The First Society: The Sacrament of Matrimony and the Restoration of the Social Order Hardcover – April 2, 2018

Read it.

If you’re a regular reader of Dr. Hahn this book will come as a surprise. This is a work of highly developed theology. Previously when we read Scott’s work it was convert’s revelation to us, bringing with us on his trip from Protestantism to Catholicity. Not this time, Dr Hahn issues a radical call in defense of Western Christianity at a time when we all have come to see it as the final chapter in the secularization of culture. Based on a premise that Sacramental Marriage is the foundation of community, Scott’s treatise is a challenge to all of us, not the least of all his adopted Church. We all will find something in this book we really don’t want to hear. Some of it may make you angry. He pulls no punches. This is the work of “one who cries out in the wilderness, make straight the path” because the Kingdom of heaven is at hand, but we’re about to walk away from it. The consequences are already here, he isn’t offering Utopia, or even peace, but rather hope. This Is the book that needed to be published today, because tomorrow may be too late...

great for homilies and catechists wanting the traditions behind Church teaching.

I have been following Scott Hahn for more then 15 years. His Scripture courses are wonderful; as are the books he based his course on. I gave "First Society..." to a protestant minister friend because it has so much homiletic material in it. The family is the keystone of society and when it fails our society falls apart. Plato described this in several of his works; we lose our religion, then we lose our patriotism, and then our culture is destroyed. This is the root cause of most of our real trouble today.

Important book by Dr. Hahn, but I feel that it will not reach the mainstream, and only be accepted by conservative Catholics who take their faith very seriously. In some ways it is very idealistic, and fails to acknowledge some of the realities of daily living, especially regarding relationships. I'm not putting the book down, and I fundamentally agree with his propositions, especially his views on solidarity and the common good to create a more just and enduring society. Living the "Jesus way", which is a compassionate way of being, thinking of the needs of those around us, and those closest to us, along with our own needs, would seem to be another way of creating strong societies. There is no question though, that the institution of marriage, along with the parent-child relationship, are the bedrocks of stable and enduring societies, so any decisions surrounding marriage should be made very carefully, with God's will and love for us forefront in our thoughts.

In this book, Hahn describes the importance, especially in its ecclesiastical sense, of living life with God at the center. He delves into the significance of marriage within society and the importance of the sacraments in general. He describes a vision for the restoration of the social order, one that as he acknowledges will probably not come to fruition during our lifetimes, but one that we can begin to lay the foundations for right now.

Tiene una visión profunda, tradicional y al mismo tiempo nueva del matrimonio y la familia como fundamento de la sociedad y la Iglesia

Book is for a Catholic mens' book group discussion. Condition excellent for this purpose. Fast delivery means more time to get it read before our discussion.

Very good reading in this secular world.

Another triumph from Scott Hahn.