VERY INFORMATIVE CATECHISM ! Good for people to study
all the time....I am new to the faith and have to contstantly
pull something up and this book helps out. some things are little
old like the Mass but that is stuff that anyone can use some reason to delete through study......all the information covered is necessary for a well rounded faithful soul.
but its a 5 star book.
I recommend this catechism to everyone.
thanks for making the book availabe AMAZON.COM at a very
good price.

If there is one Catholic catechism I can recommend to the whole family, it's this one. The Catholic faith is explained clearly and beautifully in 193 sections that cover everything a Catholic needs to know in order to live his Faith to the fullest. Beautiful pictures and illustrations grace each section of this catechism, and easily understandable explanations clearly show what Catholics believe and why. In each section there is an abundance of quotes from the Holy Scriptures. This is a truly beautiful hardcover edition that's definitely worth the price. Should be in every Catholic household. Completely authoritative. Well indexed. Republished from the 1954 edition.

Unlike post vatican 2 catechisms and the novus ordo mess which have corrupted the Catholic Faith this book provides a true prospective on unerrant and uncorrupted Catholic teachings.
I would recommend this book for those interested in learning about or preserving their Catholic faith, outside of which there is no salvation.

This is a great book for anyone who is on a spiritual path and desires more information about spiritual growth. Sanaya's guide Orin walks the reader through various changes in consciousness he or she may be experiencing, and illustrates how it relates to improving one's life. There are also excellent processes in the book to make your life go more smoothly (for example, sending light to a situation for healing and resolution). This book has helped me to better understand some of the changes and experiences I have had as I have followed my higher self's guidance in life. It has also given me tools to get through some seemingly challenging lessons. There are helpful meditations throughout the book which help you connect with higher realms for clarity, assistance, joy, and guidance. A very interesting book for those interested in spiritual growth!

Sanaya has an extremely unique talent of writing with a timelessness that makes her material fresh and alive each time you read it. This material comes through at a very high vibrational level and reaches right to the heart of issues I have seen unfold in my life and in the lives of others. These messages from Orin are powerful and extremely basic. Sanaya/Orin has a clarity that allows you easily absorb the truth behind what is being said. No mumbo jumbo here. Good stuff! This is a book you can read and re-read with tremendous benefit. When you read this material, you have the sense that Sanaya/Orin is truly connected to spirit at a high level. It is well worth reading. - Mark Greenia, author of "Energy Dynamics: Conscious Human Evolution."

I first came across one of Sanaya Roman's books back in the mid-90's and I remember clearly the first part of the book said, once you begin reading this book, you will never forget it, because it will change your life forever. 'Spiritual Growth', and all her books give you the profound knowledge that everyone already knows, but just needs to remember. These books offer the guidelines to the human mind, body and spirit without the cloud of fear, guilt and submission that religions require. Everything about your life is a choice, and everything in your life is a reflection of you, that you have brought to yourself. Understanding this energy element is the key to taking control of your own life, which is real internal power. Knowing that problems in your life are challenges YOU have created to enable your growth, and if you don't learn from that lesson, you will be stuck in that loop until you do so. By the way, this is not a New Age religion book nor am I a New Ager, this is a book about energy and our place within that energy. Once you have placed yourself in a religion, you have imprisioned and limited your growth as a spiritual being. If someone asks you what you believe in, the answer is simple...."Energy" After you have read the entire series from Sanaya Roman, you are then ready to take on David Icke and his book "Children Of The Matrix", who will expand your spiritual consciousness to its breaking point. Remember your true self and realize the only real truth is love, everything else is an illusion.

In Grow Yourself A Life You'll Love, Barbara Garro outlines a new approach to life satisfaction in six "reader friendly" chapters: Beliefs that Rootbind, Limiting Growth; Drought - Emotions that Harden Hearts; Self is Seed for the Life You Lead; Live and Let Live; Bear Sweet Fruit; The Peaceful Garden - All is One. Grow Yourself A Life You'll Love shows the when we understand why we are the way we are, we will be kinder to ourselves. When we understand others better, we will like them more and become less critical. The precepts and insights in Grow Yourself A Life You'll Love will enable a better, more satisfying, less confused relationships with our spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and fellow parishioners.

I strongly recommend you invest in this book. The tools you need to grow yourself a life you will love are presented in an easy to understand way, with reference to growing, planting seeds and using nurturing love as our life's gardening tools. You can feel Barbara's energy, fun and enthusiasm for life bounding from the copy to inspire new passion in your life. Read this book, do the exercises and share your experiences with me and all the people you meet.

With the help of Barbara Garro MA and her wonderful zest for life bubbling from the pages of this book, I feel once again in charge of my mission...

Look forward to your comments...

I strongly recommend you invest in this book. The tools you need to grow yourself a life you will love are presented in an easy to understand way, with reference to growing, planting seeds and using nurturing love as our life's gardening tools. You can feel Barbara's energy, fun and enthusiasm for life bounding from the copy to inspire new passion in your life. Read this book, do the exercises and share your experiences with me and all the people you meet.

My mission is to live, love and make a difference in this world. With the help of Barbara Garro MA and her wonderful zest for life bubbling from the pages of this book, I feel once again in charge of my mission...

Look forward to your comments...

Karol Wojtyla's insight into human love is simply amazing. The book is VERY in-depth, so it may not be appropriate for readers who are looking for light reading material. If you do take the time to read the book, you will simply be amazed. As you read each paragraph, you can't help but think, "That is so true!" The book really makes you want to be better person by embracing LOVE as the purpose for our existence!

you don't have to be a catholic to read this. This was written for anyone. It will give you philosophical answers to questions on us(persons) and our sexual role(its meaning and purpose.
highly recommended for any human being.

Cardinal Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) gives us a wonderful blessing with "Love and Responsibility." His in depth philospohical analysis of human love and sexuality stems from his philosophy of "personalism". Persons are self-determining creatures and should never be treated as mere objects. This is a fantastic book that beautifully displays Wojtyla's view of the dignity of the human person and the sacredness of the sexual act.

Worthy of special mention is Wotyla's metaphysical analysis of "love". This is a deep look into the nature of true love, how the sexual urge is the starting point, a good thing that encourages us to look deeper and to love the person as a whole. When this urge is abused by treating the person as a mere sex object, the fruits of the sexual urge are squandered. When used properly, the sexual urge is fuel to deepen our interests in another, to develop a friendship, goodwill, and if there is reciprocity from the other person, the highest stage is attained - betrothed love - the lifelong comittment of marriage.

This is a book that is sorely needed by our society today. There is much here - Wojtyla's thought is rich and deep. You will not get the grasp of his point with one reading, rather it will take multiple readings of this book for its flavor to sink in. Personally I have read this book three times and can testify how it has enriched my life. I think it will do the same for you.

While its coverage is encyclopedic...the descriptions that go along with the multitude of entries are sparse and lean on information.

The idea behind the book is brilliant. I sincerely hope that in future editions the authors will choose to put more meat on at least some of the more mainstream subjects covered here.

This source book contains brief entries on thousands of topics on Catholic history, traditions, etc. You won't find detailed information - but that's not the purpose of the book. It's meant to provide quick facts. I use this as a starting place - this gives me enough information to carry on with a more extensive search elsewhere, if I want to know more.

This book is so informative! I'm new to the Catholic faith, and this book answers almost all my questions! A great book for newbies like me!

Father Neuhaus has titled his book "Death on a Friday Afternoon" because that is when Jesus died. But his meditations on the seven last "words" of Jesus (actually, the seven last utterances) provide an understanding and explanation that will lead thoughtful readers into the meaning of the resurrection as well. Neuhaus, however, does not want readers to get to the resurrection without pondering carefully what is meant by the seven words on the cross, a compilation from the Gospel accounts.
I found Neuhaus'es book refreshing, in that it helped me to contemplate in a careful manner the circumstances in which Jesus uttered his words and the reason that he gave them.
Along the way Neuhaus introduces aspects of Catholic theology that are a part of his faith and world-view, but a Protestant reading the book (like myself) may find somewhat beside the point. Far more illuminating are the asides to social issues that are relevant to what Jesus said and taught.
In summary, a profoundly insightful book, caputuring the mystery of God in human form, dying painfully but purposefully on the cross for the sins of humankind.

