In his second encyclical, Pope Benedict XVI discusses the themes of Christian hope, redemption, and salvation. Benedict inspires with Scriptural and saintly examples in which hope seems nearly impossible but is essential to the faith. He testifies that faith and hope are intertwined and vital to the eternal life of modern Christians.
Contents:
1. Faith is Hope
2. The concept of faith-based hope in the New Testament and the early Church
3. Eternal life-what is it?
4. Is Christian hope individualistic?
5. The transformation of Christian faith-hope in the modern age
6. The true shape of Christian hope
7. "Settings" for learning and practicing hope:
I. Prayer as a school of hope
II. Action and suffering as settings for learning hope
III. Judgment as a setting for learning and practicing hope
8. Mary, Star of Hope
Read the works of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan on the theme of hope amid suffering-referred to by Benedict XVI in Spe Salvi. Available from Pauline Books & Media. (link here to the Van Thuan page on our site??)