DENT & SCRATCH: The Lion Has Conquered

The Book of Revelation depicts Jesus as a lion who has conquered (Rev. 5:5). But what has Jesus conquered? And how has he done so? The Bible also repeatedly refers to Jesus as our “savior.” But what does Jesus save us from, and how does he do so? This book is a scholarly introduction to Catholic soteriology—the branch of theology that seeks to answer these questions—as expressed in Scripture and Tradition. It guides the reader through the fundamental principles, issues, and questions, such as the nature of and relationship between sin, death, hell, the devil, and punishment; the purpose of ritual and moral sacrifices in the Old Testament; the salvific function of the Incarnation, public ministry, and Paschal Mystery of Christ; the objective work of Christ and our subjective participation in that work; cooperation between grace and good works; the salvific function of Baptism, Penance, and the Eucharist; and the relation between the sacrifice of the Cross and the sacrifice of the Mass.

Praise for this book

“Aquinas scholar Daniel Waldow offers a theology of Christ and salvation that readers will treasure for its insight and clarity. The first part is a biblical tour-de-force, while the second part systematizes these insights with the aid of magisterial documents. A marvelous final chapter leads us through Catholic soteriology as inscribed in Western and Eastern Eucharistic rites, calling us to live liturgically the salvific path revealed by God in Scripture and Tradition.” —Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

“Expertly weaves together a rich panoply of theological sources, unfolding the mystery of Christ’s saving work. The exposition of the nature of sacrifice against the backdrop of the ritual (external) and moral (internal) sacrifices of the Old Testament is especially valuable.” —John P. Joy, author of The Atoning Death of Christ: St. Thomas’s Doctrine of Vicarious Satisfaction

“Among the most basic teachings of Christian faith is the fact that ‘Jesus saves.’ But what is salvation? What is sin? And how do the actions of Jesus two thousand years ago save us from sin today? In this approachable guide, Daniel Waldow introduces Catholic soteriology with remarkable brevity and breadth. I have no doubt that The Lion Has Conquered will help readers of all backgrounds to contemplate Jesus Christ the Savior and His mysteries.” —Rev. Dylan Schrader, Veterum Sapientia Institute

“Come for Waldow’s learned treatments of sacrifice in the scriptures, the magisterium, and the liturgy; stay for his updated C.S. Lewis-style allegories of the afterlife.” —Urban Hannon, FSSP, author of Thomistic Mystagogy: St. Thomas Aquinas’s Commentaries on the Mass

“Newcomers to soteriology can find themselves flummoxed by contradictory theories of salvation. In The Lion Has Conquered, Daniel Waldow has given us a handbook on soteriology that will serve students and popular audiences alike as a confident entry into the broader discussion about the manner in which Christ saves our souls. Readers will find the comprehension questions that accompany each chapter especially helpful for study or discussion.” —Kevin Clarke, Associate Professor of Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary