I recently finished Robert Barron and John Allen's book To Light a Fire on the Earth. This book is part memoir of Barron's life and part nuts and bolts for 21st century evangelism. Originally from Chicago, Barron is a Catholic priest, an auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Los Angeles, and the founder of Word on Fire, a media ministry Barron uses to promote Catholic thought and teaching. Barron reviews tv shows, events, and books, he teaches on certain topics, and occasionally gets interviewed or invited to speak (Facebook and Google have invited him to give presentations at some of their organizational gatherings). Barron is someone who strikes the fine balance of being both intelligent and accessible.
Barron has a PhD in theology and helped me understand some of the lay of the land when it comes to recent Catholic theologians, connecting them to what would be some of their Protestant counterparts. [Warning: The next few sentences are for theology nerds]. Barron spends some time talking about two theologians in particular: German Jesuit Karl Rahner, who is like a Catholic Friedrich Schleiermacher or Paul Tillich, and Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, who is like a Catholic Karl Barth. Barron identifies with Balthasar over Rahner, and styles himself as "postliberal," which he is quick to say doesn't necessarily mean antiliberal. Rather, he thinks making too much of our experience can thin out what God has revealed about himself and how that might shape our experience.
While Barron covers many topics, the idea that struck me most is Barron's encouragement for the church to give more emphasis to beauty in its evangelistic task. Something beautiful seizes the one who beholds it, it moves them, inspires them. It can lead someone to ask: What leads to this beautiful work, or this beautiful life, or this beautiful act? This invites them to love and cherish that which is sublime, and helps them learn about the beliefs and actions that give rise to beauty. It paves the way for more thoughtful and receptive conversations around truth. It also is an impetus for sharing with others. If we find a band's music majestic, we'll share it. If we think a certain sport is awe-inspiring, we'll talk about it. We share with others with the things we find beautiful.
I wish Barron would've addressed how our sense for wonder can be marred by sin and corruption, so that we find attractive and appealing things that in fact are not fully beautiful, but only deceptively so. He also gives separate definitions for beauty and goodness. In my view, much of the meaning of those two words in Christian vocabulary overlap as to be almost synonymous. Still, he makes an interesting case that warrants some thought.
What is beautiful about the church? Of course, Jesus is the center of beauty in the church. When the church looks like Jesus, many will find him beautiful. When we serve others like Jesus, his beauty is put on display. When we are faithful in prayer, Jesus' beauty is made known in mysterious ways. When we do our jobs well, Jesus' beauty is glimpsed. When we show God's love to our families, Jesus' beauty is revealed. When we make great music and art, tell great stories, forgive others, act as peacemakers, overcome great obstacles, are generous, are kind... Jesus' beauty and the beauty of the church community are put on display.
His words are a reminder to me that beauty matters, and that God speaks to us through both the head and heart.
Where do you see God's beauty? How do you think beauty should shape the church?
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