In honor of the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas (his dies natalis, March 7, as observed in the traditional calendar), Os Justi Press has released two major Thomistic publications.
In Lent and Paschaltide, we reflect on Jesus as the lion who has conquered (Rev. 5:5). But what has Jesus conquered? And how has he done so? The Bible also repeatedly refers to Jesus as our “savior.” But what does Jesus save us from, and how does he do so?
Daniel Robert Waldow's The Lion Has Conquered is an unsurpassed introduction to soteriology—the branch of theology that seeks to answer these questions—as expressed in Scripture and Tradition. It guides the reader through the fundamental principles, issues, and questions, such as:
• the nature of and relationship between sin, death, hell, the devil, and punishment
• the purpose of ritual and moral sacrifices in the Old Testament
• the salvific function of the Incarnation, public ministry, and Paschal Mystery of Christ
• the objective work of Christ and our subjective participation in that work
• cooperation between grace and good works
• the salvific function of Baptism, Penance, and the Eucharist
• the relation between the sacrifice of the Cross and the sacrifice of the Mass.
Dr. Matthew Levering: “Aquinas scholar Daniel Waldow offers a theology of Christ and salvation that readers will treasure for its insight and clarity. The first part is a biblical tour-de-force, while the second part systematizes these insights with the aid of magisterial documents. A marvelous final chapter leads us through Catholic soteriology as inscribed in Western and Eastern Eucharistic rites, calling us to live liturgically the salvific path revealed by God.”
Complementing Waldow is The Transcendent Christ: St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews. In this fine collection of essays will be found such contributions as:
• Dr. Nathan Schmiedicke's brilliant defense of the Pauline authorship of Hebrews (as testified by the unanimous liturgical tradition, East and West—but discarded in the Novus Ordo)
• Rev. Cassian Folsom OSB on the letter's biblical and liturgical typology
• Rev. Thomas Crean OP on how the Mass is a true and proper sacrifice
• Dr. John P. Joy on the theology of atonement
• Dr. Daniel Lendman on the headship of Christ
I contribute a chapter on liturgy as "the sacrifice of praise" (sacrificium laudis, in the words of the Roman Canon). The transcript of a live scholastic debate with Fr. Thomas Crean as magister is included, focusing on the relationship between the Old Law and the New Law. The book concludes with the complete (eight-page) divisio textus of Hebrews provided by St. Thomas.
Scott Hahn: “This series of essays offers rich theological reflections prompted by the Book of Hebrews. Each essayist shows how the argument of Hebrews is illumined by St. Thomas’s commentary and the light that living Tradition sheds, especially on the Sacrifice of the Mass and our celestial High Priest.”
Karl Keating: “The contributors offer unexpected insights, with ramifications well beyond the Mass. Despite my familiarity with the Epistle, I found myself repeatedly surprised—and delighted. That will be the reaction of any reader.”
Steve Ray: “The book of Hebrews is rich with complex imagery, liturgy, and theology from the Old Covenant. It can be daunting. The Transcendent Christ delves into these treasures, illuminating Christ’s fulfillment of every expectation.”
Shane Kapler: “Reading these essays is akin to eavesdropping on the great universities of the past.”
Both are available in paperback, hardcover, or ebook. To "look inside" either one and to see more endorsements, visit their product pages at the Os Justi Press shop (The Lion Has Conquered, The Transcendent Christ).
The books are also available from Amazon sites around the world.
May Christ, our Eternal High Priest, interceding for us at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us and save us, for He is gracious and loves mankind. And may St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor, intercede for us at the throne of God.
