And Now I See: A Theology of Transformation

by Robert Barron

This book is about coming to vision through Christ.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy

280 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Bishop Robert Emmet Barron is an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian. He is the former Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago and also is the founder of Word On Fire (www.WordOnFire.org).

Bishop Barron is the creator and host of CATHOLICISM, a groundbreaking ten-part documentary series and study program about the Catholic faith. He is a passionate student of art, architecture, music and history, which he calls upon throughout his global travels in the making of the documentary.

Word On Fire programs are broadcast regularly on WGN America, Relevant Radio, CatholicTV, EWTN, the popular Word on Fire YouTube Channel, and the Word on Fire website, which offers daily blogs, articles, commentaries, and over ten years of weekly sermon podcasts. In 2010, Father Barron was the first priest to have a national show on a secular television network since the 1950s.

Fr. Barron received his Masters Degree in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC in 1982 and his doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Institut Catholique in 1992. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1986 and has been a professor of systematic theology at the nation's largest Catholic seminary, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary since 1992. He was visiting professor at the University of Notre Dame in 2002 and at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in 2007. He was also twice scholar in residence at the Pontifical North American College at the Vatican.

In addition, Fr. Barron lectures extensively in the United States and abroad. Cardinal Francis George calls Fr. Barron “one of the Church’s best messengers.

Fr. Barron was baptized at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago and grew up at St. John of the Cross parish in Western Springs, Illinois.
WordOnFire.org - Fr. Barron's website launched in 1999 and currently draws over 1 million visitors a year from every continent. Fr. Barron posts weekly video clips, commentaries and radio sermons and offers an audio archive of over 500 homilies. Podcasts of his sermons are widely used by tens of thousands of visitors each month.
TV - EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network) and CatholicTV broadcasts Fr. Barron's DVDs to a worldwide audience of over 150 million people.

Radio - Since 1999, Fr. Barron's weekly Word on Fire program has been broadcast in Chicago (WGN) and throughout the country (Relevant Radio - 950 AM Chicago) to 28 million listeners in 17 states. Fr. Barron also is a regular commentator on the "Busted Halo Show" on the Sirius satellite radio network based in New York.

DVDs - Fr. Barron's DVDs are used as powerful faith formation tools in universities, schools, churches and homes around the country. The series includes Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues; Faith Clips; Conversion: Following the Call of Christ; and Untold Blessing: Three Paths to Holiness.

YouTube - With over 180 online video commentaries by Fr. Barron, over 1 million viewers worldwide have made him the most popular of any evangelist on YouTube. These frequent, high-quality productions include brief and lively theological reviews of contemporary culture, including movies such as No Country for Old Men, Apocalypto, and The Departed, a three-part critical review of Christopher Hitchen's book God is Not Great, The Discovery Channel's The Jesus Tomb, the HBO series "The Sopranos", "Rome" and more.

Missions - MISSION CHICAGO features evangelization lectures by Fr. Barron at the behest of Cardinal George. These special missions and presentations throughout the Archdiocese are centered in downtown Chicago and attract business, civic, and cultural leaders.
Books - His numerous books and essays serve as critical educational and inspirational tools for seminarians, priests, parishioners and young people worldwide. His published works are also central to the numerous retreats, workshop and talks that h

Reviews

[Sam Eccleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book: engaging throughout, well-written and full of insightful and profound Biblical Exegesis; this is a must read for any Christian, and would be helpful for the engaged non-believer too. Barron's explication of often subtle doctrines and opaque scriptural passages adds a depth to this work which is very often absent in popular apologetics. This is the kind of work which combines deep spiritual insight with scholarship, and expresses both in unpretentious language which is nevertheless as conceptually rich and precise as the subject matter demands.

[Peter Spung · Rating 4 out of 5]

During Lent in our family, it is tradition to give up something daily that we cherish to recall the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. The late Fr Colin McKenna, our parish priest, suggested we also add something each Lent in order to nourish our soul spiritually during this season of renewal. Reading this book was my chosen nourishment for this Lenten season.

In this learned and gestalt tour of Christianity through the eyes of a diverse group of remarkable thinkers, ministers, poets, artists and ministers, Fr Robert Barron takes us on a journey from darkness to light, by encouraging us to see things differently. This is exactly what Jesus encourages us to do -- to go beyond the mind that we have through metanoia, or soul transformation.

"The Kingdom of God is spread out on earth, but people do not see it.", He said.

Minds, eyes, ears, senses, perceptions -- all have to be opened, turn around, and revitalized. Metanoia -- and seeing by virtue of a soul transformation -- is Jesus' first recommendation during his earthly ministry, and is the theme and course of this book. Starting with sin and evil and continuing on a journey to love and light, Fr Barron shows us what metanoia means, and what Jesus recommended. It is the transformation from the terrified and self-regarding small soul, to the confident, trusting, and soaring great soul. The seeing of the Kingdom, in short, is not for the pusillanimous, but for the magnanimous.

