A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I Am a Missional, Evangelical, Post/Protestant, Liberal/Conservative, Mystical/Poetic, Biblical, Charismatic/Contemplative, Fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Green, Incarnational, Depressed-yet-Hopeful, Emergent, Unfinished CHRISTIAN

Average customer rating:

Share the ambivalence

Ungenerous Hypocrisy

Generous? I think so

Generous indeed

This book proves only one thing

A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I Am a Missional, Evangelical, Post/Protestant, Liberal/Conservative, Mystical/Poetic, Biblical, Charismatic/Contemplative, Fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Green, Incarnational, Depressed-yet-Hopeful, Emergent, Unfinished CHRISTIAN
Brian D. McLaren
Manufacturer: Zondervan/Youth Specialties
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Faith | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Secret Message of Jesus: Uncovering the Truth that Could Change Everything

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

The Last Word and the Word after That: A Tale of Faith, Doubt, and a New Kind of Christianity

Adventures in Missing the Point: How the Culture-Controlled Church Neutered the Gospel

ASIN: 0310257476

Book Description

By celebrating strengths of many traditions in the church (and beyond), this book will seek to communicate a “generous orthodoxy.”

Customer Reviews:

Share the ambivalence.......2007-09-28

The one thing I most appreciate about this book is how clearly MacLaren shares his own ambivalence and his own internal struggle over theological issues. His candor is something not always seen in members of the clergy, much less in people who are publishing about their faith.

If you don't like long, convoluted sentence structure (see Faulkner here), you'll likely have trouble taking much away from this book. I think it's unfortunate that his writing style does manage to make his ideas so much less accessible for some people.

Ungenerous Hypocrisy .......2007-08-30

McLaren takes aim mostly at the Evangelical culture and Lord knows we need to get smacked down, but what he fails to understand is how dogmatic, prideful and just plain wrong his spiritually enlightened comrades are on many counts. Case in point is his fawning over environmentalists while he takes hypocritical fundamentalists to task for using scare tactics. I've worked on an environmental issue for four years and daily witness unbelievable slander and misinformation being spread by the leading green groups who use junk science and emotion to lie. This is precisely what McLaren accuses overzealous evangelicals of doing and of course there's some truth to that charge. But the fact that he self righteously hails his environmentalist friends as noble and heroic exposes the weakness of this book, and McLaren's lack of credibility in general.

Generous? I think so.......2007-08-12

After reading this book as well as the reviews that were written here, this book appears to be a big mirror held up for the reader. Those who take themselves too seriously (you'll read many reviews by these folks), those who have built up a large, rule-based "religion", and watch-dog alarmists will not like what they read/see. Those who can take something simply for what it is (not what they want it to be), are open minded yet Biblically ground, and don't mind reading a book that will challenge some of their doctrinal and cultural biases, will thoroughly enjoy this book.
The reason I only gave it 4 stars was because some of the disclaimers in the book got a little old...although after reading the reviews here I can see why he needed to add them. The style of writing is very light...but occasionally almost too light.
In general, I thought this was a great book to sit down with other Christians and discuss and McLaren has some great thoughts on the church and it's direction.

Generous indeed.......2007-07-22

I bought this book because I am really interested in becoming more conversant in the new "emergent" or "open" theology. I suppose that McLaren does a good job of representing the prevailing emergent views, from what I have read in other places. But although his theology is "generous", one wonders how seriously it should be taken. It strikes me as a throw-back to the Jesus movement in the 60's, when people said, "all I need is Jesus". Well, isn't Jesus all we need in 2007? It's a kind of unanswerable question. Of course all we need is Jesus. Of course Jesus was generous and loving. Of course God's arms extend wider than the church is comfortable in admitting. But should we throw out the last two millennia of theology and buy something that we have "missed" until the last 10 years? I think not. This new theology is shallow, and a hair-breadth from Universalistic.

