Hope Against Darkness: The Transforming Vision of Saint Francis in an Age of Anxiety [Paperback]

Richard Rohr (Author), John Feister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2001

Award winner! Catholic Book Awards (Catholic Press Association)
Spirituality (Hardcover edition won)
Let us begin again, for up to now we have done nothing. That enigmatic sense of beginning again at the end of life, at the end of an era, in the middle of so much failure, when you just want to rest and put the past behind you, that is the gift for reconstruction that we want to discover in this book. It makes Francis a man for all seasons.... from Chapter Seven

Richard Rohr is a modern prophet calling us to change our ways. Rohr paints a critical picture of the prevailing thought, culture and attitudes of the present-day West which he calls The Postmodern Opportunity including our cultural biases, our embrace of victimhood, our often fearful attitudes toward one another and toward the Church and religion in general. Rohr offers hope in introducing the Franciscan path of transformation, the new way of being that would change the face of history.

Rohr describes how following Saint Francis way to forgiveness and love, and owning the darkness, can bring us out of the postmodern pit in which we find ourselves.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rohr has packed a massive critique of American culture with an even greater vision for Christians to rebuild society. --CBA Marketplace, July 2002

About the Author

Franciscan priest Richard Rohr is founding director of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He considers the proclamation of the gospel to be his primary call, and the related themes he addresses include eco-spirituality, Scripture as liberation, non-dual thought, the integration of action and contemplation, peace and justice issues, and male spirituality. Author of numerous books, including Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality and Preparing for Christmas With Richard Rohr: Daily Meditations for Advent, he gives retreats and lectures internationally. He is a regular contributing writer for Sojourners and Tikkun magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: St. Anthony Messenger Press (January 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867164859
• ISBN-13: 978-0867164855
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Rohr was born in Kansas in 1943. He entered the Franciscans in 1961, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1970. He received his Master's Degree in Theology from Dayton that same year. He now lives in a hermitage behind his Franciscan community in Albuquerque, and divides his time between local work and preaching and teaching on all continents.

He has written numerous books including: Everything Belongs, Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality, The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See, On the Threshold of Transformation: Daily Meditations for Men, and Wondrous Encounters: Scripture for Lent.

For information on all of the resources from Richard Rohr please visit the Mustard Seed Resource Center at www.cacradicalgrace.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wake up call, June 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hope Against Darkness: The Transforming Vision of Saint Francis in an Age of Anxiety (Paperback)

This book blew my hair back as I was reading it.

It turned my parochial understanding of Christianity on it's head and soothed the cynicism I held in my heart toward Christianity.

If you're already a member of the choir, familiar with Rohr and more modern and adult theology, there's nothing I can say to you.

If, however, you're out of the loop like I was this book will change the terrain for you.

There is a lot of language that seemed rather technical or in the vein of Catholic jargon. However, the notions he introduces of what true faith is, the question of being in or out of the system, the system of the church, seeing the universe as sacred, the great chain of being.

These are rich, ancient and vital topics exposed in a new, refreshing and adult way.

Rohr gives us permission, implores us, actually, to put away our crayons and step into an adult understanding of and responsibility for our faith.

I think this book has changed the course of my life.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep and thought-provoking, March 22, 2006

By 

K. P. Leith (Hudson, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hope Against Darkness: The Transforming Vision of Saint Francis in an Age of Anxiety (Paperback)

Rohr's book challenges us to see our world from a different perspective. We have been using it for a women's spirituality group. Everyone in the group thinks its the best book we've ever discussed. Rohr offers hope and a nonviolent way to navigate our world. Deep, insightful, thought-proking, challenging, transforming.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A timely perspective, January 9, 2007

By 

Craig Bell (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hope Against Darkness: The Transforming Vision of Saint Francis in an Age of Anxiety (Paperback)

This book has been used by a morning study group with great success. Father Rohr provides excellent discussion themes and realistic (new) ways to obtain win-win results.

St. Francis is a needed role model in today's time of fear and retribution.

I highly recommend this book to anyone -- red or blue. In fact, it should be required reading!