This book is very densely packed with wisdom and insight. The chapter on the Beatitudes, Jesus' magnum opus during his earthly ministry, is worth every moment spent reading it. It is especially mind opening given the special lens of metanoia Fr. Barron puts on it. At times the book was a challenge for me to unpack. Except for a couple of formal religion classes in school, I've not read a lot of theology. However the illustrations of the new way of seeing through metanoia are very artfully crafted, explanatory, and inspiring. Fr Robert Barron takes us on a journey with poets, writers, artists, saints and philosophers to illustrate how to move from blindness and fear, to freedom and vision through Christ. My soul was nourished and eyes opened through reading this book. And Now I See . . .

[Mark Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an "easy" read, but an excellent one. One of the best theology books I've read. The author combines insights from Catholic Councils, Protestant theologians, literature greats, philosophers, psychologists and others to make a compelling case for spiritual/Christian transformation.
The Catholic Church is not my faith community, but (at least in my estimation), the author doesn't come across "dogmatically" or rigidly, but engages the reader in a sort of journey, ending with the work of Christ, which I found very rewarding. Would recommend this book to anyone serious about their Christian walk.

[Doug Schreiber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, I love Bishop Barron's books, but I struggled with this one! I honestly do not have any idea what point he was trying to make. Barron rambled from one idea to the other and didn't bring them together He seemed more obsessed with using grammatical structure and words to challenge the intellect than he was interested in making a clear point. So what is "the theology of transformation?" I hve no idea.

[Regan Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Barron's illuminating explanations on the transformation of the "pusilla anima" to the "magna anima" were spell binding. I read this book because I'm a huge fan of Word on Fire, but I was unprepared for the depth of Fr. Barron's knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy and the Doctors of the Church. The man is a genius and Im deeply grateful for his work.

[Christopher Huang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book infinitely insightful, relating human experience as illustrated throughout literature ("the lies that tell the truth") to our relationship with the Eternal. I certainly feel much richer for having shared in Fr Barron's (Bishop Barron now) perspectives.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not surprised, but rather amazed by Bishop Barrons work of spiritual theology. In this work, it is centered around *metanoia* — the Christian call to conversion or “change of mind/heart” that transforms how we see ourselves, God, and the world. Other important Latin terms include the *pusilla anima*, *magna anima*, *imago dei*.

The book is broken into three parts:

1. The Riven Self: Explores human brokenness, fear, original sin, and the *imago dei*
2. The Uncanny God: Examines Gods surprising, non-grasping nature (serenity, creativity, faithfulness, lordliness, lowliness, and love)
3. The Healing: Focuses on Jesus as judge, paradigm of new humanity, and revealer of true God.

What I love most about the book, is the sources Barron draws from. The central biblical story is from (John 9:1-41), “all I know is I was blind, and now I can see.”

Other biblical anchors or sources from the book include:
- Dontes Divine Comedy (especially Inferno): Dante’s journey into hell, depicts the soul lost in ugliness, fear, and self entrapment—the *pusilla anima* in its disordered state. The *Comedy* as a whole models *metanoia*: descent into sin, purgation, and ascent to vision of God.
- Doctrine of Original Sin (Council of Trent): Formalizes the “originating sin” of the Garden as a hereditary would affecting all of humanity, not just personal acts. It deepens the diagnosis of fear and mistrust.
- Thomas Merton, “The Mind of Trust”, Merton’s Autobiography (The Seven Storey Mountain): illustrate the shift from worldly ego to contemplative trust in God.
- Hans Urs Van Balthasar, Freidrich Schleiermacher, and Paul Tillich, explore the *imago dei*: In its fullness (glory) and emptiness (distortion by sin). They help show how fear empties the soul while divine encounter fills it.
- William Faulkner: “No grasping, no hiding” Barron draws on Faulkner’s stories, *Go Down, Moses* such as “The Bear” to illustrate God’s non-competitive, non-grasping reality. In contrast to the fearful human hiding and clutching (bringing weapon and compass to seek out “The Bear”) also (echoing the Garden), God invites trust without rivalry.
- Gods attributes, strengthened by Aquinas, patristic writers, moderns like Balthasar: serenity/creativity, self-sufficiency/faithfulness, lordliness/lowliness (kenosis/humility), and love as God’s deepest name.
- Flannery O’Connor: “Jesus as the judge.” Reveals human brokenness and the intrusive, judging-yet-gracious action of God. Christs judgment that heals by exposing sin and offering new life. Shows Jesus not as a mild moralist, but one who disrupts and saves.
- Jesus as Paradigm of New Humanity: Centered on Sermon on the Mount as a lived icon of the transformed life (non-violence as provocative resistance).
- Jesus as Revealer of the True God: Draws on incarnation (Christmas), Chalcedonian Christology (fully divine/fully human), and the significance of the Cross.