The Seven Last Words are not seven "words" but seven "utterances" and they are these:
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."
"Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother."
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
"I thirst."
"It is finished."
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."

These are the seven biblically recorded utterances of Christ on the cross, and Neuhaus has written, in my opinion, the superlative meditation of the significance of these final words of Jesus. Each chapter expounds upon one of these "words". The writing is so clear-headed... it will appeal to those who need to approach the ineffable mystery with at least one foot on the ground. Or even two! It is not spiritual platitude, it is gut-level and sobering. Have you ever wondered what happened when Jesus died on the cross? Or WHY it happened? Or IF it happened? This book speaks to those questions, with a rational approach that can only be likened to the writings of C.S. Lewis.
I was transfixed, and overwhelmed (in a good way) with the wealth of information in Neuhaus's book. Beautifully written.
He says in the preface, "If what Christians say about Good Friday is true, then it is, quite simply, the truth about everything. I have written this for people who are convinced of that truth, for people who are open to thinking about whether it may be true and for people who are just curious about why so much of the world thinks Good Friday is the key to understanding what Dante called 'the love that moves the sun and all the other stars.'"
The Convinced. The Cautious. The Curious. If you are any of these three types, this book will not disappoint you.
"We must not turn away from what we have done to God, lest we be found to have turned away from what He has done for us." (p.257).

I read this book during Holy Week and Fr. Neuhaus' insights really deepened my experiences leading up to Good Friday. This book lays out many different facets of Jesus' teaching and meaning in a very accessible way.

I highly recommend it.

First things first - _A God Strolling..._ was an engaging read. Previous reviewers have touched on the excellent development of setting and atmosphere, and I agree that de Carvalho pulls the reader into a colorful and complex representation of the Roman Empire at the precise moment it began to wane. The book is certainly worth reading for this reason alone, especially for those interested in historical fiction.

But above all, the book is a character study; the protagonist Quintius is its focus. As a character study, the book left me wanting a bit more - it's not the study of a strong and inspiring character as the other reviews here suggest. The N.Y. Times review above focuses on his "moral code, as well as a provocative meditation on the difficulty of leading a virtuous life in as era of tumultuous change." Quintius is a reluctant magistrate, forced into the seat of power by lazy demagogues who would rather not be burdened with responsibility. And though Quintius holds steadfastly to his perception of duty as a Roman citizen, his perception is out of step with the society around him. Rather than drawing strength from his convictions and being a strong ruler, he seems buffeted by the sea of events around him: political rivals, threats from without, the emerging Christian faith within his city, and a strange obsession with a female, Iunia.

In short this is not an inspiring story of the triumph of a moral soul, but a study of the torture of seeing things differently than the masses. If this was the author's desired effect, then the book is an unqualified success. However, I thought some of the tools used in reaching this end were under-developed. Quintius' obsession with Iunia drives the novel near the end, and I never understood the motivation for this relationship (admittedly, I guess neither did Quintius...). And ultimately, I hoped to see a development or substantial change in the protagonist in the end, and found little.

Readers who enjoy Jose Saramago will likely find de Carvalho interesting. I enjoyed reading the book. I don't know if I _liked_ the book. If you crave historical ambiance, or generating feelings of uneasiness in yourself, you will enjoy reading the book. I'm not sure if you'll _like_ it either, though...

Quite frankly, I was drawn to Carvalho's excellent novel by a combination of three factors: (1) The title was fascinating; (2) I am a sucker for fiction set in Roman times; and (3) the translator was Gregory Rabassa.

Picture to yourself a basically good men who was the magistrate of a small city in Roman Portugal (then called Lusitania) during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Lucius Valerius Quintius is basically a good man who is left to his own devices because his social peers could not care to help shoulder the burden of governing.

