What do you think?
Rate this book
A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America
"A genuinely Catholic life should feed the soul as well as the mind; should offer a vision of men and women made whole by the love of God, the knowledge of creation, and the reality of things unseen; should enable us to see the beauty of the world in the light of eternity; and should help us recapture the nobility of the human story and the dignity of the human person. This is the kind of witness that sets fire to the human heart."
—Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
In this eBook original, Charles J. Chaput, the Archbishop of Philadelphia, offers a powerful manifesto on the need for Americans to protect religious freedom.
As he notes, principles that Americans find self-evident—the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of conscience, the separation of political and sacred authority, the distinction between secular and religious law, the idea of a civil society pre-existing and distinct from the state—are not widely shared elsewhere in the world, and in recent years seem to be in jeopardy on our own shores.
Archbishop Chaput offers a call to action for leadership both here and abroad to challenge this damaging trend. By thoughtfully interpreting and applying Catholic values to this confusing moment in history, he provides hope for an American audience hungry for courage and counsel.
—Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
In this eBook original, Charles J. Chaput, the Archbishop of Philadelphia, offers a powerful manifesto on the need for Americans to protect religious freedom.
As he notes, principles that Americans find self-evident—the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of conscience, the separation of political and sacred authority, the distinction between secular and religious law, the idea of a civil society pre-existing and distinct from the state—are not widely shared elsewhere in the world, and in recent years seem to be in jeopardy on our own shores.
Archbishop Chaput offers a call to action for leadership both here and abroad to challenge this damaging trend. By thoughtfully interpreting and applying Catholic values to this confusing moment in history, he provides hope for an American audience hungry for courage and counsel.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
55 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Charles J. Chaput
22 books78 followersCharles J. Chaput was born September 26, 1944, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of Joseph and Marian DeMarais Chaput. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Grade School in Concordia and Saint Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, Kansas. He joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, Saint Augustine province, in 1965.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Saint Fidelis college seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania in 1967, he earned a Master of Arts in religious education from Capuchin college in District of Columbia, in 1970. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 1970.
Chaput received a Master of Arts in theology from the University of San Francisco in 1971. He served as an instructor in theology and spiritual director at Saint Fidelis from 1971-1974 and as executive secretary and director of communications for the Capuchin province of Saint Augustine in Pittsburgh from 1974 to 1977.
In 1977, he became pastor of Holy Cross parish in Thornton, Colorado, and vicar provincial for the Capuchin Province of Mid-America. He was named secretary and treasurer for the province in 1980. He became chief executive and provincial minister three years later.
Chaput was ordained bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, on July 26, 1988. Pope Saint John Paul II appointed him archbishop of Denver on February 18, 1997, and he was installed on April 7 the same year. As a member of the prairie band Potawatomi tribe, Archbishop Chaput was the second Native American to be ordained bishop in the United States, and the first Native American archbishop. He chose as his episcopal motto: “As Christ Loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:25).
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him archbishop of Philadelphia on July 19, 2011. He was installed as the 13th bishop and ninth archbishop of Philadelphia on September 8, 2011. In 1999, building on the efforts of his predecessor in Denver, Archbishop Chaput founded Saint John Vianney theological seminary, an affiliate of the Pontifical Lateran University. From 1998 to 2011, Archbishop Chaput has ordained 71 men for the Archdiocese of Denver. He ordained nearly half of the diocesan priests in active duty for the archdiocese.
In 2002, assisted by his auxiliary bishop José Gomez, Chaput founded Centro San Juan Diego in response to the pastoral and educational needs of the growing Hispanic community in Colorado. He later co-founded the national Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) and helped in the founding of ENDOW, a leadership initiative of Catholic women to “Educate on the Nature and Dignity of Women.” He was also instrumental in creating the Denver-based Augustine Institute, an independent, lay-run graduate school for the formation of lay Catholic leaders, catechists and evangelizers. Archbishop Chaput served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, 2003-2006. Duties included religious freedom fact-finding missions to China and Turkey, and annual reports monitoring global trends in religious liberty mandated by 1998 federal law.
In 2005, he was named a member of the official U.S. delegation to Cordoba, Spain, for the “Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance,” sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The national Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded him the 2009 Canterbury Medal for his work in advancing religious freedom.
