We will be listing our humble writings in exaltation to our Lord and our humble experience. We will focus on more contemplative writings, for practicing Christians. The books are published on-demand and the distribution system does exert some limitations. If you need a copy and you are in our locale, let Fr. Raphael know and he might be able to hand you a copy. Other books meant for group workshops and spiritual exercises or hesychasm, are usually distributed by Fr. Raphael for free to our families and friends.
You can find Fr. Raphael's seminary and post-seminary writings in his humble book, "Contemplative Thoughts of an Asian Seminarian" (236 pages). Hardcover (ISBN 978-0-6152-0800-8, US$29.44) and paperback (ISBN 978-0-6152-1169-5, US$12.44) versions are available. These are revised versions with new content on monasticism and matrimony.
The Table of Contents are as follows:
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Christian Denominations
- Contemplation and the Pastor
- Early Christian Thought
- CS Lewis and Mere Christianity
- Christian Theology Primer
- Charismas and Contemporary Changes
- On Sacraments and their purposes
- Constantine and Christianity
- Reflections: Matrimony and Monasticism
- - In the Old and New Testaments
- - Theologies of the Fathers
- - Laical and Monastic Christian Life
- On Discipleship
- Showing the face of God in the East
- - Christian influence in China
- - The difficulties of evangelizing in Asia
- - The Nestorian influence during the Tang dynasty
- - Matteo Ricci’s success during the Ming dynasty
- - Learning from Matteo Ricci
- - Becoming the Confucian gentleman
- - Using secular knowledge to influence the authorities
- - Educating the gentiles on the path of God
- - Syncretism and guarding against it
- - What syncretism is, or is not
- - Guarding against syncretism in Asia
- - Finding common ground with an ecumenical heart
- - Common ground and orthodoxy
- - Using tiered strategy of W.E.B.
- - Works - Humanitarian works, funding and helping
- - Evangelism - To the spiritually seeking
- - Brotherhood - Bonding with the accomplished
- - Problem-solving during evangelism
- - Evangelizing process - groups or individual
- - Historical - fact-finding and investigating
- - Obstacle - Explore questions, doubts, and concerns.
- - Projection – Witnessing and anticipating results
- - End-results of successful conversion, or open dialog
- - Styles of influencing
- - Persuasive style of influence
- - Cooperative or compromising style of influence
- - Aggressive style of influence
- - Suggested mechanics of persuasion
- - Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Index
Current Writing Projects
We are working on a Christian fiction about the relationship of parish priests and people in adversity. We are concurrently also writing a book based on a series of Tweets we have written, on the apostolic faith of the Celts and Orthodox.