CBB Interview with Scott Hahn

Last updated on: June 1, 2014 at 5:30 pm by Pete Socks

CBB Interview with Scott Hahn 2014-05-28T11:20:44-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

PETE: You are a prolific writer with a multitude of books published. This is a two part question. How do you decide on what you will write about and what led you to the topic of your latest book Angels and Saints?

SCOTT HAHN: My problem is that I’m a compulsive reader about things that interest me — and I’m interested in so many things. Reading books makes me want to write books. I like to respond to what other authors are saying. I like to try different approaches to familiar topics. And I have my favorite angles of approach, which are distinctively my own. But you’re right: there aren’t enough hours in the day or days in the year to write the books I want to write, so I do have to make decisions. Usually I write my books in response to real questions I’ve received with some frequency. I write to fulfill real needs I’ve detected in correspondence and conversation with real people. Prayer seals it. I pray about what to write next.

PETE: You lead the book off with a personal story about your sons medical emergency while visiting Assisi as a humble example of angelic presence and help. How difficult what is to share such a personal story?

SCOTT HAHN: It’s difficult to live it, but not so difficult to tell it — at least not when it has such a happy ending, as that story does. I tell it with gratitude to almighty God.

PETE: For those you have not read the book yet it is divided into two parts. Focusing on the second part first, how did you go about choosing the saints you discuss in this section?

SCOTT HAHN: The choices were very personal and somewhat intuitive. I love the saints I chose, but they shouldn’t be read as my “Top Ten List” or anything like that. Some of them are unusual. You won’t find Moses treated in many books on the saints. But he should be. So you’ll find him in my book!

PETE: Not a question but your comment is welcome. I, like most readers, must say every time I pick up a new book of yours I come away learning something. Your explanation of how the word “holy” in the Old Testament was reserved for God and then how through Christ it became a shared holiness and we all are meant for sainthood was fantastic.

SCOTT HAHN: Thank you! I’m a teacher by training and by trade. You just spoke the words most musical to me. We often emphasize the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, but here is a clear case of discontinuity. Prior to the Incarnation of the eternal Son of God, the people of Israel knew nothing of the veneration of saints. Sometimes we forget what a difference the New Covenant makes.

PETE: I have not asked you this since last year so…time for my signature ending question. This is a blog about books. What is currently on your bookshelf to read?

SCOTT HAHN: I’m always working on a variety of projects, so I’m reading a variety of books, including these: Craig A. Evans, *From Jesus to the Church: The First Christian Generation;*Roland Deines, Acts of God in History; and Luis Varela Martinez, Sacred Scripture in the Spirituality of Saint John Baptist de La Salle.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Read my review of Scott’s book Angels and Saints: A Biblical Guide to Friendship with God’s Holy Ones here.

Other books by Scott Hahn:
Evangelizing Catholics: A Mission Manual for the New Evangelization

Consuming the Word: The New Testament and The Eucharist in the Early Church

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism

Previous Post

May 29, 2014

Weekly Giveaway - Angels and Saints

Next Post

June 4, 2014 CBB Review - The Fathers Know Best

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz