A miniature masterpiece of biblical exegesis. (28 pp. of full-color illustrations)
Wills dispenses with the diatribes against the Catholic hierarchy in Papal Sin (2000) to offer reverent reflections on the practice of the rosary.
Over the centuries the rosary became a sometimes-controversial emblem of Catholicism, especially in its association with indulgences (a linkage relegated to obscurity by recent pontiffs). In the post-Vatican II era, it has been regarded in some quarters as a quaint relic. Against this background, Wills defends the rosary in its purest form. In an age of confusion that has renewed interest in meditation, he notes, the rhythmic repetition of these beads invites practitioners “to retire into that secret of our deeper life in Christ, to reflect on his actions and their private meaning for us, and to do this at our own pace, seeking our own peace.” Pope John Paul II added a set of five “luminous mysteries,” or mysteries of light, to go with the traditional three sets: the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. Wills analyzes what the episodes associated with each mystery signify in the life of Jesus. In particular, he affirms the special status of Mary—accepting yet concerned about her son’s mission—against those who see her as a distraction from understanding Christ: “From the early struggles with heresy, it was her role to stand between some who thought Christ not fully human and some who thought him not fully divine.” When not sensitively explaining the rosary’s use in times of spiritual struggle, Wills employs vivid imagery, as in this description of a painting of the Annunciation by the Renaissance master Tintoretto: “The dove of the Holy Spirit plunges like a dive bomber, trailing a squadron of fighter angels.” The pretentiousness and sarcasm that sometimes marred Wills’ prior religious writings take a back seat here to his considerable erudition and eloquence.
A miniature masterpiece of biblical exegesis. (28 pp. of full-color illustrations)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2005
ISBN: 0-670-03449-5
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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