Michael Dauphinais

How should we understand the Bible's many intricate themes across such a breadth of history and writings? This new edition of a successful textbook offers a unified theological vision of the Old and New Testaments. With up-to-date attention to biblical scholarship, the authors present the theological meaning of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. God shares his perfect love with his creatures in covenantal relationships. For such love to be realized, the people must love God fully with all their hearts and minds--become a holy people--and experience the indwelling presence of God--live in a holy land. The authors trace these twin themes through Abraham's promised descendants and land, Moses's law and tabernacle, David's kingship and temple, and ultimately the Son of God's incarnation and sending of his Holy Spirit. Marked by focused presentations of central books of the Bible, this book shows how the themes of holy people and holy land hold together the biblical story. Attuned to creedal theology, it is accessible to the beginner and valuable to more advanced readers. The second edition has been updated throughout and includes a new foreword by Brant Pitre. This book gives readers the tools to better understand Scripture by showing God's consistent purpose, as revealed by Scripture, to re-create his children so they might dwell with him in a communion of holiness and love through Jesus Christ. It is of special interest to Catholic readers while speaking to all Christians.

Why believe God exists, or believe Jesus is God? Why listen to the Catholic Church? Why is the Church so strict about sex? Questions like these have propelled a crisis of disaffiliation and disbelief among Catholics in recent decades. Half of millennial Catholics have turned their backs on the Church, and at many churches, only a minority of parishioners believe in all of its teachings about faith and morality. Building on the call of the Second Vatican Council for a greater appreciation of Scripture, The Wisdom of the Word invites Catholics who are thinking about leaving the Church, or who are confused about elements of Catholic faith and practice, to pause and give the Bible a chance to illuminate their way. From the infighting among the Catholic faithful to the sins of Catholic leaders, and from Christ's sacrifice on the cross to the Church's emphasis on caring for the poor, theologians Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering explore common challenges to the faith in light of the timeless insights of the Word. "The prayerful reading of God's Word," Pope Francis reminds us, "which is 'sweeter than honey' yet a 'two-edged sword, ' enables us to pause and listen to the voice of the Master. It becomes a lamp for our steps and a light for our path." Do you, or does someone you know, think that certain elements of the Catholic faith just don't make sense? If so, the ancient wisdom of God's Word--sweeter than honey and sharper than a sword--awaits.

The Bible doesn't come with a secret decoder ring, which means that it is left to church theologians to make sense of the Bible's many intricate and overlapping themes. Over the centuries, the church has identified several themes--such as love and covenant--that have helped the faithful to better understand a sometimes bewildering book. In Holy People, Holy Land, authors Dauphinais and Levering make the case that holiness--which they define as communion with God through love of neighbor--is the central theme of Scripture. Holy People, Holy Land will give any reader the tools to better understand Scripture by showing how a holy God desires to recreate his children in his image so that they too can be holy.

Knowing the Love of Christ provides a thorough introduction to the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas in accessible language. As a complement to the many short introductions to St. Thomas's philosophy, this book fills a gap in the literature on Thomas—a comprehensive introduction to his thought written by theologians. With enthusiasm and insight, Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering make available the vast theology of Thomas Aquinas. Focusing upon the Summa Theologiae, Dauphinais and Levering illumine the profoundly biblical foundations of Thomas's powerful vision of reality. Drawing upon their own experience, the authors guide readers into grappling with the fresh and penetrating insights of St. Thomas. Students at all stages of theological education will find this book an enriching introduction to the mysteries of the Christian faith.