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Mysteries of Faith (New Church's Teaching Series)

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The Episcopal church in the twentieth century took advantage of the general availability of publishing to good advantage, compiling through several auspices different collections and teaching series, the latest of which was only completed a few years ago. There have been 'unofficial' collections of teaching texts, such as the Anglican Studies Series by Morehouse press, put out in the 1980s, as well as an earlier teaching series. However, each generation approaches things anew; the New Church Teaching Series, published by Cowley Publications (a company operated as part of the ministry of the Society of St. John the Evangelist - SSJE - one of the religious/monastic communities in the Episcopal church, based in the Boston area) is the most recent series, and in its thirteen volumes, explores in depth and breadth the theology, history, liturgy, ethics, mission and more of the modern Anglican vision in America.

This eighth volume, 'Mysteries of Faith' by Mark McIntosh, looks at various topics that one might find easily in either a systematic philosophical theology course, or in a course on spirituality and mysticism. Various topics in the text include Christology and Trinitarianism, Incarnation, Revelation, Creation, Eschatology and Sacramentality. These terms might seem off-putting and forbidding at the start, and indeed they can be very weighty issues, but McIntosh approaches them in an interesting fashion, looking at the most practical and applicable ways for these topics to impact life in community.

McIntosh states that theology is a sharing in the mystery of God's life. Some churches are suspicious of things that fall under the term 'theology', as if it has little connection with God or scripture, and little connection to anything real. McIntosh helps readers to discover that theology is something done (not merely 'thought about') by Christians all the time, often unawares. Theology should become a habit for us, McIntosh urges, something that we have (from the Latin habere) and something that is a condition of our lives (habitus). Theology is a method for forming a relationship with God and each other. McIntosh's text here reminds me of the statement made about one of my own systematic theology professors in seminary, Clark Williamson; one of his faculty colleagues described to a reluctant theology student that he was able to make theology more than a study, but a real spiritual practice. Exploring the mysteries here really helps this to come alive.

There is no standard theology in Anglicanism to which one must adhere; McIntosh treads lightly over various doctrines and historical issues, as likely to quote a poet or mystic as a more traditionally-termed theologian to help his points come across. This is less a guide of what to think as much as it is an introduction about how to think about crucial issues. How do we begin to know who and what God is? These are things that must be worked out in community, in faithfulness, in recognition both of the tensions of paradoxes and ambiguities, and the fact that this task is a never-ending one.

Mark McIntosh is an Episcopal priest in Chicago, who has also taught systematic theology and spirituality at a Catholic University, Loyola in Chicago. He has written on the topics of Christology and Mystical Spirituality.

Each of the texts is relatively short (only two of the volumes exceed 200 pages), the print and text of each easy to read, designed not for scholars but for the regular church-goer, but not condescending either - the authors operate on the assumption that the readers are genuinely interested in deepening their faith and practice. Each volume concludes with questions for use in discussion group settings, and with annotated lists of further readings recommended.

I found this in the Episcobal convent bookstore after hearing the nuns read in during dinner at our women's retreat. This book does seem to draw you into a divine presence and it felt like that as it was being read to us. McIntosh has a light style of writing that is both simple and profound. He brings complex ideas right into your heart with clarity and sincerity. For anyone who both wants to know more and to feed the faith already flowering, this is a wonderful way to continue the journey.

A good discussion on basics of Anglican theology - including the incarnation, faith and forgiveness, knowing God, knowing Christ, love and general Christology. The amazing component for me as a non-Anglican is that the Anglican tradition is so non-dogmatic that even the dogmatic theology is a balanced, open and "middle way" approach. A good primer to someone new to the Episcopal or Anglican tradition, to someone wanting to put a toe in the turbid waters of dogmatic theology, or to someone new to Christianity.

Mysteries Of Faith introduces the Christian doctrines of creation, revelation, incarnation, salvation, and eschatology -- all held together by the fundamental doctrine of the Trinity. Mark McIntosh (Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Chicago and associate professor of systematic theology and spirituality at Loyola University) explains the language of relationship and mutuality, friendship and family ties. His central theme is our relationship with Jesus and our relationship with our neighbors, maintaining that its this mutuality that lies at the core of every one of these doctrines. Mysteries Of Faith is an ideal introduction to exploring these essential concepts by drawing on our common experiences as members of a community of faith, especially as reflected through the sacraments of baptism and eucharist, to understand how we might live them in our daily lives. Mysteries Of Faith is highly recommended reading for all students of Christian doctrine and spirituality through an Anglican perspective.

