This book by Fr. Thomas Dubay explores biblical teaching about the gift of discernment, the capacity to determine whether one is being led by the Holy Spirit or by his or her own unredeemed inclinations and desires.
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This book by Fr. Thomas Dubay explores biblical teaching about the gift of discernment, the capacity to determine whether one is being led by the Holy Spirit or by his or her own unredeemed inclinations and desires.
Read Less
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Seller's Description:
Fair. 208p. Ex-library. A hardcover book in good reading condition with dustjacket. Library markings and card pocket inside, but text clean and binding tight (except for a tiny pen mark on page 50). The jacket is intact, but encased in an old mylar cover.
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New. When the chips are down and we're faced with some event or experience that touches on what we value ultimately, we want what matters to us to be true. ''These pages offer a detailed look at the divine recipe for discovering what the Lord has in store for us, and where on this planet we can find his road map. How do we discover, in the increasing welter of conflicting claims, what is the meaning of life, and what are we to think about the varying denials that there is a meaning? In this information age, we are threatened with suffocation by the media's avalanche of papers and periodicals, radio, film and television, cyberspace and the Internet. Where do ordinary people find the fresh air of ultimate reality and know with certitude that they have found it? No other question approaches this one for crucial importance. Consistent theism demands a cogent answer. No theist with a sound, consistent and reflecting mind is going to be content with value clarification and mere pragmatism. When and how does God speak? What are the conditions that ready a person to recognize divine truth and enable him to embrace it? Does the Lord allow for philosophical and religious relativism? How do we deal with the welter of conflicting interpretations of divine revelation? What keeps the faithful from being led astray? How can we know a genuine experience of God as distinguished from the illusions of subjectivity? What are we to think of illuminism, the age-old but foundationless conviction of enthusiasts that they have a privileged access to the divine mind, people who are so convinced that they possess divine light that contrary evidence makes not the least dent in their self-assurance? What is intellectual conversion and how does it come about? What are the signs pointing to those who understand revelation rightly-and those who do not? The correct answers to these questions, and others related to them, can be summarized by the one word, authenticity. '' (Dubay, in the preface) And it is to the biblical unpacking of discerning authenticity that Dubay devotes his full attention and reflective acumen in this study. An important work for any Christian who really seeks truth in their reading, writing, worship and experiences.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Father Thomas Dubay?s book discusses the ?mystical experience?. He points out that there is great danger when spiritual encounters such as elocutions, visions and physical involvement are attributed to the working of the Holy Spirit. The mentally aberrant, the prideful, and especially the holy, are all targets and just as easily fooled. Without guidelines for discernment such individuals can fall into false pride and get taken into terrible spiritual and social error. He offers samples from the writings of the great saints, who themselves were often fooled. Father Dubay stresses that nothing is more pleasing to the evil spirit than a prideful belief that we have been singled out for some special designation. Such a foolish belief will put an individual on a collision course with personal disaster.Humility and knowledge are the key. Recipients of mystical encounters can be sure that irrespective of where these encounters originate they forecast great difficulties coming for the recipient. Whether brought by mental aberration, true holiness, or simply a case of ?just business? on part of the evil spirit, the recipient must be aware that being convinced of having been singled out as a special recipient of heavenly encounters leads to an abysmal downfall both in this life, and the next. Determination of authenticity is greatly aided by the guidelines provided in this book. It is not a foolproof method, but will enlighten the reader as to which category their experiences fall. Bottom line here, if a great saint can be fooled so can any of us. In this readers opinion this book is a must read for clergy who are more and more often faced with a parishioner who claims to be undergoing what they perceive to be mystical encounters from God.
