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Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments
The most solemn, majestic, and beautiful gifts that Jesus Christ gave to the world are His sacraments. He endowed them with unprecedented and unparalleled power—power to change lives, save souls, and share God’s very life. The sacraments are the ordinary means by which God directs the course of each human life and all of world history.
The Church celebrates seven baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, matrimony, holy orders, confession, and anointing of the sick. Each was established by Jesus for the sake of salvation. When Jesus spoke of the sacraments, He made clear that they were Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (Jn 3:5) . . . unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you (Jn 6: 53).
In Swear to God , Dr. Scott Hahn explores the richness of Christ’s sacraments—their doctrine, history, symbols, and rituals. Drawing upon the Bible and the Church’s tradition, he shows how God’s covenants—with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David—became the driving forces in history. When Jesus came to fulfill all these covenants, He established a new covenant, with greater power than ever before. Christians are God’s children now. Joined to Christ by baptism, we can already share in the eternal life of the Trinity, a life we hope to know fully in heaven. But heaven is with us, even now, in the sacraments.
The Church celebrates seven baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, matrimony, holy orders, confession, and anointing of the sick. Each was established by Jesus for the sake of salvation. When Jesus spoke of the sacraments, He made clear that they were Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (Jn 3:5) . . . unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you (Jn 6: 53).
In Swear to God , Dr. Scott Hahn explores the richness of Christ’s sacraments—their doctrine, history, symbols, and rituals. Drawing upon the Bible and the Church’s tradition, he shows how God’s covenants—with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David—became the driving forces in history. When Jesus came to fulfill all these covenants, He established a new covenant, with greater power than ever before. Christians are God’s children now. Joined to Christ by baptism, we can already share in the eternal life of the Trinity, a life we hope to know fully in heaven. But heaven is with us, even now, in the sacraments.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2004
85 people are currently reading
961 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hahn
420 books1,356 followersScott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 6, 2017
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 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
"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
February 1, 2010
Hahn's clear, concise writing is great. He aims the book at a lay audience, although some basic knowledge about the Catholic sacraments would probably help the reader a fair bit.
Description:
Hahn is superb at presenting theology and Catholic doctrine in terms that not only are understandable, but also appeal to the layperson. In this book on the sacraments, he explains the power of the sacraments, their covenantal nature and what that means, the blessings and curses that are always a part of covenants and why the sacraments should be taken seriously. As Hahn explains, he did not always realize their power and his explanation of what changed his mind is appealing and invitational.
Description:
Hahn is superb at presenting theology and Catholic doctrine in terms that not only are understandable, but also appeal to the layperson. In this book on the sacraments, he explains the power of the sacraments, their covenantal nature and what that means, the blessings and curses that are always a part of covenants and why the sacraments should be taken seriously. As Hahn explains, he did not always realize their power and his explanation of what changed his mind is appealing and invitational.
February 26, 2013
As a Catholic, the sacraments are something that can be overlooked as commonplace. This book really changes the way I look at the seven sacraments. Instead of receiving a sacrament, it might be more accurate to say the one "enters into a sacrament". The scriptural basis is solid as usual. Dr. Hahn does a great job of explaining the history and importance of solemn oaths, and he ties them well into the Church's teaching on the sacraments. I especially like the connection he makes with the Eucharist and marriage at the end of the book. As always, a great read by Dr. Hahn.
October 20, 2011
This book was not what I was expecting - I bought it because I wanted to explore the meaning behind the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of reconcilliation. However, what I got was an explanation of the Oaths we pledge with God. The writing was, as always, very engaging and my star rating reflects my own disappointment at the subject matter rather than Hahn's writing.
July 21, 2014
Swear to God was one of the first books I read as a Catholic. I audiobooked it in fact from Audible. At the time, I didn't grasp the book fully, but I did appreciate it. I have since decided to re-read it, a decade later and see how much more it speaks to me today.
The book begins with Dr. Hahn recounting his first encounter with sacraments in Protestant seminary. In a nutshell, they bored him. He was more interested in the Bible and preaching. Frankly, I could relate with him. To a Protestant, sacraments aren't that interesting or essential to salvation. Having now experienced multiple sacraments within the Church, I have come to realize years after my conversion just how interesting, essential, and crucial to our salvation they really are.
Dr. Hahn then takes the time to explain what a sacrament is, how many there are, what exactly each one is, and where they can be found in Scripture. Next, he devotes several chapters to covenants and covenant theology. In these chapters, he explains what covenants and oaths are, important covenants in the Bible, how covenants were crucial to Creation, how oaths were important to society.
This book is easily understood, because it is written in true Scott Hahn fashion. It is a nice mixture of Scripture, patristics, and personal experience. This is an excellent introduction to the sacraments and the power and importance they have in the lives of Catholics. I highly recommend it for both old and new Catholics. It makes the perfect gift for those in the RCIA program or just those who are showing a little bit of interest in the Catholic faith.
The book begins with Dr. Hahn recounting his first encounter with sacraments in Protestant seminary. In a nutshell, they bored him. He was more interested in the Bible and preaching. Frankly, I could relate with him. To a Protestant, sacraments aren't that interesting or essential to salvation. Having now experienced multiple sacraments within the Church, I have come to realize years after my conversion just how interesting, essential, and crucial to our salvation they really are.
Dr. Hahn then takes the time to explain what a sacrament is, how many there are, what exactly each one is, and where they can be found in Scripture. Next, he devotes several chapters to covenants and covenant theology. In these chapters, he explains what covenants and oaths are, important covenants in the Bible, how covenants were crucial to Creation, how oaths were important to society.
This book is easily understood, because it is written in true Scott Hahn fashion. It is a nice mixture of Scripture, patristics, and personal experience. This is an excellent introduction to the sacraments and the power and importance they have in the lives of Catholics. I highly recommend it for both old and new Catholics. It makes the perfect gift for those in the RCIA program or just those who are showing a little bit of interest in the Catholic faith.
February 6, 2009
I'll share a few of my favorite lines from this book. I generally like all of Scott Hahn's books. I like his style of writing. And this book is right up there with the rest of them. If you enjoy my review below, then pick up the book and read it!
In the age of grace, we see the kingdom of heaven and its mysteries more clearly, but still imperfectly. It is only when we pass from the age of grace into the eternal age of glory that we'll see divine things as they really are, in heaven, without their earthly sacramental veils.
The Eucharist is a different sacrament because, while the other sacraments are works of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist is Christ Himself - body, blood, soul, and divinity. It's the source and summit of the Christian life.
God revealed Himself to us through a series of covenants. In creation, He established a covenant bond with humanity. The second was with Noah. The third was with Abraham. The fourth with Moses at Mount Sinai. And the fifth with King David.
In the age of grace, we see the kingdom of heaven and its mysteries more clearly, but still imperfectly. It is only when we pass from the age of grace into the eternal age of glory that we'll see divine things as they really are, in heaven, without their earthly sacramental veils.
The Eucharist is a different sacrament because, while the other sacraments are works of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist is Christ Himself - body, blood, soul, and divinity. It's the source and summit of the Christian life.
God revealed Himself to us through a series of covenants. In creation, He established a covenant bond with humanity. The second was with Noah. The third was with Abraham. The fourth with Moses at Mount Sinai. And the fifth with King David.
October 24, 2010
4.5 Stars. I'm withholding half of a star for style issues. Otherwise this book is pretty awesome. The author was recommended to me at a young adult retreat.
This book gives a historical view of oaths, covenants, swearing and sacraments, from the ancient civilizations of the near east to our present day legal system. I have a whole new perspective on taking the Lord's name in vain now.
I'm not sure if the book presumes a certain amount of prior knowledge. i don't remember it being overly explanatory on Catholic rites like the mass and baptism but i did learn a lot about legal stuff.