Archbishop Chaput served on the Board of Directors for The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (1994 – 2009) and the National Catholic Bioethics Center (1993 – 2006). He serves on the board of directors for Eternal Word Television Network, Birmingham, Alabama (1996 – present); The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado (1998 – present); St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Northern Colorado (1999 – present); Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Northern Colorado (1998 – present); The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (2001
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Saint Fidelis college seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania in 1967, he earned a Master of Arts in religious education from Capuchin college in District of Columbia, in 1970. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 1970.
Chaput received a Master of Arts in theology from the University of San Francisco in 1971. He served as an instructor in theology and spiritual director at Saint Fidelis from 1971-1974 and as executive secretary and director of communications for the Capuchin province of Saint Augustine in Pittsburgh from 1974 to 1977.
In 1977, he became pastor of Holy Cross parish in Thornton, Colorado, and vicar provincial for the Capuchin Province of Mid-America. He was named secretary and treasurer for the province in 1980. He became chief executive and provincial minister three years later.
Chaput was ordained bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, on July 26, 1988. Pope Saint John Paul II appointed him archbishop of Denver on February 18, 1997, and he was installed on April 7 the same year. As a member of the prairie band Potawatomi tribe, Archbishop Chaput was the second Native American to be ordained bishop in the United States, and the first Native American archbishop. He chose as his episcopal motto: “As Christ Loved the Church” (Ephesians 5:25).
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him archbishop of Philadelphia on July 19, 2011. He was installed as the 13th bishop and ninth archbishop of Philadelphia on September 8, 2011. In 1999, building on the efforts of his predecessor in Denver, Archbishop Chaput founded Saint John Vianney theological seminary, an affiliate of the Pontifical Lateran University. From 1998 to 2011, Archbishop Chaput has ordained 71 men for the Archdiocese of Denver. He ordained nearly half of the diocesan priests in active duty for the archdiocese.
In 2002, assisted by his auxiliary bishop José Gomez, Chaput founded Centro San Juan Diego in response to the pastoral and educational needs of the growing Hispanic community in Colorado. He later co-founded the national Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL) and helped in the founding of ENDOW, a leadership initiative of Catholic women to “Educate on the Nature and Dignity of Women.” He was also instrumental in creating the Denver-based Augustine Institute, an independent, lay-run graduate school for the formation of lay Catholic leaders, catechists and evangelizers. Archbishop Chaput served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, 2003-2006. Duties included religious freedom fact-finding missions to China and Turkey, and annual reports monitoring global trends in religious liberty mandated by 1998 federal law.
In 2005, he was named a member of the official U.S. delegation to Cordoba, Spain, for the “Conference on Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance,” sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The national Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded him the 2009 Canterbury Medal for his work in advancing religious freedom.
Archbishop Chaput served on the Board of Directors for The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (1994 – 2009) and the National Catholic Bioethics Center (1993 – 2006). He serves on the board of directors for Eternal Word Television Network, Birmingham, Alabama (1996 – present); The Catholic Foundation of Northern Colorado (1998 – present); St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Northern Colorado (1999 – present); Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Northern Colorado (1998 – present); The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (2001
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 4, 2012
Over the years Archbishop Chaput has become one of the most ardent and prominent Catholic voices in matters that concern the role that religion plays in the public life of the American republic. His book Render Unto Caesar is one of the definitive contemporary views on such topics. Even though Archbishop Chaput obviously comes from a Catholic theological and intellectual tradition, his views are ecumenical and appeal to the widest cross-section of people interested in the proper relationship between religious and political spheres.
Since Render Unto Caesar came out, there have been many troubling social and political developments that land special urgency to the renewed defense of religious freedom in the United States. Several states have enacted restrictions on the freedom of Catholic (and other) child adoption agencies, the federal government has tried (fortunately unsuccessfully) to have the final say in the employment decisions of the religious institutions, and most recently the same federal government has been embattled with the Catholic Church in matters concerning the freedom of Catholic institutions to use the health care plans of their choice.
As in most of his writing, Archbishop Chaput does not aim to just focus on any particular incident in his overall analysis. He offers his own insights based as much on the religious considerations as on the cultural history of America. The opening lines of A Heart on Fire are a quotation from Herman Melville Truth is like a threshing machine; tender sensibilities must keep out of the way. Archbishop Chaput is certainly not afraid of hurting tender sensibilities, but both in terms of the message and the style of writing he is eminently sensible and erudite. This short e-book presents some of his most ardent and eloquent appeals for a continuing witness of the religiously minded groups and individuals in the defense and promotion of their convictions in public. We live in challenging times, but it is exactly those challenges that can strengthen our own faith. I hope and pray that many of us will be able to rise to the occasion.
