Fr. Bulgakov has given us a amazing study of the meaning of the Holy Eucharist. Not just an analysis, but even a contemplative dive into the depths of the Divine Mystery.

He desribes how the Eucharist is not 'transsubstantiation' but rather 'transmutation'; which is a union of the Eucharistsic matter with the glorified Body and Blood of our Lord. Thereby rescuing Orthodox theology from the temptation to adopt the Latin scholastic understanding. He clearly points out some serious weaknessess in the scholastic theory, and replaces it with a thoroughly Biblical and Patristic explanation.

In the Introduction, Fr. Robert Slesinski, a Uniate priest, attempts to take away some of the impact of Bulgakov's criticisms on the eucharistic theology of the Latin Church and of Protestantism. Saying he judges too quickly. Well, Bulgakov did not have critique of them in mind, he had an Orthodox exposition in mind, and in the process gives some pointers to weaknessess in Latin and Protestant understanding. In an in depth analysis of the Latin and Protestant points of view, one would indeed expect a more throrough and precise criticism. But such is not the focus of this book. And Fr. Slesinski's criticism and defense of the Latin pov does not really fit this book very well. It could very well have done without it (the five stars are for Fr. Bulgakov, not Fr. Slesinski).

Fr. Bulgakov also points out that the blood and water, supposedly caught in the Holy Grail by Joseph of Arimathea do not have a eucharistic significance. For the glorified Body and Blood (which is part of Christ's resurrected Body) are of eucharistic significance. Rather it points out that the Presence of Christ remains in this world. The Body and Blood are not deprived by the Spirit of Christ, but this Spirit remains attached to it. Connecting all the world (symbolized by the Holy Grail) to God. His salvific Blood remains active in the world.

Bulgakov is aware of the legendary character of the Grail-myth, and its actual existence does not really matter. What matters is the way the Grail-legend can be used to explain the remaining presence of Christ in the world after He leaves it in the Ascension. Thanx to the Blood and water that flowed from Christ's side He does not abandon the world in the Acension, but like the Holy Grail the world receives the Salvific Blood and Water in itself. On the Cross, as Christ's side is pierced by the roman spear, the final stage of redemption is completed. And this redemption is now followed by the glorification of the cosmos. The whole cosmos will be changed in order to allow God to be all in all. Bulgakov points to the eschatological significance of the piercing of Christ's side, by explaining what its place is in the process wherein heaven comes down to earth, and the earth ascends to heaven.

On the Cross, says Bulgakov, Christ's humanity (symbolized by water and blood) is divided, and spread into the world. But in the Second Coming His body is fully re-united and this means that the earth is united to heaven and heaven to earth. Like the humanity of Christ is restored to unity and life, likewise will the earth be restored to unity and life.

The last chapter deals with the Eucharist as it is interpreted according to Bulgakov's understanding of sophiology. It is the most difficult part of the book. But the insights are truly astounding. The significance of Divine Sophia and created Sophia, concerning the Holy Eucharist opens a path whereupon the truth of st. Paul's words beget their strongest hearing: 'For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring (Acts 17, 28).'

This is not s just a systematic theological treatise, it is also a meditation, a contemplative and experiental approach of the Mystery of the Eucharist, and the Passion of Christ; leading the reader to a deeper understanding of Orthodox Christianity, and a deeper experience of Christ in the life of the Orthodox Church.

John Welch does an excellent job in this book. His primary emphasis is on the Sermon on the Mount in a ritual/temple context. He explains the temple language used in the Sermon as well as scholarly ideas that the Greek text uses "mystery" or initiatory phrasing in expressing its ideas (using the idea of clothing, knowledge, etc.).

This work is most likely the beginning of Mr. Welch's work in this field. Welch gave a talk to the Society of Biblical Literature in 1999, the transcript of which is soon to be released on this same subject. Fascinating in its view of one of the most troublesome texts in the Bible (being as many interpretations as readers), the liturgical view adds further depth to the already incredible "sermon of sermons".

Pope John Paul II has beatified some 1,786 Saints during his pontificate, and will canonize another 150 in the Jubilee year. The number alone exceeds the number canonized by any other Pope in history, leading some to describe his pontificate as a "Saint factory." This book provides an exhaustive glimpse into that factory with the hagiographies of more than 300 canonized Saints and 700 beatified Saints. The book includes such inspiring biographies as Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla, the Italian wife, mother and doctor who unselfishly gave her life for her unborn child; the handsome, young, mountain climber Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati; and Mexican martyr Father Miguel Pro.

Having just completed one of the bloodiest centuries the world has ever seen, Pope John Paul II is trying to tell us something. These stories are examples of his vision for the Church. They provide inspiration that he knows we will need as we face the century ahead of us. Furthermore, the stories prove that anyone can become a Saint -our friends, neighbors, co-workers, children, and maybe even ourselves.

As a student of Arthurian history (fifth and sixth century Britain), I am constantly looking for books about the historical Arthur. Of all the hundreds of authors who write about the subject, John Matthews is my favorite. And in "King Arthur and the Grail Quest," I haven't been let down. The first few chapters are about the historical Arthur, my field of expertise, while later chapters go into the history of the Grail legends, as well as the other bizarre happenings which sorround them, including the Templars, Cathars, Prester John, and more. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the history of King Arthur or the Holy Grail.

These messages are still as fresh, helpful, and appropriate as they were when he initially spoke them. I have never met a man who could open up the Word of God in such a way to our understanding. Witness Lee was a man full of the Holy Spirit who truly knew the Word of God. His speaking on each book of the Bible helped me tremendously in my understanding and my christian walk. The reader is in for a real feast when he comes to these writings.

Broken up into five sections, this little book has quotes and commentry for the meaning of them. There are some nice pictures from the Book of Kells and pictures of artifacts as well. The sources section in the book will give you a good guide for other books along the same lines.

Wonderful little book of Celtic Wisdom. Caitlin explores several of the lands mentioned in Celtic Mythology and ties them into everyday life. Visit the Land of Youth, the Land of the Living, the Plain of Delight, the Plain of Silver and Land of Promise. Truly a Celtic tapestry. I use this book with my groups as we travel on a Sacred Site Tour through Ireland.

This collection of Sasse's essay written between 1927-1939 are thus particularly fascinating and enlightening as the context of the Nazi regime and intro to American Christianity way heavy on the author.

Here one will discover what it truly means to confess one's faith in light of pressure and temptation. Thus, the lonely way.

Confessional words from this studied church historian and exegete and ecumenist pour forth on observation of his own ecclesiastical scene as well as ours here in the States.

The opening essay is fascinating, since it entails Sasse's initial visit to America. His comments are penetrating and analytical, e.g. "This churchliness of life has a down side to be sure: the secularization of the church. ... Tkhey have opened their doors in part to modern civilization, which has endangered the purity and depth of the faith. Here is the reason for that superficiality of American church life which repulses us Germans." "The consequence of this, along with the concurrent leveling effect of American life, is an elimination of confessional anthitheses. .... All this has created a common religious atmosphere, in which the confessional lines are blurred. Thus fighting has been replaced by cooperation, one of the great American catchwords."

Delivered in 1928, an essay on the church as body of Christ is yet another of Sasse's confessional themes, strongly confessing the Lutheran substance of sacramental presence of Christ: "The church is the body of Christ, is identical with the body of Christ, which is really present in the Lord's Supper. The participation in the body and blood of Christ present in the Lord's Supper is synonymous with membership in his body."

Instructive thoughts and admonitions which provide more than ample reflective thought of their adaptation and input to current theological issues and ponderings.

A valuable resource for the church of the Reformation and those interested in listening in on this timeless saint of the Lord's literary output.

J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels is solidly Evangelical and Biblical. The expositions are short, and easy to read in a devotional setting. In Ryle's own words,

"In each Exposition I have generally begun by stating as briefly as possible the main scope and purpose of the passage under consideration. I have then selected two, three, or four prominent points in the passage, singled them out from the rest, dwelt exclusively on them, and endeavoured to enforce them plainly and vigorously on the reader's attention." (From the Preface to the Expository Thoughts on Matthew.)

The Expository Thoughts will give you a good grounding in the Gospels. The Banner of Truth edition is a facsimile reprint and the edition I prefer. It has footnotes that are often left out of some of the more "modernized" abridged reprints. Those footnotes can be a gold mine in themselves.

Good solid hermeneutics and clear presentation make this an ideal volume for the pastor, student, or serious layperson. MacArthur is not only an excellent Bible teacher, but he writes simply for popular use, yet nothing is water-down. This is a most thorough work, useful in preparing sermons, lessons, or personal growth. MacArthur interprets from a moderate dispensational viewpoint and seems to follow obejctive principle of interpretation. He brings in a generous amount of cultural and background information, as well as other Bible texts. I suggest you purchase the entire Matthew set. There is probably none finer.