I am thrilled to announce that you can now pre-order my next book, Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know, which is jointly published by Augustine Institute Press and Ignatius Press. We are trying to spread the word about it quickly since it will be out in time for Easter season.
Let me say a bit about the book. This book is the first book in a new series (more on that soon). It is not a technical work. It aims at to be readable by all audiences. In many ways, it unpacks in simple terms some of the key ideas Brant Pitre, John Kincaid, and I examine in our upcoming book, Paul, A New Covenant Jew: Rethinking Pauline Theology (Eerdmans, forthcoming August 1). Appropriately enough then this book has a Foreword by Brant Pitre.
I am thrilled with the endorsements it has received, many of which I have posted below. I am especially grateful to Joshua Jipp (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) and Ben Blackwell (Houston Baptist University) for their kind words about the book. Given the title, I fear many non-Catholics will feel it is not for them, but I hope the endorsements by Jipp and Blackwell will help in this regard. I was my aim to write an irenic piece that would be helpful for all Christians interested in the doctrine of salvation in Christ in the New Testament. To that end, I hope Catholics will feel comfortable sharing it with their non-Catholic friends.
I will have much more to say about this book in the days and weeks ahead but one more point for now: the book is not aimed as an "apologetics" text but focuses on spirituality. The major point of the book is pastoral: to misunderstand what salvation entails can have devastating effects on one's spiritual life. For example, to think of salvation as merely "personal," leads one to become a kind of spiritual Lone Ranger who ignores Paul's teaching that salvation in Christ involves becoming "members of one another" (Romans 12:5).
More to come soon, but please consider it for your Easter reading.
Here are some of the endorsements:
''In this marvelous and erudite book, Michael Barber cuts right to the biblical heart of the matter. In easy and readable prose, he shows us the love of Christ.''
—Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary
''Barber offers a robust, edifying, and multifaceted account of God's gracious gift of salvation. With his eye primarily on the biblical text and secondarily upon the Catechism, Barber's work will help clarify misconceptions Protestants have regarding the Catholic understanding of salvation and helpfully shines light on where true differences remain.''
—Joshua W. Jipp, Associate Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
”Barber clearly and succinctly presents the new covenant hope of sharing in God’s life. This book will be helpful to more than just Catholics: though Protestants will disagree with some of the mechanics of salvation presented here, the careful attention to the story of the Bible and the life of faith will make this volume an encouragement to all who will attend to its message.”
—Ben C. Blackwell, Associate Professor of Early Christianity, Houston Baptist University
''What does it mean to be 'saved'? I have often been asked this question. Michael Barber gives the much needed and impressively thorough answer. It fills a lacuna in Catholic literature! It is well grounded in scholarship but written in a manner that is accessible to every baptized Christian.''
—Nina Sophie Heereman, Assistant Professor of Sacred Scripture, St. Patrick's Seminary and University
“Salvation is more than about getting to heaven; it includes how God transforms our lives while we are still on earth. Rich, deeply spiritual, grounded in the best cutting-edge biblical scholarship, and yet clearly and beautifully written, Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know is a book every Christian should read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
—Jeff Morrow, Associate Professor of Theology, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University
''Dr. Michael Barber is an outstanding scripture scholar and theologian! This book proves it. Want a deeper understanding of the purpose and mission of Jesus? Look no further. Want to know what redemption and salvation are all about? This incredible book has the answers you've been looking for!''
—Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Author of 10 Wonders
"In Salvation, Michael Barber invites the reader to consider salvation anew. He presents ten common misunderstandings and recovers an authentic interpretation of salvation, thus encouraging the reader to participate actively in the gift of salvation and live as one who has been saved, is being saved, and will be saved."
—Ximena DeBroeck, PhD, Director of Catechetical & Pastoral Formation, Archdiocese of Baltimore; Adjunct Professor Mount St. Mary’s Seminary
“Michael Barber has penned a wonderful book for laypersons and scholars alike. Drawing on examples from his own life experience, thorough biblical exegesis, and the rich heritage of the Church, this volume is a terrific compendium highlighting the amazing gift of salvation, the great mystery of Christ's own life and love offered to us.”
—Thomas Esposito, O. Cist., Assistant Professor of Theology, University of Dallas
“This wonderful book brilliantly reveals what every Catholic should know about salvation… Anchored in great scholarship, this book is accessible to college students, young people, directors of religious education, and indeed anyone who desires to deepen their faith in Christ the Savior… Not primarily about apologetics, this book presents an orthodox biblical theology to nourish an authentic Catholic spirituality rooted in the love of God.In Salvation, Michael Barber invites the reader to consider salvation anew. He presents ten common misunderstandings and recovers an authentic interpretation of salvation, thus encouraging the reader to participate actively in the gift of salvation and live as one who has been saved, is being saved, and will be saved.”
—Christine Wood, Director of the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis, Archdiocese of Hobart
“Dr. Barber’s Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know is not just a work of biblical theology—it is also a spiritual gem. Throughout, one dives deeply into St. Paul, getting a thorough sense of how he understands the full meaning of salvation in Christ. But at every turn, Dr. Barber shows us the connection between the head and the heart, the connection between a sound understanding of the faith and the spiritual life. The truth of the faith in fact should captivate the heart, a point Dr. Barber brings home from beginning to end. This book will be extremely valuable to anyone from professors, people in ministry, to interested high school and college students and beyond.”
—Sarah Swafford, speaker and author of Emotional Virtue
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