Catechizing Culture


Book Description

Nearly five centuries after the first wave of Catholic missionaries arrived in the New World to spread their Christian message, contemporary religious workers in the Bolivian highlands have begun to encourage Aymara Indians to return to traditional ritual practices. All but eradicated after hundreds of years of missionization, the "old ways" are now viewed as local cultural expressions of Christian values. In order to become more Christian, the Aymara must now become more Indian. This groundbreaking study of the contemporary encounter between Catholic missionaries and Aymara Indians is the first ethnography to focus both on the evangelizers and the evangelized. Andrew Orta explores the pastoral shift away from liberation theology that dominated Latin American missionization up until the mid-1980s to the recent "theology of inculturation," which upholds the beliefs and practices of a supposedly pristine Aymara culture as indigenous expressions of a more universal Christianity. Addressing essential questions in cultural anthropology, religious studies, postcolonial studies, and globalization studies, Catechizing Culture is a sophisticated documentation of the widespread shift from the politics of class to the politics of ethnicity and multiculturalism.




Gospel Witness through the Ages


Book Description

A definitive history of Christian evangelism—including noteworthy persons, movements, and methods from the past Christians have been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with nonbelievers for two thousand years. Within this deep history is wisdom for today—including numerous models for understanding what evangelism is and how it should be done. In Gospel Witness through the Ages, David Gustafson introduces readers to evangelism’s noteworthy persons, movements, and methods from the entire scope of church history—including both examples to emulate and examples to avoid. With this thorough historical approach, Gustafson expands the reader’s conception of the evangelistic task and suggests new ways to shape our identity as gospel witnesses today through the influence of these earlier generations of Christians. With discussion questions for further reflection and primary sources from major evangelistic figures of the past, Gospel Witness through the Ages is the most definitive history of evangelism available—essential for understanding how Christians today can continue proclaiming the gospel to the whole world, as Christians have in every century past.




The Mystery We Proclaim, Second Edition


Book Description

Catechesis is a unique form of teaching that intends not merely to pass along facts but to hand on the faith received from Christ, the apostles, and the living magesterium of the Church. The Mystery We Proclaim, Second Edition, is an invitation to all involved in this God-ordained work to reflect and examine the importance of their ministry in light of the revealed mystery of faith we all profess. Reflecting both the spirit and the content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as the vision of the General Directory for Catechesis, The Mystery We Proclaim, Second Edition, uses the riches of these resources to guide catechists into the third millennium with greater clarity, confidence, and effectiveness. Today is, as Monsignor Kelly points out, a promising and exciting time in which the 'new evangelization' offers many rich possibilities for catechesis. Divided into five parts that analyze and evaluate the catechetical movement of the past as well as providing direction for the future, The Mystery We Proclaim, Second Edition, helps consolidate and highlight themes of both the Catechism and the General Directory. Its five major sections are as follows: Catechesis in the New Context, The Heritage and Challenge of Catechesis, The Goals of Catechesis, The Content of Catechesis, and A Methodology for Catechesis. Everyone from pastors to DREs, to religion teachers, catechists, and principals--in fact, anyone involved in religious education--will find The Mystery We Proclaim, Second Edition, an encouragement to continued vigor and renewed enthusiasm for transmitting the living faith from one generation to the next.







Common Sense Catechesis


Book Description

To build for the future, we must learn from the past. With an engaging and personal style, Fr. Bob Hater considers both the future and the past in this one-of-a-kind bridge building book about catechesis in America. Discover Fr. Hater's entirely new concept for catechesis -- a Common Sense approach. It takes into account the historical framework over the course of the 20th century and overlays key concepts to give catechetical leaders and catechists, usually volunteers, what they need to succeed today. Common Sense Catechesis requires two main things of the catechist: 1. Knowing the basic teachings to be taught, and 2. Devising ways to present them clearly and effectively At the same time, Fr. Hater acknowledges the elements of each catechetical approach along the way... The memorization approach of the early 20th century, and the use of the Baltimore Catechism The chaotic approach of the late 60s and 70s, and the effects of Vatican II The experiential approach of the 80s and 90s, including the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The systematic approach from the 90s to today, and the influence of the Catechism of the Catholic Church Let Fr. Hater's common sense approach bring energy and life to your catechetical ministry, ensuring that Christ is at the center of it all. Now that makes sense!







Catechizing Our Children


Book Description

Communicating the faith to children is one of the great responsibilities of Christian parents. In this book, Terry Johnson, a father as well as a pastor, shows how the Shorter Catechism can be of great help to parents facing this vital task. Many generations of Christian parents have found the Westminster Shorter Catechism to be one of the most effective ways of raising their children in the 'discipline and instruction of the Lord' (Eph. 6:4); for not only does it provide a clear explanation of the gospel, but it is still one of the best introductions to the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. Concise, brief, informative, and above all practical, this book will be a great help and a most useful guide to parents and grandparents, pastors and Sunday-school teachers.