We are frequently asked for recommendations for further personal formation
and study.
Here are a few of the Team’s favorites:
History
Jesus Before Christianity, Albert Nolan, Orbis
Books, Maryknoll NY, 1976. ($12)
The former Dominican Provincial of South Africa has written a modern
classic. It has been in continuous print for 25 years and has been recently
revised. The single best one volume book on what we know about Jesus from
history. His thesis is that the concerns of Jesus for Israel have now grown
to a worldwide scale. Jesus is even more critical today than he was then.
(The analysis of the present global situation in chapter one is worth the price
of the book!)
Anthropology
I See Satan Fall Like Lightning, Rene
Girard, Orbis Books, Maryknoll NY.1999 ($20)
Using only the natural tools of his social science, Girard
demonstrates that the Gospel is revelation to save this planet and that Christ
is divine. He makes sense of many biblical texts that have been largely
ignored by scholars. Excellent for many today who can no longer relate to
traditional religious explanations of the faith.
This book is a good introduction to the work of this
former Professor at Johns Hopkins and Stanford. Girard is believed by many to
have developed a “unified field theory” for the social sciences putting him
on a par with Einstien and Darwin. The research of this atheistic professor of
anthropology led him to convert to Catholicism.
Theology
Violence Unveiled: Humanity at the Crossroads, Bailie,
Gil, New York: Crossroad, 1995.
($25)
An application of Girard’s reading of the Gospels to recent memorable
events and their significance for the future. Prophetic theology/ Social
analysis. Very helpful post 9/11.
Evangelization
Commentary
and Planning Guide for Go And Make Disciples, DeSiano & Boyack, PNCEA, 1993, ($6.95).
Contains the
Evangelization Document for the U.S., along with practical explanations and
concrete examples and suggestions. Also included is a seven week training
program. An excellent place to start. (Available
at www.pncea.org)
Creating The Evangelizing Parish, DeSiano
& Boyack, Paulist Press, ($12)
A step by step “how to”. Very practical and concrete.
Fleshes out the Catholic theory of Evangelization and lays to rest the fears and
misunderstandings that are aroused by that term. (Available at www.pncea.org)
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