Divine Teaching

Mark A. McIntosh is Professor of Systematic Theology and Spirituality at Loyola University, Chicago, where he has taught undergraduates and doctoral students for fifteen years. His publications include Christology from Within: Spirituality and the Incarnation in Hans Urs von Balthasar (1996), Mystical Theology: The Integrity of Spirituality and Theology (Blackwell, 1998), Mysteries of Faith (2000), and Discernment and Truth (2004). A priest in the Episcopal Church, he has served as canon theologian to the Presiding Bishop and Primate.

"There are so many strengths to the book, many of which I've tried to point out. Chief among them is that this book is all about how we might actually learn about God from God, in our inmost being, not as bits of true information, but as an abiding light that will illuminate all other seeing and knowing." (Theophiliacs, 8 July 2011) "Textbooks should only be written by genuine teachers who truly love their students. Mark McIntosh is clearly such a teacher." (Modern Theology, April 2010)“Astonishing in its combination of scope, acuity, and accessibility. In short, truly magisterial: this book is in all ways the product of a master theologian working at the top of his game.”Charles T. Mathewes, University of Virginia“Mark McIntosh has earned a justifiable reputation for his deeply passionate and highly literate books on Christian theology. This work adds further proof that his excellent reputation is warranted. I can think of no better guide for anyone interested in how theologians go about their task as well as why that task is both a rigorous intellectual discipline and a liberating adventure of the heart.”Lawrence S. Cunningham, University of Notre Dame“With its refreshingly original approach, this book offers an attractive and reliable introduction to newcomers to the subject as well as plenty to provoke old hands.”Fergus Kerr, University of Edinburgh“To be commended for its refreshing approach and inclusive perspective, and should be a welcome read for theological novices as well as veterans.”Anglican Theological Review

• Preface ixPart I Becoming a Theologian 11 How God Makes Theologians 3Astonishment and Theological Virtue 3Resurrection to Pentecost: Where Christian Theology Begins 7But Can You Study Theology without Having to Believe? 132 Strange Calling: Theologians as Adventurers, Pirates, Mystics, and Sages 16Adventure: Continuing Conversion of the Theologian 16Piracy: Thinking Analogically 18Mystical Life: Interpreting Reality in Terms of God 22Wisdom: Thinking by Means of God’s Thoughts 273 Divine Teaching and Christian Beliefs 31Theology’s Weakness and Wisdom’s Parting Gift 32Sacred Teaching: The Nature and Function of Christian Beliefs 35Visions of the Whole: Origen, Aquinas, and Barth 40How Not to Believe: The Dangers of Fantasy and Fanaticism 46Part II Theology’s Search for Understanding 554 Salvation: The Foundation of Christian Theology 57Orientation 57Why Start with Salvation? 57Salvation as the Basis for Christian Theology 59Identifying Different Approaches to the Mystery of Salvation 655 Salvation: Meeting Heaven Face to Face 79Landmarks 79Irenaeus: Salvation and New Creation 80Brief Interlude: A Crucial Difficulty in Soteriology 86Augustine and God’s Justice 87Anselm and the Divine Order 91Pathfinding 94On the Death of Christ: Orthodox, Feminist, and Girardian Concerns 94Salvation and the Paschal Mystery 996 Divine Life: Trinity, Incarnation, and the Breathing of the Spirit 111Orientation 111Sheer Bliss: Why God Reveals Divine Life to be the Trinity 111Forgiveness and Abundance: Origins of Trinitarian Awareness 114The Life of the Incarnate Word and the Power of the Spirit 117The Developing Principles of Trinitarian Theology 119Landmarks 138Augustine on the Mysterious Attraction of the Trinity 139Karl Barth on the God Who Loves in Freedom 159Pathfinding 167Questions in Trinitarian Theology Today 167The Trinity and Mystical Participation in God 1757 Creaturely Life: A Journey towards Beatitude 179Orientation 179Death No Longer Has Dominion: Creation’s Path in the Light of Easter 180Creation – Revelation – Sacrament 188Human Life – Ecclesial Life – Beatitude 199Landmarks 204Thomas Aquinas on Creation: “A Representation of the Divine Wisdom” 204Blaise Pascal on Human Existence 210Pathfinding 217Two Disputed Questions 217The Human Calling in Creation 222Notes 229Bibliography 241Index 249