Sin Revisited

by Solange Hertz

In Sin Revisited, Solange Hertz tackles the topic of sin with a unique perspective for modern times, delving into the intellectual approaches of the Desert Fathers as well as St. John of the Cross. In Hertz’s own “Don’t expect to find the seven deadly sources so familiar in song and story. You’ll find eight, and even these won’t be in the same sequence most of us are used to. This approach is newer than Vatican II, because it’s so much older, if you know what I mean, very much older certainly than the old Baltimore Catechism.” Upon reading this book, a person may subtly undergo an examination of conscience pertaining to each sin that is being discussed. This book is designed to be a guide for spiritual perfection.

Genres: Catholic

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

An established writer before the Second Vatican Council, Solange Hertz wrote for most Catholic periodicals and had five books to her credit, one a selection of the Catholic Literary Foundation. When she refused to adjust her theology to the new “Spirit of Vatican II,” her manuscripts almost overnight became unacceptable to her former editors. After a series of articles on feminine spirituality for the old Triumph magazine, she continued speaking for tradition by successfully producing The Thought of Their Heart and Sin Revisited on her own.

In 1973 she began writing the Big Rock Papers, published privately throughout the next decade and the source of the highly acclaimed Star Spangled Heresy: Americanism, published in 1992. Currently her articles can be found in The Remnant, and abroad in Apropos, Christian Order and Action Familiale et Scolaire. Mrs. Hertz is universally regarded as one of traditional Catholicism’s foremost writers.

Solange Hertz died on October 3, 2015 in Ashburn, VA. She was 95 years old. For more information on her life, visit http://solange.strikingly.com

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I must first confess that I have sinned....I have a spiritual avarice for the writings of Solange. This book must be considered her opus. Chronologically detailing the human condition from Eden thu Cain and Abel up to the present day. There indeed in nothing new under the sun. What is new is the mitigation that has captured the human soul and justifies all the vices. Using the Desert Father's and St. John of the Cross, Solange presents in outline form with many scriptural quotes, the medicine for what ails us and our soul. Terrific book for all that are seeking salvation.

[Thomas Lehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a great reference and entry into the Desert Fathers. The second half with St. John of the Cross is a nice addition as well, to see the different approaches between Eastern and Western monks. It provides a great road map on fighting the devils, sin and temptation and seeing the long struggle involved in rooting out all sin from ourselves. It provides a nice antidote to often current approach popular among blogs and authors with article and books titled "7 ways to eliminate sin" and similar nonsense. I thoroughly recommend this book. I gave it 5 stars, even though occasionally the author's opinions and analogies seem excessive.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second favorite of Hertz's books, only behind Utopia Nowhere. The approach to sin which she highlights, that of the Desert Fathers, is a unique approach that I haven't seen anywhere else. It highlights the interrelation of sins and how one begets another. For example, gluttony is related to lust in that "undo partaking of food can lead to undo partaking of persons." It has helped me identify roots of sin in my own life which I would've never seen otherwise.

[Tina Hertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes through each Capital Sin with details of symptoms and causes, in line with the teaching of the Catholic Church.