• Why Priests?

  • A Failed Tradition
  • By: Garry Wills
  • Narrated by: Michael Prichard
  • Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (26 ratings)

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Why Priests?  By  cover art

Why Priests?

By: Garry Wills
Narrated by: Michael Prichard
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Publisher's summary

Bestselling author of Papal Sin and Why I Am a Catholic, Garry Wills spent five years as a young man at a Jesuit seminary and nearly became a priest himself. But after a lifetime of study and reflection, he now poses some challenging questions: Why do we need priests at all? Why did the priesthood arise in a religion that began without it and opposed it? Would Christianity be stronger without the priesthood, as it was at its outset?

Meticulously researched, persuasively argued, and certain to spark debate, Why Priests? asserts that the anonymous Letter to Hebrews, a late addition to the New Testament canon, helped inject the priesthood into a Christianity where it did not exist, along with such concomitants as belief in an apostolic succession, the real presence in the Eucharist, the sacrificial interpretation of the Mass, and the ransom theory of redemption. But Wills does not expect the priesthood to fade entirely away. He just reminds us that Christianity did without it in the time of Peter and Paul with notable success.

Wills concludes with a powerful statement of his own beliefs in a book that will appeal to believers and nonbelievers alike and stand for years to come as a towering achievement.

©2013 Garry Wills (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Clearly a thought-provoker destined to inspire debate." ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about Why Priests?

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An eye opening read

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No.

What did you like best about this story?

Despite having a flurry of theological terminology and reference quotes, I could keep up and follow what was being said even if at times I felt a little out of my element.

Have you listened to any of Michael Prichard’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not.

Do you think Why Priests? needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I suppose there could be a follow-up, I have no doubt there is more than enough material. That being said, I felt the author wrapped things up quite nicely and I don't see a need for a follow-up on the priest issue.

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3 people found this helpful