined the Jesuits in 1929, and was ordained in 1936. He worked in Basel as a student chaplain. In 1950 he left the Jesuit order, feeling that God had called him to found a Secular Institute, a lay form of consecrated life that sought to work for the sanctification of the world especially from within. He joined the diocese of Chur. From the low point of being banned from teaching, his reputation eventually rose to the extent that John Paul II asked him to be a cardinal in 1988. However he died in his home in Basel on 26 June 1988, two days before the ceremony. Balthasar was interred in the Hofkirche cemetery in Lucern.
Along with Karl Rahner and Bernard Lonergan, Balthasar sought to offer an intellectual, faithful response to Western modernism. While Rahner offered a progressive, accommodating position on modernity and Lonergan worked out a philosophy of history that sought to critically appropriate modernity, Balthasar resisted the reductionism and human focus of modernity, wanting Christianity to challenge modern sensibilities.
Balthasar is very eclectic in his approach, sources, and interests and remains difficult to categorize. An example of his eclecticism was his long study and conversation with the influential Reformed Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, of whose work he wrote the first Catholic analysis and response. Although Balthasar's major points of analysis on Karl Barth's work have been disputed, his The Theology of Karl Barth: Exposition and Interpretation (1951) remains a classic work for its sensitivity and insight; Karl Barth himself agreed with its analysis of his own theological enterprise, calling it the best book on his own theology.
Balthasar's Theological Dramatic Theory has influenced the work of Raymund Schwager.
Born in Lucerne, Switzerland on 12 August 1905, he attended Stella Matutina (Jesuit school) in Feldkirch, Austria. He studied in Vienna, Berlin and Zurich, gaining a doctorate in German literature. He joined the Jesuits in 1929, and was ordained in 1936. He worked in Basel as a student chaplain. In 1950 he left the Jesuit order, feeling that God had called him to found a Secular Institute, a lay form of consecrated life that sought to work for the sanctification of the world especially from within. He joined the diocese of Chur. From the low point of being banned from teaching, his reputation eventually rose to the extent that John Paul II asked him to be a cardinal in 1988. However he died in his home in Basel on 26 June 1988, two days before the ceremony. Balthasar was interred in the Hofkirche cemetery in Lucern.
Along with Karl Rahner and Bernard Lonergan, Balthasar sought to offer an intellectual, faithful response to Western modernism. While Rahner offered a progressive, accommodating position on modernity and Lonergan worked out a philosophy of history that sought to critically appropriate modernity, Balthasar resisted the reductionism and human focus of modernity, wanting Christianity to challenge modern sensibilities.
Balthasar is very eclectic in his approach, sources, and interests and remains difficult to categorize. An example of his eclecticism was his long study and conversation with the influential Reformed Swiss theologian, Karl Barth, of whose work he wrote the first Catholic analysis and response. Although Balthasar's major points of analysis on Karl Barth's work have been disputed, his The Theology of Karl Barth: Exposition and Interpretation (1951) remains a classic work for its sensitivity and insight; Karl Barth himself agreed with its analysis of his own theological enterprise, calling it the best book on his own theology.
Balthasar's Theological Dramatic Theory has influenced the work of Raymund Schwager.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 29, 2018
Meditations on the Apostle's Creed that appear simple on the surface but (characteristically Balthasar) have a lot of depth, and are apt to stimulate thought as you take it in. "We never believe in principles, but rather, in a single reality, which unfolds itself to us, for us, and in us, and is at the same time our highest truth and deepest salvation."
August 17, 2020
Odd little book by the Catholic theologian Balthasar. Made worse by the dense and boring introduction. If you are interested in Balthasar this is probably not the book in which to start.
January 4, 2024
A wonderful little meditation. Nearly every line is pregnant with deep meaning. The doctrine of the Trinity ties everything together for Balthasar.
May 8, 2012
I was hoping this would serve as a nice introduction to Balthasar's seminal systematic studies in the same way that both Barth and Pannenburg's commentary on the Apostle's Creed can serve as a fine starting point for those beginning to study each man's contributions to critical theology. This is not that book. I suppose it could be for those with at least a tangential (e.g. me) understanding of the framework of Balthasar's Catholic theology.
But just because the book is not what I hoped for is no reason for me to dismiss it. Further, I should have been clued in by the sub-title "Meditations". More than anything, this is devotional literature from a giant of 20th century theology at the end of his life. It's peaceful, profound, and utterly disruptive to the protestant happy to cling to his security blanket of protestant ways.
But just because the book is not what I hoped for is no reason for me to dismiss it. Further, I should have been clued in by the sub-title "Meditations". More than anything, this is devotional literature from a giant of 20th century theology at the end of his life. It's peaceful, profound, and utterly disruptive to the protestant happy to cling to his security blanket of protestant ways.
October 5, 2020
Honestly, this is a brilliant little book. In 100 pages it explains the whole of the Creed through the context of love and mercy. While theologically orthodox (and I do not mean traditionalist, I just mean that the author holds to bodily resurrection and Virgin birth and such), the author makes it abundantly clear that whole purpose of the Creed is not intellectual assent, but to motivate the experience of loving God and neighbor.
April 1, 2019
This is, like all of Balthasar's devotional books I've read, a very beautiful book.
It's not too long and one of the final pieces that Balthasar composed before his death. In it, he offers a series of meditations, taking different parts of the Creed as his starting point. It's really powerful to see such a commonly said text really being investigated. What does it mean to say 'I believe' ('credo').
Two bits which have still stuck with me, a little after reading it, is the way in which Balthasar links our faith, and the faith we profess through the Creed, to the communion of the Trinity. Father-Son-Holy Spirit are intimately connected to the way we worship and practice our faith, which reminded me of Rublev's famous icon of the Trinity with a space in the middle for the gazer to immerse himself within that union. Balthasar offers the Son in his humanity as the key example of how we ought to relate to God the Father.
Another important element was the way in which Balthasar stresses the importance of 'the resurrection of the body' at a time when many in the German translation rendered it 'resurrection of the dead'. It was very powerful, and I think completely accurate, to stress this element of the Creed and the notion of an embodied soul, rather than a purely spiritual immaterial one.
I really recommend this, especially to anyone who is looking for some nice, not too heavy Lenten reading.
It's not too long and one of the final pieces that Balthasar composed before his death. In it, he offers a series of meditations, taking different parts of the Creed as his starting point. It's really powerful to see such a commonly said text really being investigated. What does it mean to say 'I believe' ('credo').
Two bits which have still stuck with me, a little after reading it, is the way in which Balthasar links our faith, and the faith we profess through the Creed, to the communion of the Trinity. Father-Son-Holy Spirit are intimately connected to the way we worship and practice our faith, which reminded me of Rublev's famous icon of the Trinity with a space in the middle for the gazer to immerse himself within that union. Balthasar offers the Son in his humanity as the key example of how we ought to relate to God the Father.
Another important element was the way in which Balthasar stresses the importance of 'the resurrection of the body' at a time when many in the German translation rendered it 'resurrection of the dead'. It was very powerful, and I think completely accurate, to stress this element of the Creed and the notion of an embodied soul, rather than a purely spiritual immaterial one.
I really recommend this, especially to anyone who is looking for some nice, not too heavy Lenten reading.
April 6, 2020
Good synthesis of Balthasar's thought
He moves seamlessly through the Apostle's Creed explaining and elucidating each point accompanied by numerous Biblical quotes supporting his explanations. This is a much easier, less detailed read than most of his works. That earned it the 5th star.
He moves seamlessly through the Apostle's Creed explaining and elucidating each point accompanied by numerous Biblical quotes supporting his explanations. This is a much easier, less detailed read than most of his works. That earned it the 5th star.
November 30, 2017
Great book. A little deep and hard to wade through in places. I had bought this thinking to use it with my youth group but I think it's way to deep, but might make a great study for my women's group.
July 14, 2016
Short review: This is a short compilation of twelve church newsletter articles about the 12 lines of the Apostles' Creed. This was written right at the end of von Balthasar's life. It is very readable and helpful, but probably not essential. There is nothing here that is really unique, but that should be true about teaching on the creed. Creedal teaching is supposed to be orthodox, not unique. Glad I read it, but it is a book I would suggest to look for at a used book store or library, not one to go out and buy specifically.
My full review review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/credo/
My full review review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/credo/
November 24, 2011
What I wrote right after I first read it: I read this for my college class on Contemporary World Theologies. The author goes through the Apostles' Creed phrase by phrase with keen insight. I'm glad I read it.
May 4, 2016
Surprisingly flimsy and uneven, especially compared to the depth and grandeur of his main works. Perhaps it is unfair to judge this book, given that it was probably never intended to be preserved. A few passages shimmer, but the book on the whole is not worth reading.
September 18, 2008
Solid, but it didn't present me with anything I have not already heard.
August 18, 2011
Used to prep a series on the creed. Too much ducking and diving.
September 25, 2014
It sparks thinking and the right kind of questioning of oneself and of God- and of what and how you believe.
May 4, 2016
It was a hard read but also very interesting. My favorite chapter was the one that focused on the forgiveness of sins. Favorite phrase: "A Christian does not know the word 'enemy.'"
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews