The Christian Studies Shelf

On Death and Eternal Life
St. Gregory of Nyssa, author
Brian Daley, translator
SVS Press
575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707
www.svspress.com
9780881417098, $28.00, PB, 328pp

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Eternal-Life-Gregory-Nyssa/dp/0881417092

Synopsis: Saint Gregory of Nyssa (c. A.D. 335 - after 384) was bishop of Ny= ssa and a prominent Christian theologian of the fourth century. The seven w= orks by Saint Gregory comprising (some of which, ably translated by Brian D= aley, are available in English for the first time) explore the great human = mystery of death and the promise of eternal life.

The writings included in "On Death and Eternal Life" (along with On the Sou=
l and the Resurrection (PPS 12) provide a vision that is consistent, philos= ophically profound, and characteristic of Gregory's wider theology.

The first three works (On the Dead, On Infants Taken Away before Their Time=
, and On the "Final Subjection" of Christ) might be termed thematic essays;=
the fourth is a sermon celebrating Christ's resurrection (On the Holy Pasc= ha); and the remaining three are funeral homilies given for prominent peopl=
e in Constantinople (Meletius, Pulcheria, and Flaccilla).

Of special note is that this volume, "On Death and Eternal Life", also incl= udes the critical Greek text.

Critique: A part of the simply outstanding 'Popular Patristics' series from=
SVS Press, this compact paperback edition "On Death and Eternal Life" is a=
n especially recommended addition to personal, ministerial, theological col= lections for Orthodox and Catholic Christians in general, and seminary stud= ents studies lists in particular. It should be noted that "On Death and Ete= rnal Life" is also readily available for personal reading lists in a digita=
l book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Brian Daley, S.J. (https://theology.nd.edu/people/brian-dal= ey-sj) did his undergraduate work at Fordham University and a subsequent M.=
A, (classics and philosophy) at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He then entered=
the Society of Jesus, taught for a year at Fordham, and studied theology f=
or ordination in Frankfurt, Germany. He returned to Oxford in 1972 for doct= oral studies, focused on the Patristic Christological tradition, and comple= ted a critical edition of the works of the sixth-century theologian Leontiu=
s of Byzantium in 1978. He then was a faculty member of the Weston Jesuit S= chool of Theology, in Cambridge, MA, until 1996, when he moved to Notre Dam= e's Department of Theology as the Catherine Huisking Professor. He consider=
s himself a historical theologian, studying the thought and practices of th=
e first seven or eight centuries of Christianity as expressions of the deve= loping common faith of the Church, especially as it is focused on our under= standing of the person of Christ, the Trinity, and the hope for eternal lif=
e.

Preaching: A Simple Approach to the Sacred Task
Daniel Overdorf
Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9780825447228, $20.99, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Preaching-Simple-Approach-Sacred-Task/dp/0825447224

Synopsis: Preaching with power and conviction is too important to be left t=
o chance. With the publication of "Preaching: A Simple Approach to the Sacr=
ed Task", experienced preacher and teacher of preachers, Daniel Overdorf, l= eads his readers through a tested process for sermon preparation that takes=
proclaiming God's Word seriously yet does not overly complicate the task o=
r overwhelm the preacher.

Overdorf describes and demonstrates consistent, manageable steps to effecti=
ve preaching, including: Clarifying the convictions that drive your preachi= ng; Identifying the main idea of a Scripture text; Forming memorable word p= ictures; Reducing reliance on notes; Connecting with the congregation throu= ghout the sermon; Speaking authentically.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Preaching: =
A Simple Approach to the Sacred Task" is an ideal combination of instructio=
n guide and how-to manual that will be of immense interest and value for re= aders charged with a ministerial responsibility within the Christian commun= ity. While especially and unreservedly recommended for church and seminary = collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of ministers=
, seminary students, and non- specialist general readers with an interest i=
n the subject of Christian Preaching, Christian Church Leadership, and Chri= stian Pastoral Resources, "Preaching: A Simple Approach to the Sacred Task"=
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).

Editorial Note: Daniel Overdorf (www.DanielOverdorf.com) grew up in the mou= ntains of eastern Tennessee and southern West Virginia, where he experience=
d the value of the blue-collar work ethic, the wonder of Appalachian storyt= elling, and the joy of being raised in the home of a preacher who loves the=
church with all his heart. These early influences continue to shape his pe= rspectives of life and faith. He graduated from Johnson University, then sp= ent the next ten years ministering with churches in Illinois and Georgia. I=
n the meantime, he earned a Master of Divinity from Lincoln Christian Semin= ary and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. At G= ordon-Conwell, he had the joy of studying for four years under Haddon Robin= son, a patriarch in the field of preaching. Robinson's influence significan= tly shaped Overdorf's philosophy and approach to preaching, both as a preac= her and as a professor.

One Church
Charles C. Camosy
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
9781646801527, $17.95, PB, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/One-Church-Rekindle-Negotiate-Difference/dp/16468015=
20

Synopsis: Vatican II baby boomers, trad millennials, zealous converts, Chri= stmas and Easter Catholics -- these are some of the humorous stereotypes th= eologian Charles Camosy uses to explain the points of view that divide toda= y's Church.

In the pages of "One Church: How to Rekindle Trust, Negotiate Difference, a=
nd Reclaim Catholic Unity", Professor Camosy says that in spite of our diff= erences, unity and healing can be found through the fullness of the Gospel = and an authentic understanding of the Catholic faith. With the publication =
of "One Church", Professor Camosy offers a hopeful and practical field guid=
e for the here and now by sharing what it takes to listen and love those wh= ose views are different than ours and to understand how we are united in th=
e Body of Christ, the Church.

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church there have always been fundam= ental differences about how the faith should be expressed -- for example, b= etween Peter and Paul, Jerome and Augustine, Franciscans and Dominicans, le=
ft and right, "Rad Trads" and Vatican II Catholics.

In today's climate of polarization, getting to unity-in-diversity has never=
been more difficult. Where Sts. Jerome and Augustine shared their differen= ces by letter, social media is the place where division is most noticeable = (and vitriolic) today.

In "One Church" Professor Camosy, founder and director of The Catholic Conv= ersation Project, offers five principles of dialogue to build on our unity =
as the Body of Christ: Maintain a humble attitude; Avoid binary thinking an=
d dismissive name-calling; Affirm and build on common ground; Make Christ t=
he center of everything; and Lead with what you are for, not what you are a= gainst.

Critique: A timely contribution toward supporting the Catholic church in th= ese especially trying times, "One Church: How to Rekindle Trust, Negotiate = Difference, and Reclaim Catholic Unity" is an eloquent and 'real world prac= tical' call to reform and reconciliation. Erudite, informative, inspiring, = and also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.49), "One = Church: How to Rekindle Trust, Negotiate Difference, and Reclaim Catholic U= nity" is especially recommended to the attention of Catholic clergy, semina=
ry students, congregants, and non-specialist general readers with an intere=
st in the subject of Popes, Social Issues, and Spiritual growth from a Cath= olic perspective and history.

Editorial Note: Charles Camosy is a professor at the Creighton University S= chool of Medicine and the Msgr. Curran Fellow in Moral Theology at St. Jose=
ph Seminary in New York. He is also a columnist for Religion News Service, = the Angelus, and the Pillar, and the author of eight books, including the a= ward-winning Too Expensive to Treat?,Peter Singer and Christian Ethics, and=
Beyond the Abortion Wars. Camosy's book, For Love of Animals, was featured=
in the New York Times. He is the founding editor of The Magenta Project se= ries and founding director of the Catholic Conversation Project.

His writing has been featured in publications including the American Journa=
l of Bioethics, the Journal of the Catholic Health Association, the New Yor=
k Times, the Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the Los Angeles Time=
s, Church Life Journal, Commonweal, America magazine, Crux, the Tablet, and=
the National Catholic Reporter. Camosy serves as a moral theology consulta=
nt for Busted Halo. He is an advisor the faith outreach office of the Human=
e Society of the United States, the pro-life commission of the Archdiocese =
of New York, and Holy Name Medical Center. He received the Robert Bryne awa=
rd from the Fordham Respect Life Club and the 2018 St. Jerome Award for sch= olarly excellence from the Catholic Library Association.

How Can I Take My Life Back From My Phone?
C.J.S. Hayward
C.J.S. Hayward Publications
https://cjshayward.com
9798354818877, $19.99 Hardcover/$11.99 Paper/$2.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/How-Take-Life-Back-Phone/dp/B0BHL5X8CN

"We have created a situation where it is possible for ordinary people to ca= sually and without malice kill innocent lives. If we return to the three et= hical questions, namely how ships can avoid bumping into each other, how th=
ey can internally stay shipshape, and what destination they are meant to re= ach, we are seeing terrible collisions that sink ships because unrestrained=
and trusting use of cell phones has devastated what little was left of the=
ir being shipshape."

How Can I Take My Life Back From My Phone? A Guidebook for Orthodox and Oth= ers is about pursuing life outside of technology. It is highly recommended = reading for any modern person who would link theological thinking to the di= lemmas of managing modern devices that both distract and offer a form of en= gagement that's often the antithesis of spiritual reflection. What do ethic=
al and religious questions have to do with technological use? They translat=
e more reasoned purpose into device usage, creating a dialogue that stems f= rom Hayward's exploration of "What kind of guidance would someone like St. = John Chrysostom offer in using technology, if our technology were around in=
his day?"

From philosophical and historical citation and reflection to guidelines for=
employing technology in a more positive, purposeful manner that doesn't pu=
t it in the driver's seat of decision-making, Hayward provides a thought-pr= ovoking discourse that will especially lend to book club and discussion gro=
up pursuit. Chapters tackle everything from Internet porn to missed connect= ions and the altered states of mind and soul created by addiction to all ki= nds of screens: C.S.J. Hayward has produced many a thought-provoking work, = but How Can I Take My Life Back From My Phone? may arguably be one of his b= est. This is because he links a modern social, psychological, and spiritual=
issue to guidelines on how better to take charge of that technological lur=
e that too often creates in its user an emotional and spiritual void.

These topics wind neatly into Biblical passages, analytical reflections on = the Scriptures, and notes and footnoted references to a wide range of relig= ious thinking that contrasts nicely with the ethical and spiritual topics u= nder consideration. Hayward also adds autobiographical notes into the inspe= ction. This personalizes his citations and the experiences of loosening tec= hnology's allure and distractions. The result is both a how-to guide and a = spiritual work of Christian Orthodoxy which holds the rare power to reach b= eyond Orthodox audiences alone and into the general public.

This topic should hold widespread interest, and ideally will be debated and=
discussed among many circles. Christian libraries, in particular, will fin=
d How Can I Take My Life Back From My Phone? a thought-provoking reflection=
and a "must have" addition.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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Midwest Book Review
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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