Books by "Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ"
3 books found
The philosopher Paul Weiss once observed, "Philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everyone else know." For many, the very word "philosophical" has become all but synonymous with "impractical". Yet whether we like it or not, almost every corner of our lives—from dissertation writing to channel surfing—brings us face to face with competing philosophies and world views, each claiming to tell us definitively what it means to be human. How can we know which one is right? And what difference does it make? To Robert McTeigue, S.J., it makes every difference in the world. Consciously or not, we all have a world view, and it decides how we live. In this book, McTeigue gives a funny and invigorating crash course in practical logic, metaphysics, anthropology, and ethics, equipping readers with a tool kit for breaking down and evaluating the thought systems—some good, some toxic—that swirl around us, and even within us. In McTeigue, classical philosophy finds a contemporary voice, accessible to the layman and engaging to the scholar. Real Philosophy for Real People is an answer to those philosophies that prize theory over truth, to any metaphysics that cannot account for itself, to anthropologies that are unworthy of the human person, and to ethical systems that reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person. As the author insists, "A key test of any philosophy is: Can it be lived?" With Thomas Aquinas, this book teaches not only how to know the truth, but how to love it and to do it.
There is one commonality among every saint: they all have deep faith in God that was lived out in their daily lives. Fr. Maurice Emelu explains here how the faith of Abraham, Moses, Mary, and other biblical figures evolved, and how their journey serves as a roadmap for how our faith-life can be built, nourished, and grown. Drawing on his West African roots as well as his many years of pastoral ministry, Fr. Emelu combines the story-telling culture of Africa with a Western worldview to offer a unique perspective on the nature of faith and what it means to grow closer to the Lord. Theological yet practical, these pages show you what the journey of faith looks like, and explains the essential elements to a life of faith which can transform not only lives, but society itself. You’ll also learn: The four main stages of every person’s journey of faithHow you can grow from the elementary forms of divine realization to deeper awareness of GodHow the journey of faith proceeds from the simple to the complex, and from the known to the unknownHow faith is essential for understanding truth and fully realizing the gift of reasonWhy Abraham and the Blessed Mother are the best models for living out God’s willThe various forms of doubt that can hurt – and even help – our relationship with the LordWays in which faith can break the boundaries of fear and prideHow faith is a source of unity not division among peoples Faith is not an individual’s private dominion. It is the core of our identity as religious beings. Read this book, and you will not only deepen your own faith in God, you will develop a greater appreciation of the transforming power of faith.