HANDBOOK OF FAITH

                     edited by James Michael Lee

Summary: This book has become a classic. It is the most comprehensive single-volume book on faith ever published. This multidisciplinary volume consists in two basic parts, each of which is organically related in actuality and in this book. The first part deals with the nature and structure of faith as illuminated by Biblics, theology, comparative religious studies, philosophy, and history. The second part deals with the way in which faith can be effectively facilitated in worship, social ministry, counseling, and religious instruction.

Spirit of the Book: The spirit of this classic book is usefulness-not usefulness in the superficial way that this word is so often used, but rather usefulness in the sense that it lights up in a way almost no other book has ever done the inner nature/structure of faith, and ways to help others grow in faith. Here is a book to ponder, reflect, and love.

What this Book Gives You: Because faith is a central category for Christianity and for most religions, a deep appreciation of faith from different yet complementary perspectives is absolutely necessary for all religionists. This book genuinely gives you a one-volume encyclopedia of faith which enables you to have a extraordinarily well-rounded concept of faith. It also gives you the basic tools to effectively facilitate growth in faith through a variety of ministries.

Distinctiveness: Why is this Book Special: This book is distinctive for several reasons. First, it is the most comprehensive ane ecumenical book on faith currently available. Second, it is a multidisciplinary look at faith which is so essential in adequately understanding and appreciating the nature and structure of faith. Third, alone of books on faith, it contains a wealth of information not only on the nature and structure of faith, but also how to facilitate faith development in four key ministries of the church. Finally, it assembles in one place some of the most important authorities on various dimensions of faith.

Major Features: Major features of this blockbuster book are its comprehensive and thorough character, its multidisciplinary breadth, its organic linking of the nature of faith with concrete ways to facilitate faith development, its ecumenical character, and its delicious combination of practice with the all-important theoretical and research dimensions of faith. It is gorgeously hardbound for beauty and durability.

Chapters
Part I-Foundations of Faith
1. A History of the Concept of Faith
2. The Concept of Faith in Comparative Religions
3. The Concept of Faith in Philosophy
4. The Concept of Faith in Psychology

Part II-Faith in Theology
5. The Biblical View of Faith; A Catholic Perspective
6. The Biblical View of faith; A Protestant Perspective
7. The Systematic Theology of Faith: A Catholic Perspective
8. The Systematic Theology of Faith; A Protestant t Perspective

Part III-Facilitating Growth in Faith
9. Facilitating Growth in Faith through Liturgical Worship
10. Facilitating Growth in Faith through Social Ministry
11. Facilitating Growth in Faith through Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction
12. Facilitating Growth in Faith through Religious Instruction .

Contributors: Other than its magisterial scope, a major reason for the unrivaled excellence of this volume is that it is written by a group of experts nationally and internationally known in their respective fields; Avery Dulles, Monika Hellwig, Carroll Stuhlmueller, John Carmody, H. Newton Malony, James Price, Alexander McKelway, Louis Dupré, Louis Weil, Randolph Nelson, Melvin Blanchette, and James Michael Lee.

Praise for this Book: Praise for this magnificent book has come from a wide variety of national and international sources:

A review in LUMEN VITAE (Belgium) states that this is an "imposing book with great chapters and a superb index. It is eminently useful for both practitioners and scholars."

A review in BRITISH JOURNAL OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION says that this book 'should be on the shelves of every library both personal and institutional.'

Michael Johns on writes: "An excellent book. Each chapter stands on its own and provides a broad overview in a short amount of space."

Price and Such:
328 pages List Price: $34.95 (cloth) ISBN 0-89135-075-6

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