This book gives a historical view of oaths, covenants, swearing and sacraments, from the ancient civilizations of the near east to our present day legal system. I have a whole new perspective on taking the Lord's name in vain now.
I'm not sure if the book presumes a certain amount of prior knowledge. i don't remember it being overly explanatory on Catholic rites like the mass and baptism but i did learn a lot about legal stuff.
April 29, 2017
I like that I learn and understand more aspects about my faith each time I read a book by Scott Hahn. As in his other books, this one takes a lot of concentration and contemplation. I'll need to read it again at some point, and I'm sure I will gain more each time I go through it. (Maybe every lenten season?) I'll call it a complex, but very worthwhile book about the sacraments.
August 4, 2012
Listened to this audio - book on a vacation this summer. It was a great breakdown of the sacraments and explained how covenant was not an agreement as much as it was an oath. Ancient scripture was written in Hebrew and Aramaic and then translated to Greek and Latin into English. The Latin word for oath is sacramentum - AKA - Sacraments.
October 5, 2015
Hahn in a very clear and easy to read way, gives a basis for what makes a sacrament, just that. If you are looking for an in depth look at the sacraments, this one goes into marriage and the Eucharist the most, and touches briefly on the others. I know he has other books that delve into the other sacraments more.
December 18, 2012
A good read to get you back into spiritual reading. It's not too heavy and easy to understand. Good for starting out with understanding basics of the Sacraments. Goes over importance of oaths and covenants in all aspects of life.
December 2, 2021
Although this book contains to-the-point explanations and examinations of the sacraments, the writing style was repetitive and not very engaging. Most of the book was passive and didn't inspire me to greater heights, but it finished strong and the last chapter was moving and heartfelt.
March 11, 2008
My father recommended this book to me...it is a great book that discusses the connection of the Catholic church to the sacraments, and what that connection means.
May 8, 2010
Bueno para profundizar los sacramentos, desde el antiguo testamento.
December 6, 2010
Hahn is too fond of puns in his chapter headings, but otherwise this is a beautiful, interesting defense of sacrament and liturgy.
August 4, 2017
I had to read this for school so yeah wasn't as bad as I expected but still wasn't actually interested
June 20, 2025
My favorite of all his books so far. Every Christian should read this. It has given me a greater appreciation of the sacraments.
March 5, 2018
Excellent well written, easy to understand. Brings sacraments to life.
January 13, 2015
This is an excellent book. So far, all that I've read from Scott Hahn has been excellent. I look forward to reading more from him.
This book contains all that I wish I'd learned in catechism (or, maybe, what I wish I'd retained).
I would definitely recommend this book to any Catholic who is 'just going through the motions, any lapsed or fallen-away Catholic, or anyone who is interested in just what Catholicism is.
This book contains all that I wish I'd learned in catechism (or, maybe, what I wish I'd retained).
I would definitely recommend this book to any Catholic who is 'just going through the motions, any lapsed or fallen-away Catholic, or anyone who is interested in just what Catholicism is.
November 28, 2017
Another 5 Star book for Dr. Scott Hahn. This man has much to teach us.
This book is about the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you think you know about them, read this book. If you don't know a thing about them, read this book.
In order to bring people back to (0r in to for the first time) the Faith, you must understand the Sacraments. This is the place to begin!
Enjoy.
This book is about the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you think you know about them, read this book. If you don't know a thing about them, read this book.
In order to bring people back to (0r in to for the first time) the Faith, you must understand the Sacraments. This is the place to begin!
Enjoy.
August 22, 2014
Mr. Hahn starts off getting and holding my interest, but he generally loses me a few chapters from the end. I am not sure why, but I suspect his repetitious writing style is the cause and my habit of reading before I fall asleep is the effect. I do love his short chapters.
February 19, 2016
I can't say enough about how much I have learned from Dr. Hahn and this book is another incredibly important book in understanding what the sacraments are, why they were given to us, and why we need them. Powerful!
June 5, 2016
sacraments, red blood white purity blue heaven, covenant of marriage, let your yes be yes and no be no amen amen truly truly, 1930’s all religions were anti-contraceptive, co-create life with God, through trials fall on His mercy.
Read
April 12, 2014Brilliant, as is any Hahn book. I was very excited at the beginning, some of the middle felt redundant, but the end was very thoughtful.
April 5, 2015
This was a great book. I bought it for an RCIA student. The section on marriage was especially poignant. It was also quite funny at times.
August 6, 2016
Tasting book!
This great book leaves you with a wonderful taste of the doctrine on sacraments of the Catholic Church. After this book everything makes sense.
This great book leaves you with a wonderful taste of the doctrine on sacraments of the Catholic Church. After this book everything makes sense.
February 19, 2017
Fascinating book on the importance of the Sacraments. Easy to understand. It has brought a new level of meaning to the Mass for me.
April 21, 2021
Wonderfully enlightening book
Scott Hahn's writings on the sacraments providing such clarity on their meaning and what our view should be of them. An excellent book.
Scott Hahn's writings on the sacraments providing such clarity on their meaning and what our view should be of them. An excellent book.
March 12, 2018
It should be noted that I have read quite a bit from this author [1], and my feelings about the author are mixed. His writing shows, as a pattern, no great fidelity to the Bible and some truly lamentable habits as an interpreter of scripture and tradition. Over and over again the author talks about his own regression to Catholicism and tends to, as one might imagine a convert to do, cherry-picks conversion stories for others to add to his unfortunately triumphalist rhetoric. Yet these are aspects of the writer's thinking that remain constant through his body of work, at least so far as I am able to tell. The larger question is, is there anything in this Popish writing aimed at a Catholic audience to instruct them about the seven Catholic sacraments that is of value to a non-Catholic audience? The answer is a qualified yes. Again, a great deal has to be taken with more than a little bit of skepticism or criticism, but there is enough here to be worth reading for someone who wants to encounter a Catholic perspective and who is interested in the larger question of covenants and oaths and the power that results from them, even when there is much to disagree with.
This book consists of fifteen chapters (some of which, along with many of the headings within chapters, are full of punny titles) that take up about 200 pages of text. The book begins with a discussion of how sacraments used to bore the author (1) as well a discussion of signs and mysteries (2) and a look at how the sacraments of baptism, laying on of hands, the Passover, ordination, marriage, healing, and confession appear in scripture (3). The author then looks at why there are seven counted (4), even if there are more rituals called "sacramentals" that he fortunately doesn't go into in a lot of detail. A look at the connection between sacramentals and covenants then follows (5) along with a look at sacraments as covenant oaths (6) and the phenomenon of words being deeds (7). The author looks at oaths and their importance as the engine of history (8) and looks at the question of trustworthiness and treachery as making it important that oaths are taken seriously and said conscientiously (9). The author examines the critical aspect of truth in making oaths (10) and makes some critical comments about those who compartmentalize their lives between being religious only some of the time and irreligious and faithless the rest of the time (11). The author looks at questions of the connection between sacraments and sexuality and lying (12) and the realm of risk (13) before closing the book with a look at the "real presence" of God in the oaths made by believers (14) and the way that oaths and sacraments look toward eternity (15).
In the main, approaching this subject, I would look at the sacraments as being aspects of covenants that are made where an oath creates a reality that was not the case to begin with. There are strong cases to be made for five of these seven oaths. Three of them, of course, are matters that every believer is subject to: the baptism and laying on of hands (here called confirmation), both done at the same time, one of them an oath on the part of a believer to repent of his sins and accept a new life and the other an oath on the part of the one doing the baptism to proclaim the entrance of the believer into God's family with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The third of these universal sacraments is the eating of the unleavened bread and the drinking of the wine at the Passover, which puts us in a right relationship with God and serves as a memorial as well as a proclamation of the death of Christ and brings believers under judgment if they have taken the cup or partaken of the bread in an unworthy manner. Two of the sacraments are oaths that are taken by some believers but not by all of them and are also covenants. The first of these is marriage, where there is a oath between a husband and a wife to remain loyally united together until death do they part, an oath far too many do not take seriously at present. The second of these is ordination, where people enter into church offices and make a vow to serve God's people loyally and faithfully. While I have some serious questions about the way that confession and anointing are, I see both of these as aspects of healthy Christian practice that I have sought myself on occasions as a way of appealing to God and seeking to reconcile with others. While I find a good deal to criticize about the approach of the author, the fact that I consider much of his statements about sacraments and what separates them to be worthwhile of thinking about is, perhaps the highest praise a reader like myself could be expected to give.
