Balthasar:  Beauty, Goodness, Truth

Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth

By Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, TruthReligion & SpiritualityChristianitySpirituality
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Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth episodes

  • A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks pt. 2 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast

    Dr. Angela Franks, Ph.D.
     A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks – pt. 2

    With Dr. Angela Franks, we continue our discussion on the truth of the uniqueness of each person and the danger of the “-isms” of modernity to depersonalize and devalue humanity.   Among other things, Dr. Franks speaks on Balthasar’s understanding of authority which provides a gift of unity for the Church and its members, as well as the receptivity of the Marian assent and the power of the Cross which enters into our daily reality.  She also offers an insight on Balthasar’s stances’ on ecumenism and Biblical exegesis. How does the Christian interact in the body politic, is a question addressed, along with many others, in this conversation as well.

    Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.

    Find the paperback book here

    Find the e-book here

     

    From the book description:

    Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.

    Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful

    “In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today’s faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the’form’ of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole’: the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands’ of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history.”

    — Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword

    For more podcast episodes with Dr. Angela Franks discussing A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen – A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen Podcasts
    For Audio and Text Excerpts from A Short Primer for the Unsettled Laymen – Audio and Text Excerpts

     

    The post A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks pt. 2 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast appeared first on Balthasar.

    39 min
  • A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks pt. 1 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast

    Dr. Angela Franks, Ph.D.
     A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks – pt. 1

    With Dr. Angela Franks, we begin our discussion with an understanding of where we are today and why there is a crisis of identity.  She will discuss Balthasar’s emphasis on the importance of thinking with the Church and properly understanding Word, Sacrament, and Authority and his warnings concerning the corrosive effects of the “-isms” of our age.

    Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.

     

    Find the paperback book here

    Find the e-book here

     

    From the book description:

    Hans Urs von Balthasar addresses the critical issues that have been unsettling the Catholic laity since the Second Vatican Council. In a clear and readable manner, he focuses on the core elements of the faith: the Word of God; the life, death, and resurrection of Christ; the sacraments; the structure of the Church; and Mary.

    Speaking plainly about the polarization within the Catholic Church, he also discusses the various ideological trends—such as liberalism, progressivism, and traditionalism—that have undermined the confidence and the unity of the faithful

    “In this Primer, Balthasar addresses today’s faithful laity who feel that [the] solidity of the Church is shifting beneath their feet. He speaks to those who fear that the Church has done what she ought not to do: that she is in fact relaxing her demands in order to win favor, not from God, but from man. Into this situation Balthasar re-proposes the’form’ of Jesus Christ as revealed in his Church. This form is ‘only the whole’: the whole, concrete reality of Christ, conveyed within Catholic tradition. This form is ‘spun from three strands’ of Word, sacrament, and ecclesial authority. These three provide the Church with the ability to remain on course despite the winds blowing through history.”

    — Angela Franks, Ph.D., From the Foreword

    For more podcast episodes with Dr. Angela Franks discussing A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen – A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen Podcasts
    For Audio and Text Excerpts from A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen – Audio and Text Excerpts

     

    The post A Short Primer for Unsettled Laymen with Dr. Angela Franks pt. 1 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast appeared first on Balthasar.

    32 min
  • Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 5 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast

    Section 3 (continued)  – “Union” of Christian Meditation

    With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we continue our discussion on section 3 of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Christian Mediation.

    Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.

    Find the paperback book here

    Find the e-book here

    From the book description:

    While von Balthasar’s classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God’s revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.

    In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.

    “Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God’s sight.”

    – Hans Urs von Balthasar

    For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
    For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts

     

    The post Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 5 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast appeared first on Balthasar.

    23 min
  • Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 4 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast


    Section 3  – “Union” of Christian Meditation

    With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we discuss section 3 of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Christian Mediation.

    Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.

    Find the paperback book here

    Find the e-book here

    From the book description:

    While von Balthasar’s classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God’s revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.

    In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.

    “Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God’s sight.”

    – Hans Urs von Balthasar

    For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
    For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts

     

    The post Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 4 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast appeared first on Balthasar.

    28 min
  • Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 3 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast


    Section 2 (continued) – “Making the Meditation” of Christian Meditation

    With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we continue our discussion on section 2 of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Christian Mediation.

    Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.

    Find the paperback book here

    Find the e-book here

    From the book description:

    While von Balthasar’s classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God’s revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.

    In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.

    “Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God’s sight.”

    – Hans Urs von Balthasar

    For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
    For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts

     

    The post Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 3 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast appeared first on Balthasar.

    22 min
  • Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 2 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast


    Section 2 – “Making the Meditation” of Christian Meditation

    With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we discuss section 2 of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Christian Mediation.

    Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.

    Find the paperback book here

    Find the e-book here

    From the book description:

    While von Balthasar’s classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God’s revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.

    In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.

    “Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God’s sight.”

    – Hans Urs von Balthasar

    For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
    For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts

     

    The post Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 2 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast appeared first on Balthasar.

    30 min
  • Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 1 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast

    Dr. Anthony Lilles S.T.D.
    An Introduction to the Christian Meditation and the first section entitled  “The Mediating Word”

    With Dr. Anthony Lilles, we discuss the first section of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Christian Mediation.

    Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth is a series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic intellectuals and writers of the twentieth century.

    Find the paperback book here

    Find the e-book here

    From the book description:

    While von Balthasar’s classic Prayer is unparalleled in its development of the Trinitarian, Christological, Mariological and ecclesiological dimensions of prayer, Christian Meditation is a short, readable and eminently practical guide to that form of prayer which God’s revelation in Jesus Christ has made indispensable: meditation on the word of God revealing the inner depths of God to man and–since it comes from God made man–the inner depths of man to himself.

