The Four Signs Of A Dynamic Catholic: How Engaging 1% Of Catholics Could Change The World (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
This has the feel of a self-help book written in the voice of a motivational speaker. Since I generally do not enjoy self-help books and motivational speakers, I did not really enjoy this book. Kelly’s premise is that commitment to daily personal prayer and on-going learning about the Catholic faith, generous sharing of one’s resources and joyful sharing of one’s faith will lead to a happier, healthier, more prosperous and meaningful life. Although I do not disagree that these can be valuable spiritual tools for a committed Catholic, I found this book to be extremely elementary and annoyingly repetitive. In both of Kelly's books that I have read I think he does a good job of breaking things into clear, simple steps. Although the first three signs, (prayer, study, and generosity)focus on the deepening of an individual's faith, the fourth sign and larger goal is evangelization. I saw a lot of myself in his critique of modern Catholics, including a lack of interest in evangelization. It's no small task to be open to that kind of self-examination, and while I will take some things away from this book, it hasn't moved me toward a mission of evangelization. It seems like that has just not been a part of the Catholic culture I grew up in and it's not part of my identity at this point. There are times when the focus on evangelization leaves me feeling like the goal is to take over the world with our religion and that just seems . . . weird to me. The only other criticism I have is that during his analysis of our relativistic culture, he makes the Hitler jump. During that section of the book I also felt like we were slipping back into the rigid thinking and insensitivity to the complexities of a world with such varied human experience. I kind of doubt that Jesus likes that.
What do You think about The Four Signs Of A Dynamic Catholic: How Engaging 1% Of Catholics Could Change The World (2012)?
good book, practical and general for people who are getting into their faith life.
—Ateea
No matter what kind of Catholic you are, this book needs to be read.
—teenwolffarts
Very good book. Read quickly. Lots of good ideas and information.
—sabelik77
