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Faith Basics: Death, Where Is Your Sting?
Death is the ultimate equalizer. We all will die. What differs is how death is handled by various people. For some it evokes horror and despair. For others it is quiet acceptance. Still others embrace death with a surety of hope and faith. All religions have a philosophy and belief system to help adherents of that faith cope with this final reality. What meaning can we find in death? This is not primarily a philosophical question and it is not food for frivolous discussions. No, the question grabs us at a gut level. Its answer can be the difference between hope and despair. The Catholic Church promises an answer in the deposit of truth that it has cherished and protected since our Savior ascended into heaven with the promise of a return. This book explores what Catholic faith tells us. -- From the Introduction to Death, Where Is Your Sting?
About the Faith Basics Faith Basics are concise explanations of various dimensions of the Catholic Faith aimed at a popular audience. They both inform and inspire readers to understand and live the Faith. Their convenient size makes them readily portable. They are economically priced and thus are ideal for distribution in evangelization efforts, RCIA classes, study groups, and various outreach programs.
About the Faith Basics Faith Basics are concise explanations of various dimensions of the Catholic Faith aimed at a popular audience. They both inform and inspire readers to understand and live the Faith. Their convenient size makes them readily portable. They are economically priced and thus are ideal for distribution in evangelization efforts, RCIA classes, study groups, and various outreach programs.
75 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 3, 2012
I received this book from Goodreads first reads. This is a Catholic commentary on death. I am not of Catholic denomination, if I had known this was a Catholic book I probably would not have requested it.
The author, Regis J. Flaherty, makes many references to and quotes the CCC, Catechism of the Catholic Church which I am not familiar with.
In one section titled 'Purification after Death' the author talks about the process of purgatory. As a non catholic I do not believe in purgatory because it is not mentioned in the Bible nor is anything similar mentioned in the Bible. I did not know the Catholic background or reasoning behind their belief in purgatory. The way the author describes purgatory, "a process of purification that ends in full admittance into the heavenly relationship with God," sounds nice but to me is just wishful thinking. As a non catholic, Bible believing Christian I believe we only one chance to choose to be purified by Jesus and that chance is before death on earth. The author also believes we can pray for those who are dead and are in the state of purgatory. He also suggests offering sacrifices for them, Whoa! I believe this is the most unbiblical statement in the whole book! Jesus was and is the final sacrifice no need for additional sacrifices after His death and resurrection.
There are so many things I disagree with in this book I have no desire to go through them all. This book leaves me with more questions than answers. I am not a perfect Biblical scholar but I do read the Bible every day. This book made me wonder, Do catholics read the Bible? The author made many more references to their CCC 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' than he did to the Bible. As a Lutheran we have a catechism as well but it is a help and never ever takes precedence over the Bible. I believe what the Bible says is more important than what any other book says.
There a few quotes I did like and agree with in this book. "death is also a birth into a greater life. Our physical death is actually a second birth."
I would recommend this book to Catholics and Catholics only. It is very short and easy read, only sixty pages long I finished it in about 45 minutes. I probably could have finished it quicker if I didn't stop and reflect. I do not wish to keep this book so if there are any catholics out there who want it I will happily send it to you.
This review is just my opinion and my beliefs, it is not meant to be an insult or an attack on the beliefs of Catholics.
The author, Regis J. Flaherty, makes many references to and quotes the CCC, Catechism of the Catholic Church which I am not familiar with.
In one section titled 'Purification after Death' the author talks about the process of purgatory. As a non catholic I do not believe in purgatory because it is not mentioned in the Bible nor is anything similar mentioned in the Bible. I did not know the Catholic background or reasoning behind their belief in purgatory. The way the author describes purgatory, "a process of purification that ends in full admittance into the heavenly relationship with God," sounds nice but to me is just wishful thinking. As a non catholic, Bible believing Christian I believe we only one chance to choose to be purified by Jesus and that chance is before death on earth. The author also believes we can pray for those who are dead and are in the state of purgatory. He also suggests offering sacrifices for them, Whoa! I believe this is the most unbiblical statement in the whole book! Jesus was and is the final sacrifice no need for additional sacrifices after His death and resurrection.
There are so many things I disagree with in this book I have no desire to go through them all. This book leaves me with more questions than answers. I am not a perfect Biblical scholar but I do read the Bible every day. This book made me wonder, Do catholics read the Bible? The author made many more references to their CCC 'Catechism of the Catholic Church' than he did to the Bible. As a Lutheran we have a catechism as well but it is a help and never ever takes precedence over the Bible. I believe what the Bible says is more important than what any other book says.
There a few quotes I did like and agree with in this book. "death is also a birth into a greater life. Our physical death is actually a second birth."
I would recommend this book to Catholics and Catholics only. It is very short and easy read, only sixty pages long I finished it in about 45 minutes. I probably could have finished it quicker if I didn't stop and reflect. I do not wish to keep this book so if there are any catholics out there who want it I will happily send it to you.
This review is just my opinion and my beliefs, it is not meant to be an insult or an attack on the beliefs of Catholics.
June 24, 2012
I won this from a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This short booklet taught me quite a bit-most notably were about Purgatory and cremation.
I think it'll be an important one to read again during a time of loss.
This short booklet taught me quite a bit-most notably were about Purgatory and cremation.
I think it'll be an important one to read again during a time of loss.
May 1, 2012
I won this book through Goodreads First read giveaway
June 4, 2012
I read this after getting it as a free first/reads from goodreads. It's a good addition to any Catholic's Bible study collection.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews