The question of whether and how people who have not had the chance to hear the gospel can be saved goes back to the beginnings of Christian reflection. It has also become a much-debated topic in current theology. In Will Many Be Saved? Ralph Martin focuses primarily on the history of debate and the development of responses to this question within the Roman Catholic Church, but much of Martin's discussion is also relevant to the wider debate happening in many churches around the world. In particular, Martin analyzes the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, the document from the Second Vatican Council that directly relates to this question. Contrary to popular opinion, Martin argues that according to this text, the conditions under which people who have not heard the gospel can be saved are very often, in fact, not fulfilled, with strong implications for evangelization.

This introduction provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Catholic ethics in the wake of the Second Vatican Council (1962-5), an event widely considered crucial to the reconciliation of the Catholic Church and the modern world. Andrew Kim investigates Catholic responses to questions of moral theology in all four principal areas: Catholic social teaching, natural law, virtue ethics, and bioethics. In addition to discussing contemporary controversies surrounding abortion, contraception, labor rights, exploitation of the poor, and just war theory, he explores the historical sources of the Catholic worldview. Beginning with the moral vision revealed through the person of Jesus Christ and continuing with elaborations on this vision from figures such as Augustine and Aquinas, this volume elucidates the continuity of the Catholic moral tradition. Its balance of complexity and accessibility makes it an ideal resource for both students of theology and general readers.

Thomas Kaufmann, the leading European scholar of the Reformation, argues that the main motivations behind the Reformation rest in religion itself. The Reformation began far from Europe's traditional political, economic, and cultural power centres, and yet it threw the whole continent into turmoil. There has been intense speculation over the last century focusing on the political and social causes that lay at the root of this revolution. Thomas Kaufmann, one of the world's leading experts on the Reformation, sees the most important drivers for what happened in religion itself. The reformers were principally concerned with the question of salvation. It could all have ended with the pope's condemnation of Luther and his teaching. But Luther believed the pope was condemned to eternal damnation, and this was the root cause of the great split to come. Hatred of the damned drove people to take up arms, while countless numbers left their homes far behind and carried the Reformation message to the furthest corners of the earth in the hope of salvation. In The Saved and the Damned, Thomas Kaufmann presents a dramatic overview of how Europe was transformed by the seismic shock of the Reformation--and of how its aftershocks reverberate right down to the present day.

This book is perhaps one of the most misunderstood works of Catholic theology of our time. Critics contend that von Balthasar espouses universalism, the idea that all men will certainly be saved. Yet, as von Balthasar insists, damnation is a real possibility for anyone. Indeed, he explores the nature of damnation with sobering clarity. At the same time, he contends that a deep understanding of God’s merciful love and human freedom, and a careful reading of the Catholic tradition, point to the possibility—not the certainty—that, in the end, all men will accept the salvation Christ won for all. For this all-embracing salvation, von Balthasar says, we may dare hope, we must pray and with God’s help we must work. The Catholic Church’s teaching on hell has been generally neglected by theologians, with the notable exception of von Balthasar. He grounds his reflections clearly in Sacred Scripture and Catholic teaching. While the Church asserts that certain individuals are in heaven (the saints), she never declares a specific individual to be in hell. In fact, the Church hopes that in their final moments of life, even the greatest sinners would have repented of their terrible sins, and be saved. Sacred Scripture states, “God ... desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim 2:4–5).

Since the Early Church, Catholic saints and other visionaries have reported horrific scenes of eternal punishment. Dozens of saints throughout history have described the terrors of hell, and relayed horror of being separated from God for eternity so that we may see for ourselves and repent.

Do most men go to heaven? Do most Christians go to heaven? Redemptorist theologian Francis-Xavier Godts explores these questions in unprecedented depth, calling the saints and approved theologians to witness. Hundreds of quotations show that the Church¿s answer to them is a terrifying, resounding and unanimous negative. ¿Narrow is the way that leadeth to life and few there are that find it,¿ is to be understood in its stark, literal truth. Fr. Godt¿s scholarly refutation of liberal opinions on the number of the saved will not tempt the reader to despair but inspire him to make ever more earnest efforts to shun sin and its occasions and live a life of serious fidelity to the teaching, law and example of Christ. This book changes lives!

Saving Those Damned Catholics chronicles the reasons why the current mess within the Catholic Church is not something that should surprise anyone, whether Catholic, Protestant, or just curious. After all, as the story unfolds you will learn how a bureaucracy has replaced individual commitment; and how politics has become far too appealing to the majority of Catholic bishops. It is no surprise that Americans scoff at Catholic teachings on birth control, abortion and euthanasia. The statistics tell the tale: most Catholics don't know what the Church teaches on these matters of life and death, and if they do, they choose to disagree and ho-hum the hierarchy moves on. Saving Those Damned Catholics outlines the logic behind the most controversial teachings in the Church today, and exposes the arguments put forth by priests and bishops who clearly do not agree with some of these teachings themselves. Astounding as it may seem, there are reasons why federal funding has become more important than protecting innocent life; why popularity among the most liberal of politicians has trumped Pope Benedict XVI's call to be good shepherds and, indeed, to be counter-cultural. There are reasons why homosexuals are still in the seminaries; and there are reasons why the vast majority of Catholics use birth control and condone abortion. Ever wonder why people like Bill O'Reilly, Ted Kennedy and others in public life get away with distorting Catholic teaching? Scoffing at the truth? Taking it upon themselves to "correct" the Pope on national television? This book will give you a bird's eye view into what is being said and what is not being done to set the record straight. As Judie Brown put this book together she was able to interview several Catholic priests, including two bishops. One of the most interesting comments she heard is that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is not only a major part of the problem these days, but is an entity that should be deconstructed abolished, as one priest put it. The bureaucracy has become synonymous with doing nothing to rock the proverbial political boat. But you'll just have to read the book to learn more. In summary, Saving Those Damned Catholics exposes the warts on the underbelly of the Catholic leadership in America today, and it is not a pretty picture. Too many among them are caught up in a twisted vision of what it takes to effectively lead Catholics. There is too much moral relativism and too little desire to say what is right, especially when doing so will bring down the wrath of the media and maybe even a few politicians. Regardless of your opinion about Catholics and their Church, don't miss the chance to read one woman's account of history a history that continues to unfold before our eyes. [ENDORSEMENTS] "Judie Brown's work fills a void screaming for attention the persistent relentless assault on Catholic orthodoxy by dissidents attempting to reshape the church in their image. She spells it out and names the names without violating Christian charity. She deserves a wide hearing." - Ray Kerrison, New York Post columnist Judie Brown has never been one to sit back and let the devil have his way. Her great new work, Saving Those Damned Catholics, tells it like it is. I thank Judie for her forthright analysis of the state of the Church. She is not just telling us what is wrong she is giving us our marching orders. - Father Tom Euteneuer, President, Human Life International We can always count on Judie Brown and American Life League to keep up with the shenanigans of the so-called "Catholic" leaders. Judie's call for authentic leadership from the nation's bishops and priests is key to rejuvenating the Catholic Church's role in American life. - Joe Scheidler, Director, Pro-Life Action League With wit, insight and fea