While not as essential as his "Against Heresies", "On the Apostolic Preaching" contains a well of information regarding the early Church's teaching especially in regards to the truth of the Holy Trinity. Great writing from a great father, highly recommended.

Assuming that this is a true representation of an actual writing, it is invaluable for all Christians in showing us what the manner of preaching was at the very beginning. Of this fact, I really have no doubt, and accept this writing as that of Irenaeus himself. Irenaeus was taught by Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John, so we have here a teaching of the preaching told by a second generation source.

This is a work by Irenaeus that wasn't discovered until fairly recently, so it is not included in the excellent 10 volume Ante-Nicene Fathers set. The work is essentially a summary of the Christian faith by the Bishop Irenaeus (lived around 177 AD). The work 'recounts all the various deeds of God culminated in Jesus Christ.' It, unlike the works of Justin and Athenagoras from the same period, is non-polemical and non-apologetic. There are quite a few notes, a nice introduction, and some Greek words provided in the text when the English translation provided is uncertain.

Now in a newly revised edition that includes verses from "Elegy", Larry Levis' (1946-1996) final collection of poetry, The Selected Levis, gathers inspirational and moving verse whose lyrical, picturesque wording evokes an atmosphere all its own -- sometimes beautiful, sometimes bleak and dark. But some things are not possible on the earth./And that is why people make poems about the dead./And the dead watch over them, until they are finished:/Until their hands feel like glass on the page,/And snow collects in the blind eyes of statues.

I'd like to make a correction to my review--when I wrote this I was so excited about the collection that I wasn't thinking straight! There are no poems from his last full collection, Elegy in here; the Selected Poems ends with the Widening Spell of the Leaves. I didn't mean to misrepresent this volume. But if you've never read any Levis before, buy the selected, and buy Elegy, and work from there.

I think it was Michael Levenson who said that "It's easy to have an opinion, but so hard to write a sentence that counts." Nearly every one of Levis's sentences counted, through a deep and original sense of line and a voice that easily alternated between the fierce and tender. Except perhaps from his first book, nearly everything that Levis wrote resonated--he's one of the best, and sadly, one of the most underrated, of the poets of the 80s and 90s.

He did this by creating new KINDS of poems; the cadences (particularly in his later books) are singularly his, and tonally the poems can be elegaic, or funny, but they're not just "feelings put on paper." His poems aren't merely glib, vague confessional prose broken up arbitrarily into lines, as seems to be trendy lately. Tonally they might vary from the elegaic to the absurdly funny--but they are all part of a deep exploration by Levis of human experience. He is often rooted in regional soil (the hardscrabble California vineyards of his childhood) but he is not a "regional" writer; in other words, whatever his experiences in life might be, he uses poetry as a way to transform them, merely than just describe them. He can write a poem about Belgrade, and have the same type of unbounded imagery, rhythms, and lyrical force than he has writing about "home."

Perhaps the greatest poems here are the Elegies from his last book, in which the elegies themselves become kind of semiautonomous creatures in of themselves (the titles say much to this regard: "Elegy with a Thimbleful of Water in the cage," "Elegy with a Petty Thief in the Rigging," "Elegy with an Angel inside its gate," etc), and are probably the best sequence of poems I've seen in a long long time.

In short, this is a fine introduction to Levis's work--but if you're hooked, you're going to want all of his books anyway (most of which are thankfully in-print by both Pittsburgh and Carneige Mellon). It has been awfully hard to pin down in words what makes his work so special, because in many ways, just like his poems, it defies easy categorization. His poems don't necessarily provide nice morals at the end; they aren't sugar-coated. But I can't think of another poet--even Sylvia Plath, whose work I love--who I regret (grieve, really) had died an early death. With any luck a hundred years from now people will be reading, passionately, Levis's work.

Pieper, in these three essays, describes what we have to learn from the works and life of Aquinas. The essays detail the scholastic arguements of the day and how Thomas, in the true spirit of open mindedness (his life and method are the definition of this oft abused term) brought some peace ond understanding to the various sides, a very serious matter in his day. The book explains how much of an Aristotilian Aquinas was, and more importantly how much he was not. Mainly by showing how the charactoristics of the Latin Averroists have been unjustly attributed to Aquinas by his detractors - the Latin Averoists (Averoes was an Arab) were whole hearted Aristotilians.