I find McLaren's book to be thought provoking and perhaps a kind of correction to some of modern evangelicalism. But this book, written by an admitted non-theologian with little theological training, must be taken with a grain of salt, at least. He is terribly prone to overgeneralizations, setting up "straw men", and misrepresentations of views other than his own. And his definition of "post modernity" and the resulting disdain for "modernity" is troubling. And is this book biblical? I should have started the review with that question... No, it is not. McLaren does little more than proof-text.

My enthusiastic advice: Do not read this book without some sort of balance or counterpoint readily at hand. D.A. Carson's book, "Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church" is a must read if you are going to read McLaren's works!

This book proves only one thing.......2007-06-19

The title of this book and the writing within proves only one thing: that Mr. McLaren is not a 'true' Christian in any sense of the word. One cannot have the Holy Spirit residing within and believe that their is any way to God other than Jesus. Also, unless Mr. McLaren repents and receives the One who died and shed His blood for him, he will discover that their really is a literal hell, something he states that he does not believe in. All true Christians must pray for this man who is being used by our enemy to deceive many.

Average customer rating:

Why popes need the Church and vice versa
Very moving, yet deeply wrongheaded, book
An objective account written in honesty and love.
What being a Catholic really means
Wills' Take On Catholic History

Why I Am a Catholic
Garry Wills
Manufacturer: Mariner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Religious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0618380485

Book Description

In this provocative work, which could not be timelier, Garry Wills, one of our country's most noted writers and historians, offers a powerful statement of his Catholic faith. Beginning with a reflection on his early experience of that faith as a child and later as a Jesuit seminarian, Wills reveals the importance of Catholicism in his own life. He goes on to challenge, in clear and forceful terms, the claim that criticism or reform of the papacy is an assault on the faith itself. For Wills, a Catholic can be both loyal and critical, a loving child who stays with his father even if the parent is wrong. Wills turns outward from his personal experiences to present a sweeping narrative covering two thousand years of church history, revealing that the papacy, far from being an unchanging institution, has been transformed dramatically over the millennia -- and can be reimagined in the future. At a time when the church faces one of its most difficult crises, Garry Wills offers an important and compelling entre into the discussion of the church's past -- and its future. Intellectually brisk and spiritually moving, Why I Am a Catholic poses urgent questions for Catholic and non-Catholic readers alike.

Customer Reviews:

Why popes need the Church and vice versa.......2007-05-09

Garry Wills is a paradox. He viciously attacks some of his Church's most public teachings, harshly questions the competence and motives of its leadership and challenges its image of itself. He is also madly in love with it, appreciating it for what it has managed to retain of its mission and calling. He is liberal and old-fashioned - a pre-Vatican-II-born Catholic who wields a pen-sword of truth in one hand, a rosary in the other and knows how to use both.

"Why I Am a Catholic" is Wills's response to the criticism he received from some quarters about his previous book, "Papal Sins." Many (including this reviewer) saw that book as an attack on celibacy, priesthood and the papacy. Not so, says Wills. A more careful reading would have shown it to be an attack was on the "structures of deceit" that the Church has built into itself. These structures defend celibacy, for instance, by knowingly twisting the meaning of scripture to fit pre-conceived conclusions. Wills doesn't seem to care whether the Church teaches celibacy, opposes contraception or reserves the priesthood to men. He detest the Church when it relies on untruths, selective history, outdated philosophy and bad scholarship to do so. Wills argues loudly and persuasively that using lies to sell truth is ultimately a losing proposition. And, I might add, even a diabolical one.

This volume attempts to set the record straight. But as the Church has allowed such an overgrowth of pietism, nonsense and superstition to flourish, Wills is compelled yet again to wield his machete of truth-telling with his characteristic vigor.

This book, which should have been called "Why Popes Matter," is written in three-parts. Part I details Wills's childhood and education. Raised in difficult economic times in the Midwest, he received his education at the hands of the Jesuits. At the time, this order was a fusty version of its old vigorous self, relying more on fleshly mortifications and [...]-retentive rule-mongering than on the innovative spiritual experiments of its founder, Ignatius of Loyola. Wills loved his teachers, though the curriculum was a straightjacket that forbade forays into secular literature, something suffocating to a nimble mind like Wills's. Still, he felt enough of a pull to consider joining the Jesuits, though he soon dropped out before making vows.

