This must be one of the most original anthologies ever devised. The breadth of the editor's reading is awesome and the selections he has made round and about an important theme are imaginative and eclectic.

The book lives up to its title: its chapters provide a wealth of information and insights on many aspects of Christian truth that we might otherwise have overlooked.

One matter of contemporary importance on which the book offers some encouraging perspectives is the question of relations between Christianity and Islam. Here too the editor has unearthed contributions which, often in unexpected ways, shed considerable light.

I HAVE JUST FINNISHED READING THIS MOST STIMULATING BOOK.
I FEEL MYSELF NOW INTELLECTUALLY ENRICHED BY THE INSIGHTS FROM SUCH HIGH CALIBER CONTRIBUTORS SUCH AS THE PROTESTANT C. S. LEWIS, THE ORTHODOX BISHOP KALLISTOS WARE AND THE CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHER RAMA COOMARASWAMY.

AS A COMMITED CATHOLIC, ONE OF THE THINGS I BECAME INTERESTED WAS TRYING TO APPLY THE TEACHINGS CONTAINED IN THE BOOK TO THE SPIRITUAL LANDSCAPE OF THE CHURCH OF TODAY.

ONE QUESTION I PUT TO MYSELF IS: HOW THE RECENT PONTIFICATES - FROM PAUL VI TO THE NEWLY ELECTED BENEDICT XVI -- ENVISAGE TO ANSWER THE CHALLENGES PUT BY THIS BOOK?
THAT IS, HOW TO APPROACH THE FAITH IN ITS "INTELLECTUALY CHALLENGING FORMS"? AND THIS BECAUSE, AS ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS OF THE VOLUME HAS WRITTEN:
"Today religion is presented in such a sentimental manner that it is not surprising that the best of the new generations rebel. The solution is once again to present religion in its intellectually challenging form."

THE AUTHORS IN THIS VOLUME - TALENTED WRITERS SUCH AS FRITHJOF SCHUON, TITUS BURCKHARDT, ANANDA COOMARASWAMY, MARTIN LINGS AND WILLIAM STODDART -- POINT IN THE DIRECTION OF DEALING WITH THE CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS IN THE LIGHT OF ITS MOST UNIVERSAL AND INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGING DIMENSIONS, BE IT IN THE FIELD OF DOCTRINES, RITUALS, PRAYER, MORALITY AND ART.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS BOOK HELPS VERY MUCH THE INTERESTED READER TO REDISCOVER MUCH OF THE TREASURES OF THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION, ESPECIALLY ITS NOW UNFORTUNATELY ALMOST TOTALLY HIDDEN SPIRITUAL, PHILOSOPHICAL AND ARTISTIC LEGACY.

THE EDITOR OF THIS ANTHOLOGY HAS DONNE A VERY GOOD JOB IN UNHEARTING SOME ENCOURAGING PERSPECTIVES.