Testament of the Third Man

About the Book

Testament of the Third Man: rants from the sidelines of faith, is a book by a reform-minded Catholic who is critical of the irrationalities and self-serving practices inherent in Christian thought and action. The author is the proverbial lay person "in the pew" who is told: "You are the Church" but who has no voice. Issues raised by the book are not confined to Catholicism. D.C. Sale is forthright in his criticism of "born-again" fundamentalism and what he sees as the self-serving preoccupations of the "saved."

Testament is first and foremost a personal memoir that examines issues in their historical contexts. While not pretending to be an academic treatise the book does not shrink from providing "academic" perspectives where necessary. It is the result of many years of thought and study by a person who is disenchanted with the status quo, who is not afraid to speak out, and who has a vision of Christianity that is gaining ground among many Catholics in North America, and especially in Europe.

The book is engagingly structured with a mixture of personal reflections, discussions of biblical issues, and critiques of various literary and media instruments, with special emphasis given to anomalies and contradictions. Although it closes with a proposal for renewing Catholicism, Testament is strong in its appeal to all the churches for rationality, inclusiveness, and participation, with equally strong advocacy for social conscience and outreach as the cornerstones of a renewed Christian faith.

About the Author

D. C. Sale was born in 1941 and spent his youth, including nine years of private school with the Jesuits, in Jamaica. His higher education was obtained in England, where he lived and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the 1960s. Notable milestones in his long career include president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica, Governor of the South Florida District of Serra International, director of British Sailors' Society, Canada and eleven years as a partner in the international firm of Touche Ross & Co. He has taught at college and university, and presented papers before numerous professional and religious conferences.

Prior to Testament of the Third Man, D.C. Sale's published work centred on his profession and socio/economic issues, appearing in journals and newspapers in Jamaica, United States and Canada. At the same time an enduring passion has been his interest in history, philosophy, and religion, and these studies together with decades of reflection now find a place in his very personal critique of modern Christianity.

Sale and his Swedish wife of forty years live in Prince George, B.C., where he continues to practice; they have four children and seven grandchildren.