Part II, the longest, is a fairly detailed exposition of the history of the papacy. Wills makes it clear throughout that the term "papacy" is a misnomer for the institution, a modern concept retrojected into the history of the bishops of Rome to legitimize their rule and position. Wills starts with Peter, the bumbling disciple of Christ, his denier, his misunderstander, but ultimately, the one to whom he entrusted his sheep. Wills follows Peter to his likely execution in Rome, but makes the now-familiar case that Peter was no bishop of that city, even less so a pope. The same can be said of a number of men who followed Peter as leaders of the local Church. Not until the start of the first century can anyone be said to have possessed the self-awareness of being a bishop of Rome. Wills provides a fascinating glimpse into the relationship between the bishop of Rome and the rest of the Church. From its earliest days, Rome was an apostolic church, along with Alexandria, Jerusalem and Antioch. But it was a weak sister. The Council of Nicaea in 325 was dominated by the intellects of the Eastern Church, with a few stragglers from backwards and intellectually unsophisticated places like Rome.

From this inauspicious beginning, Wills traces the history of the papacy (still a misnomer, but useful shorthand) through its early years, through the glorious fiasco of the Middle Ages and into the modern time. Wills paints the institution as having been sometimes in serious error, even heresy; beholden to some princes (Constantine, Charlemagne and Otto) and imperiously superior to others; land-holding and land-broke; alternately dismissive of and dependent on councils; lashing out at modernity (and democracy and free speech) and embracing those same values. Wills spends much space on the more well-documented recent history of the Church -especially with the landmark Second Vatican Council. He ends with the papacy of John Paul I (still alive as Wills went to print this book in 2003) and with tantalizing glimpses of a certain "bete noir," Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. These latter two men are seen rightly by Wills as attempting to undo the "liberalizing" tendencies of Vatican II. Where V2 stressed the collegiality of bishops, JP2 and BB16 have worked hard to neutralize the autonomy of bishops and impress their own autocratic vision of Church "unity".

Ultimately, Wills ends this section with the idea to which the entire book has been leading. This is the idea that the papacy is part of the carsism of Peter" - the gospel-based leadership that Christ bestowed on Peter. But he innovates by counterbalancing this centralizing tendency with the need for the Church as a whole to correct Peter. Having laid out the history of the popes, it is very easy to see where the Church - through individual bishops like Augustine, to councils and even the tendency of the laity to resist dangerous innovation - have pushed the papacy. Together, both the papacy and the Church have corrected each other, and have ultimately kept each other on the narrow path. Wills see this kind of corrective action in the resistance of the laity to papal edicts attempting to limit discussion of birth control and male priesthood. If the laity only knew the power that it had.

Part II of the book, is a short excursus on the Apostle's Creed. This material is interesting, but not central to Wills's thesis.
Garry Wills empbioesb the best in Catholic scholarship. He is devout without being obsequious; a son of the Church not afraid to warn his Mother she is driving the family over a cliff. His gift is to cut through thr cloying and self-serving faced that Church officials construct for themselves, blasting away until he gets to the Rock - not Peter in this case, but Christ, whose spirit continues to enliven the Church.

Very moving, yet deeply wrongheaded, book .......2007-03-28

Gary Wills has written many excellent books on American history. His accounts of the Federalist Papers, the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address are all very solid and useful contributions.

Wills is also a Catholic. He is the sort of American Catholic who is always waiting for the "next Pope" or the "next Vatican Council" which will once and for all sweep away all of the medieval nonsense and make the Catholic Church indistinguishable from the more liberal "mainstream" churches. As Wills describes in this book, he went to seminary for a few years, lost his vocation and ended up as a writer who was still very interested in Church issues. His perspective is distinctly liberal. He hated John Paul II and he hates Benedict XVI with a passion. He wrote an earlier book, Papal Sin, that basically trashed the papacy as much as possible.