This book is an excellent addition to reading Etienne Gilson's "Unity of the Philosophical Experience" as Pieper gives further explanantions as to the behavior of the Augastinians and Latin Averroists. It could explain also why modern Muslims are so singularly textually dogmatic - it is in reaction to Averroist's attempting to rid religion of faith altogether - and thus the violent reaction in nixing reason and rationalism. It tells how Aquinas circumvented this problem. The last essay also compliments Gilson's book in that it shows what Existentialism has in common with Aquinas, some interesting things, despite some gapping fundimental differences at their very root and conclusion.

The first essay vividly descibes what an attitude of accademic pursuit and teaching should look like. Too many teachers are dogmatic and are only interested in pursuing and supporting an idea that is presently clear in their minds and propogating it, rather than treating the moment as an active pursuit of truth. Thomas was a model teacher and the book is an active discripition of his method.

The book also argues, with supporting evidence and reason, that Thomas' main work The "Summa Theologica" was intentionally left unfinished. Why it was left unfinished is at the root of what Aquinas was all about concerning philosophy and metaphysics - it is a process not a conclusion. Gilson's book describes what a conclusion is, as sometimes philosophers have rejected the idea that they have reached a conclusion, when in fact they have. Gilson effectively defines what a conclusion looks like.

Both are highly recommended books for Teachers, Historians, and Philosophers.

St. Thomas Aquinas, needless to say, is not easy to understand. In this little guide, which makes nice supplemental reading to get a look "behind the scenes" of the saint's philosophy, Josef Pieper first sketches a biographical outlines of Thomas' life and then delves into the negative element in his philosophy and concludes with the "timelessness" of Thomism, which makes it a perennial philosophy.

This book is primarily concerned with St. Thomas' epistemological assumptions (which were taken for granted, hence the "silence"), what knowledge meant for the saint, and how and to what extent it can be achieved. Pieper tackles Thomas' seemingly paradoxical stance on essences, and whether or not they can be known, for Thomas maintains both that we cannot know God in His essence and that God's essence is His existence.

Pieper shows St. Thomas' beautiful conviction that "it is part of the very nature of things that their knowability cannot be wholy exhausted by any finite intellect, because these things are creatures, which means that the very element which makes them capable of being known must necessarily be at the same time the reason why things are unfathomable" (p.60).

All in all, this book is a fine look at Thomas' profound epistemology, so rarely discussed in philosophical courses today. If you have an interest in the philosophy of St. Thomas, don't pass this one up!

The unifying theme of the three essays composing this book is the paradox that the intelligibilty of things and their incomprehensibility both derive from their being creatures, that is, from their possessing natures that are communications of the ideas in the mind of God. Things can be known only because they are created, but at the same time, things are unfathomable because they are created: "one and the same factor explains both why things cannot be entirely grasped and why they can be known" (pp.95-6). Why is this so? I'll not deprive the reader of the pleasure of reading Pieper's book to find out.

For me, this book ended a long struggle to discover what St. Thomas Aquinas really taught about our knowledge of things. Pieper succeeds in reconciling Thomas's frequent statements that we cannot know the essence of any created thing with his repeated claims elsewhere that our minds are receptive of the forms (i.e., essences) of things.

While my attitude toward Pieper's understanding of St. Thomas's thought is not uncritical, I must concede that he is one of the best and most original (the two are not the same) of twentieth century Thomist philosophers. Unfortunately, he is sometimes (unjustly) put down by scholars as a mere popularizer. Let them read this book and be disabused; Pieper has much to teach them.

My ratings of other books by Josef Pieper: Guide to Thomas Aquinas ****; Leisure the Basis of Culture *****; Scholasticism *****

Our Parish has used Mr. Ray's guide for two trips through the Gospel according to St. John. It is an incredible resource for groups who have serious interest in Bible Study. (I would expect nothing less of an author than a 5-star rating for his work! This piece happens to actually deserve it.)

Mr. Ray, do us a favor and remove your own five star review from this page.

[In response to Joe below: I provided the material on the back of the book for those who want to know what the book was about in more detail. I am not allowed to provide info on my book without rating it; I tried. Should I rate my own book less than a five star? Come on!]

The first extensive, easy to use and thoroughly Catholic Bible Study guide.

As Catholics in ever-growing numbers are taking part in Bible studies, many questions arise. How do I study the Bible? Where do I begin? Is it OK to interpret the Bible for ourselves? What Bible should I use? How can I understand such a deep book as the Gospel of St, John?

This book has the answer to these and many other such questions. Stephen Ray takes the difficult and makes it easy; he takes the confusion and makes things clear. It gives a simple start for a beginner while providing the depth and profundity for the scholar. This book is one of a kind. It is the first extensive, easy to use and thoroughly Catholic study guide available.

This Bible study provides extensive "text boxes" with detailed information that helps students discover the cultural, religious, historical and other information on the specific passage they are studying. It utilizes quotes for a wide range of scholars, historians and specialists to instruct the student and give valuable insights into the background and meaning of the text. This book can serve as a basic Bible study guide for working through the Gospel of John, helping the student plumb the depths of St. John's marvelous and deeply spiritual Gospel. It is excellent for use by individuals or groups, for families or schools.

Special Highlights

The first extensive, easy-to-use Catholic Bible study guide available written in a way that is usable by both the beginner and the scholar Coincides very well with the Catechism of the Catholic Church Provides extensive "text-boxes" with detailed information on specific Bible passages being studied.

readers voted The Truth About Toby one of their favorites of '97! Just wanted to pop on and congratulate Cheryl St. John and all her readers who know a good thing when they see it!

The Truth About Toby is yet another of St. John's books that keeps you reading until the last page. You find yourself truly caring about the characters. I liked it as much as her Historical Romances. Keep it up!!!

Cheryl St. John is an author who moves flawlessly from historicals to contemp to paranormals. The setting doesn't matter, because wherever she puts them, her characters live and breathe. They take up a corner of your heart and don't let go for a very long time - if ever! The Truth About Toby is it's on my keeper shelf - along with the rest of CSJ's books!

This book is wonderful and funny - in Gorey's typically macabre style. This little picture book cleverly lampoons the cliches of the mystery genre - leaving any Christie or Sayers fan not only admiring the artwork but convulsed over the stories! My favourite part - one method of murder suggested - labelled "Inexplicable" - a handful of confetti! Think about it... this book is guarnteed to make you do that!

I found this book in the art gallery. I loved it from the begining. Then we went out for Chinese food. So, in my mind, those two things are conected. D.Awdrey-Gore is based on Agatha Christie, who I'm also a big fan of, so this this book is twice as great.

but Hallie Wainwright wants more than an apron and some man's wedding ring. She's a reporter and is just looking for an opportunity to prove herself. Cooper DeWitt thinks he's found a woman who can make it in the untamed west as well as a woman who can find a place in his heart. Cooper and Hallie find that the path to their Happily-Ever-After is a bumpy trail indeed in Badlands Bride.

As always, Cheryl St. John captivated me on the first page and pulled me along until the very last.

Simply wonderful! The heroine, Hallie, is a spunky, honest young woman who (thinks) she knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to go after it. Cooper is sexy, hard-working, and a true gentleman. Their differences seem to be too much to overcome, but love truly conquers all, as Hallie and Cooper find out. Ms. St. John brings the setting alive, and her characters are always so well done that I truly feel as if I know them. The sexual tension is sizzling - I couldn't put this one down!

I read this book years ago at the public library and was fascinated by it. I have been trying (unsuccessfully, I might add!) to find my very own copy ever since. It is truly wonderful reading and I recommend it highly.

This is a fascinating and well written account of one of the best known, yet little understood, archaeological mysteries of the century. The discovery of the first-century grave under the present basilica of St Peter's is a detective story which is usually given a confessional treatment, if it is noted at all. Walsh does a brilliant job of untangling the threads of the excavation, without making assumptions about the religious aspects of the find. He leaves the reader in little doubt that what was discovered was what Christinas from the second century on certainly believed to be the grave of the apostle Peter. As for the bones, he makes a reasonable case for those being revered in the time of Constantine, without claiming that they are, or are not, those of the Prince of the Apostles. Whatever one's faith, this is a book to be read in one sitting. Anyone going to Rome should definitely read this before visiting the site.

As a retired lawyer addicted to suspense novels with a legal orientation, I think The Castration, by Carey & Barrett, rivals the best of Meltzer and Grisham.

Loved this book - a fascinating revelation of some of the inner workings of the Mafia although it is set in the charming area of Kennebunkport, Maine. It pulls you in and holds your interest almost immediately. The characters are well defined, and the locales well described so you can picture them in your mind's eye even if you have not visited there. The twist at the end wraps it up but leaves you wanting more. Thoroughly enjoyable reading but do not start at bedtime; you will be up all night!

I'm a nerd. 95% of my books are computer-related. This book will gave me an appreciation of what an extraordinary event the convention was. Several times it shows how it could have so easily fallen apart or gone off in a different direction (and Lord knows what kind of land this would be if it had). This book and another great book called 'Voices of 1776' will give you an awesome sense of how lucky we are to be what we are today. I cannot recommend this book more highly. (BTW, did you know that the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who went on to become presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died within two hours of each other on July 4, 1826 - 50 years to the day the Declaration was signed?)

Fantastic series! Read all three.