The Saints - Four Stages of Grace

Trail-Blazers tried to answer the question, "How do we prevail in a world hostile to the Gospel?" It was a period (up to about 699) of expansion. This describes those who were first to spread the faith emboldened by the Holy Spirit. These include the Twelve Apostles, the early martyrs, the apologists, the desert Father and Mothers, and the Ascetics.

Discerning Spirits tried to answer the question, "How do we live the gospel faith fully?" It was a period (about 700 - 1499) of contraction. The withdrawal of Christianity into Europe signaled the need to "get down the business of following Christ". Teachers, mystics and founders of religious orders followed the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to live out the Christian calling in an organized way. They continued the process of discerning what it means to be a disciple in their respective cultures and geographic areas. During this time the split of the Church into East and West took place.

Reformers tired to answer the question, "What shall we do when there is disagreement?" It was period (about 1500 - 1899) of missionary effort and expansion. It coincides with the growth of the Christian faith outside of Europe because of an historic explosion of travel and exploration. It was the time of Euro-imperialism, the discovery of the Americas and the dawning of a new understanding of the world through scientific progress. It was also a time of questioning of the faith and of demand for reform.

In some instances reform was needed to address corruption and infidelity to the Founder's visions and the gospel of Jesus, and also to respond to social changes and new moral questions. Out of these reforms values were rescued, reaffirmed or articulated in a new way. The following innovations, and others, had their origins in the Christian ethos that was born; religious tolerance, human rights, and the valuation of a universal call to holiness. All of these were important themes in the Second Vatican Council.

Creative Spirits answered the question, "how best can we hope and imagine salvation despite sin in the world?" This is the period (about 1900 onward) in which we are now living. It describes a time marked by rapid social and technological change, world wars and other conflicts, turbulent political strife and social transformation. There is a global spread of Christianity. Missions are going out from almost every country on earth. Visionary men and women have been called by the Spirit to answer the Christian calling in this changing landscape. Peace-makers, visionaries and boundary crossers have arisen, and their creative spirit has enabled the faith to grow. It is also a time during which non-Western religions have become more widely known and practiced across cultures.