Timothy H. Sherwood – författare

The greatness of America's most influential preachers of the twentieth century came from their significant contributions to both religious and secular society. Some names, like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Billy Graham, are universally recognized and typically thought of first by people today. Assorted reviews have also listed other notable names from various Christian denominations, but little recognition has been given to the Catholic contribution to preaching in the twentieth century. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is at least one Catholic name whose contributions belong with the top most influential American preachers of that era. Though many associate Sheen with his five years on primetime television in the 1950s, it was the decades he spent preaching that wrought a religious tone to the Cold War and led the way in a national renewal of religion. An epic battle was set between the forces of good and evil in Sheen's preaching, particularly in his Good Friday sermons. This rhetorical study seeks to understand how and why his preaching was so persuasive to the people of his day.

The greatness of America's most influential preachers of the twentieth century came from their significant contributions to both religious and secular society. Some names, like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Billy Graham, are universally recognized and typically thought of first by people today. Assorted reviews have also listed other notable names from various Christian denominations, but little recognition has been given to the Catholic contribution to preaching in the twentieth century. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is at least one Catholic name whose contributions belong with the top most influential American preachers of that era. Though many associate Sheen with his five years on primetime television in the 1950s, it was the decades he spent preaching that wrought a religious tone to the Cold War and led the way in a national renewal of religion. An epic battle was set between the forces of good and evil in Sheen's preaching, particularly in his Good Friday sermons. This rhetorical study seeks to understand how and why his preaching was so persuasive to the people of his day.

Following central chapters of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Fr. Sherwood's stories bring its teachings alive and give new meaning to its core messages. Referring directly to CCC sections, this book makes for inspiring reading and wonderful teaching material, highlighting concrete human experiences of Catholic life. An increasingly secular world has made humanity's search for God more challenging. But the basic message of this little book is that God also searches for humanity; that the eyes and ears of faith reveal manifestations of the Divine Presence. Parish priests are privileged to have a front-row seat to observe Divine Presence in action. The true stories told here reflect just a few of the many experiences of God had by one priest in Florida. Meet Barnacle Bill, an old-time mariner, who restlessly searched for love and happiness, but the irresistible call of the Siren's song kept beckoning him to an ever elusive port. Read about a seven-foot alligator that made neighbourly visits to the parish office and taught a lesson on the natural habitat of sin. Find out why sand dollars were an occasional offering in the Sunday collection basket and were considered so valuable. These stories and others will touch the heart or give pause for thought -- but all of them will hopefully inspire and deepen faith.

Fulton J. Sheen, Norman Vincent Peale, and Billy Graham were America’s most popular religious leaders during the mid-twentieth century period known as the golden years of the Age of Extremes. It was part of an era that encompassed polemic contrasts of good and evil on the world stage in political philosophies and international relations. The 1950s and early 1960s, in particular, were years of high anxiety, competing ideologies, and hero/villain mania in America. Sheen was the voice of reason who spoke against those conflicting ideologies which were hostile to religious faith and democracy; Peale preached the gospel of reassurance, self-assurance, and success despite ominous global threats; and Graham was the heroic model of faith whose message of conversion provided Americans an identity and direction opposite to atheistic communism. This study looks at how and why their rhetorical leadership, both separately and together, contributed to the climate of an extreme era and influenced a national religious revival.