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Review Summary: Misleading Title |
Date: 2009-01-06 |
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Details: I was disappointed at first by this book. I was expecting it to be about St. Paul. And it wasn't! It is really a study of six of the seven sacraments and understanding them in light of St. Paul's writings. I think if I had known that I would not have purchased the book.
With that said, I found the book to be wonderfully enriching - if you are looking for a better understanding of the sacraments (or at least 6 of them) in light of St. Paul's writings. I learned quite a bit and was satisfied. However, I purchased the book to preview for a group study on St. Paul and I would not select this book for that group. It would be a great book for catechists teaching sacraments or anyone wanting to learn more about how St. Paul's writings influenced the sacraments.
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Review Summary: it's what I was looking for |
Date: 2008-12-22 |
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Details: This product was exactly what I was looking for. Shipping started with DHL but I got it in the mail. |
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Review Summary: A study for the Serious Bible-Study Group |
Date: 2008-11-21 |
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Details: I agree with the Customer Reviews, especially the comment "Fr. Pacwa respects the intelligence of his readers, and doesn't hesitate to introduce deep theological points and insights".
However, we have a Bible Study Group that is finding Father Pacwa's book to be difficult. In my opinion, before tackling Father Pacwa's Bible Study, our Bible-Study Group would have benefitted from a more chronological study of St Paul's life and his letters FIRST. (Bible-Study is not new to our group--our group has been meeting for 2 years.)
In my opinion, in order for a group to really comprehend the SOLID FOOD that Fr Pacwa introduces via St Paul's Scriptural passages, it might make better sense to really understand the MILK first.
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Review Summary: St. Paul comes alive for Catholics! |
Date: 2008-11-18 |
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Details: I have to admit - I originally thought this small book (only 96 pages) would be light on helpful details and lacking in depth. I was completely wrong. Fr. Pacwa really packs a punch in "St. Paul: A Bible Study for Catholics," including a lot of useful information in a very readable fashion.
The book is perfectly titled: this is a book for Catholics who wish to understand St. Paul better. Scott Hahn once said that for Catholics the Gospels are a "home game," but the writings of St. Paul are an "away game" - we might win a few, but we can't wait to get back home to the Gospels. But this common perception shows a misunderstanding of Paul's writings, due mostly to 400 years of misinterpretation of the great Apostle starting with Martin Luther. St. Paul is an eminently Catholic saint, and his writings, properly understood, form the foundation for so much of Catholic practice and belief. This book goes a long way towards recapturing that truth.
Fr. Pacwa structures the book around the sacraments (he excludes the anointing of the sick since Paul doesn't refer to that sacrament in his canonical letters). This allows a Catholic to see how Paul's writings address the very practical life of the typical believer. By revealing the underlying scriptural roots of the sacraments, Fr. Pacwa allows the Catholic to see the sacraments not as some "add-on" to the faith, but part of its very foundations traced back to the first century. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Holy Orders, as Fr. Pacwa gives a clear explanation of the biblical basis for the sacrificial nature of the Christian priesthood.
This is a perfect book for the Jubilee Year of St. Paul, and for anyone at any time wishing to dig deeper into the writings of this great Saint.
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Review Summary: St. Paul Bible Study recommended |
Date: 2008-11-02 |
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Details: I highly recommend this St. Paul Bible Study for fellow Catholics--and for any and all fellow Christians. |
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