Martos's treatment of the history of the sacraments is comprehensive and very enlightening, and presented in a clear and orthodox manner. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the Roman Catholic view of the sacraments or in Church history.

There are only two disappointing aspects. First, Martos's treatment of the later 20th century gives the impression that sacramental theology is now indefinite, but that this does not matter as long as the believer finds their concepts to be "doors to the sacred." Secondly, he has the rather annoying tendency to use American RC parishes as illustrations of the promise of
Vatican II fulfilled. For example, in his treatment of the sacrament of Reconciliation, he overly stresses "communal guilt" and such "corporate" sins as racism, and suggests that sacramental confession of individual sins fell by the wayside because of this new "awareness." Both are faulty concepts which he presents as if they were highly positive.

It is a fine reference work, but serious theological students will need to be certain it is one of several.

Discovering the history of how the sacraments were celebrated and changed over the last 2000 years makes them come to life as real encounters with the human risen Lord. Joseph Martos gives us a very readable, interesting and extremely informative new understanding of the sacraments in this updated, after the Second Vatican Council, rendition of his earlier work on this topic. Frequent confession went from non-existent in the first century, to encouraged, to condemned by a Church Council as conducive of frequent sinning and therefore a scandal, to encouraged again for spiritual growth by the Church today. Did you experience a roller coaster of emotions about confession? So did the Catholic Church, as outlined by Martos. Read about all of the sacraments and develop an entirely new appreciation of them, as our tradition presents them. When you whet your appetite on one, you'll want to read about them all. Do yourself a favor and grow in your Catholic Faith today - read the Doors to the Sacred.

The distinguished cardinal certainly puts forth in this tome an exhibit of his broad search of theology and his immersion in the academia of his faith at the highest levels.

What struck me significantly in the read was the obvious priority given to philosophical analysis. Ratzinger even acknowledges this in the included address given in honor of Cardinal Volk: "If theology has to do primarily with God, if its ultimate and proper theme is not salvation history or Church or community but simply God,then it must think in philosophical terms."

Although philosophy to be sure has its place in the world of theology (apologetics and evangelism) it certainly is not to be central to theological formulation. Church history is replete with the trainwrecks of faith that have flowed out of theologians majoring in philosophy.

The section where he debates the apolostolic church was one in this work which was rare in that it focused primarily on Scripture arguments rather than philosophical spins.

He certainly demonstrates an active and precise mind and writing style. At times it is difficult to follow, given our differences in theological circles. However, it must be said that his critiques of Luther are partial illumination of what the Reformer said, e.g. on church and where it could be found. He does not clearly state Luther's central tenet that church is where the pure gospel is preached and the Sacraments administered according to the gospel.

His constant insistence upon tradition and succession becomes mute when only the persistent philosophical bents are offered as primary assurance.

A fine piece of work describing the Church's efforts to create a clear line of truth between the extremes of traditionalists and reformers. There is something here to irritate any school; Ratzinger is not the firm one-sided hand he has been portrayed as in the popular press. Read it and elevate your learning and faith.

This is the second edition of a very good book on Marriage Annulments in the Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church, ten years after the latest Code of Canon Law of 1983, went into effect. If you are using this book to consider or take some sort of action in your personal life, go first to the small section in the first chapter entitled "The Tribunal as Pastoral Ministry." This sets the tone of this book, one that is both informational and pastoral. The author's examination of the types of questions a Tribunal will ask exhibit a good knowledge of the grounds the Church uses for examining an annulment case. He also uses some good forms that one might see during the annulment process. His discussion of witness forms is especially important. Witnesses are necessay to a case and they can sometimes be the deal breaker. The extremes are witnesses who try too hard to help you with their answers, to witnesses who tell you they sent their questionaire back, but it must have gotten lost in the mail. This part of the book gives a witness encouragemnet in the role and practical advice as well. The only fault I found with this book is two occasions of talking about a "failed marriage" and why a marriage "failed". I think such negative talk does not belong in today's world of no-fault divorce, let alone in the healing process of a Church annulment. In the next edition, and I hope there is one, that reference should be adjusted. Outside of that, this is a very good book.

This book is written in reaction to the tendency of neo-scholastic thinkers to neglect the role of the figure of Christ in the thought of Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and other Dominican thinkers. To redress this imbalance, Emery and Wawrykow have done an excellent job of compiling essays to address the long-neglected depictions of Christ in the writings and art of the medieval Dominicans through a multidisciplinary approach.

It is not very often that you find a great book about the life of Joseph Machebuef. This book is excellent reading material for people who are interseted in the catholic relegion. It outline the life of Machbuef who has been characterized in the book Death Comes of the Archbishop. This book is well written and deserves a lot of credit for his excellent presentation of Machebuef's life. Many people will find this book gpes down into the deepest information about this man's life. No detail will be left out. This is a must read for catholoholics.

Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was one of the most important men in American religious history. It was Smith who gave birth to the religious movement known as Mormonism, the largest representative of which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, headquartered in Utah. This is a handy collection of Smith's writings and sermons. It is particularly valuable because it is arranged in chronological order. Therefore, you can see the development of his thought from a more-or-less orthodox monotheism to polytheism. This is best seen in the famous (or notorious) "King Follet Discourse" which dates from the end of Smith's life. Smith sets forth his Gnostic approach to theology: "For we have imagined that God was God from the beginning of all eternity. I will refute that idea . . . . He was once a man like one of us . . . ." [p. 235.] Those who consider Mormonism a quirky offshoot of orthodox Christianity ought to read this sermon. This book has a couple of flaws - it lacks a good introduction and notes concerning people and events mentioned in the documents.

Joseph Modica has assembled something of a festschrift for Tony Campolo and his ministry in the interesting little book The Gospel with Extra Salt. This book covers a number of topics that the essay's authors deem appropriate to concerns that have played a role in Campolo's ministry. The authors address among the seven essays topics such as covenant, justice issues (including capital punishment), youth ministry, inclusive language, the biblical concept of family, and gender issues in local congregations. In many of the essays the authors allude to their ministry with Campolo and how he ministered to them. His fingerprints may be seen all over individual author's theologies. This is a good book on a variety of "current event" type topics. For those pastors who want to read how an evangelical approaches serious social action, then this is the book for that purpose.

reviewed by The Clergy Journal, March 2002

This book is yet another fascinating study between Joseph Smith's words versus those finally printed in the Book of Mormon. A very interesting read.

Quiet Moments is a wonderful gift for yourself, friends and family members. John Powell's poignant insights about life and love offer clear guidelines for personal growth, self-acceptance, and improved relationships. The selections chosen, sequenced, and edited by Nancy Sabbag allow the reader to savor Powell's insights and to see ourselves and others in new ways. The book's quiet, meditative style provides for enjoyable and easy reading at any pace -- a few pages at a time or all at once -- and can be read over and over with new learnings and insights each time.

Dr. Jackson takes a careful look at how black history has been neglected in the Church of God. The general overview of black history in this denomination is quite helpful. Being critical, the book fails to address why educated blacks in the Church of God have failed to fill this gap in the literature for so long. Otherwise, his book is a very incisive window into a major pentecostal denomination.