Decapitated Church: Exploring the Peter Is Debate
I vividly remember when I was 10 years old, eagerly looking forward to high Mass at Old St. Mary’s Church in San Francisco. Sunday mornings meant singing the Credo with the choir at 10:00 am, and I would belt it out proudly from the balcony, even though I didn’t understand Latin back then. Fast forward 10 years later, and I had picked up some Latin, but never really thought about the significance of the word “in” in the phrase “credo in unum Deum.” It wasn’t until I delved into Henri de Lubac’s book, “The Christian Faith,” about the Apostles’ Creed that I truly understood its importance.
De Lubac’s book is a deep dive into the Apostles’ Creed, presenting it as a baptismal profession of faith in the Trinity. The act of “believing in” proclaims a real and personal relationship with each Person of the Trinity. It’s a public declaration of faith that unites believers with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a dynamic communion. Belief “in” is a bond that can only exist with a person, not with any other concept or idea. De Lubac explains that this unique relationship with the Persons of the Trinity sets them apart from other aspects of faith like the Church or eternal life. Our connection to the Church and other effects of the Trinity are a result of our belief in the Trinity, not a mirror of it.
This brings to mind a recent conversation I had about charismatic leadership and its connection to the original inspiration behind an organization. The “charism” of a group, whether secular or Catholic, is embedded in its foundational ideals and mission, usually articulated in documents like mission statements. Altering this core vision signifies a fundamental shift in the organization’s purpose, much like changing the Declaration of Independence would redefine the essence of the United States.
Take, for example, the Guardian Angels, a commendable organization founded by Curtis Sliwa to combat crime in New York City. Over the years, the group has evolved to include various programs beyond its initial focus on street patrols and citizen’s arrests. However, if a significant change were proposed, like prioritizing property protection over personal safety, it could alter the group’s entire mission. Members who align with the original vision are crucial to the organization’s essence, as they pledge to uphold its values and objectives.
In the Catholic Church, we also speak of the charism of founders, but with a different connotation. To join a religious order like the Carmelites, it’s not just about sharing the existing vision; it’s about discerning a personal calling to live out the charism bestowed by God. This deep spiritual connection goes beyond organizational alignment and reflects a commitment to embodying the founder’s divine inspiration.
In essence, understanding the distinction between belief “in” and belief “of” sheds light on the profound relationship we have with the Trinity and how our faith manifests in our actions and affiliations. Whether it’s embracing a founder’s charism or living out the creed, our beliefs shape our interactions and define our spiritual journey.