That book, not surprisingly got Wills a fair amount of abuse from Catholics who regard him as a traitor. One of the purposes of this book is to explain why Wills never left the Church. (Hence the title.) This part of the book is, to me, quite moving. He gives a very passionate defense of the virtues of remaining in communinion with the Church even when you disagree with her. This part of the book is an absolutely classic statement of some of the central Catholic virtues.

He then goes off the rails to spend the rest of the book attacking the papacy, again, and trashing John Paul II and his evil German Panzer Cardinal Ratzinger. I am sorry, but on this I am totally out of sympathy with him. He acts as if the problems with the Church are all caused by the Pope. In my view, it is the inspired leadership of John Paul II and Ratzinger/Benedict XVI who have kept the Church from collapsing. All of the other mainstream churches have all gone liberal, gone secular and fallen apart. Thanks to the rock-like leadership of John Paul II, the Church came into the modern world, but never became of the modern world.

I do not understand Wills' generation. My parents were the same way. They are all hellbent on liberalizing the Church, and they do not undertand that, if the Church did what they wanted, it would cease being the Church, and it would fall apart. If you disagree, look at the recent history of the Episcopal Church, which took the path that Wills urges upon the Catholic Church. While one can certainly make good political arguments for all of the reforms of the Episcopal Church, the net result is a deeply secular church which is losing all of its members at a rapid rate. Why go to church, if all it teaches is a re-affirmation of secular liberal values? What is the Church for, if it capitulates entirely to the modern world?

Wills and his generation will never understand any of this. Thank God, they never took supreme power in the Church. They did, however, do a tremendous amount of damage. Despite all this, Wills is an intelligent man and a powerful writer and there is alot here.

An objective account written in honesty and love. .......2006-07-21

Garry Wills describes the long and difficult journey of a 2,000 year old church, much like the Old Testament Hebrew writers approached the complex tale of the Israelites -- stories of courage, faith, struggles, pain, persecution, vanity, sinfulness and redemption.

In order to see the Holy Spirit at work, sometimes we have to step back and give ourselves a little time for contemplation and reflection. By pulling all of the pieces of history together for us in one continuing narrative, Garry Wills reaches far richer conclusions than might first be grasped -- and for that gift, this catechist is forever in the author's debt.

Perhaps Wills only error in judgment was that he presupposed a significant degree of psychological, academic, and spiritual maturity on the part of his largely Catholic audience.

If you did not approach this book within that context; read it again.

What being a Catholic really means.......2006-03-11

Garry Wills has a vast knowledge of the history of the Catholic Church, and uses it to great effect in this book. He says "The job of a loyal Catholic is to give support (of the Church) that is not uncritical, or unreasoning, or abject, but one that is clear-eyed and yet loving." And he does just that in this book. "Why I Am A Catholic" makes fascinating reading.

Wills' Take On Catholic History.......2005-12-05

Garry Wills' WHY I AM CATHOLIC examines the history of Catholicism and how it correlates with Wills' own Catholic belief. The book is divided into three sections, which begins with Wills' explanation of the writing the book, he proceeds to provide an extensive and chronological examination of the history and the hierarchy of the Catholic Church (a crash course to Catholic history 101) from its inception to the present state, and concludes with the Apostles creed and how it relates to his core theme of the book, why he remains loyal to the Church and its creed.

WHY I AM CATHOLIC is not an autobiography of Wills' religious life. However, he provides minimal accounts of his association as a young man who once studied to become a priest, but preferred scholarly pursuits towards Classical studies. Furthermore, his Catholic beliefs and loyalty towards the church remains an important aspect in his life in spite of the current overtones of corruption and sexual abuse that has existed throughout its history.

Wills' expertise in Classical studies and an interest in religious history placed the history of the Catholic Church within the context of World history. This was the informative part of WHY I AM CATHOLIC. However, if Wills' intention was to convince readers of his loyalty to the Church, his discussion of the Catholic religion, and how it relates to his personal view was somewhat buried in the mix.

The Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton: Where All Roads Lead : The Catholic Church and Conversion : Why I Am a Catholic : The Thing : Why I Am a Cat (Collected Works of Gk Chesterton)

Average customer rating:

The Best Collection of Chesterton's Catholic Apologetics
Incredible
An Intelligent Guide of Reason, Tradition, and Catholicism
The undiscovered Chesterton
Simply Magnificent

The Collected Works of G.K. Chesterton: Where All Roads Lead : The Catholic Church and Conversion : Why I Am a Catholic : The Thing : Why I Am a Cat (Collected Works of Gk Chesterton)
G. K. Chesterton
Manufacturer: Ignatius Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0898703107

Customer Reviews:

The Best Collection of Chesterton's Catholic Apologetics.......2007-09-25

Well worth the price to have ,The Catholic Church & Conversion,The Well And the Shallows & The Thing: Why I am a Catholic,all in one volume. Chesterton's writings on the Catholic faith was one of the reasons I came back to the Church.With common sense,humour & erudition Chesterton will convince you of the Truth of the Catholic Faith. Chesterton like all prophetic writers speaks to our time as much as his own.

Incredible.......2007-07-04

Chesterton's genius is unquestionable - not because of the topic(s), but because his' logic is irrefutable.

An Intelligent Guide of Reason, Tradition, and Catholicism.......2006-12-11

G.K. Chesterton has "disturbed" this reviewer again. This reviewer has read Chesterton's books with the view of critisizing his books and ideas. Yet, each time this reviewer has found Chesterton's books a joy to read and "food for thought." Volume III of Chesterton's works is yet another book that thoughtful people should enjoy.

One of the arguments that Chesterton uses in these essays is that Catholic ideas and tradition have lasted while "modern" fads have quickly become dated. One of the agruments that Chesterton uses against Puritanism is that in the early 20th. century, Puritanism was something that no reasonable person would touch with "a barge pole." One of Chesterton's theses in this book is that while Catholcism has remained consistent for 2,000 years, Protestantism has become passe and has changed into meaningless modernism.

Chesterton has an interesting comment on page 280. To paraphrase part of this page, Chesterton remarks that modern Protestantism has replaced predestination with suggestion. The Catholic theologians have defended the Faith (The Catholic Faith) with reason. Along these lines, Chesterton effectively argues that Catholic authorities and theologians helf the beliefs of the Faith in a careful balence. The Protestants and modern agnostics have distorted both their own ideas and concepts by exaggerating parts of religion at the expense of everything else. This has led to distortion.

Chesterton gives reasons for his conversion to Catholicism. He proceeds to explain why other ideas and religious views were not reasonable. He also explains the distortions historians have made regarding the Faith. Chesterton's own intellectual curiousity led him to the Faith which he viewed as more sane and more reasonable.

Chesteron demonstrates historical insight in this volume. This reviewer gets the impression that Chesterton is holding something in reserve in making his historical arguments. He may have been inviting his critics to question his historical knowledge whereby he would give the historical details and knowledge. Readers should note that Chesterton was very knowledable of history.

Another interesting aspect of this book is Chesterton's concern over distoritions of language. He comments that some of the moderns were demanding a universal language and that they got was "journalistic jibberish." Chesterton remarks that Europeans had a universal language-Latin. Chesterton remarks that Latin was a precise language which had been neglected in favor of bad thinking and poor writing.

Chesterton did not engage in ad hominem arguements and was usually generous to his critics. He did not object to comments about his size and appearance. He could laugh at himself. Yet, he offer fierce cefesne of truth and honesty when they were attacked.

Volume III of Chesteron's works is well worth reading. As this reviewer wrote before, some may consider me as skeptic. However, Chesterton's writing, knowledge and reason is enough to make anyone pay attention and read his books to learn and to understand clear thinking.

The undiscovered Chesterton.......2006-01-31

This particular volume in Ignatius Press' collected Chesterton series pulls together his specifically Catholic books. Widely read in his own time, they were later praised by Hillaire Belloc and other writers during the Catholic revival in Britain. Yet they are little read in our time. One reason is that Chesterton converted fourteen years after writing his masterpiece, Orthodoxy, in 1908, and the current Chesterton revival is fueled largely by his novels.

