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Didache Series: Semester Edition #3
The Mystery of Redemption and Christian Discipleship, Semester Edition
This is the 2nd Edition of The Mystery of Redemption and Christian Discipleship.
This textbook, consisting of seven chapters and an appendix, examines systematically how God redeems fallen humanity. The redemption of Christ is a central truth of our Catholic faith: God assumed our human nature and dwelt among us as a true man; he suffered, died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven to save us from sin and to raise us to the status of adopted children of God.
The text begins with God's gratuitous good creation, the exalted dignity and vocation of the human person, the fall of our first parents, the wound introduced into human nature that we call Original Sin, and the promise of a savior. Next, it examines salvation history in the Old Testament as God formed his chosen people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
Then, the text looks at Jesus Christ, God-made-man, born of the Virgin Mary, in his conception, infancy, youth, and hidden life. Next, it examines Our Lord's public ministry of preaching and working miracles. The climax of the redemption is recounted in Christ's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.
After this, the text looks at how the Church continues the redemptive mission of Christ in the world, especially through the Sacraments as the means that Christ established to convey the fruits of his redemption to all people. The text turns then to the call to Christian discipleship through holiness of life aided by God's grace and the call to Christian service. The Mystery of Redemption and Christian Discipleship finally considers the role of prayer in the life of every disciple of Christ. The text concludes with an appendix that examines various objections and challenges to the faith with an emphasis on the Christian response to the existence of evil and the value of suffering.
The text is written for high school students and is designed to be completed in one semester.
This textbook, consisting of seven chapters and an appendix, examines systematically how God redeems fallen humanity. The redemption of Christ is a central truth of our Catholic faith: God assumed our human nature and dwelt among us as a true man; he suffered, died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven to save us from sin and to raise us to the status of adopted children of God.
The text begins with God's gratuitous good creation, the exalted dignity and vocation of the human person, the fall of our first parents, the wound introduced into human nature that we call Original Sin, and the promise of a savior. Next, it examines salvation history in the Old Testament as God formed his chosen people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
Then, the text looks at Jesus Christ, God-made-man, born of the Virgin Mary, in his conception, infancy, youth, and hidden life. Next, it examines Our Lord's public ministry of preaching and working miracles. The climax of the redemption is recounted in Christ's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.
After this, the text looks at how the Church continues the redemptive mission of Christ in the world, especially through the Sacraments as the means that Christ established to convey the fruits of his redemption to all people. The text turns then to the call to Christian discipleship through holiness of life aided by God's grace and the call to Christian service. The Mystery of Redemption and Christian Discipleship finally considers the role of prayer in the life of every disciple of Christ. The text concludes with an appendix that examines various objections and challenges to the faith with an emphasis on the Christian response to the existence of evil and the value of suffering.
The text is written for high school students and is designed to be completed in one semester.
242 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2014
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August 1, 2022
I've used other Didache Series books in the past, so I was confident that this would live up to expectations. It did. I will be using it as the textbook for my high school sophomore theology classes. In preparing for the fall semester, I developed presentations for the entire book during summer break. So implementation is still to come, but I feel quite confident it will work well in practice.
I like that the book is somewhat at a higher level than your average theology textbook. Having students from various backgrounds and academic prowess all in the same classes, those students who are more advanced will be really able to dive in and stretch themselves a bit. For others, and for everyone really, the teacher is there to simplify concepts, hone in on the most important aspects, provide examples, ask questions, and answer questions.
Scripture quotes are in purple, CCC in blue, other quotes are in green. These are peppered plenty throughout, particularly the first two. I'm glad for this, and this, in itself, indicates how solid the material is.
Using a lot of classic art adds to the gravitas of the book as well as exposing students to the beauty of the Church. These themselves can be useful catechetical tools and art (and artist) appreciation opportunities. Several sidebars throughout usually add good substance, but could be bypassed depending on time and interest.
Supplementary Reading (from important figures in Church history), Vocabulary (somewhat a mixed bag since some terms that should be in there are not and others that really are not as relevant are), Study Questions (certainly could be used for homework or develop quizzes/tests), Practical Exercises (which I plan on using mainly for class small group discussions), and From the Catechism complete each chapter.
You won't go wrong with this book, and you can use it as a fine coffee table book when you're done with it.
I like that the book is somewhat at a higher level than your average theology textbook. Having students from various backgrounds and academic prowess all in the same classes, those students who are more advanced will be really able to dive in and stretch themselves a bit. For others, and for everyone really, the teacher is there to simplify concepts, hone in on the most important aspects, provide examples, ask questions, and answer questions.
Scripture quotes are in purple, CCC in blue, other quotes are in green. These are peppered plenty throughout, particularly the first two. I'm glad for this, and this, in itself, indicates how solid the material is.
Using a lot of classic art adds to the gravitas of the book as well as exposing students to the beauty of the Church. These themselves can be useful catechetical tools and art (and artist) appreciation opportunities. Several sidebars throughout usually add good substance, but could be bypassed depending on time and interest.
Supplementary Reading (from important figures in Church history), Vocabulary (somewhat a mixed bag since some terms that should be in there are not and others that really are not as relevant are), Study Questions (certainly could be used for homework or develop quizzes/tests), Practical Exercises (which I plan on using mainly for class small group discussions), and From the Catechism complete each chapter.
You won't go wrong with this book, and you can use it as a fine coffee table book when you're done with it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review