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Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments

by Scott Hahn

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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373567,856 (3.84)2
Publisher's description: Scott Hahn argues that every society--be it nation, neighborhood, family, or Church--is held together by the power of personal commitments. When we really want to change our lives, when we want to make love endure, we mark the transition by an oath. That's what people do on their wedding day, on the day they become citizens, on the day they enter the military, or on the day they assume public office. The words we say bind us to a course of action. But the most powerful oaths of all are those that mark the Christian Sacraments. In SWEAR TO GOD, Hahn restores the connection between sacred words and human action, promises and commitment. As in his previous bestsellers, Hahn draws on the history of ancient Israel, the Gospels, the writings of the early Church, and the lives of the saints. He shows how God's covenant?the promises he made to Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses?became the driving force in history. When Jesus fulfilled all these oaths, he established a "new covenant," with its own sacrifices, but with greater power than ever before. In the Church's Sacraments--such as Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Matrimony--each individual enters the covenant and swears the oath. In doing so, each individual calls down a blessing or a curse. If Western society is eroding, perhaps it is because we, as a people, have not kept our covenants with God. SWEAR TO GOD helps us to break out of that cycle, forever!… (more)
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» See also 2 mentions

Showing 5 of 5
The most solemn, majestic, and beautiful gifts that Jesus Christ gave to the world are His sacraments. He endowed them with unprecedented and unparalleled power—power to change lives, save souls, and share God’s very life
  StFrancisofAssisi | Mar 12, 2020 |
Well, I honestly took my time getting through this one - but decided to finish it off today. Being a cradle Catholic and having gone through my rebellious/secular stage and got out of *that* tunnel alive and well (phew) & then being somewhat "born again" with the help of my cousin (by God's grace of course) - I suppose I always accepted with faith the church and all Her teachings. Having said that, I found reading this volume rather edifying. Here the sacraments are painted in terms of covenants between God and man, oaths that you make and keep (with dire consequences in their breaking) - sacraments that are the physical manifestations of divine mystery and grace, a sign that "signifies invisible realities, but it's symbolic value is infinitely richer". Heaven and earth, religion and law. Joined as only God can join such things.

"Passover, the Eucharist, and the heavenly liturgy, then, are two-edged swords. While the chalices of the covenant bring life to the faithful, they mean certain death to those who reject the covenant. In the New Covenant, as in the Old, God gives man the choice between life and death, blessing and curse (Dt30:19). To choose the covenant is to choose eternal life in God's family. To reject the New Covenant in Christ's blood is to choose one's own death."

Written by someone who, in his own words, once found the sacraments "boring" & who once held the church he is now a member of "in contempt" allows for a narrative approach and POV that is interesting to say the least (well at least to my cradle Catholic sensibilities anyhow). This is not my first Scott Hahn book and it, hopefully, won't be my last. The writing style is clear and concise and aimed at laymen - I read it without much difficulty and found many lines to go back to.

I do admit that the main reason I initially gravitated towards this title was due to fact that I had Protestant friends and also knew Catholics who had join other Protestant churches. I could not myself fathom wanting to leave the Eucharist or the rich sacraments of the Mother Church. But I suppose the Lord paves the paths that are the most fruitful for his children. And sometimes those paths may lead us away before it leads us back to Him.

Source: Bought off Book Depository
First Finished: 5march2017 ( )
  kephradyx | Jun 20, 2017 |
NO
  inayabiblioteca | Jul 27, 2013 |
La promesa y la fuerza de los sacramentos
  Angulo-Fernandez | Sep 24, 2011 |
A protestant leader converts to Catholicism. In this book he tells why. ( )
  ElTomaso | Jun 18, 2006 |
Showing 5 of 5
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Scott Hahnprimary authorall editionscalculated
Elchepp, EllenCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Pettie, JohnCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Publisher's description: Scott Hahn argues that every society--be it nation, neighborhood, family, or Church--is held together by the power of personal commitments. When we really want to change our lives, when we want to make love endure, we mark the transition by an oath. That's what people do on their wedding day, on the day they become citizens, on the day they enter the military, or on the day they assume public office. The words we say bind us to a course of action. But the most powerful oaths of all are those that mark the Christian Sacraments. In SWEAR TO GOD, Hahn restores the connection between sacred words and human action, promises and commitment. As in his previous bestsellers, Hahn draws on the history of ancient Israel, the Gospels, the writings of the early Church, and the lives of the saints. He shows how God's covenant?the promises he made to Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses?became the driving force in history. When Jesus fulfilled all these oaths, he established a "new covenant," with its own sacrifices, but with greater power than ever before. In the Church's Sacraments--such as Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Matrimony--each individual enters the covenant and swears the oath. In doing so, each individual calls down a blessing or a curse. If Western society is eroding, perhaps it is because we, as a people, have not kept our covenants with God. SWEAR TO GOD helps us to break out of that cycle, forever!

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