Crossing the Threshold of Hope [Paperback]

Pope John Paul II (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 19, 1995

A great international bestseller, the book in which, on the eve of the millennium, Pope John Paul II brings to an accessible level the profoundest theological concerns of our lives. He goes to the heart of his personal beliefs and speaks with passion about the existence of God; about the dignity of man; about pain, suffering, and evil; about eternal life and the meaning of salvation; about hope; about the relationship of Christianity to other faits and that of Catholicism to other branches of the Christian faith.With the humility and generosity of spirit for which he is known, John Paul II speaks directly and forthrightly to all people. His message: Be not afraid!

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

A great international bestseller, the book in which, on the eve of the millennium, Pope John Paul II brings to an accessible level the profoundest theological concerns of our lives. He goes to the heart of his personal beliefs and speaks with passion about the existence of God; about the dignity of man; about pain, suffering, and evil; about eternal life and the meaning of salvation; about hope; about the relationship of Christianity to other faits and that of Catholicism to other branches of the Christian faith.With the humility and generosity of spirit for which he is known, John Paul II speaks directly and forthrightly to all people. His message: Be not afraid!

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Knopf (September 19, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679765611
• ISBN-13: 978-0679765615
• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Popes

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 109 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars How do you rate a pope? July 31, 2000

By David Haggith

Format:Paperback

First, I'm not Catholic, but I found this book to be beautifully written and articulate. In putting together a book I was working on for Putnam, I wanted to get the pope's understanding of end-time prophecies. This was the right book, but I got much more than that. One of the poignant parts of the book was the pope's explanation for all the divisions in the Church. First, he acknowledges that many of these divisions came about because of the sins of Christians against one another. (Though he doesn't say on which side, but presumeably on all sides.) The pope is surprisingly affirmative of the different denominations that have split off from Catholicism. He asks, "Could it not be that these divisions have also been a path continually leading the Church to discover the untold wealth contained in Christ's Gospel. . . ? Perhaps all this wealth would not have come to light otherwise. . . . It is necessary for humanity to achieve unity through plurality. . . ."

I recommend the book to any non-Catholic who wants to get a more accurate perspective of what the Roman Catholic Church believes at its heart.

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A simple, yet inspiring read December 12, 2000

By "kathrynlively"

Format:Paperback

Crossing the Threshold is a very interesting treatise from the Holy See written in the form of an interview, where the Pope explains his views of various Christian beliefs - including his belief in God, his views of non-Christian and non-Catholic faiths, and Mariology. His views appear to negate the claims put forth by anti-Catholics and tend to look to the new millennium with hope instead of fear.

An important message in this book is reiterated strongly by JPII's pontificate: Be not afraid. Great advice from probably the greatest Pope we've had in a long time.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A humble but powerful book. October 17, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

His Holiness John Paul II has written a book that can (and should) be read more than once. His book is, at the same time, an apologia of the Faith, a primer on morals, a critique of 20th century nihilsim in all of its forms, a pitch for ecumenism, as well as an intro to Christian philosophy and summary of Catholic theology (it may not be a coincidence that the book's format, that of responses to an interviewer's questions, resembles that of St. Thomas' Summa Theologica). The book is also, in fact primarily, an exhortation to encouragement, hope, and faith. His Holiness' erudition is astounding, his sense of humour delightful and his insights thought-provoking and moving. He says all of the things that we would expect the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church to say, and alot of things that we wouldn't expect. The book produced its intended effect. When I put it down, I felt encouraged and hopeful. I also felt fortunate to have been a contemporary of such a great man. This book is a major work of spirituality by one of the most important figures of the century.