    In a treatment that is both fresh and profound, Balthasar describes the central elements of all Christian meditation, provides a guide for making the meditation and then points the way to the union that prayer achieves in the footsteps of Mary, within the Church and in and for the world.

    “Consequently, Christian meditation is entirely trinitarian and at the same time entirely human. In order to find God, no one need reject being human personally or socially, but in order to find God all must see the world and themselves in the Holy Spirit as they are in God’s sight.”

    – Hans Urs von Balthasar

    For more podcast episodes with Dr. Anthony Lilles discussing Christian Meditation – Christian Meditation Podcasts
    For Audio and Text Excerpts from Christian Meditation – Audio and Text Excerpts

     

    The post Christian Meditation with Dr. Anthony Lilles pt. 1 – “Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth” Podcast appeared first on Balthasar.

    39 min
  • Presence 1 – an excerpt from Christian Meditation

    An excerpt from the section entitled
    “Presence” from Christian Meditation by Hans Urs von Balthasar

     

    Literature is sparing in giving directions on how to meditate. Generally such directions omit the decisive middle part. They treat at length of the entrance to meditation and the various preparatory acts, and also of the end phase, where they deal with acquired and infused contemplation and their mutual limits. For “meditating” on the more abstract truths of faith there are the directives of the Spiritual Exercises. First we are to picture the object we are recalling and then let light shine on it with our intellect (but how this is supposed to be done is seldom explained), so that we can use our will to apply what we have found to our own conduct (Sp. Ex., 50). On taking a closer look, however, we see more than a mere preliminary step in the preparatory instruction for the “contemplation”, which tells us to place ourselves vividly in the scene to be contemplated. Rather, it is something that helps to determine the whole course of the meditation. We shall speak of that first.

    1. Presence

    Some aspects of this theme have already been mentioned, but now we shall proceed to the heart of the matter. When we meditate on a saying or scene of the Gospel, we do not meditate on a text but on him of whom the text treats and to whom it points: the person of Jesus Christ. This means more than what we have previously said—that the Spirit makes the scene present for us now after so many centuries. It means, rather, that by means of this text, Jesus Christ presents himself to us as present and turned to us in this articulate text by means of this very word spoken by him or through this miracle—not, therefore, merely on the basis of God’s omnipresence in general but of his presence concretized precisely in this word, this gesture or this way of acting. The movement from the written word before me, not to the Spirit but to the living Lord, seems to be difficult for many, although it is really very simple. I stand before my Lord, and he turns toward me personally. He himself is this turning-toward, inasmuch as he is the Word, the Word of the Father in all its human forms, whether speech or silence, jubilation in the Father or tears over Jerusalem, warning or consolation, a humble or a sovereign bearing. In every case, he is Word, and now he is Word just for me.

    Balthasar, Hans Urs von. Christian Meditation. Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

    The post Presence 1 – an excerpt from Christian Meditation appeared first on Balthasar.

    3 min
  • The Light of the Holy Spirit – an excerpt from Christian Meditation

    An excerpt from the section entitled
    “The Light of the Holy Spirit” from Christian Meditation by Hans Urs von Balthasar
    Here the close parallel between Word and sacrament makes itself felt. It would be wrong to attribute the Spirit’s work of making present solely to the sacraments and not also to the Word of the Gospel (which as we have seen, embraces the Lord’s deeds, sufferings and Resurrection as well as his words). Origen very strongly emphasized this in interpreting the texts in which the prophet Ezekiel and the seer of the Apocalypse are commanded to eat the Word (in the form of a scroll). This Father of the Church knows that “the Word is the true food of the spirit”, and “what could be more nourishing for the soul than the Word?” “Just as material bread is assumed into the nourished body and is transformed into its substance, so too the ‘living bread come down from heaven’—God’s Word—is assumed into the spirit and soul and imparts its own strength to anyone who offers himself to receive his food.”

    Balthasar, Hans Urs von. Christian Meditation. Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

    The post The Light of the Holy Spirit – an excerpt from Christian Meditation appeared first on Balthasar.

    2 min
  • Introduction to Meditation 2 – an excerpt from Christian Meditation

    An excerpt from the section entitled
    “Introduction to Meditation” from Christian Meditation by Hans Urs von Balthasar
    The silence required of the Christian is not fundamentally and primarily of human making. Rather, believers must realize that they already possess within themselves and at the same time in God the quiet, hidden “chamber” into which they are to enter (Mt 6:6) and in which they are with the Father. This is perhaps analogous to how the unsuspecting “little ones” have “angels in heaven who always see my heavenly Father’s face” (Mt 18:10). Our earthly cares and preoccupations are always on the lighter side of the scale, while the, other, which sinks and is just as much ours—our being in God—possesses an “unimaginable weight” in comparison (2 Cor 4:17). We need not first pave for ourselves an approach to God on our own; already and always “our life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). Accordingly, preparation for meditation does not first necessitate lengthy psychological adjustments but only a brief realization in faith of where our true center and emphasis permanently are. We seem to be far from God, but he is near us. We need not work our way up to him. Instead, our situation is like that described in the parable: “From a distance the father already saw him coming and was moved with pity. Running up to him, he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him” (Lk 15:20).

      Balthasar, Hans Urs von. Christian Meditation. Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

    The post Introduction to Meditation 2 – an excerpt from Christian Meditation appeared first on Balthasar.

    3 min

About Balthasar: Beauty, Goodness, Truth

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A series of conversations with noted theological scholars about the life and teachings of Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar who is considered to be one of the most important Catholic…