But suddenly, news is heard of a large group of Moors that have crossed the Mediterranean and are pillaging Lusitanian towns. In addition, a small group of Christians is playing havoc with the local citizenry, who suspect them of cannibalism or worse. Quintius fortifies the town and helps to foil a Moorish attack, but he finds the Christians to be a stickier problem.

To begin with, he is fascinated by Iunia Cantaber, a well-born widow who, as leader of the Christian community, has a lemming drive toward martyrdom. The crises lead to an energizing of the citizenry, who begin to push Quintius farther than he wants and leads to a trial, which has a surprising outcome -- that I will not divulge -- and the outcome is that Quintius is forced to take on the Christians. After the trial, he takes the hint and surrenders his office to retire to his villa.

Christianity has suffered a setback in Tarcisis, but the God who strolls in the cool of an evening bides His time. A good men has been befuddled -- but isn't that always what happens in the political arena?

Carvalho's novel falls under the heading of light fiction. It partakes of a gentle irony that wears well through its length. The translation is by the great Gregory Rabassa, whose renderings of Latin-American fiction by Jorge Amado and Gabriel Garcia Marquez have made his name a standard of quality.

For a long time I have searched for historical fiction in an antique setting that is of the caliber of Bryher, Yourcenar, Graves, Duggan. So many current examples are modern projections, anachronistic, unlettered, or just the wrong voice. In this novel, I can happily say I have found a great work to accompany my favorites. Carvalho's narrator speaks authentically with that unique voice of his era, at once worldly-wise, oppressed by fate, caught in the inevitability of not being able to reconcile his world with his convictions.

This work was merely the abridged version (the actual version is 3000 pages long), but Gibbon's command and use of the English language is so rich and varied that one must take the time necessary to savor and fully digest his arguments. Besides, at nearly 800 pages, this isn't light reading.

Editor David Womersley did a masterful job with the editing. In situations where chapters of the abridged version were truncated, Womersley still favored the reader with a description of Gibbon's arguments, as well as with commentary on why/how Gibbon's observations were of consequence. Additionally, Womersley's introduction is well worth one's time--he is able to give us an accurate and fascinating portrait of Gibbon, which enables us to better understand and appreciate the nature of Gibbon's arguments.

Of course, the best part about the book is Gibbon's own observations regarding the history of Rome. Gibbon was a masterful and witty commentator--oftentimes issuing backhanded insults and wryly discussing certain historical personages. Even the footnotes are filled with such commentary. Consider one footnote where Gibbon said "The Dissertation of M. Biet seems to have been justly preferred to the discourse of his more celebrated competitor, the Abbé le Boeuf, an antiquarian, whose name was happily expressive of his talents." Of the emperor Gordian, Gibbon remarked that both his gigantic collection of books, and his impressive collection of concubines were "for use rather than ostentation." Who could help but be charmed by this cheeky and mildly scandalous commentary?

But beyond dry wit and well-placed insults, Gibbon's work stands out because it is so relevant to our world today. The collapse of empire is a subject of much debate in the United States--what with various commentators and pundits assuring us that we will go the way of the Romans quite soon. Gibbon tells us what the crumbling of an empire really is and what it means--in sumptuous detail. In discussing the empire of the Romans, Gibbon lends perspective to geopolitical arguments of today. We can use his analysis as a starting point--the definitive discussion on how a world power may reach its nadir, and may ultimately see its power dissipate.

At times, Gibbon's attention to historical detail is eerie in its ability to pick out important and consequential subjects for discussion. In analyzing the rise of Islam, Gibbon remarks upon the rewards that await the faithful Muslim: "Seventy-two Houris, or black-eyed girls, of resplendent beauty, blooming youth, virgin purity, and exquisite sensibility, will be created for the use of the meanest believer; a moment of pleasure will be prolonged to a thousand years, and his faculties will be encreased a hundred fold, to render him worthy of his felicity." Tell me that you don't read that passage without a shiver running down your spine. Over two hundred years before the attacks of September 11th, Gibbon identified and remarked on the mythology that would drive madmen to plot and execute that mad deed.

Equally impressive was Gibbon's complete and absolute mastery of allegory and analogy. His use of the story of the "Seven Sleepers" to describe the human advancement "from youth to age, without observing the gradual, but incessant, change of human affairs," is a shining example, as Womersley points out, of "human insight, historical vision and philosophical reach" that confirm Gibbon's "range and power as a historian." A relation of the history of the Paulician sect would have struck other lesser historians as tedious and unnecessary, but Gibbon--who was no lesser historian--undertook an analysis of the history with excellent results--making clearer to the reader the nature of religious culture in Gibbon's own time.

Like any work devised by the human hand, the book does have characteristics that receive criticism. Throughout The Decline and Fall Gibbon takes shots at the Persians--a sore spot with me, personally. One bit appears to occur when Gibbon discusses Sultan Mahomet [Mohammad] II of the Ottoman Empire. Remarking on the fact that Mohammad II "spoke or understood five languages, the Arabic, the Persian, the Chalaean or Hebrew, the Latin and the Greek," Gibbon goes on to say that "The Persian might indeed contribute to [Mohammad's] amusement, and the Arabic to his edification." Needless to say, this is a slam against the Persian language--one of the most beautiful and lyrical tongues in existence, and a language that is perfectly suited to poetry--as Hafez, Rum'i, Sa'adi and Omar Khayyam would attest to, and do attest to by their eternally magnificent poetry. Gibbon also has his favorite figures. He openly roots for the Romans, under Emperor Julian, to vanquish the Persian Empire by force of arms, and laments the fact that the Romans lost their holdings in Persia thanks to the death of Julian, and the incompetence of the Emperor Jovian--Julian's successor. Indeed, Gibbon goes so far as to say that "Julian, on this occasion, shewed himself ignorant, or careless, of the laws of civility, which the prudence and refinement of polished ages have established between hostile princes. Yet these wanton ravages need not excite in our [heart] any vehement emotions of pity or resentment. A simple, naked, statute, finished by the hands of a Grecian artist, is of more genuine value than all these rude and costly monuments of Barbaric labor: and if we are more deeply affected by the ruin of a palace, than by the conflagration of a cottage, our humanity must have formed a very erroneous estimate of the miseries of human life." Additionally, Gibbon tells us that "The native race of Persians is small and ugly: but it has been improved by the perpetual mix of Circassian blood." Maybe it's just because my ethnicity is Persian, but I found these remarks wholly unnecessary.

Additionally, Gibbon lionizes Mohammad II, Julian, the Byzantine general Belisarius, and others--lending such favoritism at times that one cannot help but wonder whether his analysis is sufficiently dispassionate. And despite the fact that Gibbon was a believing Christian, Gibbon does show a hostility to religion that is characteristic of a man of the Enlightenment, but one that stands out nonetheless, and could very well have colored his analysis. I suppose that "The Decline and Fall" wouldn't be the same if this opinionated commentary was omitted, and overall, I did rather enjoy having the opportunity to gain an insight into Gibbon's own feelings and beliefs, but the reader should be warned that Gibbon's history is not exactly objective in nature.

In the end, however, these are trifling concerns. I haven't created anything like a Top Ten List of Favorite Books, but when I do, Gibbon's magnum opus will surely be included, and will have a place of honor. In remarking on the success of "The Decline and Fall," Gibbon stated that "my book was on every table, and almost on every toilette." I would not be in the least bit surprised if this were so, and few works in history would deserve similar popularity and acclaim. Given Gibbon's masterful historical relation, given his erudition and expert use of the English language and the contribution he made to the language through his work, and given the relevance of "The Decline and Fall" to our present day and age, let us hope for the sake of contemporary intelligence and society, that more tables and toilettes are graced with a copy of this magisterial work. More importantly, let us hope that Gibbon is read faithfully and constantly--like a Bible of the Enlightenment whose discussion of the past could very well serve to illuminate the present and the future, and offer guidance to meeting the challenges posed to us by modern day events.

