Credo Meditations on the Apostles' Creed

by Balthasar, Hans Urs von

• ISBN13: 9780898708035
• ISBN10: 0898708036
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Ignatius Press

Summary

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 here: 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."

Author Biography

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905–1988) was a Swiss theologian widely regarded as one of the greatest theologians and spiritual writers of modern times. Named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, he died shortly before being formally inducted into the College of Cardinals. He wrote over one hundred books, including Prayer, Heart of the World, Mary for Today, Love Alone Is Credible, Mysterium Paschale and his major multi-volume theological works: The Glory of the Lord, Theo-Drama and Theo-Logic.

Table of Contents

Introduction	7	(20)
Medard Kehl
THE APOSTLES' CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty	27	(8)
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord	35	(8)
Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary	43	(6)
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, died and was buried, descended into hell	49	(6)
The third day arose again from the dead	55	(6)
Ascended into heaven, He sits at the right hand of God Almighty	61	(6)
From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead	67	(6)
I believe in the Holy Spirit	73	(8)
I believe in the holy, catholic Church, the communion of saints	81	(6)
The forgiveness of sins	87	(6)
The resurrection of the body	93	(6)
And life everlasting. Amen	99	(6)
Prayer for the Spirit	105