Customer Reviews

The Wisdom of John Paul II: The Pope on Life's Most Vital Questions

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Nick Bakalar and Richard Balkin have scoured numerous encyclicals, speeches, and letters to assemble this wonderful treasury of Pope John Paul II's thoughts on many questions facing today's society. The result is a wealth of wisdom and insight from the most seen man in the world. This isn't a book of answers to life's vital questions; rather, it offers the Pope's and the Church's view on such issues and asks us to question our attitudes and feelings. The topics are far-ranging, both contemporary and timeless. Matters of love, family, death, women, work, and youth are addressed as well as subjects such as human rights and progress and the modern world. Bakalar and Balkin's greatest strength in composing this book is the wide spectrum they've selected from. These issues are universal, and you will find something that speaks to you. You'll probably discover much more.

"The Wisdom of John Paul II" is not only a great addition to your inspirational or religious library; it's also a great addition to any library. I suggest giving this book as a gift, especially if you're looking for something meaningful that can be read over and over (instead of being used as a dust-collector). Non-Catholics and even non-religious will find the Pope's words inspiring, and his message of universal love can be understood and appreciated by all. He does not viciously attack groups in conflict with Church teachings but graciously approaches controversy as does a leader of the faith. Wherever he acts as an apologetic, he does so with the patience and firmness that has guided the Church through more than two decades.

This book, in part, acts as an intimate autobiography as it his diary of his times and how he has confronted the Church and society he has been entrusted. What makes this papal journal stand out from the rest though is that it is more than a portrait of the Pope or a collection of his quotes. His words represent one man's thoughts, but it also gives us a strong picture of his vision for the Catholic Church of the new millennium. Every issue is one that immediately concerns contemporary society, and that makes this book such an enjoyable and necessary read.

Inspirational comments (taken from his speeches and writings) from Pope John Paul II on subjects including suffering, women, work, peace, faith, prayer, and much more. Whatever the subject, John Paul's words convey a deep respect and love for all people and an intense desire for peace. The excerpts range from a few sentences to a couple paragraphs, but almost every one contains at least one idea worth serious reflection. Considering how much John Paul has experienced of the world and his super-wide ranging travels, his views are definitely not "ivory tower", and that really comes across in his common sense and practical attitude. Any reader, regardless of religious background, could learn something from this book.

"The Wisdom of John Paul II" is a collection of sayings of His Holiness. Topically organized into seventeen sections, it distills true gems from his voluminous writings and public addresses.

From these distilled gems the reader can glean some of the themes of John Paul's teachings. One such theme is mystery. Whereas modern man always seeks to know and understand, John Paul finds mystery in man, mystery in God, mystery in man's relationship to God.

Another theme of John Paul II is that Christ is at the center of all human existence. Whatever the issue, John Paul finds the answer in Christ. Relations between people must be based on man's inherent, God-given dignity. Man's ultimate destiny is found in uniting himself to Christ.

Ultimately, the value of this book comes, not from the answers it provides, but the questions it gently leads us to ask. Who am I? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? When a person starts asking these questions, he begins to think differently, to act differently, to be different. Pick up and read, think, and pray.

The Wisdom of John Paul II describes the Pope's innermost thoughts on subjects such as abortion, education, war, religion, and love. The book is well-written and interesting as well because it's made of quotes from speeches made by the Holy Father. The Pope's views on certain issues have often been controversial, but certainly there's a lot of wisdom in his words.

I purchased the hard cover version of this book when it first came out. I also later purchased the audio cassettes. I have listened to them at least 3 times. This is the Gospel applied for our age. The Pope's quotes are arranged by topic and are very well researched and presented.

Marriage, Family, Children, War, Poverty, are some of the topics covered. This is a spectacular and somewhat lengthy collection of the former Pope's great quotes.

Highly recommended on audio and also in written forms.

A powerful, inspirational, easy read, that would be helpful for many. Multiple topics are addressed. JPII's eloquent writing is really beautiful.
Highly recommended. One of my favorite JPII reads.

I think it's safe to say that Pope John Paul II was one of the most extraordinary figures of our time, and as an introduction to some of his many (many, many) speeches and written works, this book serves its audience well.

The only reason I didn't give it a five-star rating was because much of the material selected was (at least to me) a little platitudinous; maybe I was hoping for more profundity or insight into Karol Wojtyla himself, along the lines of Peter Seewald's interviews with Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger ("Salt of the Earth" and "God and the World"), which I found absolutely riveting. If that's the sort of book you're looking for, I'd suggest JPII's "Crossing the Threshold of Hope", which is more revealing.

Still, there's no denying that John Paul II had a lot to say on a wide variety of topics, and this book will give the reader a solid introduction.

I turned to the chapter on "World Religions", read it once, twice, thrice, and then threw this book aside.

This guy did everything he could to please non-Catholics and non-Christians that he was willing to tolerate the dissolution of ancient Catholicism to bend to the whims of the unbelievers!

I find it even more outrageous that he speaks highly of non-Catholic religions and of savage cultures as if they're means of channeling God's grace. FYI, I've spent my time living and working in God-forsaken Asia and I can tell you that God's Light can't penetrate the souls of this region because the people are crude, rude, evil savages and their religions are NOT of God. That's why Christianity has never taken root. So, why is this John Paul II speaking so highly of these evil peoples and their ungodly beliefs?

Sorry, maybe John Paul II didn't write or speak in English, maybe the translators got it wrong. Or, maybe it's time to admit that the Liberal Vatican II Council got it wrong in the first place!

I'm giving this book a 1-star rating because I pity John Paul II.
He was a politician and a celebrity diplomat, but have let many Catholics down by pursuing the Liberal agenda during his watch.

Recommended reading:

The Catechism of the Council of Trent

Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent