We're back to reviewing books this week, and this one is very special
to us. For, it is written by a Protestant reviewer, about a Roman
Catholic writer, and I happen to be Roman Catholic. So, without
further ado, I present one of the many writings of Pope John Paul
II. Also, this week we have a contest winner!

CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE - POPE JOHN PAUL II (1994)
by Josh M. Shepherd
From the first to the 264th, the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church
has played a strategic and visible role in carrying out the mission
of Christ on earth. However, many have misrepresented the pontiff's
position as purely political, tossed by tides of church government
and international influence. Not isolated, but clearly insulated from
the world's working class.

Such speculation proved untrue of Pope John Paul II when Crossing the
Threshold Of Hope released, an articulate work regarded by Catholics
as a theological denouement. Though richly intellectual and able to
withstand the most learned of critics, it is, at the heart, to the
average laymen. Like the Christian faith it espouses, a mysterious
paradox when considered. Each chapter gives the Pope's answer to
those unspeakably simple questions that become so complicated: "What
Does 'To Save' Mean?" "Why Does God Tolerate Suffering?" His
responses are delicate, yet direct, combining passages from ageless
creeds with personal accounts from his childhood and years of papacy.

The section on other religions ("Buddha?", "Muhammad?",
and "Judaism?") should be required reading for all Christians, laying
bare many crafty illusions of philosophy. Regarding Far East
beliefs: "For Christians, the world is God's creation, redeemed by
Christ. It is in the world that man meets God. Therefore, he does not
need to attain such an absolute detachment in order to find himself."
Youthful discovery, royal pontification, pure delight, and wise
rebuttal are some of the alternating tones of this fascinating
individual. Often the shortest answers are the most indelible; Why
believe?--in response to God's invoidable Word; What of the world?--
the burden of truth is more demanding than pleasing men; Does God
exist?--indeed, the key, the center, and the purpose of all human
history is found in its Lord and Master.

While the "servant of the servants of God" is explicitly pained by
hostilities among Christian denominations, the Pope himself makes a
few offhand comments that show little consideration to the
evangelical/charismatic community. "On [a] universal level, if
victory comes it will be brought by Mary. Christ will conquer through
her, because He wants the Church's victories now and in the future to
be linked to her." One can easily see a major doctrinal debate
erupting over such an interpretation.

Minor quibbles aside, this unprecedented book is certain in
conviction and singular in focus on Jesus. Through Pope John Paul
II's keen spiritual vision, life and faith can be seized together,
with unwavering confidence that the church is Crossing the Threshold
Of Hope.

Find out more about Crossing the Threshold of Hope at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/books/crossingthethresholdofhope


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
In A Welcome Field - Fernando Ortega [02/13]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO YEAR 2000 CHARTS
> It's a great feat to have your first single ever get to
> #1, but Tree63 did it, even though it won't be long...
1. Treasure - Tree63
2. Genuine - Stacie Orrico
3. More Than A Dream - Raze
4. Say the Words (Now) - dc Talk
5. Strangely Normal - Phil Joel
6. Lay it Down - Jennifer Knapp
7. The Change - Steven Curtis Chapman
8. Wake Up - LaRue
9. Joy - Newsboys
10. Worth It All - Michael W. Smith

SOURCE: CCM Update (http://www.ccmupdate.com/)


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
• New Artist Page - Ginny Owens:
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/ginnyowens
• New Book Page - Crossing the Threshold of Hope:
http://cMusicWeb.com/books/crossingthethresholdofhope


Congratulations to Josh from North Carolina on winning a copy of
CREATION FESTIVAL: the Video. It's the pick of the month and a great
testimony to how God works at the summer festivals. And, coming soon
is the 2001 cMusicWeb.com Awards, so get ready to vote next week! As
always, we'd love to know how we're doing on this site, so send your
comments.

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb