Teachings for an Unbelieving World

Newly Discovered Reflections on Paul’s Sermon at the Areopagus

by St. John Paul II

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Pub Date Mar 20 2020 | Archive Date Aug 25 2020

Ave Maria Press

Christian | Religion & Spirituality

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Description

Teachings for an Unbelieving World is a newly discovered work written by St. John Paul II—then Archbishop Karol Wojtyla of Krakow—in the years just after Vatican II. He uses St. Paul’s sermon to the people of Athens in Acts 17 as a framework for articulating the faith in a culture of skepticism and unbelief. These thirteen brief homilies provide compelling teaching for Catholics in today’s post-Christian world and give fresh insight into JPII’s pontificate. This is the first English-language publication of this important work.
St. John Paul II composed these thirteen homilies at a unique moment of convergence in history—the closing of Vatican II in 1965 and the 1966 observance of one thousand years of Christianity in Poland.
Teachings for an Unbelieving World is an extended meditation on Acts 17 where Paul speaks to the cultural elite of Athens after he observed the people worshipping at an altar of an unknown God. Quoting from both the Bible and the documents of Vatican II, John Paul II draws timely wisdom from the apostle’s mission to bring the truth of the Gospel to a worldly culture of sophistication and disbelief, one not unlike our own.
The future pope reveals Paul’s memorable encounter as an enduring framework to boldly present the core truths of the Catholic faith in the post-modern and atheistic communist regime he faced. In so doing, JPII demonstrates how relevant Paul’s words are today and equips us to meet the challenges of proclaiming the faith in our times.
Teachings for an Unbelieving World affirms the continuity of Catholic faith about:
• humanity’s place in God’s creation, • our search for meaning, truth, and freedom, • addressing a culture of unbelief, • the gift of redemption in Jesus Christ, • the grace of the Holy Spirit, • the role of the Church in the world, • the power of the Eucharist, and • the importance of prayer.

A Note From the Publisher

St. John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Poland. Ordained in 1946, he was named bishop of Krakow in 1958 and archbishop in 1964. Wojtyla was an active participant in the Second Vatican Council, became a cardinal in 1967, and in 1978 was elected the first non-Italian pope in more than four hundred years. He died on April 2, 2005, and was canonized on April 27, 2014.

St. John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Poland. Ordained in 1946, he was named bishop of Krakow in 1958 and archbishop in 1964. Wojtyla was an active participant in the...

Advance Praise

“This book is one of the great hidden treasures unearthed in our time.” From the introduction by Scott Hahn Catholic theologian, author, and speaker “What a joy to read this newly discovered series of reflections on the famous passage in Acts where Paul speaks to the skeptical Greeks about the ‘unknown God.’ Each brief teaching is a gem, taking us ever-deeper into the mind of St. John Paul II and the mystery of salvation.” Mary Ann Glendon Professor of law at Harvard University Former US ambassador to the Holy See “Here, then, is the antidote to modernity’s tendency to dumb down the human person." From the foreword by George Weigel Distinguished Senior Fellow and William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies Ethics and Public Policy Center

Available Editions

EDITION	Hardcover
ISBN	9781594719851
PRICE	$20.00 (USD)

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Featured Reviews

Cristie U, Bookseller

These 13 reflections on Catholicism were interesting to read. I must disclose that I am not a religious person, but found these to interesting to read and can understand how they can help those that are not trusting of their Catholic Faith find comfort and their way back to their Church.

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William B, Reviewer

I enjoyed this book very much. It is a collection of teachings by St John Paul II concerning the interaction by the Apostle Paul’s Address in the Areopagus recounted in Act 17. The relevance for today is that the author unpacks Paul's arguments to a group that do not share the same worldview or philosophical method as the Jews and the early Jesus movement, with ramifications for how Christians might couch their discussions of the faith with modern and post-modern unbelievers. It is not, frankly, an easy read, and does not have the same refinement of other works by St John Paul II such as his encyclical The Gospel of Life. Highly recommended for fans of St John Paul II and for apologists of the faith.

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Stacie T, Reviewer

Growing up Protestant, I was aware of who (then Pope) John Paul II was. I knew that he was beloved by the Catholic Church. I knew that I liked his face and his smile. I also remember, when he died, feeling like things suddenly didn't feel as safe as they had when he was alive. Now, I am a Catholic, John Paul II is a saint; still beloved by the Catholic Church, and absolutely beloved by me. So when I heard that a newly discovered written work had been published by this man, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible.

Based off of Saint Paul's sermon in Acts 17, John Paul II offers thirteen reflections not only about our faith, but FOR our faith. Yes, we live in an unbelieving, cynical world, and this book speaks beautifully to the heart of that. But those of us do believe, often find it difficult to believe. Not an unbelief IN our Lord. But more-so, a struggle to BELIEVE our Lord. Which is why I found 'Teachings for an Unbelieving World' to be such a balm to my own fears and anxieties and unbelief. Especially in these unprecedented times we are in! This book hits home for the world at large, for us as believers and for the Church as a whole. But it also gives us a comforting glimpse into the heart of our Pope-Turned-Saint. An absolute must-have book.

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Rebecca H, Reviewer

An absolutely marvelous little gem of a book. Each page is packed with thought provoking analysis of Paul’s sermon at the Aeropagus. I read it twice through.. Five stars and highly recommended!