I really liked the Latin used: *metanoia, pusilla anima, magna anima, imago dei, ordo*

*Metanoia*: (Discussed above)

*Pusilla anima*: “Small soul.” The cramped, fearful, self-absorbed human condition before (or apart from) deep conversion. Marked by anxiety, limited vision, egotism, and spiritual blindness, where one sees only through the narrow lens of personal desires and threats.

*Magna anima*: “Great soul.” The enlarged, liberated soul after *metanoia*. Humble yet expansive, trusting God’s love, open to paradox (God’s greatness in humility), and capable of a broader, more generous vision of existence.

*Imago dei*: The inherent divine image and likeness stamped on every human person at the deepest level of being. This “soul-doctoring” involves uncovering, nurturing, and living out this *imago dei*—our spiritual capacity to imitate God, participate in divine love, and realize our mission. It balances the doctrine of original sin: we are not hopelessly perverse, nor self-divinized, but fundamentally oriented toward God and lovable because of this image.

*Ordo*: “order” or “right order” Barron refers to this term in a transformational lens: Reordering one’s desires, vision, and life away from disordered self-centeredness (*pusilla anima*) toward harmonious participation in God’s creative and redemptive order.

Fantastic book.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, quick read from Bishop Robert Barron (although written earlier in his career). The writing itself was a little clunky in a few places and the book didn't present any new ideas, rather a collection and simplification of many ideas in the tradition, but it was a great introduction for a beginner like me. It was also interesting to see many of the themes that his apostolate, Word on Fire, follows were presented here very early.

[Tess Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it took me a while to finish, this book was refreshing for me to read. To just reflect on myself and on God and on Christ.

And when you get to a certain section at the end — you get the sense that every other page was preparation for those words: This is what Barron has really been wanting to tell us and show us. This is the heart of transformation in Christ.

[Lindsey H Hulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theologically rich, and infused with both scriptural and literary references throughout. This work gave me new perspective on the life and mission of Christ, and a new understanding of the Trinity. I was moved to tears several times. I will be revisiting it again and again.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bishop Barron’s greatest work. Life changing book. He has a way of making the most complex theological doctrines simple and understandable for those wishing “to see.”

[Thomas R. Hrdlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another construct-changing book from Barron. This, along with "The Priority of Christ" and "The Strangest Way," make for the Barron intellectual trilogy. Read all three.

[Bev Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much insight. It fills me with meaning and understanding

[Grace Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard a lot of the themes of this book in videos and other writings of Bishop Barron. He describes Christianity as a way of seeing and that we are trying to move towards a magnanimous vision of Christ, ourselves, and the world.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is my kind of approach to theology and spirituality. It is very conceptual and philosophical. It grapples with binaries, mysteries, and paradoxes. It prods critical thinking and questioning. If you are looking for easy, feel-good spiritual pablum, you won't find it. Not that there isn't a positive, exuberant, and even joyful Christian message there (it's there); but you have to dig deep and think hard to unpack and feel it. And for all that it is very persuasive and coherent, although I didn't find it completely convincing. It's a wonderful read for those who want a deeper, cerebral, philosophical explication of the transformative aspect of Christianity in human spirituality. I didn't give it five stars because I found it at times to be contradictory and maybe a bit too repetitive on certain points. But I love the inclusion of references to Dante, Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and other cases in the development of his argument. As I said earlier, I am not completely convinced by his argument, and some of my fundamental questions remain about issues such as the power of God, the omniscience of God, the human condition in relation to the Divine will; but his book has, indeed, opened my eyes even more to these issues and has really given me a lot of thoughtful ideas to chew on. My own thoughts and doubts are clearer in my mind because of having read this, and this is great because it helps me to move forward in continuing to think more clearly about the issues it raises.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good summary of Christianity. I found the consistent and constant references to "metanoia" and the "magna anima" throughout the book helped tie all the concepts together very neatly and concisely.

[David Selsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic. Bishop Barron is a national treasure. I've read several of Bishop Barron's books and have listened to hours of his "Word on Fire" podcast. He is incredibly eloquent, poetic, yet forceful in his evangelization. I strongly recommend this book. It's one of his best.

[Zak · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much more heady book than The Strangest Way, but still wonderful. I learned so much about God's beauty. I consistently use terms from this book to define people in my life.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book changed me a lot. If you are serious about your faith, you have to read this book.

Fr. Barron is one the Catholic Church's greatest speakers and writers.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this text! Barron writes beautifully, something I wouldn't naturally expect from a book on theology. A very impassioning book on Christianity.

[Daniel Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I have to say Father Barron is one of the all time greats, right up there with Fulton Sheen and my favorite, John Paul II.

[Matt Maples · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting dive into many different theological pools related to Jesus. I really enjoyed this book, but be ware, it’s not for the faint of heart.