Tumultuous Times

Rating:
Summary: Tumultuous Times Makes History Come Alive
Review:
Tumultuous Times is a must on any list of religious books. It is an unprecedented work that is impeccably researched and makes the history of the Catholic Church come alive.

Tumultuous Times is divided into two parts. The first part of this book vividly describes the exciting and turbulent history of the Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church. Covering such a vast subject is a daunting task to be sure. The very complexities of theology and the numerous dates, names and places make such an undertaking momentous. However, the authors manage to cover the history and importance of the Ecumenical Councils in combating heresy and clarifying Catholic teachings without being tedious and overwhelming the reader with details. With its excellent description, and the inclusion of colorful anecdotes and quotations, Tumultuous Times conveys a sense of adventure, intrigue, and excitement making it an anomaly-a scholarly work that is also a page-turner.

The first part of the book on the General Councils sets the scene for the second section on Vatican II. This section covers Vatican II, a council that the authors believe has changed the course of Catholicism. Explaining the historical underpinnings and the march of modernism in the Church since the Enlightenment, Tumultuous Times discusses why all was not healthy in the Church despite its outward appearance.

The authors take the reader step-by-step in comparing the Church before and after Vatican II with special emphasis on how the sacraments have changed. Tumultuous Times utilizes the reader's intellect and reason, and does not rely on sensational statements or emotionalism to prove their thesis. One can agree or disagree with the authors' conclusion, but their arguments are well thought out and reasonable and are important for all Catholics to consider. Many Catholics confused with the myriad changes that have happened since Vatican II will find comfort knowing that Christ's Church has been through crises before and is still alive just as He has promised us.

Beautifully bound and 655 pages in length, Tumultuous Times will appeal to a wide audience, from the high school student to the theological expert since it has a reader-friendly format that reads like a novel. It has an extensive bibliography and could be used as a textbook on Church history. The appendices include 20 detailed maps, charts, and tables, a list of popes and anti-popes, and a list of councils and the heresies they combated.








Rating:
Summary: -a pro-Vatican II Catholic reviewer
Review: I've spoken with Father Radecki and I must say that he does make some good points. I may not agree with his opinions necessarily, but he does shed some light upon the Catholic traditionalist point of view. Reading parts of this book has helped me to see the other side of the story.

Rating:
Summary: Warning
Review: Potential readers and buyers of this book should be aware that the authors are sede-vacantists, who believe that Vatican II was not a legitimate Council and that John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II were/are not legitimate popes.
If you can cope with that, you will find that the first half of the book is a fascinating history of the Church, full of historical detail that is hard to find elsewhere. The second half of the book, dealing with Vatican II and the years since, is also fascinating, revealing a great deal that has been kept from ordinary folk. It is possible to read it without necessarily agreeing with all the opinions and conclusions of the authors.
I liked the beautiful production of the book, which made it a pleasure to the eye, even while some of the contents (for instance about changes in the Church) were quite disturbing to the mind and heart.


Rating:
Summary: Tumultuous Times a must read
Review: This is a book which is truly the history of the Catholic Church right up to the present day. This has never been done before. Tumultuous Times is meticulously researched, and authenticly documented, it is not tarnished with critisism and simply defines why truth and error are never compatable. This is a must read for all catholics, as well as all other religions.

Rating:
Summary: An exhaustive look at the history of the Catholic religion
Review: Written by two priests who are identical twins and members of the Congregation of the Mary Immaculate Queen, Tumultuous Times: Twenty General Councils of the Catholic Church & Vatican II and Its Aftermath is an exhaustive look at the history of the Catholic religion. The first half extensively describes the history of the "Twenty General Councils of the Catholic Church" from 325-1870 AD and their role in defining and clarifying Catholic doctrine. The second half scrutinizes "Vatican II and Its Aftermath" (1962-1965), including the New Mass and Sacraments. Emphasizing the importance of constancy in church doctrine despite pressure from outside and constantly changing environments, Tumultuous Times is a resource that reflects the abiding faith of its authors, as well as their passionate conviction that that there can only be on true church. A powerfully written blend of extensive research and deeply held belief in the value of staying true to faith and tradition.