The only issue that I have with this Kindle ebook is its size. It is a very short document to begin with, on par with a longish magazine article. Additionally, the first chapter of archbishop Chaputs book Render Unto Caesar takes up about a third of the e-book. That larger book, published in 2008, is indeed eminently relevant to the discussion at hand, and it helps frame these current issues within the larger narrative. However, you are already able to read the first chapter of that book for free on your Kindle, so there is no extra value added by including it in this shorter e-book. I would have much preferred if this extra space were taken up by the further elaboration of the new insights and arguments that make A Heart on Fire such a relevant and timely document.
Another book that I would recommend if you are interested in exploring issues of religion and politics form a philosophical/legal perspective is Francis Beckwiths Politics for Christians. It is a probing and intellectually demanding book, but in my opinion it is one of the best recent resources on this subject.
Since Render Unto Caesar came out, there have been many troubling social and political developments that land special urgency to the renewed defense of religious freedom in the United States. Several states have enacted restrictions on the freedom of Catholic (and other) child adoption agencies, the federal government has tried (fortunately unsuccessfully) to have the final say in the employment decisions of the religious institutions, and most recently the same federal government has been embattled with the Catholic Church in matters concerning the freedom of Catholic institutions to use the health care plans of their choice.
As in most of his writing, Archbishop Chaput does not aim to just focus on any particular incident in his overall analysis. He offers his own insights based as much on the religious considerations as on the cultural history of America. The opening lines of A Heart on Fire are a quotation from Herman Melville Truth is like a threshing machine; tender sensibilities must keep out of the way. Archbishop Chaput is certainly not afraid of hurting tender sensibilities, but both in terms of the message and the style of writing he is eminently sensible and erudite. This short e-book presents some of his most ardent and eloquent appeals for a continuing witness of the religiously minded groups and individuals in the defense and promotion of their convictions in public. We live in challenging times, but it is exactly those challenges that can strengthen our own faith. I hope and pray that many of us will be able to rise to the occasion.
The only issue that I have with this Kindle ebook is its size. It is a very short document to begin with, on par with a longish magazine article. Additionally, the first chapter of archbishop Chaputs book Render Unto Caesar takes up about a third of the e-book. That larger book, published in 2008, is indeed eminently relevant to the discussion at hand, and it helps frame these current issues within the larger narrative. However, you are already able to read the first chapter of that book for free on your Kindle, so there is no extra value added by including it in this shorter e-book. I would have much preferred if this extra space were taken up by the further elaboration of the new insights and arguments that make A Heart on Fire such a relevant and timely document.
Another book that I would recommend if you are interested in exploring issues of religion and politics form a philosophical/legal perspective is Francis Beckwiths Politics for Christians. It is a probing and intellectually demanding book, but in my opinion it is one of the best recent resources on this subject.
February 8, 2018
Archbishop Chaput writes what we hunger to read and follow. His leadership inspires me with hope for all of us.
Deacon Patrick Maher
I agree the media does not acknowledge goodness with young adults.
Evil is amplifier from the few.
Deacon Patrick Maher
I agree the media does not acknowledge goodness with young adults.
Evil is amplifier from the few.
March 29, 2012
Outstanding clarity and precision of thought! This short essay is to be the foreword of Render unto Caesar.
April 13, 2021
Fiery and hopeful!
Very prophetic indeed. Though I may not be an American, much of what happens in the US affects my country. He is indeed very prophetic and I just hope and pray that amidst the chaos, saints shall rise up on American soil and move and enflame hearts along the way.
Very prophetic indeed. Though I may not be an American, much of what happens in the US affects my country. He is indeed very prophetic and I just hope and pray that amidst the chaos, saints shall rise up on American soil and move and enflame hearts along the way.
December 31, 2018
The best bishop in America
Archbishop Chaput is a visionary who paints a thoughtful, moving picture of the challenges and opportunities of our times and our Church.
Archbishop Chaput is a visionary who paints a thoughtful, moving picture of the challenges and opportunities of our times and our Church.
August 20, 2012
A Heart on Fire
by Charles J Chaput
In the modern world freedom of press and of speech demands immunity from censorship and control. But in the last 60 years freedom of thought and expression has slowly been eroding in the world of journalism. Opposing thoughts are silenced so that the accepted truth is never challenged.
