The Wisdom of the Word

by Michael Dauphinais, Matthew Levering

Why believe God exists, or believe Jesus is God? Why listen to the Catholic Church? And why is the Church so strict about sex? Questions like these have propelled a crisis of disaffiliation and disbelief among Catholics in recent decades. Half of millennial Catholics have turned their backs on the Church, and at many churches, only a minority of parishioners believe in all of its teachings about faith and morality. Building on the call of the Second Vatican Council for a greater appreciation of Scripture, The Wisdom of the Word invites Catholics who are thinking about leaving the Church, or who are confused about elements of Catholic faith and practice, to pause and give the Bible a chance to illuminate their way. From the infighting among the Catholic faithful to the sins of Catholic leaders, and from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to the Church’s emphasis on caring for the poor, theologians Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering explore common challenges to the faith in light of the timeless insights of the Word. “The prayerful reading of God’s Word,” Pope Francis reminds us, ”which is ‘sweeter than honey’ yet a ‘two-edged sword,’ enables us to pause and listen to the voice of the Master. It becomes a lamp for our steps and a light for our path.” Do you, or does someone you know, think that certain elements of the Catholic faith just don’t make sense? If so, the ancient wisdom of God’s Word—sweeter than honey and sharper than a sword—awaits

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2021

About the author

Michael Dauphinais is the Dean of Faculty at Ave Maria University. He received his doctorate in Systematic Theology from the University of Notre Dame and is a member of the American Academy of Religion. He is the author of several books, including: The Common Good and the Body of Christ: St. Thomas and the Catholic Worker, and Knowing the Love of Christ: An Introduction to the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Reviews

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this valuable contribution to practical biblical theology, authors Michael Dauphinais and the prolific Matthew Levering, tackle, as the subtitle aptly describes, "ten pressing questions about Catholicism" from a strictly biblical standpoint. The questions range from, "Why believe in God and in Jesus Christ?" to "Why is the Church so strict about sex"? to "Why do Catholics fight so much with each other?" Clearly, they are not reluctant to take on deep topics or hot-button issues, acknowledging the failings of the institutional Church and its members, but providing timeless wisdom from the Bible as a corrective. And they do so in-depth, not simply giving quick answers or surface-level explanations, but building their case by providing an exposition from a thorough survey of Scripture. It is not a book to drop in an inquirers lap unless that person is ready to be challenged with a serious and comprehensive look at what the Word of God has to offer on all these matters. There is somewhat of a challenge in working through it (I found myself looking at the top of the page to remind myself of what question was being addressed), but the greater challenge is to the persons asking these questions and reorienting their perspectives (and their lives) in accord with the biblical message.

There is an introduction, a thirty-odd page chapter addressing each query, and a very helpful conclusion that reviews at a high level all that preceded it.

More than a work of apologetics, this is a profound theological work that powerfully shows the content and unity of Scripture on several of the most relevant questions of our age. So, this is not just for the person sincerely seeking answers. It is also for the person who is "all in," but wants to know more completely, to understand more deeply, to love more profoundly, and to evangelize more effectively.

Yes, there is much wisdom in the Word. Every reader will come to a deeper appreciation of this truth.

NOTE: Amazon provides a "Look Inside" that shows the table of contents as well as the introduction and a substantial amount the first chapter: https://www.amazon.com/Wisdom-Word-Bi...

[David donegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book walks the reader through the answer to 10 commonly asked questions about the Catholic faith. It's a basic, foundational teaching book.