Synopsis
"I recommend the book as an important correction of much confused thinking and outright misinterpretation of the teaching of Vatican II." - John Jay Hughes review from Inside the Vatican - Read more...
We all agree that modern society needs change: from the economy, to public morality, to laws protecting marriage and the unborn. But what will the new society look like, exactly? The opponents of Christianity often conjure dark images (mostly mythical) of theocracies, complete with witch-hunts, conversions-at-the-sword, and forced morality. But this is obviously not the change that the Church seeks. On the other hand, how can there be a re-Christianization of society in an age of tolerance and plurality?
Renowned theologian Martin Rhonheimer tackles these questions head-on as he explains the message of Opus Dei, placing it in a historical context that illuminates its radical implications for modern Christians. He relates this message to broader developments within the Catholic Church, particularly since Vatican II, that will have vital importance for the future: the relationship of Church and State, the importance of religious liberty as a basic human right, and the role of the laity in the evangelization of culture. These insights, sometimes surprising, will help all Christians to bring Christ to the public forum transforming the world from within.
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Reviewed by CG on 03/10/2010
Last Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI said, "the laity are not collaborators of the clergy but co-responsible in the Church." This is basically a short summary of this book.
This book makes you understand not only Opus Dei but what a 21st Century Christian should be.
The first part of the book explains the concept of Santification of Work. It expounds on the homily "Passionately Loving the World" by St Josemaria Escriva. The approach of this concept is very modern. It gives a new battle cry for the laity: "consecratio mundi" "... The laity consecrate the world itself to God" (Lumen Gentium). The author is very honest with the problems of the Church especially the "neglect" of the Laity in the last 1500 years!
The second part of the book talks about freedom and politics. This part might perplex some people who think of Opus Dei as a monolithic conservative group. The respect for the freedom of thought of other people is paramount! Imposing one's faith, morals, political views to others is not the "Opus Dei way". St Josemaria Escriva was against all forms of coercion.
Overall the book shows the revolutionary nature of what St Josemaria Escriva taught. It is something that even few in the Church understand. Yet it is something so important that with the current problems of the Church, this is one of the solutions.
Reviewed by domi on 09/19/2009
best seller
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