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
http://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018/...
http://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018/...
This book consists of fifteen chapters (some of which, along with many of the headings within chapters, are full of punny titles) that take up about 200 pages of text. The book begins with a discussion of how sacraments used to bore the author (1) as well a discussion of signs and mysteries (2) and a look at how the sacraments of baptism, laying on of hands, the Passover, ordination, marriage, healing, and confession appear in scripture (3). The author then looks at why there are seven counted (4), even if there are more rituals called "sacramentals" that he fortunately doesn't go into in a lot of detail. A look at the connection between sacramentals and covenants then follows (5) along with a look at sacraments as covenant oaths (6) and the phenomenon of words being deeds (7). The author looks at oaths and their importance as the engine of history (8) and looks at the question of trustworthiness and treachery as making it important that oaths are taken seriously and said conscientiously (9). The author examines the critical aspect of truth in making oaths (10) and makes some critical comments about those who compartmentalize their lives between being religious only some of the time and irreligious and faithless the rest of the time (11). The author looks at questions of the connection between sacraments and sexuality and lying (12) and the realm of risk (13) before closing the book with a look at the "real presence" of God in the oaths made by believers (14) and the way that oaths and sacraments look toward eternity (15).
In the main, approaching this subject, I would look at the sacraments as being aspects of covenants that are made where an oath creates a reality that was not the case to begin with. There are strong cases to be made for five of these seven oaths. Three of them, of course, are matters that every believer is subject to: the baptism and laying on of hands (here called confirmation), both done at the same time, one of them an oath on the part of a believer to repent of his sins and accept a new life and the other an oath on the part of the one doing the baptism to proclaim the entrance of the believer into God's family with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The third of these universal sacraments is the eating of the unleavened bread and the drinking of the wine at the Passover, which puts us in a right relationship with God and serves as a memorial as well as a proclamation of the death of Christ and brings believers under judgment if they have taken the cup or partaken of the bread in an unworthy manner. Two of the sacraments are oaths that are taken by some believers but not by all of them and are also covenants. The first of these is marriage, where there is a oath between a husband and a wife to remain loyally united together until death do they part, an oath far too many do not take seriously at present. The second of these is ordination, where people enter into church offices and make a vow to serve God's people loyally and faithfully. While I have some serious questions about the way that confession and anointing are, I see both of these as aspects of healthy Christian practice that I have sought myself on occasions as a way of appealing to God and seeking to reconcile with others. While I find a good deal to criticize about the approach of the author, the fact that I consider much of his statements about sacraments and what separates them to be worthwhile of thinking about is, perhaps the highest praise a reader like myself could be expected to give.
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
http://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018/...
http://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018/...
December 26, 2018
I read this for a class I took at my parish about the Sacraments. It was the first Scott Hahn book I have read, so I don't know if it is typical of his other books. I found his arguments to be circular, and not particularly enlightening. He has a thesis about the Sacraments relating to covenants and oaths. He shoehorns all of his points to fit this thesis. So instead of getting a history of the development of the theology of the Sacraments, we are presented with a limited viewpoint that backs up his beliefs. I was not particularly taken with the frequent references to his own life and his wife Kimberley. I understand that he is a convert to Catholicism and has written powerfully about that journey. It just didn't add to my understanding of the Sacraments. I will have seek out other books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews