Sunday, September 21, 2014

Angels and Saints by Scott Hahn


  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Image (May 27, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307590798
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307590794



Angels and saints. Catholics tend to think of them as different from the rest of us. They’re cast in plaster or simpering on a holy card, performing miracles with superhero strength, or playing a harp in highest heaven. 

Yet they are very near to us in every way. In this lively book, Scott Hahn dispels the false notions and urban legends people use to keep the saints at a safe distance. The truth is that Jesus Christ has united heaven and earth in a close communion. Drawing deeply from Scripture, Dr. Hahn shows that the hosts of heaven surround the earthly Church as a "great cloud of witnesses." The martyrs cry out from heaven’s altar begging for justice on the earth. The prayers of the saints and angels rise to God, in the Book of Revelation, like the sweet aroma of incense.

Dr. Hahn tells the stories of several saints (and several angels too) in a way that’s fresh and new. The saints are spiritual giants but with flesh-and-blood reality. They have strong, holy ambitions—and powerful temptations and opposition that must be overcome. Their stories are amazing and yet familiar enough to motivate us to live more beautiful lives. In this telling of their story, the saints are neither otherworldly nor this-worldly. They exemplify the integrated life that every Christian is called to live.

Still, their lives are as different from one another as human lives can be. Dr. Hahn shows the heavenly Church in all its kaleidoscopic diversity—from Moses to Mary, Augustine to Therese, and the first century to the last century.

Only saints will live in heaven. We need to be more like the saints if we want to live in heaven someday. Dr. Hahn shows us that our heavenly life can begin now. 

It must.

My take on this book:
Interesting and informative. I admit I was initially drawn to this book because I wanted to read more about Angels, but I honestly finished this book with a greater understanding of saints as well as angels and the role they often play. Written in a down to earth easy to understand manner with catchy chapter titles I found myself learning more than I anticipated while reading this book. The author introduces us to several saints but more than that he provides a glimpse at an unseen world where there are numerous angels and how that world interacts with ours. The author even shares several stories of saints. A great read for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of Saints and the roles that they play.  

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Your wonderful comments make my day, thanks for dropping by!