Seek First the Kingdom: Challenging the Culture by Living Our Faith [Hardcover]

Cardinal Donald Wuerl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2011

"A rallying cry for Catholic laity to live out the faith and challenge the culture from one of the keenest thinkers in the Christian world. Christians of all denominations need this." -- Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview

"Read this book if you are in need of hope...hope that God will give you what you need to be a faithful witness, and hope that this witness will bear fruit." -- Helen Alvare, Associate Professor of Law, George Mason University School of Law

"This important and useful book brings together with new insight the biblical theology of God's kingdom and our experience today -- in a society ever more blind to God's purposes and our destiny." -- Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago

"Cardinal Wuerl offers sage advice leavened by his decades of pastoral leadership and his acute understanding of current events." -- Gerard V. Bradley, Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame

"A forceful rebuttal that a Christian can keep his faith in a compartment." -- Mary Ann Glendon, President, Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

"As crises of our day grow more acute, there is more need than ever for informed, committed Catholics to carry the message and values of the faith into society." -- Russell Shaw, Author, Personal Vocation: God Calls Everyone by Name

In this insightful and highly relevant book, Cardinal Donald Wuerl makes the case that Catholics do not have the option of absenting themselves from the world, taking refuge in a completely private spirituality. As citizens of two worlds, it is precisely within the context of our faith that we can play a decisive role in transforming American society while furthering the goals of the kingdom of God.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (December 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612785050
• ISBN-13: 978-1612785059
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing the gifts of faith, hope and love to the world in the new millenium December 29, 2011

By Mearland J. Rusaw

Format:Hardcover

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Cardinal Donald Wuerl, reaches deeply into his heart of hearts to touch our heart of hearts in this most needed, amazing book; his most "recent effort to encourage all of us to be actively engaged in challenging the culture by living our faith." In fact, I believe this most timely and necessary book is a "heaven-come-to-earth" kingdom manifest, manifesto and manual for bringing and sharing the faith, hope and love that is in Christ and his Church with our world. More, "Seek First the Kingdom" is an articulate, easily accessible summary and mission brief for the New Evangelization which is so genuinely needed today, with a particular emphasis on the most vulnerable among us: "When we speak of rights and laws, it's easy for us to get caught up in abstractions, and conscience can seem something theoretical. But our obligations are quite concrete. Lives depend on us. The most vulnerable Americans, whether they know it or not, depend on faithful Catholics to work and vote according to well-formed conscience, and to help form a world where they themselves can safely live out their lives in liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Cardinal Wuerl's book was indeed a most marvelous Christmas present to me. I am convinced, convicted and compelled to action! This magnificent book is for everyone. I intend to make "Seek First the Kingdom" a gift to as many as I'm able and I believe it would be a compelling resource for Curtis Martin and his Fellowship of Catholic University Students--FOCUS. I am completely inspired and see more clearly the path of my own efforts to entertain Christians with my writing and help us retain God in our knowledge. Thank you, Your Eminence, for your love and pastoral care. M. J. Rusaw, author, "The Tides of Eternity".

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely guide on faith and culture February 15, 2012

By Brandon Vogt

Format:Hardcover

By now you've heard of the infamous HHS mandate, which will force every American citizen, regardless of religious objection, to subsidize contraception, abortifacients, and sterilization procedures. The new law is a dangerous threat to religious liberty and Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington D.C., is appalled.

"Being forced to provide these services violates both our faith conviction and our freedom," he says. "Our schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations will be placed in the untenable position of choosing between violating civil law and abandoning our religious beliefs."

In response to the increasing tension between faith and politics, Wuerl has released a new book titled, Seek First the Kingdom: Challenging the Culture by Living Our Faith (Our Sunday Visitor, hardcover, 190 pages).

In his book, Wuerl commissions a faith that is both intimate and personal--but also decisively public. He explains that all Catholics must usher the "kingdom of God" into the secular world. Unlike some spiritualists, Wuerl maintains that this "kingdom" is not some wispy, idealistic metaphor but a real, substantial reality. It requires deeds and actions, not just empty words.

Yet, as the archbishop of our nation's capital, Wuerl knows firsthand just how difficult this can be. To help paint a clear picture of how the "kingdom of God" fits into the public square, Wuerl surveys the teachings of Scripture, theology, and Catholic tradition in his book. He shows how faith and politics have interfaced in the past and how they can do so in the modern world....

Seek First the Kingdom isn't a voting guide for specific political issues, but it does explore topics like religious liberty, the role of individual conscience, and the need for true Catholic identity. Wuerl handles these controversial topics with the grace and care expected of a renowned pastor and theologian and encourages more than laments.

With the political season in full swing, and the issue of 'religious liberty' in the spotlight, Seek First the Kingdom couldn't be more timely. By reading it you'll learn how to live your faith in the public sphere and thereby transform the culture. Read more ›

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Seek First the Kingdon: Challenging the Culture by Living our Faith March 3, 2012

By lib'sreview

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excellent book which every person of faith should read. In very plain language Cardinal Wuerl details for you the history of the Catholic Church in always being involved in social services before the founding of the U.S.A. to the present time. The Catholic Church was instrumental in buidling the first schools, universities and hospitals in the USA. Now our church is being shut-out of social services because we will not comply with a government mandate that tramples on our religious liberty and conscience protection. Please read and form your own opinion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely and timeless book November 5, 2012

By Stuart Dunn

Format:Hardcover

This book was sent to me by the wonderful people at Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) in exchange for an honest review. Most of us Christians view the Kingdom as some lofty ideal that we will never see until we die and reach the pearly gates. While this is the Kingdom of God, Cardinal Wuerl points out that the Kingdom of God is the presence of God. Since God is omnipresent, that means the Kingdom is also here on Earth. Thus, the Kingdom is more than something in our head, the Kingdom is something tangible, we have to embrace and work to bring to other people. This is especially true in the public square and political arena, but it is also true in our own daily lives.

In this book, Cardinal Wuerl draws upon Scripture, tradition, and the teaching of the Magisterium to point out the major issues in our time (abortion, human dignity, etc.) and what we must do to address these issues. While each chapter is brief (generally 10 pages or less), each one is broken down in tiny segments that make each point easier to follow and understand.

My favorite chapter was Chapter 8: Ambassadors for the Kingdom. It underscored the truth that while we are currently living in this land, we are not of this land. Our ultimate and true home is Heaven, but while we are here on Earth, we need to be ambassadors to those who are not Heaven-bound. We are also called to correct those who are in error in love. I personally have no problem correcting others, but don't always do it in love. So that is something I definitely need to work on.

This book for me gets 5 out of 5 stars. While it is certainly a book that is timely given the upcoming election and liberties our country has given up, it is also a timeless book that presents a message that rings true at any point in history.... It is also a book I recommend all of you to read, no matter who wins the election. Check out my other book reviews at stuartsstudy(dot)blogspot(dot)com Read more ›