Scott Hahn

Biblical scholar Scott Hahn has turned his incredible wealth of knowledge to bear on the Catholic priesthood to see what the Bible has to teach us about it in Many Are Called. Now, it may seem presumptuous or self-centered to recommend a book whose subtitle is "Rediscovering the Glory of the Catholic Priesthood," but I hope you don't perceive it as such. I read this book on a private retreat in hopes of strengthening and re-invigorating my priesthood, and now I would recommend it to all. It show more is an excellent overview of God has given us in the Catholic priesthood. But through the priesthood God has demonstrated his personal and close care for us.

In this book, Hahn explores the history of priesthood as it was practiced in the Old Testament, then perfected in Jesus Christ, then continued in the Church. With his typical humor and love of puns, Hahn reviews the basic roles of a priest as Father, Mediator, Provider, Teacher, Warrior, Judge, Bridegroom, and Brother.

I'd like to look at the priest as warrior just briefly, because it at first glance appears incongruous with the rest of the list. Hahn starts by telling the story of two priests who died in war while serving others, then goes on to show how much Christian language, like "Redeemer" and "Christ" have backgrounds in battle or conflict (you'll have to read the book to see how). Ancient Israel was constantly engaged in warfare, and the priests would actually offer sacrifice in advance of the battle and thank God in advance for delivering them. The physical battles of the Old Testament were foreshadows of the far more deadly spiritual battles we are engaged in today. St. Paul, being very worldly in his pre-Christian life, regularly uses battle imagery to explain his point. Priests today face huge spiritual battles to defend Christ's followers from an enemy that never rests and is endlessly working against him.

Scott Hahn's short book can help to inspire a renewed appreciation for the priests among us. The job is so much bigger than manager or administrator of a parish. It's father, warrior, judge, and brother all wrapped up into one. They are imperfect men, and they need your support. Many Are Called can help us to appreciate that anew. show less

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What could be more familiar than the Christmas story--and yet what could be more extraordinary?

The cast of characters is strange and exotic: shepherds and magicians, an emperor and a despot, angels, and a baby who is Almighty God. The strangeness calls for an explanation, and this book provides it by examining the characters and the story in light of the biblical and historical context.

Bestselling author Scott Hahn who has written extensively on Scripture and the early Church, brings show more evidence to light, dispelling some of the mystery of the story. Yet Christmas is made familiar all over again by showing it to be a family story. Christmas, as it appears in the New Testament, is the story of a father, a mother, and a child--their relationships, their interactions, their principles, their individual lives, and their common life. To see the life of this "earthly trinity" is to gaze into heaven. show less

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 show more 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 show less