James L. Heft

Building Catholic Higher Education

Discipleship & Christian Education

“Fully embracing the ambitious goal of Notre Dame's president to create first-rate undergraduate and graduate programs, all rooted intellectually in Catholicism, Christian Smith spells out why it is very difficult to achieve all three . . . As difficult as it is to reach that goal, Smith suggests a way forward.”

Building the Human City

Philosophy

“As a college student in 1964, I was privileged to hear Fr. William F. Lynch give a lecture titled 'The Absolutizing Instinct.' I knew immediately that Lynch could speak directly to the issues of the day without losing the wisdom of the ages. John Kane has written a long overdue, superb study of Lynch's thought, as relevant today as the lecture I heard.”

Journals of Brother Roger of Taizé, Volume 3

History & Biography

“When I served as the provost of the University of Dayton, Mary Brown, my assistant, and I had the privilege of working with Taizé’s team that organized in May of 1992, their first Pilgrimage of Trust in the United States. After several weeks of scouting the local neighborhoods and churches, the brothers had a conference call with Bro. Roger. I was in the room. After positive updates on the brothers’ work, Bro. Roger asked, ‘Are there any risks?’ The brothers replied ‘Yes, several.’ Bro. Roger said, ‘Good! Let’s do it anyway!’ A man of great faith and courage, Bro. Roger founded a unique and marvelous ecumenical religious community.”

Radical Conversion

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“Political theorist Christopher Duncan makes a compelling case for the future of democracy that depends on foundational themes found in the Judeo-Christian tradition, especially twentieth-century Catholic social teaching. Instead of continuing on the path of a materialistic and individualistic neoliberalism, he argues for a polity that defends the dignity of every person, the care for the marginalized, and a commitment to the common good built upon a non-theocratic but religiously open government that welcomes people both secular and religious. His thesis, bold and provocative, calls for a radical conversion in American society.”

Sacred Space, Sacred Thread

World Religions

“Creative academics are pushing back on the one-hundred-year-old specialization of academic disciplines. These scholars study fields, not narrow disciplines. They do cultural and visual history, and enrich our understanding with 'thick descriptions.' The scholars who have contributed to this fascinating volume make use of a whole array of approaches—including the study of color, smell, space, clothing, music—that, taken together, shed a much needed, more comprehensive and creative light on sacred space and performance.”

The Wrath of a Loving God

Theology

“Brother John willingly enters in where angels fear to tread, especially fallen angels. He explores some of the most difficult passages of both the Old and New Testament, paying careful attention to both the texts and their contexts, so that in the midst of texts of terror the love of God does not disappear.”