Robert Barron, And Now I See

Prof's Opinion

Barron tends to appeal to students in the visual arts, literature, theater, and so on because of the way he relies on literature as his theological source material. At the same time, his use of technical language can be demanding. He is also writing to a largely Catholic audience, though he doesn't just use Catholic sources. He is an excellent theologian and a Catholic 'rock star', worth learning from. He reinforces the material on imago dei and sin/depravity and supplies material on God's attributes that isn't treated much in class. I find part two's material on the dialectical nature of God especially brilliant.

Student Reviews (basically unedited)

Bishop Robert Barron explores various Christian theological concepts under an overarching thesis that Christianity is a source of human transformation. To do such examination, Barron divides his book into three sections. In “The Riven Self”, in part by addressing the doctrine of original sin, Barron argues that human nature is not only separated from God, but separated from itself. Because of this, Barron thus concludes that there is a human necessity for a mediator (Jesus Christ) who can draw them back to not only ourselves, but to God more importantly. In “The Uncanny God”, Barron appeals to the nature of God and His love to provide a renewed understanding of His character, renewed in light of humanity being separate and other from Him. In doing this, Barron asserts the that the human transformation from “a mind of fear” to “a mind of trust” is due to the character of God and His “playful, strange, unpredictable, and relentless” love. In “The Healing”, Barron offers Jesus Christ as the result of this love, and therefore as the only mediator and only avenue that can reveal the “True God” previously discussed. To affirm this, Barron pushes that Christ is a reconciling healer who draws humanity back into communion with ourselves and with God. Using great literary witnesses ranging from William Faulkner to Flannery O’Connor, Barron illuminates on the notion that “there is something profoundly the matter with us”, and that, because of this, we are blind to ourselves and therefore God. In response, this book pushes that conviction that it is only though Jesus Christ that we are able to finally see. This book invites those of Christian and non-Christian backgrounds to transition from “blindness and fear” to “freedom and vision through Christ”.

Barron’s And Now I See is a work whose thesis is exactly as its title suggests: to show how theology results in metanoia, or the transformation of the pulsilla anima (small soul) to the magna anima (great soul). The work discusses this transformation by analyzing who we are in the presence of God, who the Divine Nature is, and how Jesus Christ brings about the reconciliation of the Divine and human. It utilizes a variety of sources for its analysis, including Dante’s Divine Comedy, The Doctrine of Original Sin, William Faulkner, Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, and Flannery O’Connor, among many others. The writing is deep, fluid, and lyrical, impressing and captivating one’s imagination.[2]It takes biblical stories and events, such as the Fall in the Garden of Eden and Christ’s Crucifixion, and presents them in such a way that one connects with the characters, feels what they feel, and sees these events with truly new sight. By reading this one should expect to gain a greater understanding of the state of sin in human nature, and a deeper understanding of who God is.[3]One does not have to be a theologian to read this book. However, as the book assumes a previous exposure to the ideas of the Christian faith, a basic understanding of the Christian faith may be helpful. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language is fairly difficult. That said, it is an invigorating, thought-provoking work that I would recommend to anyone looking for a fresh lens to view the Christian faith.

This book is split into three parts: us, God, and God’s relationship with us. The first part explored the dichotomy of who we are, both good and bad. To paraphrase from the book, there is something very wrong with us but there is also something undeniably good about us. Barron does a great job of showing the hope we have for soul change (metanoia) and also making sure we know that we can’t accomplish it alone. Part two might have been the part I enjoyed the most. It focused on who God is and how describing him with a measure of accurateness can actually change us. His descriptions of God using two complimentary adjectives was insightful. I think this book is best suited for those who have kind of lost hope in humanity and people who feel like they can’t see God. I really enjoyed this book.

Barron describes how it is possible to move from the self-absorbed ego that cowers in fear to a greater soul that trusts in the Lord- the pulsa anima to the magna anima. He begins with the “The Riven Self”- the consequences, origins, persistence, and remedy to our innately sinful nature. Though initially startling his audience with a wealth of Latin phrases and academic language, his use of external sources to create familiar images and constant returning to his main thesis simplifies even the most complex ideas. Barron’s entire thesis can be summed up through the Divine Comedy- Dante faced all the ugliness of sin first before ever reaching Heaven. After diagnosing humanity’s soul-sickness, Barron discusses the need of “soul-doctoring”. In our fallenness, we long to be filled up by the purest source of beauty, God. Following detailed and logical reasoning, Barron transitions to marveling at the “Uncanny God”. God is both uncreated Being and relentless Love, self-sufficient and faithful, Lord over all creation and Lord under all creation. To understand these names, Barron retells captivating anecdotes, folktales, and common Bible stories. In places where the reader struggles to understand at first, Barron considers his non-theologen audience. In the same way, he continues to entice us with the humility of God in the final section called, “The Healing”. Finally, he describes how “having shown us the way, having opened up a new humanity, Jesus compels us to follow him”(235). Jesus is the remedy to the sick ego. If you are willing to push through dense language to only be relieved when everything is made clear... if you long to learn more about yourself, God, and the fulfillment and change he will make in your life… if you enjoy underlining eloquent insites….I emphatically recommend this book for you.

Barron embarks on a journey through literature, theology, and contemporary examples to demonstrate the metanoia, “going beyond our mind,” to experience the transformative power of Christ. Barron takes readers through the story of the fall, emphasizing humanity’s inability to hide from the overwhelming presence of God, and the Lordliness and lowliness of Christ that pursues us. Barron’s most dominant theme is the power of Christ that is present everywhere, in our stories and buildings and deepest desires. In facing the cross, we find the heart of God and unlock true metanoia, a perspective on the world that is aware of Christ’s connectedness to his creation, as both God and man. For someone who is feeling stuck in their own perspective and is searching for a better way, Barron’s book can be an insightful look into our own perspectives and blind spots that keep us from seeing the imago dei, the image of God. Expect to be challenged, as Barron uses examples that may not be familiar and language that is difficult to understand at times, but delving into the nature of the transformative power of Christ is surely worth working through the material in order to understand. Because Barron is a Catholic bishop, the book may not be best suited for those of the Protestant tradition who are unwilling to be challenged or read a different perspective. For those who are willing to examine their own ways of seeing, reading this book will be a fruitful endeavor in discovering the heart of God.

And Now I See describes humans, God, and the ways in which our relationship changes us.  Barron uses a variety of sources to describe each category, including classic literature, biblical sources, church historical records, and Christian scholarly writings, in the effort to change the reader’s way of seeing themselves, God, and the relationship in between. Although Barron is obviously a well read and well researched author, he makes his ideas accessible to the average Christian, no matter their level of theological training. Barron redefines and reframes Christian beliefs and worldviews in a descriptive yet matter of fact manner. He presents his ideas in a simplified way, while also allowing adequate room for the reader to ruminate on the concepts personally. Barron discusses the importance of correct theology all with an intentionally witty and humorous voice. He does a good job of explaining the basics of Christian theology with a level of additional depth that is both appropriate for someone who is new to the faith and for someone who is well acquainted with Christian beliefs and behaviors and is looking for something to increase the depth and maturity of their faith.

Father Robert Barron sets out to examine the theology of transformation in his book, And Now I See. He examines lives, stories, inspirations, and images found in church history as well as human history and uncovers the need and desire for transformation within every human heart. He addresses the broken state of humanity, our sickness, our bondage to sin and the fact that we are unable to help ourselves. Yet, the image of God can be found within us all. What we need is metanoia, a true transformation from fearfulness to lasting trust. Only then can we be healed, can the eyes of our soul be opened. Jesus is the only way this transformation can take place; only he has the power to heal the sick and open the eyes of the blind. Barron explores Jesus’ lordship and the theology of his salvation through the Bible as well as a variety of sources. He desires for the Christian church to reflect on Christ’s transforming power in order for our own faith to be transformed today. He strongly believes that if the image of God was restored within us all through Jesus a spiritual fire would be lit for all the world to see.

In And Now I See Barron attempts to get Christians to see through a more Christian lens in order to be able to live as God wants us to.  Barron teaches that everyone must look into their own soul before they will be able to change how they live.  He says that when the original sin happened it was after Adam and Even unsuccessfully tried to be independent from God and then tried to hide from Him.  People now try to be independent from God, but Barron says you cannot hide from Him.  He says that sin is something we need to be saved from rather than just a weakness to overcome, and we cannot be saved from sin without living with God.  Barron indicates that humans have been separated from God through sin and to become closer to Him we need to see that we have something wrong with us and then allow God to work in us.  This book is very accessible, relatable, and interesting.  It is a good book for people who want advice on living as a Christian, for someone who thinks that they are living dispassionately or not fully as God would want them to, or who feel like sin is weighing heavily on them.  This book is working on altering ways of thinking and acting, so this book may be frustrating for people especially set in their ways, stubborn, or impatient, yet it could still be a beneficial read.

Robert Barron’s And Now I See seeks to convey the transformative effect that a relationship with Jesus Christ has with one’s outlook. Robert Barron is a bishop within the Catholic Church, and primarily writes to Catholics. As such, I would tend to recommend this book more towards someone of a Catholic background, and less so of a Protestant background. I will also warn that there are a great deal of references to classical, and modern literature, and that someone with a background in literature would have an easier time with this book than someone without one. Rather than seek to constrain the books point within my own interpretation, I will instead use Barron’s introduction, stating that “We will attempt to read the teachings of great literary, spiritual, and theological figures ‘metanoetically,’ that is to say extensions of the healing energy contained in Jesus Christ.” (Barron-19) Barron spends a great deal of time on literary figures from Dante, to Faulkner, and even Bob Dylan. He goes into the teachings of several spiritual figures, some such as St. Thomas Aquinas I have heard of, others, such as Thomas Merton, I have not. (These people may be more familiar to someone of a catholic background.) There is also a great deal of analysis of theological figures and their writings.

When thinking of And Now I See two specific words come to mind: metanoia and seeing.  Father Barron describes Christianity as a way of seeing, and by seeing the world through a Christian lens then metanoia (soul transformation) can occur in our lives.  He weaves the theme of seeing and metanoia throughout his book, but this is no small task as the chapters are diverse.  By taking a look at Schleiermacher, Dante, Origen, Thomas Aquinas, Flannery O’Connor, and many more examples Father Barron challenges his readers to view the world as Christ would have.  Despite drawing ideas and theological concepts from famous figures from the past, Father Barron provides a refreshing and informative view on theology. The hope is that from this new way of seeing our hearts, minds, and souls can be transformed into Christ-likeness.  Practically speaking, Despite common views about difficulty, I personally thought And Now I See was a simple read and easy to understand, but most importantly it is truly transformative.  Just as the blind man washed his eyes in the Pool of Siloam as Jesus commanded and when he opened his eyes he said, “All I know is I was blind, and now I see,” in the same fashion any reader with an open heart and mind will say the same after reading this book by Father Barron.

While I initially read it expecting to feel indifferent, I was surprised with what it brought to the table. It was a theological analysis and history lesson in one. From what I perceived, Robert Barron thought the best way to explain different aspects of Christianity required an understanding of the gray area that surrounded it. My favorite part of this book was its discussion of “the psychologically and culturally complex scapegoating of Jews in Christian Europe and of blacks in [the Gerasenes demoniac].” Although I enjoyed certain stories in this book, it became a task to follow everything that was happening. The diction alone hurt my head to process at certain points. I would recommend for someone who is not necessarily interested in this class or theology in general to stay away from this choice. I felt like this book required a deep analysis. Before choosing this book for the course I would say keep in mind And Now I See calls for full attention throughout the chapter. For me, losing focus for one minute meant I had to reread a few pages to fully understand the context of a section.

Robert Barron’s And Now I See is refreshing in its approach to Christianity. Many people today view their faith as a private matter that they contemplate Sunday morning (if at all), and then return to the rest of their lives. Barron’s book offers a Christianity so powerful, impactful, and all-encompassing that it comes off the page and takes over every aspect of life. His primary focus is on “metanoia”, or a change in perspective that alters the way one views their reality*. He also places a large emphasis on the shedding of the “pusilla anima”, or small soul, in favor of embracing the paradoxical magnitude and humility of God. He preaches that there is still good in humanity and in the world, and the good life is a pursuit of God as we wait for Christ’s return. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels fatigued or tired in their faith, as they will be refreshed by a message that will not easily grow stale. One critique is that Barron spends a significant amount of time drawing analogies between various literary works and his vision of Christianity. Though he does take the time to summarize the works, these sections are more effective if one is familiar with the works beforehand. Still, it is helpful to be shown God in such a wide range of sources, as this bolsters his idea of an all-encompassing faith. Barron writes with a thoughtful, personal, and appropriately playful tone that makes the reader feel they are sitting down with an old friend, and his message of hope and life deserves to be heard by all who are willing.

And Now I See, by Robert Barron is an introduction into theological thinking and walks through three parts of thought. The first part looks into humanity and the need to draw back to God. The second part of the book focuses on a different understanding of God and how people have distanced themselves from God. The last part reveals how Jesus comes in a reconciles the relationship between God and humanity. Each of the sections are dense with references to theologians to help make the point. I think that the constant discussing of the lives and teachings of other minds made each section difficult to follow. I had a hard time distinguishing between the thoughts of Barron and the thoughts of the people he is trying to include. I also felt like Barron tried too hard to include as many teachings as he could. I was overwhelmed by the amount of information in each chapter and personally didn’t have enough time to process what I was supposed to be getting out of the chapters. Overall, I think that this book is very insightful, and I want to read it again when I have the time to really understand the themes. I would recommend taking notes and allowing time to process when reading this book.

Barron’s And Now I See was extremely insightful and encouraging when looking at transformation. While reading this book, I would dwell on Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, perfect, and pleasing will.” Barron breaks the book into two chapters: one focused on the self and other focused on God. He reminds is that God cannot transform unless our hearts are in the right place to be transformed. We have to be willing to participate in his transformation of anything is supposed to happen. While is jargon was often difficult to follow, after reading through a few times, the book made more sense and was very insightful. The way he pulled in examples and characters from pivotal points in history and legend made it easier to understand, because I could relate it more or at least understand given the historical contexts. I especially enjoyed chapter four in the first part. In this chapter, he unpacked the life of Thomas Merton who, as a monk, dedicated his time to transforming his own life and showing other the sacredness of their lives in Christ. Merton realizes that as a monk, though it seems he is set a part because of his dedication to holiness, he can go out and help others see that they can achieve that as well. I would say that unless you are prepared to be challenged and transformed, this book is an excellent encouragement to see the places where you are on the “right” track and give you examples of people that may have travelled the same path that you are on. For people not ready for this, maybe don’t go into thinking that it will change your life, but don’t look at it closed off to not being transformed. Just go in willing to receive and see.