My introduction to these books came in the brief overviews in Dale Ahlquist's G.K. Chesterton: Apostle of Common Sense, which whetted my appetite to read them. One in particular stood out: "The Catholic Church and Conversion." As with Orthodoxy, it's a lively book with a dull title. I was shocked reading his account of the three stages of conversion: 1. Patronizing the Church, 2. Discovering the Church, 3. Running from the Church. But for me, the book was full of shocks of recognition.

I generally don't like Omnibus type volumes such as the Collected Works, and would like to see Ignatius issue this book on its own, but if this is the only way to read it, I highly urge curious readers to obtain this Ignatius edition (Volume Three of the Collected Chesterton). All of the books in this volume were originally issued individually nearly a century ago, and are eminently worth reading. One of them is interesting because GKC wrote it late in life, and reviews some of the ideas in his earlier books. Were these books available individually now, they no doubt would all have reviews on Amazon. As with Orthodoxy, this volume showed me that Chesterton's non-fiction can be as startling and fresh as his fiction.

Simply Magnificent.......2004-05-17

This volume contains essays revolving around GK's conversion to Catholicism. As always, GK is illuminating and entertaining--several parts of these essays had me laughing out loud. GK has a marvelous talent for utterly dismantling an argument, an attitude, or a belief, while remaining so good natured about it that even his intellectual enemies must have liked him at least a little. Here, he mainly takes on Protestantism, modernism, secularism, Liberalism, and several other "isms" of the day that challenged the Catholic Church--some of which at one time or another had even attracted GK himself. In the end, he makes as convincing an argument for Catholicism that anyone could make. In the process, he throws much light on many political and social trends that were just gearing up in the 1920's, like birth control, divorce, moral relativism and secular humanism. GK offers grave predictions for these insufficient ideas, many of which sadly have come true beyond probably even his imagination.

Why I Am a Priest: Thirty Success Stories

Average customer rating:

An Upbeat Look At Priesthood
Blessed success...
Many Faithful Priests Remain
The call of God

Why I Am a Priest: Thirty Success Stories

Manufacturer: Paulist Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0809139103

Book Description

If someone says, "I want to be a doctor" or "I want to be a teacher," we understand them, even if not doctors or teachers ourselves. But if someone says, "I want to be a priest," we feel transported to foreign, even mystical territory. In this fascinating collection, priests explain why they became priests and why they're still active today. Their answers help lower the veil of mystery around the vocation and make it more real and understandable. With essays by Walter Burghardt, George Higgins, Frank McNulty, Eugene La Verdiere, and others, the collection includes both "born" priests and those who came late to the calling. Their "jobs" range from missionary to administrator, canon lawyer to spiritual director, chaplain to theologian. Each essay candidly reveals as much about the state of the priesthood as about the individual. Together they provide an honest look at the vocation's contemporary problems, such as the shortage of priests, social justice, issues of leadership, the changing role of the laity, and more. All clergy and religious, seminarians, spiritual directors, vocation directors, and high school guidance counselors will find this title very useful. It's also interesting reading for lay people simply curious about the priesthood.

Customer Reviews:

An Upbeat Look At Priesthood.......2006-02-15

WHY I AM A PRIEST is a collection of thirty essays by a variety of priests and bishops explaining why they enjoy their vocation. Most of the priests included in the book are parish priests, though a variety of other ministries are included. The essays themselves do not look at critical issues facing the priesthood nor do we find priests who are in crisis, but the purpose of the book is not to reform the priesthood or to point out its weaknesses but rather to show how some well known priests as well as some who are known only to their parishioners are doing effective work and still find satisfaction in their call from God to serve God's people.

The book itself was fist published prior to the scandals that have been reported in the press in the past few years, but it is my guess that of the authors were asked to write again why they enjoy being priests, the events of the past few years would not be ignored, but the love of the call and the dedication to the people they serve would still be just as real.

