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Chris V
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| Posted: May 16 2011 at 3:24pm | IP Logged
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... the five volume "narrative"? Novel? ... what would you call it? Poem of the God man by Maria Valtorta . I have a fellow Catholic friend who owns the writings in their entirety, we were talking about it today. I have no thought on this particular narrative because this is the first I've heard of it. My friend mentioned that only one of the volumes has been accepted by the Church and all others rejected. What are you thoughts on this book - purely for curiosity sake - I'm just wondering?
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JennGM
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Chris, the actual title is "Poem of the Man-God". It's been a while...these were very popular in the 1990s and where I worked sold them like hot-cakes.
I can't remember all the controversy...but what I think I remember.
For awhile, the books were put on the Index of Forbidden Books, I believe. The Index is not longer used...but they were never removed from the List when it was being upheld.
The writings are a private revelation (locutions?), so Maria wrote what she thought she was being revealed to her. The reason for the Index was to protect the faithful from delving into theological matters that were undefined or required theological backgrounds to discern, as there are some things introduced in the books that are not in the Tradition of the Church.
I found the writing very schmaltzy, but also somewhat base. The very negative side to me is that it was emphasizing the human side of Jesus. Since He is both natures, one nature doesn't outplay another.
Reading it in modern times, there were hints in the book that could be construed as Jesus had more than just friends relationship with His apostles. It could have been the writing of the time, but it just felt icky reading it.
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stellamaris
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Chris, maybe this will help: God-Man
EWTN article
Sorry for the weird link. My iPhone isn't quite easy to use!
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Chris V
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| Posted: May 16 2011 at 3:49pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| Chris, the actual title is "Poem of the Man-God". It's been a while...these were very popular in the 1990s and where I worked sold them like hot-cakes. |
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 Thank you for the correction ...this was the first I have heard of these writings.
jenngm wrote:
I can't remember all the controversy...but what I think I remember.
For awhile, the books were put on the Index of Forbidden Books, I believe. The Index is not longer used...but they were never removed from the List when it was being upheld.
The writings are a private revelation (locutions?), so Maria wrote what she thought she was being revealed to her. The reason for the Index was to protect the faithful from delving into theological matters that were undefined or required theological backgrounds to discern, as there are some things introduced in the books that are not in the Tradition of the Church.
I found the writing very schmaltzy, but also somewhat base. The very negative side to me is that it was emphasizing the human side of Jesus. Since He is both natures, one nature doesn't outplay another.
Reading it in modern times, there were hints in the book that could be construed as Jesus had more than just friends relationship with His apostles. It could have been the writing of the time, but it just felt icky reading it. |
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Interesting. Perhaps that's the very reason they sold so well - controversy itself, rather than content. Feeling *icky* is solid reason enough not to continue reading them. I did find it curious that my friend found them to be quite profound and spritually provoking, though she is staunchy Catholic. I suppose that is why I am asking. She is a woman with whom I respect - she's older, wiser, and has raised seven children in the faith of the Church. We usually visit with each other weekly and she has offered to let me borrow the volumes. I didn't accept (yet) having not been familiar with the writings, though thanked her for her generosity. I suppose I need to have good reason either to read them, or to run far away from them  .
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Chris V
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stellamaris wrote:
Chris, maybe this will help: God-Man
EWTN article
Sorry for the weird link. My iPhone isn't quite easy to use! |
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Thank you! ... your link came through just fine.
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stellamaris
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I have to comment that I also was offered a chance to read this work, but turned it down. My personal feeling is that there are so many great writings APPROVED by the Church that I have yet to read that I don't want to waste my time with books that are so questionable. Just my 2 cents!
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JennGM
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I had some friends whom I greatly respect who found the books spiritually enriching. But I'm like Caroline...I have so many other choices to read that are approved, why go into questionable territory?
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Chris V
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stellamaris wrote:
| I have to comment that I also was offered a chance to read this work, but turned it down. My personal feeling is that there are so many great writings APPROVED by the Church that I have yet to read that I don't want to waste my time with books that are so questionable. Just my 2 cents! |
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Caroline, you are so wise. I will take your perspective to heart. So, so true.
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MaryM
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Since the subject of private revelation occasionally comes up in various threads as it has here, it is important to note what the Church herself has taught regarding private revelation.
Catechism of the Catholic Church wrote:
67. Throughout the ages there have been so-called “private,“ revelations, some of which have been recognized by authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the magisterium of the Church, the senses fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in the revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church.
Christian faith cannot accept “revelations” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfillment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such “revelations.” |
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Catholic Dictionary entry (Fr. John Hardon) wrote:
Private revelation – supernatural manifestations by God of hidden truths made to private individuals for their own spiritual welfare or that of others. They differ from the public revelation contained in Scripture and tradition which is given on behalf of the whole human race and necessary for human salvation and sanctification. Although recognition by the Church, and at times, approved by her authority, private revelations are not the object of divine faith that binds one in conscience to believe on God’s authority. The assent given to them, therefore, is either on human evidence or when formally approved by the Church, on ecclesiastical authority according to the mind of the Church. |
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And Catholics United for the Faith has a helpful resource on the topic of private revelation in their Faith Facts, which includes this quote:
Quote:
Until the Church renders her official judgment, the faithful are free to accept (or reject) any private revelation if nothing in the message or concurring phenomena is contrary to faith and morals.
However, once the Church has concluded that a particular apparition is not authentic, the faithful need to walk away. Similarly, once the Church declares an apparition as worthy of belief, we must respect the Church's decision and those who choose to incorporate the apparition into their life of devotion. |
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Other general information on the topic might be helpful for understanding and discernment.
Apparitions/Private Revelations - EWTN
Private Revelation - Catholic Answers
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aussieannie
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The name itself is concerning..."Man-God". It should be "God-Man"..God made man.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Poem of the God man.
