God Ahead of Us: The Story of Divine Grace
Pope Francis has stated that his own vocation as a Christian came to him as an awareness that “God is ahead of us,” that God thinks about us and looks after us before we even realize it. This is the essence of grace, a love story that begins with God. The present book is an introduction and exploration of that story—of the Christian life as not about humans looking for God but God seeking us out.
The story that unfolds demonstrates that grace is not something secondary or superficial but primary and constitutive, from crucial beginnings in election and creation to the divine actions of justification and renewal, fostering a life of virtue and obedience. Within this context, the book explores the issues of the relationship of grace and freedom, the dynamics of justification, the true meaning of merit, life as a son or daughter of God, the action of the Holy Spirit, the sacraments and the Church, the role of the ascetical life, and the eschatological horizon of the life of grace. In an accessible account, the author narrates the doctrine of grace as directed toward and explained by the fact that God has destined humans to spend eternity in communion with the Triune creator.
The story that unfolds demonstrates that grace is not something secondary or superficial but primary and constitutive, from crucial beginnings in election and creation to the divine actions of justification and renewal, fostering a life of virtue and obedience. Within this context, the book explores the issues of the relationship of grace and freedom, the dynamics of justification, the true meaning of merit, life as a son or daughter of God, the action of the Holy Spirit, the sacraments and the Church, the role of the ascetical life, and the eschatological horizon of the life of grace. In an accessible account, the author narrates the doctrine of grace as directed toward and explained by the fact that God has destined humans to spend eternity in communion with the Triune creator.
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781451483147
- eBook ISBN 9781451489743
- Pages 128
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Publication Date December 1, 2014
Contents
Contents:
Introduction
1. God’s Plan of Grace and the Predestination of Humanity in Christ
2. Christian Vocation and the Universal Call to Holiness
3. The Justification of the Sinner and the Need for Grace
4. The Christian, Child of God in the Spirit
5. The Transformation of the Human Creature by Grace
6. The Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity
7. Divine Grace and Free Human Response
8. The Fullness and Ultimate Meaning of Divine Grace: Glory and the Blessed Virgin
Introduction
1. God’s Plan of Grace and the Predestination of Humanity in Christ
2. Christian Vocation and the Universal Call to Holiness
3. The Justification of the Sinner and the Need for Grace
4. The Christian, Child of God in the Spirit
5. The Transformation of the Human Creature by Grace
6. The Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity
7. Divine Grace and Free Human Response
8. The Fullness and Ultimate Meaning of Divine Grace: Glory and the Blessed Virgin
Endorsements
"God Ahead of Us is an extended meditation on what is too incredible for too many of us: God infinitely loves us into being, beckoning us to an eternal friendship with Himself. Readers may well experience that final footfall of Francis Thompson’s 'Hound of Heaven': 'All which thy child’s mistake fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home: Rise, clasp My hand, and come. . . . Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest, I am He whom thou seekest! Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me.'"
—Matthew Lamb
Ave Maria University
"This book is astonishing—at once a clear biblical-theological meditation and an ecumenical breakthrough. Its thesis is simple enough for anyone to grasp: God is in search of us long before we think to search for God. O'Callaghan examines this in a way that is theologically profound, yet accessible to ordinary Christians. This book will delight anyone who wants to be on the receiving end of God's grace."
—Scott Hahn
Franciscan University of Steubenville and Mundelein Seminary
“Pope Francis has asked every Christian to give witness to their faith with a personal synthesis that speaks from the heart. O'Callaghan give us exactly that—his own synthesis, focusing on the reality of God’s grace— that draws broadly and deeply upon a wide range of Christian voices throughout history.”
—Dennis M. Doyle
University of Dayton
—Matthew Lamb
Ave Maria University
"This book is astonishing—at once a clear biblical-theological meditation and an ecumenical breakthrough. Its thesis is simple enough for anyone to grasp: God is in search of us long before we think to search for God. O'Callaghan examines this in a way that is theologically profound, yet accessible to ordinary Christians. This book will delight anyone who wants to be on the receiving end of God's grace."
—Scott Hahn
Franciscan University of Steubenville and Mundelein Seminary
“Pope Francis has asked every Christian to give witness to their faith with a personal synthesis that speaks from the heart. O'Callaghan give us exactly that—his own synthesis, focusing on the reality of God’s grace— that draws broadly and deeply upon a wide range of Christian voices throughout history.”
—Dennis M. Doyle
University of Dayton