Journalism is a profession of knowledge, but today many in the profession have a disdain and lack of understanding about religion and the core values of life. When we openly accept whatever journalism states without skepticism we risk undermining our public lives and our nation's political landscape.
Everyone should read Pilgrim's Progress and “The Celestial Railroad” to get a look at the divide that now separates the American nation.
The guiding principles on which America was founded are not readily found throughout the world and could at any time be taken away. Unless we live out our principles our rights are in danger of dying away. Religious freedom is our foremost right as it provides a grounding element in all our other rights. Culture is spiritual because culture is an outpouring of the soul.
Modern American society has lost its soul in the pursuit of materialism and pleasure according to Father John Courtney Murray in 1940. But the American nation was never a Christian nation, but the people had beliefs and values that were based on Christianity. But when a people lose their foundational beliefs “they are unable to make tough moral decisions.” America has become a nation of “galley slaves to pleasure”. America of today has been there since the founding, but these tendencies were tempered by Christians who lived their faith and were changed by it. Today the Church has become lukewarm in its faith in an effort to fit into the world.
Though politics is important the Christian must realize that the main focus and purpose of their life is to love Jesus and to act on our belief so that it is evident in our lives. Ask yourself what do you believe? Remember that this world is not your goal but rather our goal is our final home and our celestial citizenship. When this is your focus your life will be a living testimony of faith.
A Heart on Fire is a thought provoking look at America.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
by Charles J Chaput
In the modern world freedom of press and of speech demands immunity from censorship and control. But in the last 60 years freedom of thought and expression has slowly been eroding in the world of journalism. Opposing thoughts are silenced so that the accepted truth is never challenged.
Journalism is a profession of knowledge, but today many in the profession have a disdain and lack of understanding about religion and the core values of life. When we openly accept whatever journalism states without skepticism we risk undermining our public lives and our nation's political landscape.
Everyone should read Pilgrim's Progress and “The Celestial Railroad” to get a look at the divide that now separates the American nation.
The guiding principles on which America was founded are not readily found throughout the world and could at any time be taken away. Unless we live out our principles our rights are in danger of dying away. Religious freedom is our foremost right as it provides a grounding element in all our other rights. Culture is spiritual because culture is an outpouring of the soul.
Modern American society has lost its soul in the pursuit of materialism and pleasure according to Father John Courtney Murray in 1940. But the American nation was never a Christian nation, but the people had beliefs and values that were based on Christianity. But when a people lose their foundational beliefs “they are unable to make tough moral decisions.” America has become a nation of “galley slaves to pleasure”. America of today has been there since the founding, but these tendencies were tempered by Christians who lived their faith and were changed by it. Today the Church has become lukewarm in its faith in an effort to fit into the world.
Though politics is important the Christian must realize that the main focus and purpose of their life is to love Jesus and to act on our belief so that it is evident in our lives. Ask yourself what do you believe? Remember that this world is not your goal but rather our goal is our final home and our celestial citizenship. When this is your focus your life will be a living testimony of faith.
A Heart on Fire is a thought provoking look at America.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
November 2, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book. It opened my eyes to issues I had already recognized but not necessarily acknowledged. I have felt over the last year the pull to start attending church again and my biggest apprehension has now been revealed to me. I was scared about what SOCIETY would think of me walking into church alone after all these years away. This book came at exactly the right time. It helped me to see that I should quit making up worldly excuses to avoid the God I live for and love.
This book is not a story, it is essentially an essay as to what is going on in this world, especially the United States as far as religion, Catholicism and how quickly it is leaving modern day living and offers reasons as to why this is happening. I definitely will recommend this book to those who are strong in their faith, struggling with faith and to those who aren’t even sure there is such thing as faith. I will also recommend this book to a priest I know as well as a reverend so that they have the opportunity to experience this profound explanation regarding why we are where we are. At 33 pages including a brief look into “Render Unto Caesar”, it was a quick and eye opening read. I believe that anyone can benefit from this because it talks about religion/faith now all the way back to when the constitution was written and regardless of whether you are a priest or pastor or an atheist there are points in it for each of us. I strongly recommend this book. I have already added to my Good Reads account. I will be adding my review to several other places as well as my personal blog.
