A renewal of pastoral theology is required to address the growing disconnect between the proclamation of the way of Jesus Christ and the lives of contemporary believers. Pastoral ministers need to explore a dimension of the truth called performatory truth. This dimension inspires life-construction. It must glean from the revelation what faith does to believers, for believers, and in believers--the functions of faith. Upon reflection on performatory truth and the functions of faith, this work experiments with the propositions of the Nicene Creed to find a life-constructing dimension. How does belief in one God help define human relations? How does the Incarnation help value the human? How does Father Almighty bring believers to a Christian form of power and authority? What does it mean when the Lord calls believers to take up the cross? How can one imagine life in the Father, in Son, in the Holy Spirit, in the church? This reconnection of the Christian truth with contemporary life will assist preachers and teachers and inspire believers to live the Lord's way even in these strange times.

Robert E. Schmitz is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. During his forty years of active ministry, he had been the archdiocesan planning director. He also pastored three parishes. He has an MA in systematic theology from Mount Saint Mary's Seminary and School of Theology. He also has a MPhil and a PhD in the sociology of religion from Columbia University in the City of New York.