Blessed success..........2004-07-02

In a world in which it seems there are few good words for Catholic priests today, this book is a rare find. The vast majority of priests serving in the church are faithful and committed men whose primary goal is to bring the grace of God and the gospel message to the people in their congregations as well as those who have slipped away.

Editors Lawrence Boadt, CSP and Michael Hunt, CSP have gathered together testimony from thirty priests around North America. These short pieces (only a few are longer than five pages in a small-format book) are reflective; in fact, for those in the clergy or thinking about a clerical vocation, these are meditative pieces to consider, a help in testing vocation. The writing quality, it must be admitted, varies tremendously from writer to writer, as some of these priests are not professional (or even frequent amateur) writers, and it is a tribute to the editors that they left the voices distinct and occasionally unpolished.

As Boadt says in his introduction, in this book the writers explore their sense of vocation and life in the church, but none holds the illusion that the priesthood makes one a perfect or sinless or more blessed person -- sometimes it is quite the opposite. There is an honesty here in the struggles to remain faithful in the face of stresses from both within and outside of the church.

Anthony Pilla's article, the first in the collection, is written from the perspective of a bishop who seeks vocations, but also seeks to educate those who would consider the calling as to what they are really getting into. Priests do not merely serve the church, Pilla states, but indeed provide life to the church. Donald Cozzens (author of 'The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest') writes as one who regularly meets (as part of his job) with those who leave the priesthood -- few leave in bad faith, and most are striving to maintain integrity with their own beliefs, according to Cozzens. However, this experience caused Cozzens to reflect on why he stays in the priesthood. This is a creative use of his position, and his essay is among the better in the collection.

This is a book I carry with me in my book bag most of the time (I have had there for several years, since I first bought it four years ago), and find it a frequent companion as I work through my own struggles as a priest and chaplain, alas without the support of a church. The idea of working alone and in loneliness is an increasing one for clergy of all denominations, and this is something that makes this a worthwhile text for ministers outside the Roman hierarchy, too.

Many Faithful Priests Remain.......2002-03-20

30 American men wrote short synopses on the reasons that they are Priests and why they have remained in the Priesthood. Their 'callings' varied. Some knew they wanted to be a Priest from a very early age while others didn't know until their 30's and 40's. They come from various backgrounds bringing with them their individual talents. The challenges they face are as unique as each individual Priest.

They all experienced the second Vatican Council at some point in their career. The book aptly demonstrates the various ways in which the Council has affected their Priestly ministry.

The vignettes presented in the book show that the missions and commitments of these 30 Priests are as diverse as the people they love and serve. They belong to a variety of Religious and Priestly Orders. Their Priestly activites involve parishes, universities, foreign countries, national and local church councils, publishing houses, seminaries, catholic newspapers, armed services, labor, and elementary and high schools. They are called in their witness to Christ as writers, teachers, authors, missionaries, professors, leaders, parish and diocesan ministries, pastors, administrators, editors, canon lawyers, columnists, labor mediators, chaplains, campus ministers, spiritual directors, lecturers and Bishops.

What struck me the most was the common agreement among them of their love for Jesus, the Eucharist, the Pope and the People of God. It is especially for the people, the laity-you and me, that they remain.

There are some surprising answers in this book. Don't miss the opportunity to read it! It presents an excellent overall view of the Priestly life and challenges. As a lay person, this book really opened my eyes to the dedication of our Priests. It may even be a book you will want to read more than once.

The call of God.......2000-12-06

Are you thinking of becoming a priest? Have you bought into the notion that priests of the Catholic faith are unhappy and not content? Well, this book is for you. The book is a short, quick read and not for those looking for an academic examination of the priesthood. Instead, this is for the everyday reader and in many ways it touches ones heart. Thirty faithful men have written their reasons for becoming and remaining a priest. They are from dioceses all around the country. Even with their diverse backgrounds they all seem to have a common thread throughout their stories--God called them. Many of their stories describe that they are called and sustained by God Himself. After years and years of ministry they each have come to the conclusion that God called them the priesthood! This book is greatly encouraging for those discerning the priesthood and should be especially recommended to high school youth. This would also be a great gift for priests themselves as I think it would inspire thoughtful reflection on their own calling and entrance into the priesthood. It could be a springboard for greater renewal and contemplation of what God has done in their life. Additionally, I pray that this book would help change the preception of priests by many laity and secular. Many priests are thankful for their calling and would make the decision again. They are happy!

