The
Wisdom
of the
WORD
Biblical Answers to Ten Pressing Questions About Catholicism
Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering
Retail Price: $29.95
Launch Special: $23.96
ABOUT the BOOK
Why believe God exists, or believe Jesus is God? Why listen to the Catholic Church? Why is the Church so strict about sex? Questions like these have propelled a crisis of disaffiliation and disbelief among Catholics in recent decades. Half of millennial Catholics have turned their backs on the Church, and at many churches, only a minority of parishioners believe in all of its teachings about faith and morality.
Building on the call of the Second Vatican Council for a greater appreciation of Scripture, The Wisdom of the Word invites Catholics who are thinking about leaving the Church, or who are confused about elements of Catholic faith and practice, to pause and give the Bible a chance to illuminate their way. From the infighting among the Catholic faithful to the sins of Catholic leaders, and from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to the Church’s emphasis on caring for the poor, theologians Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering explore common challenges to the faith in light of the timeless insights of the Word.
“The prayerful reading of God’s Word,” Pope Francis reminds us, “which is ‘sweeter than honey’ yet a ‘two-edged sword,’ enables us to pause and listen to the voice of the Master. It becomes a lamp for our steps and a light for our path.” Do you, or does someone you know, think that certain elements of the Catholic faith just don’t make sense? If so, the ancient wisdom of God’s Word—sweeter than honey and sharper than a sword—awaits.
Publisher: Word on Fire Institute
Release Date: June 1, 2021
Format: Hardcover, cloth with dust jacket
Pages: 344 pages
ABOUT the AUTHORS
MICHAEL DAUPHINAIS is Professor and Chair of Theology at Ave Maria University, where he previously served as Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
MATTHEW LEVERING holds the James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary.
Prolific authors and speakers, they are the co-authors of Knowing the Love of Christ: An Introduction to the Theology of Thomas Aquinas and Holy People, Holy Land: A Theological Introduction to the Bible. Together, they have also co-edited a series of volumes on Thomas Aquinas’ theology and biblical commentaries.
MICHAEL DAUPHINAIS is Professor and Chair of Theology at Ave Maria University, where he previously served as Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
MATTHEW LEVERING holds the James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary.
Prolific authors and speakers, they are the co-authors of Knowing the Love of Christ: An Introduction to the Theology of Thomas Aquinas and Holy People, Holy Land: A Theological Introduction to the Bible. Together, they have also co-edited a series of volumes on Thomas Aquinas’ theology and biblical commentaries.
WHAT PEOPLE are SAYING
“
Two remarkably gifted theologians tackle the ten most pressing questions causing Catholics to lose their faith today, and they do so by turning to the Bible! How refreshing! In an age that is always quoting pundits, self-proclaimed ‘experts,’ YouTube personalities, and the like, Dauphinais and Levering show that the answers to life’s big questions are actually in the obvious but overlooked source: God’s Word.
”
— John Bergsma
Professor of Theology, Franciscan University
“
This book is a tremendous resource for those who find themselves questioning whether Catholicism is still worth practicing today, as well as for those struggling to help loved ones rediscover the truth and beauty of the faith. Identifying ten major difficulties experienced by Catholics who have left the Church or who are contemplating doing so, Levering and Dauphinais invite readers to give the Bible a chance to illuminate the most challenging questions that they have about the Church. In so doing, the authors compellingly show that the Catholic faith and the wisdom of Scripture are as necessary for our lives today as ever.
”
— Matthew Ramage
Associate Professor of Theology, Benedictine College
“
Dauphinais and Levering have already co-authored/co-edited several fine books on Scripture, Aquinas, and other topics, and The Wisdom of the Word continues their exceptional partnership. This is a clear, robust, and deeply learned work that engages with fundamental questions with both clarity and charity. In taking Sacred Scripture so seriously, they are able to offer serious and compelling answers to a wide range of readers. Highly recommended.
”
— Carl Olson
Editor, Catholic World Report
TABLE of CONTENTS
TABLE of
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Why Believe in God and in Jesus Christ?
“The Author of life, whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 3:15)
Chapter 2 - Why Listen to the Church?
“The obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5)
Chapter 3 - Does the Holy Spirit Actually Transform Christians?
“The Author of life, whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 3:15)
Chapter 4 - How Can Christ’s Blood Be Good News?
“A participation in the blood of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16)
Chapter 5 - Why Would God Hold Our Faults Against Us?
“Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Chapter 6 - Why Not Live and Think Like Everyone Else?
“Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2)
Chapter 7 - Why Care for the Poor?
“There was not a needy person among them” (Acts 4:34)
Chapter 8 - Why Is the Church So Strict about Sex?
“Glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Chapter 9 - Why Do Catholics Fight So Much with Each Other?
“Do not speak evil against each other” (James 4:11)
Chapter 10 - Are the Saints of the Church Too Strange to Be Relevant?
“So great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1)
Conclusion
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