This work is a brilliant examination of the politics, etc. of c. 7th century Merovingian Gaul. It is a must-have for any serious student of the "Dark Ages"!

Although this book was hard to read at times, I feel like I am a better person for having read it. Father Damien is truely a remarkable individual and his Christlike devotion to the lepers of Hawaii is what made this book so compelling for me. I loved reading about this wonderful,humble man. He loved these people with all his heart and soul. He absolutely changed everything for them, and he not only built churches for them with his bare hands, but he also was their doctor their priest and their friend. When no one would go to the lepers and give them the just the bare necissities of life, Father Damien was a willing and humble servant. I loved this book and know you will come away from reading it, amazed as I was at what this great man accomplished in his short life.

Michno's Manual for Acolytes is a most useful reference for anyone involved with serving at the altar or in their training. Instructions are clear and concise and generally well supported by Mayberry's illustrations. A very well-done glossary is comprehensive and useful for anyone, including the altar guild! The manual covers liturgy from highest to lowest and the service from vesting to a final prayer of thanks for the privilege of serving (can't be reinforced onten enough). Reverence is emphasized and fussiness is discouraged. Ins and outs of censing and the thurible are clearly explained. Best of all, you know Michno writes from experience when he reminds the thurifer to "bring the boat!" six times (humor in a manual)! I would recommend this manual for all parish priests, acolyte trainers, and older servers who would value it as a reference. It would make a nice reward for a server who has served failthfully for a few years.

The aptly titled "Ministry and the American Legal System" by Richard B. Couser is a comprehensive (perhaps to those not acquainted to the workings in the legal "world" on a daily basis) book concerning how ministry and the legal system function harmoniously.

Couser begins with a brief overview of American history pertaining to the development of our Constitution and First Ammendments rights then systematically tackles important issues in two broad catagories he divides as U.S. Law & Religious Bodies and Risk Management Issues.

On a general level, this book addresses misconceptions (at least one's that I had) about our legal system, articulates some constitutional rights and enlightened me to some resposibilites as a worker of the Gospel that I wasn't aware of all by admittedly ignorance of the law. For example, the ramifications of not having proper insurance if I were ever in an auto accident in a church vehicle and how I would (or would not) be deemed liable.

Couser addresses topics such as Ecclesiastical Organizations and the Courts, Liabilities for Contracts and Torts, Copyright Law and the Church, Compensation and Taxes and so on. If there was anything you've ever wondered about on the administration side of your church or organization, Couser undoubtedly covers it with expertise.

Richard Couser is clear and definitive in his authority and knowledge in these matters. He will consistently use real cases, explain how whatever presiding (not sure if this is the correct term) entitiy of the legal system (State, Court, etc.) came to their ruling and therefore support his material with clear cut fact. Couser is not remiss in warning that change in legislation can make portions of this material obslete. I know that many do but more people professing to be Christian should probably develop at least some level of interest in these matters anyway as to keep up with current changes in law.

Not leisurely reading by any means, but important for those in church leadership to be at least acquainted with.

In this book Dr. Richards explains how to have a healthy relationship with the Body of Christ. He gives guidelines of what makes a good church or a toxic one. He also explains why the church is needed and why we need to be a part of it. For someone who has been bruised or wounded by a church body this book brings about hope and healing. This book is useful for those in leadership who want to foster an atmosphere of "Family". Or those who want to increase church growth. Any case this book is a must read for any Christian who cares about the Body Of Christ.

This was the first book by Richard Rohr that I read a while back & it encouraged me to read more of his works.Rohr brings home the reality of the Incarnation in earthy language & enables the reader to connect with the "human" Christ.The reader cant help but be enthralled by the sheer reality & humaness of Jesus.So different from the portrait many author's paint of the Christ nowadays.Rohr also brings the truth of the initiative of God in phrases like "God is not just an experience of mine,but more rightly,I am an experience in the mind & heart of God." His desription of God as "A trinitarian God is a God in relationship" is brilliant.This book has been on the market for a while & I would to recommend it to anyone who is stuggling to come to grips with the "human" Jesus.

This remarkable book needs to be set in context, it was written almost 500 years ago, during the brutal persecution of those who believed the simple Gospel and in the absolute authority of "Scripture alone".

William Tyndale, a gifted scholar educated at Oxford and ordained a priest, saw at first hand the widespread corruption within the Roman Catholic Church.

Roman believed that it could not err and it held ultimate power even over the king and government. A core believe was, and still is, that "Church Tradition" holds equal, or even more authority than the Bible. The Church went to extreme lengths to prevent the ordinary folk from having any independent understanding of the Bible, particularly in what it said regarding, purgatory, confessing sins to a priest, selling of indulgences, praying to Mary, praying to Saints, salvation by works and money payments etc.

In defiance of the Pope's law Tyndale laid the foundation for the English Reformation when he completed the very first (from original Greek) English translation of the New Testament. This translation differed sharply from the Church's official Latin version, particularly as to how six key words were translated. From the Greek Tyndale translated, "congregation" instead of "church", "elder" instead of "priest", "repentance" instead of "do penance", "love" instead of "charity", "favour" instead of "grace" and "knowledge" instead of "confess".

Tyndale's unique gift cut to the bedrock of Papal authority. Matthew 16 v 18 now read, "That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my congregation". One word, congregation, had at a stroke demolished the Pope's claim to be the head of Christ's Church and brought into sharp focus the contradictions of the Papal system, its customs, its practices, its friars, its priests, its bishops and its Pope. Taking his cue from Matthew 7 v 15 & 16 he is scathing with righteous indignation when comparing the life and Gospel of Jesus Christ the very Son of God with that of the Pope - "Christ's vicar on earth". This unleashed the full might of the Papacy, Tyndale was hunted across Europe, his New Testament translation and books were burnt, as were people caught holding similar beliefs.

In this book Tyndale systematically examines English social and political life; he examines the relationship between church, and state; he sees one social structure created by God and the Christians responsibility within it. He examines the responsibility and obedience of children through to subjects, "what to do if the king, prince or ruler is evil", what to do with "the Popes false power" and how those in positions of responsibility and power ought to rule.

Tyndale writes with authority, he knows his Bible intimately, he has an unshakable confidence in the promises of God's Word and he knows with certainty that Truth will triumph regardless of a bleak situation. Tyndale's is not an historical faith rooted in an ancient story, nor was it a dead faith; this is a living vibrant feeling faith firmly rooted in the power of the Living Word of God.

Tyndale knew many of his readers would be tortured and burnt; he starts the introduction bringing them comfort. Constantly echoing Scripture, the simplicity of the Gospel and New Testament doctrine he shows how adversity follows Gods chosen people and how God uses this adversity to purify His people, to strengthen their faith and to demonstrate that His grace is sufficient to meet their every need.

This book shows a man driven by one desire and one desire only, the desire that ordinary folk should be able, without fear, to read and understand the Word of God; to know that Salvation is a personal matter, justification is by faith alone in the finished work of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ and His Redeeming Blood and that the fruits of this faith are good works. Christian living is a life of service according to the New Testament and not according to the Church.

Even in the 21st century this book brings the challenge of the Gospel - do those who claim to be Christian truly know the joy of this vibrant living feeling faith; are the fruits of this faith a life of service and giving?

In May 1535 William Tyndale was caught, interrogated for 16 months, defrocked as a priest and burnt as a heretic.

Today most who read this review will be privileged to enjoy freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom from fear; we cannot even contemplate the conditions that Tyndale and his fellow labourers endured. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude for their faith courage and determination.

David Danell has done an excellent job in, modernising the spelling, adding end notes and in his introduction.
© roy.elliot@btinternet.com

Yes, there is an "ordinary" path to holiness for all of us. God intended the children He created in His Image and Likeness to grow daily more to resemble Him. Dr. Richard's book is a gem. He shows the reader the traditional way of spirituality and prayer meant for everyone.

Especially good for the Catholic lay person, the book will also be appreciated by those not belonging to the Catholic Church, but who are sincerely seeking to live a holy life. Most compelling, for me, is the way the author shows through scripture how Jesus formed his disciples in holiness. I also appreciated quotations from the saints.

This was a gift I gladly gave to people for Christmas and continue to give as birthday presents. Don't miss it for yourself, and don't hesitiate to give it to anyone you know. Just be careful if you let someone borrow your copy. You may not get it back in a hurry!

Absolutely the easiest read of catholic doctrine I have come across. This is THE reference for the "joe six-pack" in the pew. Comprehensive, concise, and very orthodox. Best single reference book in one volume.

Compiled by Walter Wink, these selections come from the Fellowship of Reconciliation's magazine FELLOWSHIP. The articles were written by the greatest peacemakers of our times. Sixty essays cover theory, practice and spirituality of nonviolence. They also describe racial justice struggle and reconciliation. The book is divided into 6 main categories; VISION, PEACE WITNESSES, SPIRIT of PEACE, INTERRACIAL JUSTICE, NONVIOLENCE IN ACTION and the PATH OF RECONCILIATION. The articles are not easy to read, but are well worth anyone's time and thought. The editor reminds us that the UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed the first decade of the 21st century to be a Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence! Would that WE would make it so!!!