Why I Am Still a Catholic: Essays in Faith And Perseverance

Average customer rating:

Why I Am Still a Catholic: Essays in Faith And Perseverance

Manufacturer: Continuum International Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0826491456

Average customer rating:

For anyone who has considered a religous life
A Must For All Women

Divine Madness: Why I Am Still a Nun
Karol Jackowski
Manufacturer: Ave Maria Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Sisters: An Inside Look (Vocations)

ASIN: 0877935947

Customer Reviews:

For anyone who has considered a religous life.......2000-09-27

This little book it one of the best books about being called to a religous life and what it's like to follow that call. I've read a lot of books about life as a nun and this one is the one that spoke to me the most. It adresses many aspects of why one would choose to become a nun and why one would want to stay. Her writing style is easy to read and laced with humour. I would want Sister Karol Jackowski as a friend. But then again, after reading this book and "Ten Fun Things To Do Before You Die", I kind of feel like she already is.

A Must For All Women.......2000-07-19

My favorite book by Karol Jackowski, Divine Madness, relates to all women, not just nuns. By sharing her experiences and inner feelings, Sister Karol, allows us to look into ourselves and find a common bond. She brings to light the relationships woman share and often take for granted.

Average customer rating:

WHY I AM A CATHOLIC
Paul van K. Thomson
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NSICBI

Average customer rating:

Why Am I Catholic
Garry Wills
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0965548023

Average customer rating:

Why I Am a Catholic
Rowanne Pasco
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton Religious
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Simple Love, Simple Faith

Why I Am Still a Catholic
Kevin Ryan
Manufacturer: Riverhead Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Religious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1573226777

Amazon.com

Why I Am Still a Catholic is written for young Catholics (especially teenagers and college students) unsure of whether or why to stay within the fold. Essays by celebrity clerics and laypeople provide personal testimonies that range from stunningly simple (TV newswoman Maria Shriver: "Why? Because it works") to outrageously elegant (novelist Andre Dubus: "Sandwiches are sacraments"). Most contributors to the anthology don't work terribly hard to define their terms (Andrew Greeley's theological defense of beauty, for example, takes its reader's Catholic education for granted), but for the catechized yet confused, this book could well be a godsend. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

What draws--and binds--thoughtful, educated people to a Church so often criticized by outsiders (and even members) as "authoritarian" or "out of step with the times?" This collection of personal accounts answers that question in diverse, fascinating, and deeply moving ways. Novelist William Kienzle discusses his years in the seminary, explaining why he eventually left the priesthood--but not the Church. Kathleen Howley reveals how God replaced alcohol in her life, and why the traditional Latin Mass holds so much more appeal than the folk Masses of her youth. Former baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn compares his feelings for the Church with his lifelong belief in "team loyalty." Jon Hassler vividly recalls two very different childhood friends--and the attractions of both evil and goodness. These writers, and numerous others, offer a remarkable portrait of today's Catholic Church, creating a new understanding of how its presence has endured for nearly two thousand years, and why it continues to thrive.

Customer Reviews:

Simple Love, Simple Faith.......2000-03-09

This book lives up to its editorial review! Even though the book is directed to young adults, it has value for all adults. Each chapter contains touching and beautiful stories of simple and complex love of God and Church. Each author was honest and direct about his/her journey in faith. Their experiences brought back wonderful, as well as, difficult memories of my own. You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy this book. The format makes it an excellent book for busy people, because the chapters are short and nothing is lost if you have to set the book aside for awhile; you can easily pick it up again later.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books