Credo

by Père Hans Urs von Balthasar

In the twelve months before his sudden death, Hans Urs von Balthasar had been writing a series of reflections on the twelve articles of a 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 among in their extraordinary compactness and depth to a little "summa" of his theology. What he had set out in detail in numerous book 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 this interpretation of the creed."

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Catholic

121 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Christopher Blosser · Rating 3 out of 5]

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."

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[David Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little meditation. Nearly every line is pregnant with deep meaning. The doctrine of the Trinity ties everything together for Balthasar.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Daniel Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Gui Nabais Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Dan R Byrne Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Shasta · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Adam Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

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/

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Steven Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid, but it didn't present me with anything I have not already heard.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Used to prep a series on the creed. Too much ducking and diving.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It sparks thinking and the right kind of questioning of oneself and of God- and of what and how you believe.

[Rosy · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.'"