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The Seven Deadly Sins: A Visitor's Guide
Lawrence Cunningham guides readers on a tour of and personal inquiry into the seven deadly sins--their roots in the mystic experiences of the desert fathers, their modern manifestations, and how to supplant these invasive, destructive habits with virtue.
Sloth, envy, gluttony, greed, anger, lust, and when and how were they first identified? Who grouped them together? Can we truly resist their pull? Renowned theologian Lawrence Cunningham explores these questions and others in his newest book. He traces the roots of the seven deadly sins to the mystic experiences of the desert fathers, who--in total solitude--experienced and identified these corrupt inner desires as forces that twist us away from God. He offers examples and insights from scripture, Christian tradition, and modern life, helping readers meet each of the seven deadly sins with a corresponding virtue.
Sloth, envy, gluttony, greed, anger, lust, and when and how were they first identified? Who grouped them together? Can we truly resist their pull? Renowned theologian Lawrence Cunningham explores these questions and others in his newest book. He traces the roots of the seven deadly sins to the mystic experiences of the desert fathers, who--in total solitude--experienced and identified these corrupt inner desires as forces that twist us away from God. He offers examples and insights from scripture, Christian tradition, and modern life, helping readers meet each of the seven deadly sins with a corresponding virtue.
- GenresTheology
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 19, 2012
With The Seven Deadly Sins: A Visitor's Guide, author Lawrence Cunningham has prepared a resource that, I kid you not, is a gem.
Are you a catechist? You'll love it.
Are you a parent? You'll need it.
Are you a struggling sinner? You'll see an approach to sin that may well give you hope.
Not that you didn't have hope before, mind you. Not that you weren't already well-prepared as a parent. Not that you didn't have resources out the wazoo for teaching and preparing.
Cunningham is entertaining and conversational in his approach to the seven deadly sins. He makes the history lesson behind them a story that's compelling and intriguing.
The sins themselves fit under an umbrella, and the way he coordinated them all into that umbrella was...well, it probably wasn't brilliant. Because the umbrella is this: all sin is about SELF. ME.
I remember, waaaaay back in RCIA, when Father Pat defined sin as stepping away from God. It seemed almost too easy a definition.
And yet, it rings true to me now, years later. Maybe I'm more mature, more learned, more worn down by daily life with little people.
Cunningham's book is small--less than 120 pages--and if you're not careful, you could whip through it and just smile and enjoy yourself.
But don't be fooled. Something will sink in. And you'll be changed and better for it.
Highly recommended.
Are you a catechist? You'll love it.
Are you a parent? You'll need it.
Are you a struggling sinner? You'll see an approach to sin that may well give you hope.
Not that you didn't have hope before, mind you. Not that you weren't already well-prepared as a parent. Not that you didn't have resources out the wazoo for teaching and preparing.
Cunningham is entertaining and conversational in his approach to the seven deadly sins. He makes the history lesson behind them a story that's compelling and intriguing.
The sins themselves fit under an umbrella, and the way he coordinated them all into that umbrella was...well, it probably wasn't brilliant. Because the umbrella is this: all sin is about SELF. ME.
I remember, waaaaay back in RCIA, when Father Pat defined sin as stepping away from God. It seemed almost too easy a definition.
And yet, it rings true to me now, years later. Maybe I'm more mature, more learned, more worn down by daily life with little people.
Cunningham's book is small--less than 120 pages--and if you're not careful, you could whip through it and just smile and enjoy yourself.
But don't be fooled. Something will sink in. And you'll be changed and better for it.
Highly recommended.
January 17, 2016
A worthwhile tour
I like the clear language, examples and humor here all done in a delightful dialogue with tradition. I honestly found myself laughing while examining my conscience or as he point out so well my heart.
I like the clear language, examples and humor here all done in a delightful dialogue with tradition. I honestly found myself laughing while examining my conscience or as he point out so well my heart.
July 28, 2015
Helpful devotional read
This is a very clear, brief, and thoughtful piece on the well-known and so-called seven deadly sins. Each of the sins is given its own chapter. Those chapters are preceded by an introduction putting the discussion of the sins in their historical context in relation to Christian tradition and followed by an epilogue focused on purity of heart.
This is a very clear, brief, and thoughtful piece on the well-known and so-called seven deadly sins. Each of the sins is given its own chapter. Those chapters are preceded by an introduction putting the discussion of the sins in their historical context in relation to Christian tradition and followed by an epilogue focused on purity of heart.
December 31, 2015
Pedantic, moralistic and simplistic.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews