"A Michael Glazier book."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Print version record.

Title Page; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Part One: Biblical Beginnings to the Middle Ages; Chapter 1. Setting the Stage: The Need for Confession and Its Biblical Beginnings; Chapter 2. The Early Church and the Rise of Public Confession; Chapter 3. The Rise of Private Confession and Spiritual Direction; Chapter 4. The Practice of Private Confession; Chapter 5. Private Confession in the Monastery and in the Church; Chapter 6. Doing Penance: Its Use and Abuse; Chapter 7. The Rise of Spiritual Direction among the Laity and the Role of Women in Confession.

Part Two: Confession, the Protestant Reformation, and the Council of TrentChapter 8. Martin Luther and Confession; Chapter 9. The Priesthood of All Believers and Mutual Confession: Pietism and Methodism; Chapter 10. Discipline and Corporate Confession in the Reformed Tradition: Bucer, Zwingli, Calvin; Chapter 11. The Church of England; Chapter 12. Confession and Spiritual Direction in the Roman Catholic Church after Trent; Chapter 13. Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits; Part Three: Contemporary Practices of Confession.

Chapter 14. Biblical Antecedents, Historical Trajectories, and Contemporary ExpressionsChapter 15. The Decline of Confession in the Church; Chapter 16. A Contemporary Theology of Confession: Rahner, Bonhoeffer, Peterson, von Speyr; Part Four: Why Confession Matters: Practical Considerations; Chapter 17. The Choice of a Confessor; Chapter 18. Serving as (a Good) Confessor to Others; Chapter 19. What to Confess; Chapter 20. The Nature of Penance; Chapter 21. A Litany of Private Confession; Chapter 22. Catechetical Considerations; Conclusion; Appendix I: The Ten Commandments.

Appendix II: Exercises for Self-ExaminationAppendix III: Form of Examination of Conscience; Appendix IV: The Reconciliation of a Penitent; Appendix V: A Sample Rite for Reconciliation Adapted for a Layperson Serving as Confessor; Bibliography.