Theology

It's almost undeniable that God is working miracles of healing in evangelization today. For theologians, pastors, and evangelists some questions arise: What is the relationship between physical healing and the message of salvation? Should the church really expect God to do healings in evangelization today? Father Thelen answers these questions by examining the relationship between the preaching of the gospel and physical healing in the New Testament. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not simply a message of fact; it is a message of power that is often expressed through the working of deeds that serve as signs of the reality preached: salvation. As signs of the kingdom, healings that accompany the preaching of the gospel play an indispensable role in bringing people to faith throughout the New Testament. The result of this biblical study is a clarion call for the church to renew its faith in God's desire and power to confirm his word through healing. As healing becomes more accepted and frequent in evangelization, a Catholic biblical and theological approach to healing as it relates to evangelization--an approach that can be different from its Protestant counterpart--is necessary. This modest book fits this need. ""As the church in the West once again faces the prospect of being a 'little flock' surrounded by an increasingly hostile post-Christian culture, it is not surprising that some of the main features of the life of the early church should reappear that until recently didn't seem either relevant or realistic. Texts of the Scripture and main aspects of Jesus' ministry that were consigned to another age are beginning to be seen as extremely relevant once again. Thelen has done the church a great service by establishing the solid scriptural and theological foundations for the place of 'signs and wonders' in the mission of the church today."" --Ralph Martin, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit ""The New Evangelization will not succeed without a revival of the healing ministry within the Catholic Church. Miraculous healing, as it was for Jesus, is indispensable in proclaiming the Gospel for it bears witness to the Gospel's saving power. Fr. Thelen's small book clearly and lucidly demonstrates the importance of healing in the ministry of Jesus and in the life of the Apostolic Church, and in so doing establishes the importance of the healing ministry in our own day. Fr. Thelen's book provides clergy and laity alike the needed theological foundation and the indispensable pastoral inspiration for them to proclaim boldly Jesus' Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father."" --Thomas Weinandy, Capuchin College, Washington DC ""In a world enchanted with self-made religion, how should the church evangelize? As they did in the early church: by signs to confirm the word. After reviewing the abundant New Testament evidence regarding the strong relationship between preaching and healing, Thelen explores the audience to which the Word is addressed today. Since those touched by growing atheism and the cult of self are more open to tangible events like testimonies of healing than mere proclaimed truths, Thelen challenges preachers and evangelists to pray for signs, especially healings, when they proclaim the Word. Such an approach is not only deeply rooted in Scripture, but is also good advice."" --George Montague, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas ""The New Evangelization will not succeed without a revival of the healing ministry within the Catholic Church. Miraculous healing, as it was for Jesus, is indispensable in proclaiming the gospel for it bears witness to the gospel's saving power. Thelen's small book clearly and lucidly demonstrates the importance of healing in the ministry of Jesus and in the life of the Apostolic Church, and in so doing establishes the importance of the healing ministry in our own day. Thelen's book provides clergy and laity alike the needed theological f

Augustine's Confessions is one of the most influential and most innovative works of Latin literature. Written in the author's early forties in the last years of the fourth century A.D. and during his first years as a bishop, they reflect on his life and on the activity of remembering and interpreting a life. Books I-IV are concerned with infancy and learning to talk, schooldays, sexual desire and adolescent rebellion, intense friendships and intellectual exploration. Augustine evolves and analyses his past with all the resources of the reading which shaped his mind: Virgil and Cicero, Neoplatonism and the Bible. This volume, which aims to be usable by students who are new to Augustine, alerts readers to the verbal echoes and allusions of Augustine's brilliant and varied Latin, and explains his theological and philosophical questioning of what God is and what it is to be human. The edition is intended for use by students and scholars of Latin literature, theology and Church history.

In this gorgeously illustrated volume Oxford scholar Carolinne White presents fresh translations of choice passages from the Confessions. These extracts have been chosen to express Augustine's wisdom and his mystical yearning for God. Lively narrative and colorful anecdotes are interspersed with passages of great poetry in praise of God. In the process of describing his own failings, Augustine also gives relevant advice on how to live a Christian life.

In this first modern illustrated edition of the Confessions, Augustine's words are accompanied by beautiful medieval and Renaissance illuminations from manuscripts in the collection at the British Library -- making this a volume to treasure for a lifetime.

This fascinating summary of Catholic beliefs examines the Apostles' Creed as both a treasury of faith and an invitation to entrust oneself more completely to God. Noted Washington, D.C. pastor and teacher Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi offers a simple introduction to Catholicism blending sound Catholic teaching with scripture, the wisdom of the saints, literature, and personal anecdotes to offer a synopsis of the faith suitable for lifelong Catholics and inquirers alike. Vaghi deftly explains how this oldest of the Church's creeds is not only a summary of Catholic beliefs, but an invitation to entrust oneself to God. Twelve chapters corresponding to the twelve articles of the Creed offer a fast-paced tour of the Catholic faith, with particular attention to sometimes neglected aspects distinctive to Catholicism. Questions for reflection and prayers are included for group and/or devotional use.

Here -- carefully documented, footnoted, and indexed -- is not only what the Church teaches but also why it is obligated to do so. This updated and expanded edition of a text widely used in colleges, universities, and seminaries (as well as in high schools and parish religious education programs), offers the latest Catholic teaching on moral theology, including: moral theology; human dignity, free human action, virtue, and conscience; and natural law, moral absolutes, and sin. Read why -- and how -- living what the Church teaches can transform hearts, minds, and souls.

Mystery of the Church presents a global picture of the main themes of current ecclesiology. First, it deals with the institution of the Church and her essential nature. Subsequently the four hallmarks of the Church are described. Her unity and holiness are guaranteed by the sanctity of Christ her Head despite the sinfulness of her members. The catholicity of the Church is also examined from the perspective of Eastern Christendom. The apostolicity of the Church leads to a description of the Petrine Office. The Church is seen as the instrument of salvation, and her relationship with the State and with science is investigated. Finally the Church is pictured as leading to the Kingdom of God. This is the fifth volume of Fr Paul Haffner's systematic exposition of theology - previously published volumes in this series: Mystery of Creation, The Mystery of Mary, The Mystery of Reason, The Sacramental Mystery. Paul Haffner is a priest and professor of theology at Regina Apostolorum University in Rome, visiting professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, and adjunct lecturer at Duquesne University Roman Campus.

Father Leslie Rumble was the godfather of radio apologists and one of the Catholic media superstars of his day. During the 1920s and 30s his show helped millions of people understand and explain the teachings of Catholicism. The original Radio Replies three volume set collected the best questions and answers from his show and helped millions more, becoming one of the most beloved resources of the modern apologetics renaissance. Now Radio Replies is back and better than ever! Catholic Answers has taken the thousands of questions from the original three volumes and pared them to a single volume, eliminating duplicate or dated entries. The result -an attractive and readable edition that makes Fr. Rumble's wisdom, wit, and witness more accessible than ever before. From the Bible to baptism; from Christian morality to the marks of the Church; from the nature of man to the evidence for God in nature; Radio Replies is a one-stop shop for sound information about the Catholic Faith

G.K. Chesterton's brilliant sketch of the life and thought of Thomas Aquinas is as relevant today as when it was published in 1933. Then it earned the praise of such distinguished writers as Etienne Gilson, Jacques Martain, and Anton Pegis as the best book ever written on the great thirteenth-century Dominican. Today Chesterton's classic stands poised to reveal Thomas to a new generation.

Chesterton's Aquinas is a man of mystery. Born into a noble Neapolitan family, Thomas chose the life of a mendicant friar. Lumbering and shy -- his classmates dubbed him "the Dumb Ox" -- he led a revolution in Christian thought. Possessed of the rarest brilliance, he found the highest truth in the humblest object. Having spent his life amid the vast intricacies of reason, he asked on his deathbed to have read aloud the Song of Songs, the most passionate book in the Bible.

As Albert the Great, Thomas's teacher, predicted, the Dumb Ox has bellowed down the ages to our own day. Chesterton's book will enlighten those who would consign Thomas to the obscurity of medieval times. It will confound those who would use Thomas to bolster arid schemes of Christian rationalism. Rather, it will introduce the wondrous mystery of the man who, after a life of unparalleled genius, was seized by a vision of the Unknown and said, "I can write no more. I have seen things which make all my writings like straw."

...a brilliant book of immense practical usefulness. --Our Sunday Visitor

A Modern Classic

"The joy and excitement of theological knowledge is like the joy and excitement of any other love." --From Chapter One

Clear, precise and inspiring, Theology for Beginners has been acclaimed as one of the outstanding modern introductions to theology. More than a compendium of the central doctrines of Catholicism, however, the book is designed to equip you with the information you need to understand key doctrines and to explain them to others. Along the way, you will find yourself falling more deeply in love with your faith and more confident of your ability to bring healing and hope to what Frank Sheed called "a society that is losing contact with God."

Theology for Beginners will help bring the truth to life in your soul.

Doctrines discussed:
The Trinity - Creation - The Nature of Man - The Fall - Sin - Redemption - The Incarnation - Grace - Christ's Death - The Resurrection - The Kingdom - Mary - The Holy Spirit - The Sacraments - The Eucharist - Baptism - The Second Coming

Theology for Beginners has been acclaimed as one of the outstanding modern introductions to theology. It is a clear, precise, and inspiring compendium of the central doctrines of the Christian faith. Frank Sheed makes the profound truths of theology not only understandable but exciting reading for the Catholic layman. A Servant Book.

Recognized as a modern spiritual classic and perhaps Dietrich von Hildebrand's greatest work, this sublime and practical study gives a penetrating analysis of the true path to holiness for those who love Christ. The first requisite is the person's desire for change, and with that fundamental attitude in mind, von Hildebrand devotes a chapter to each of the successive spiritual attitudes necessary for those who strive for Christian perfection. The Beatitudes are treated with beauty and depth in an uncompromising challenge to every serious Christian to put into practice these teachings of Christ.

"God helps those who help themselves." - The Bible?

"Preach the gospel always; when necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi?

Sayings like these are such a part of modern pious tradition that we assume they come from the Bible, the mouths of saints, or the pens of famous Christian writers.

In What the Saints Never Said, apologist Trent Horn takes over forty of these well-known but dubious sayings and attempts to track them to their true source.

In so doing he finds some that are close to what was really said, many that were mis-attributed or twisted beyond their original meaning, and more than a few that were just plain made up!

Trent Horn sets the record straight,