- ISBN13: 9780385519496
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Scott Hahn, the bestselling author of The Lamb’s Supper and Reasons to Believe, celebrates the touchstones of the Catholic life, guiding readers to a deeper faith through the Church’s rites, customs, and traditional prayers.
Signs of Life is beloved author Scott Hahn’s clear and comprehensive guide to the Biblical doctrines and historical traditions that underlie Catholic beliefs and practices. Devoting single chapters to each topic, the author takes the reader on a journey that illuminates the roots and significance of all things Catholic, including: the Sign of the Cross, the Mass, the Sacraments, praying with the saints, guardian angels, sacred images and relics, the celebration of Easter, Christmas, and other holidays, daily prayers, and much more.
In the appealing conversational tone that has won him millions of devoted readers, Hahn presents the basic tenets of Church teachings, clears up common misconceptions about specific rituals and traditions, and responds thoughtfully to the objections raised about them. Each chapter concludes with loving, good-natured, inspiring advice on applying the Church’s wisdom to everyday life.
Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots
Tags: Mark, biblical doctrines, Life
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
What a phenomenal book! I tend to rubber stamp just about anything from Hahn. But with this particular book I had to question, as a lifleong Catholic and as a catechist, whether or not I was really going to get anything out of it. Considering the current price cut, I said, “What the heck?” and figured I’d just hand it on to someone else if it turned out to be a sleeper for me. Well, I’ve read about 5 of the 40 chapters thus far and I think I’ve learned something new in every single chapter!! The book is educational but it’s also “devotional” too, both in terms of the “style” of Hahn’s writing and the brief reflection he places at the end of the chapter, after the text. Whether you’re a lifelong Catholic or completely new to the faith in some way, consider it as a daily chapter-by-chapter read for this coming Lent!
Scott Hahn is one of the best Catholic writers currently and with this book he has changed gears from his theological books. He digs deep into the history of the church and explains the why’s about what we do. Many cradle Catholics and those new to the faith can benefit from this book. Hahn does a great job explaining briefly several Traditions like different devotions, sacramentals, prayers, and the liturgical calender. He does only briefly tackle each topic but will helps you understand why we do what we do.
This book is very interesting, historically correct, and easy to read. Should be read by anyone who criticizes the Customs of the Roman Catholic Church and other liturgical churches.
For many, sacraments and sacramentals seem little more than superstitious baggage of the middle ages easily discarded by the modern enlightened Christian. Dr. Hahn lets us know what rich blessings we forgo with such an attitude. In place of misunderstanding that leads to indifference (or even hostility) toward these disciplines, Dr. Hahn provides biblical and historical/traditional roots to the disciplines and in the process gives us a renewed sense of devotion to their practice. Practiced in their proper context, these devotional disciplines can lead to a closer communion with Jesus.
In the introduction to this work Dr. Hahn provides a brief definition of sacraments and sacramentals in order that the reader understands the difference and the significance of both. The work is then divided into phases of life that remind us of these disciplines: birth, life progresses in time, each day in the life of the Christian, disciplines through the entirety of life, significant stages in life, enjoyment of life, the abundant life, devotions to the saints we love, and the end of life. Each phase provides brief descriptions of one or more devotional practices describing their biblical and historical roots in the Church. On my own spiritual journey, I was amazed at the number of these practices already forming in the first and second century. Dr. Hahn has found the same continuity with the Apostles and with scripture.
To his credit, Dr. Hahn does not shrink from such difficult topics as indulgences. And, he does not describe the practices in such a generic manner as to lose the context of the Church as their proper home. The discerning reader wishing special depth on a particular topic will want to look elsewhere for that detail. What Dr. Hahn has provided here is not depth but breadth of understanding that gives us the big picture view we need in order to see these devotions as not just tacked on niceties but as living and essential elements in the Church. If you are looking for the greater depth, the author’s journal of theological studies under the title of _Letter & Spirit_ is very highly recommended.
If you want to renew the passion in your devotion to Christ, this is a good place to find some tools to help you renew that passion. Very well done.
A book every Catholic should own and study. If you’re looking to enrich your faith this is it. Scott Hahn stuns us again with his biblical insights.