This book would be worth every penny if purchased solely for David Womersley's introduction. The introduction is written so beautifully that it effortlessly carries the reader through every facet of the life of Edward Gibbon. I intended but to scan only a few pages of the introduction. Candidly, I expected it to be at best irrelevant and at worst tiresome. I was struck at once by how thoroughly Gibbon's life was recounted. My imagination was launched into flights of fancy at the sharp contrasts between Gibbon's classic European education and my decidedly less useful American public indoctrination. Gibbon spent time with major philosophers and these interactions helped to shape an intellect that was uniquely able to see 'truth', especially through religious dogma. The introduction provides the reader with invaluable insight and, dare I say, a device that may grant the reader a greater understanding and likely a greater appreciation of this classic work. Womersley has wisely chosen to abridge only the number of chapters while not 'blending' chapters. Womersley explains that the beauty of Gibbon's writing is best viewed in the arc of a complete chapter and therefore 'blending chapters' would be a horrible injustice. I liken Gibbon's writing to that of a non-fictional Shakespeare. Shakespeare helped us see truth in fictional stories as Gibbon does so in a non-fictional format. This is THE book to buy about the Roman Empire. Bravo - Sir Womersley!

How can you not love Edward Gibbon? Master of the one-liner, the backhanded compliment, the passing zinger, who else could have remarked famously of Gordian, a relatively obscure 3rd century emperor, that his enormous library and twenty-two acknowledged concubines were both "for use rather than ostentation." Gibbon is known to be no fan of Christianity's influence on Rome, nor is he a friend of Byzantium. Yet these prejudices are more than just pet hates: they reflect the fact that he, more than any other historian of the Englightenment, was prepared to cast aside the received wisdom of recent generations and delve back to the source to give an authentic view of history. Not only does he rank as a writer of Shakespearean proportions, he is one of historiography's most successful revisionists.

...however, it doesn't address the argument of the person who had the best non-calvinistic explanation of Romans 9... (drum roll please)... Arminius!! Piper in a calm and persuasive manner goes inch by inch through each verse and utterly demolishes the hypothesis that Romans 9 discusses nations, not individual destinies. However, that wasn't Arminius' premise (which in some places is remarkably similar to Piper's) and the fact that Piper didn't go over verse 30 leaves a hole in his explanation that's big enough to drive a truck through. For all of its in depth analysis of the Greek and Hebrew, the book is still extremely readable and a good page turner. Anyway, if you are an Arminian(like me), you will most likely have your views challenged in a good way and if you're a Calvinist, you will probably walk away from it satisfied, but look around for Arminius' explanation, you might be pleasantly suprised that there are legitimate intellectual reasons for being an Arminian.

You ever wonder why Calvinists are Calvinists? Why many evangelicals believe in double predestination? How God can still be righteous even though He has decreed to elect only a certain portion of mankind? Those who want an excellent treatment of one of the most difficult topics of Christian theology should look here. In this book, John Piper tackles Romans 9:1-23 to show why the Bible teaches Calvinism. Without letting dogmatic and philosophical presuppositions guide his exegesis, Piper deals with the text as it is by examining the passage in its original language (Koine Greek). The work is heavily exegetical, but surprisingly easy to read (though knowing some Greek will help for sure). Piper goes over the passage section by section (Romans 9:1-5, 6-13, 14-18, and 19-23). He starts off using Romans 9:1-13 as a launching pad which reaches its climax in 9:19-23. It is well structured and organized. Piper sets up his argument by examining the redemptive-historical place of physical Israel (chapter 2). If Israel is God's elect people, why are the majority under His wrath in the present time? What has happened to God's righteousness and faithfulness? Piper, in a very convincing manner, explains that God's promise and faithfulness (according to Paul) have not failed because only a faithful remnant within physical Israel were/are saved. Also, God will someday save corporate/physical Israel near the end of the age (cf. Romans 11:25-26). Thus, God is not unjust. However, Piper does an excellent job still explaining why God is still just and righteous when He only elects a certain number among mankind for His salvific benefits--to display His glory and honour His own name. Piper also deals with the idea of the "righteousness of God" in Romans 3 (chapters 7-8): God's righteousness being not bestowing some righteousness unto sinners (Luther), but to act for His own name's sake and to show His glory (many may agree with Luther, but Piper's view cannot be ignored). He also explains what Exodus 33:19 means within the context of Romans 9, and explains what the "righteousness of God" means in the Old Testament (chapter 6)--which is basically the same as the Pauline meaning in Romans 3. Throughout the book, Piper basically tries to refute the common non-Calvinistic way of interpreting Romans 9. Romans Catholics and Arminians often argue that Romans 9 deals with national and/or temporal matters. Piper, through convincing exegesis, argues that Paul was dealing with individual and eternal matters. This is a good book that will vindicate God and the way He deals with the world and humanity. Piper's book should be read in all seminaries (Calvinistic and non-Calvinistic alike) in advanced theology courses. However, a note of caution should be mentioned. When Piper first wrote this book (1983) he was still highly influenced by his former teacher Daniel Fuller. One may notice some spots where he holds to the typical Kasemannian/Stuhlmacherian view of justification (i.e., justification by faith and law-keeping). Overall, though, this is a good book that should be read by all who are interested in what the Bible teaches on predestination.