This book is not a story, it is essentially an essay as to what is going on in this world, especially the United States as far as religion, Catholicism and how quickly it is leaving modern day living and offers reasons as to why this is happening. I definitely will recommend this book to those who are strong in their faith, struggling with faith and to those who aren’t even sure there is such thing as faith. I will also recommend this book to a priest I know as well as a reverend so that they have the opportunity to experience this profound explanation regarding why we are where we are. At 33 pages including a brief look into “Render Unto Caesar”, it was a quick and eye opening read. I believe that anyone can benefit from this because it talks about religion/faith now all the way back to when the constitution was written and regardless of whether you are a priest or pastor or an atheist there are points in it for each of us. I strongly recommend this book. I have already added to my Good Reads account. I will be adding my review to several other places as well as my personal blog.
April 9, 2012
I normally would not write a review of an article, but the take away from this one was too much to ignore and let go silently.
I did give this article 5 stars and if I could have given it more I would have. The insight was incredibly profound.
For those of you wondering if this is just an article about being Catholic it is not, it is about being religious in America. It does focus on the problems within the Catholic church. But, the problems facing the Catholic Church are not unique, and are being faced by other Christians religions, and even not Christians.
Though this article was written a couple of years ago, the problems have gotten worse since then and not better. If you are worried about this, and wondering what you might be able to do to make things better, this article would be a good place to start.
The author Charles J. Chaput, obviously has put a lot of thought and research into this, so that the article is not a rant about how the current administration is or is not doing this or that, but a thoughtful review of what has happened in the last twenty to fifty years and how that differs ideals of the founding fathers, and some predictions about what the future will look like if things don't change.
I did give this article 5 stars and if I could have given it more I would have. The insight was incredibly profound.
For those of you wondering if this is just an article about being Catholic it is not, it is about being religious in America. It does focus on the problems within the Catholic church. But, the problems facing the Catholic Church are not unique, and are being faced by other Christians religions, and even not Christians.
Though this article was written a couple of years ago, the problems have gotten worse since then and not better. If you are worried about this, and wondering what you might be able to do to make things better, this article would be a good place to start.
The author Charles J. Chaput, obviously has put a lot of thought and research into this, so that the article is not a rant about how the current administration is or is not doing this or that, but a thoughtful review of what has happened in the last twenty to fifty years and how that differs ideals of the founding fathers, and some predictions about what the future will look like if things don't change.
June 5, 2013
In A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America, Archbishop Chaput explores the importance of religious freedom in the United States – and the world. Recent political policies have begun to put this freedom in danger, and Archbishop Chaput warns us not to take this lightly.
This short ebook is a concise look at the very specific problems we face today. If you hold your freedom close to your heart, you will enjoy this book. If you have been wondering what all of the fuss is about, this book is for you. If you’re wondering if it is time to step off the sidelines and into the game, you should read this today!
A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America is an inspiring work that will help engage more Catholics in the fight for their religious freedoms.
This short ebook is a concise look at the very specific problems we face today. If you hold your freedom close to your heart, you will enjoy this book. If you have been wondering what all of the fuss is about, this book is for you. If you’re wondering if it is time to step off the sidelines and into the game, you should read this today!
A Heart on Fire: Catholic Witness and the Next America is an inspiring work that will help engage more Catholics in the fight for their religious freedoms.
June 9, 2012
I enjoyed this overview. Archbishop Chaput is unapologetic in proclaiming the truth revealed to us through our Christian faith.
Non-Catholics may struggle to make sense of this text because his brevity leaves out context important and supportive of his points.
Ultimately he is writing to Catholics to encourage us to convert our own hearts so those around us will see this conversion and b inspired to convert their own hearts.
Non-Catholics may struggle to make sense of this text because his brevity leaves out context important and supportive of his points.
Ultimately he is writing to Catholics to encourage us to convert our own hearts so those around us will see this conversion and b inspired to convert their own hearts.
November 14, 2012
I really didn't understand what this was all about. I thought this was a book and it was a whitepaper instead with part of it an excerpt from another book. it seemed to me to be politically based and in my opinion the church needs to stay out of politics.
November 23, 2012
Absolutely outstanding. It was very short and well worth the read. My big takeaway: we need to kindle the fire.
April 6, 2012
Excellent!
April 16, 2012
A brief extract; I recommend reading the broader precursor book.
July 15, 2012
If you want a rewritten version of the history of religious liberty, then read this. Otherwise, spend your time (and money) better elsewhere.
October 19, 2012
Great insight of the current state of the USA. Recommend this short book for any Catholic who cares about the direction our country and what we can do to help.
June 13, 2013
Quick read
July 23, 2013
Short. Frankly I thought it was too short. But the excerpt from Render Unto Caesar was worth the price of admission.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews