Rylie > Recent Status Updates

This is my first Scott Hahn book at the recommendation of Catechists John and Amee Cave and Deacon Matthew in OCIA, I’ve neglected to write thus far but I’m starting now. Hahn, is amazing at weaving typology, historical context and citations into a comprehensible text, the church fathers, typology of Mary between Eve and the Ark as well as the historical context of the Davidic Queen Mother makes a strong case.

Reading through Hippolytus’ writings its fascinating comparing and contrasting the second century church to the modern church, the prayer’s, baptism, catechuminate process, etc are still nearly identical almost 2000 years later.

Loving the book, I love D’Ambrosio’s use of quotes, weaving in historical context, I’ve found myself really finding a liking to St. Ignatius, his letters prior to martyrdom are insightful and powerful. Ignatius on the swap from Sabbath to Sunday is intriguing too. St. Polycarps address in the colosseum is powerful. As is the letter to Diogentus, which is cool seeing how Christian’s addressed a Pagan audience.

Really interesting read so far, it’s digestible, informative, and not too dense but dense enough to be enjoyable and I love how D’Ambrosio includes footnotes and cross references to Church Father writings so I can easily search them up and see for myself

Almost finished but very thought-provoking despite the bishops use of complex verbiage he addressed the Filioque controversy as pedantic hairsplitting, saying that, although the West changed the creed the implication of the Filioque is alluded to throughout scripture by Christ and as well as Saint Paul. I’m interested to see bishops final chapter on the paragraph for the creed regarding the church.

Really interesting although Bishop Brian uses complex language (at least for me) at times in order to get to his point. The parts where he talks about Sheol and Hans Holbeins “burial of Christ painting” are striking and fascinating and worthy of note

Thought provoking I’m intrigued by Bishop Barron already and watch his online content, however I have questions which I’ll have to ask my priest about namely Allowing Evil for the Greater Good which God seemingly permitted by allowing the serpents existence for which Barron calls “The Greater Good” by allowing Humans free will and setting up Christs sacrifice. Liked the explanation “God from God…” Pg 33

Very interesting so far, read it on the plane, it’s nice getting a glimpse into MLK’s mind through his sermons, prior to this my extent of knowledge on him was “Civil Rights Activist who was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel” but reading through this it feel very personal and devoted. The idea of being a Nonconformist was intriguing and thought provoking as was his sermon on altruism and the Good Samaritan.

McPherson does an excellent job encapsulating the personal views of the individual soldiers and steering away from the politics surrounding the war, however at times it can be monotonous and seem to drag on the format typically goes “One soldier from x company writes [insert union or confederate letter here] he died x months later.” I love how McPherson doesn’t alter misspellings only doing so when necessary