In spite of the in depth greek anaylsis, I found this to be the best defense of Predestination from a scriptural standpoint.
The book is tightly and coherently written, so that each point builds upon itself. It is comprhensive and the extra chapters
on God's righteousness are very convincing and insightfull. Piper's ability to anylize Paul's opponents are not only helpful, but extrodinary. The book has many insights that you will not find in an ordinary commentary on the subject. I cannot see how anyone who reads this book could not be convinced that Predestiantion is taught in the bible. With a religious world clamouring for sciptural support, this book is the anwser to their delima. I'm on my seconding reading and my amazment of
the depth and theological consistency of this book continues to grow. It is one the greatest modern works by a Calvinist.

Great introduction to the Catholic teaching on the communion of saints. Another fantastic reminder of the beauty of the Catholic Faith. When I was younger and I had to travel, my Mother would say and don't forget you also have your Mum in heaven and all the Angels and Saints, so ask for their prayers as well. During the birthdays of Saints we found out what made them special and how they gave lived their lives for Good and for God. It has always made me feel the Church on earth and in heaven with Our Lord God as the head are one big family. Thank you Mr Madrid for putting into words why.

The Catholic Church presents and preserves a beautiful teaching about our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone on before us in a state of grace... that we are not separated by death, that our departed loved ones can still hear us and pray for us, and that there is a real union between us.

Pat Madrid presents a very brief, yet very substantive book that examines this teaching. Covering topics that range from praying to the saints to the power of saintly relics, Madrid argues almost exclusively from the Scripture, thus making this book a valuable resource in presenting the Communion of the Saints to a bible-only Christian.

As you read this book, you will hear the objections against this teaching from both modern apologists as well as the founding fathers of the Reformation (i.e., Calvin and Luther). You will be directed to the Scriptures that support this teaching, and be invited to consider the implications of those Scriptures. You will be taken back into history to see how these teachings (prayers to saints and venerating relics) were actually practiced BEFORE the Church came into being, by the Jews who comprised the first Church.

For being such a short, digestible work, this book is dense with truth, and is recommended for daily meditation.

Madrid provides a needed service with this book. He addresses the following subjects: 1) What is the Communion of Saints? 2)Classical Protestant Objections 3)"Me nad Jesus" Christianity Isn't Biblical 4)The "One Mediator" Argument and Other Objections 5)Praying for the Souls in Purgatory 6)The Testamony of the Early Church 7)The Veneration of Relics 8)Statues and Images 9)Does Honoring Mary and the Saints Offend God? 10)Epilogue 11)Appendix: Council of Trent Decree Concerning the Invocation, Veneration, and Relics of Saints and Sacred Images

This book has been given to many Protestant friends and has clarified a great deal for them. It is also very useful for Eastern Orthodox Christians, with the exception of the chapter on purgatory (Orthodox have a different understanding of the matter).

Other books of interest may include: Discovering the Rich Heritage of Orthodoxy, by Bell; Lossky's, Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church; The Experience of God, by Staniloae; The Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, ed. Ferguson. For a detailed account of Icons and their usage see, The Resurrection and the Icon, by Quenot. Enjoy!