In this commentary on the revised English translation of The Order of Penance, Paul Turner explains in detail how the sacrament of renewal has itself undergone renewal since the first edition approved shortly after the Second Vatican Council. Turner highlights important elements within the revised translation including: the history behind the revised order of service and the words of absolution; an explanation of how and why the ceremony was revised after the Council; changes for communal reconciliation services; and the first translation of proposed examinations of conscience to prepare a community for reconciliation. This commentary invites all Catholics to consider the sacrament anew by preparing a spiritual path upon which the faithful may walk in search of forgiveness and experience a profound encounter with the mercy of God.
Does ecumenism have a future? -- What would it mean to take the "next step" in ecumenical and interfaith relations -- Is the ecumenical movement a movement for peace? -- What can the churches say together about the church? -- What can the churches say together about the environment? -- Can the tension between unity and justice be overcome? -- Has the ecumenical movement become too "political"? -- What is the way forward for Catholic-Protestant relations? -- How can the Orthodox help others understand them better? -- How are interfaith relationships as challenging as they are necessary? -- How can we deal with the tough issues in Jewish-Christian relations? -- Are councils of churches a thing of the past? -- What does it take to be an ecumenical leader? -- What will it take to revitalize the ecumenical movement? -- Why care about Christian unity when there are so many other things to worry about?
Have you ever tried to break a bad habit? By sheer willpower you set your mind to overcome it...but suddenly, there it is again! Do you ever have thoughts rise up in your mind that would make you blush if they were suddenly broadcast over a loudspeaker?
Lessons from Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Few things make us feel as helpless as living with a story we don’t like. Maybe one that involves the loss of a loved one, an unwanted transition, a difficult diagnosis, or a dream that fell through. At one time or another, we all deal with disappointments and feelings that life is unfair or that we are being punished. In Renewed, a four-week study of the Book of Ruth, women glean wisdom from Naomi’s perspective, a woman who lived a story she didn’t choose or like. Forced to chart a new path as she mourned the loss of her husband and two sons, Naomi learned that the journey from bitterness to renewed hope and joy was rooted in God’s promise of redemption. With insight from her own journey of living with a story that is not easy, Heather teaches women to flourish even as they live hard stories through a willingness to trust that God can transform them and trade their heartache for hope. They will learn to rely on God’s movement in the details of their story, even when it can’t be seen, gain confidence to act in the part of their stories that they can change, and watch expectantly for God to redeem the parts they can’t. Components for this four-week Bible study, available separately, include a Participant Workbook with Leader Helps and a DVD with four 20 to 25-minute segments (with closed captioning).
In Renewed: Ten Ways to Rediscover the Saints, Embrace Your Gifts, and Revive Your Catholic Faith, Fr. Robert Reed—popular on-air host and president of the CatholicTV Network—issues a creative call to all Catholics to renew the Church by rediscovering the gifts of their faith. Reed profiles ten surprising pairs of saints who offer lessons in reviving faith, starting at the personal level and radiating outward to the wider Church. Fr. Robert Reed, of the Archdiocese of Boston, believes that the best remedy for discouraged Catholics is a reclaimed sense of the tradition’s riches as embodied in the lives of the saints. In this passionate call to renewal, he profiles twenty saints who, like Catholics today, lived in times of crises when the way forward was unclear. Reed creatively pairs saints who at first glance seem to be unlikely companions—Augustine and Joan of Arc, Athanasius and Mother Teresa—to suggest ways readers can begin the work of personal renewal that is essential for Church-wide change. In a down-to-earth and encouraging tone, Reed provides ten persuasive and practical lessons such as “Discover and Receive Your Gifts,” “Look beyond the Present Troubles” and “Live with a True Spirit of Joy.” Renewed is a practical plan for the revitalization of the Church that maps out steps for a grassroots awakening that every Catholic can undertake today.
REAL-LIFE ANSWERS TO LIFE'S BIGGEST QUESTIONS Real Life Theology invites you to a fresh way of living by bridging two areas of your life: what we know about God and how we live our lives. This collection of thirteen accessible books gives real-life answers to fifty-two of life's biggest questions, such as: What is the gospel? What is saving faith? What role does baptism play in salvation? What are the essential, important, and personal elements of the faith? How should we view marriage, gender, and race? Real Life Theology was written with everyday Christians in mind. We encourage you to read it, walk with others through it, and along the way learn God's real-life answers to your biggest questions. This series will help churches in their training of pastoral staff as well as the everyday disciple maker in your church or ministry. -- Jim Putman, author of Real-Life Discipleship As our churches become more diverse and our culture less biblically literate, we increasingly need Real Life Theology. -- Mark Moore, author of Core 52 This book is a one of a kind for our generation. Highly recommended! -- David Young, author of King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship We're excited to integrate Real Life Theology into our leadership development resources at Southeast Christian Church. -- Matt Reagan, Associate Pastor of Southeast Christian Church It's imperative that we do theology wisely and well, and this book is a fantastic help! -- Matt Proctor, President of Ozark Christian College BOBBY HARRINGTON (DMin, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is CEO of Renew.org and Discipleship.org, both national disciple making networks. Bobby is the founding and Lead Pastor of Harpeth Christian Church. He is author or coauthor of more than a dozen books on disciple making. DANIEL MCCOY (PhD, North-West University) is Editorial Director of Renew.org. He has created classes on philosophy, ethics, and world religions for Ozark Christian College. Among his books are The Popular Handbook of World Religions (general editor) and The Atheist's Fatal Flaw (coauthored with Norman Geisler).
It is no secret that isolation is one of the key ailments of our age. But less explored is the way the church as it is frequently practiced contributes to this isolation instead of offering an alternative. With the help of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this book argues for a renewed vision of the church community as a theological therapy to cultural, moral, and sociological isolation. It offers an account of how familiar church practices, such as Scripture reading, worship, prayer, and eating, contribute to community formation in the body of Christ.