"... the introduction of human nature into God's Kingdom realize the only true Exodus. This sacrifice, ... represents a sacrament, sacrament par excellence, the free gift to God, by Christ in His humanity, of the first fruits of creation, the fulfillment of that immense sacramental action, ..." Vladimir Lossky, (Orthodox Theology: An Introduction)



Mysterium fidei:
A Sacrament, or Mystery of faith is a Christian theological term for an article of faith or doctrine which defies man's ability to grasp mystical liturgy. It may also refer to the belief that while it could be understood, a deeper meaning can be insighted on meditating upon it. Some Christian beliefs which constitute a 'Mystery of Faith' are:
God's eternal existence (Eternal, without beginning or end)
The Trinity (Three Persons in One, One Godhead in three Persons)
The creation of the Universe Ex Nihilo (from nothing)
The Incarnation, a means of salvation

Mc'Mystery of faith:
In this volume of The New Church's Teaching Series, Mark McIntosh introduces the great mysteries of the Christian faith: church doctrines of (:teaching on) God, creation, revelation, the Trinity, incarnation, soteriology, and eschatology, all held theologically in tact through the Trinitarian manifestation of the Divine Godhead. McIntosh took the delicate task to expound these beliefs for American Episcopalians, and other Catholics and Protestants.
The central theme of the book is the sufficiency of the two first commandments, as Jesus Christ has taught (Matt 22:37-40), our love of our neighbor, as a result of, and a pretext to our obedient love for the Lord God. McIntosh's starts with a presumption that every one of us is, in a way, a lay theologian, since we are to approach the mysteries of faith in everyday's life, hopefully with attentive understanding and humble consideration. Christians, a community of faith, lean on their common faith as members of the mystical body of Christ through the sacraments, starting with baptism and continuing in the Eucharist. The Loyola professor leads us to explore these mysteries for ourselves and to see how we might live them in our daily lives. Fr McIntosh offers a highly readable and engaging interpretation of Christian doctrinal reflection.

A Theological Manual:
In the opening chapter, McIntosh presents his thesis of the relationship between church teachings (dogma) and mystical theology. Defining theology as Lex Orandi, Lex credendi, stating that, 'the struggle to put what has been understood in prayer into words' (pp. xi) he demonstrates that theology is a natural part of every Christian spiritual living, viewing each doctrinal issue as a path into the eternal mystery of God's life and our's in God. Any reader who views theology as abstract or irrelevant, should read McIntoch, "Let those who undervalue theology read it and then ask themselves if theology is either a soft option or an irrelevant pastime." R. P. C. Hanson

Trinitarian Centrality:
While the doctrine of the Trinity is the central theme of McIntosh's theological elaboration, he offers a lucent and compelling summary of the Nicene faith, as "the relationality of God is precisely who God is" (pp. 31). Following chapters on the mystery of creation, revelation, incarnation, salvation, and communion unfold the core of Trinitarian Belief. Since Cyril of Alexandria, Trinitarian thought has just recently enjoyed a revival since theology has proven its relevance to contemporary religious and social concerns.
It is of ecumenical value to quote Cardinal Kasper supporting McIntoch, "An ecclesiology devised under the influence of pneumatology according to the archetype of the Trinity leads us right to the heart of the large number of concrete issues affecting not only the Catholic Church but all churches. It tells us that these questions cannot be resolved through structural debates alone; rather they require a renewed ecumenical spirituality. ... Only the spiritual person grasps what the Spirit is (cf. 1 Cor. 2, 10-15). Spiritual ecumenism must be renewed; it alone is able to lad us out of the bottleneck in which we find ourselves."

Epilogue:
This review is intended to reflect the view of independent minded sacramental People, Orthodox and Catholics. I recommend this study, praising the New Church Teaching series, as a serious effort to fill some gaps in Christian theological treatments. Although the book introduces here 'Christology from Within,' he still came short on replying to 'Objections to the incarnation,' even with the help of J. H. Newman and A. Farrar. It is too late to defend or amend the outdated statement of Chalcedon. In the view of eminent Catholic theologians, "Chalcedon was a stumbling block and still is. In the fifth and sixth centuries the dogma split the Christian faith. It has even been said that present day theology has put Chalcedon in the dock." W. Kasper, Theology & the church

Qualified Review:
"I was surprised, ..., that the chapter on creation scarcely mentions God's interest in nonhuman nature, and that we get only a very general sketch of eschatological hope. ...For all its merit, McIntosh's volume does not present the faith of the Church so much as his own valuable yet quite particular perspectives as a representative of the radical orthodox movement in Anglicanism." Don H. Compier