Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith

Book Description

This book unravels mysteries, corrects misunderstandings, and offers thoughtful, straightforward responses to common objections about the Catholic faith.

Bestselling author Scott Hahn, a convert to Catholicism, has experienced the doubts that so often drive discussions about God and the Church. In the years before his conversion, he was first a nonbeliever and then an anti-Catholic clergyman.

In REASONS TO BELIEVE, he explains the "how and why" of the Catholic faith—drawing from Scripture, his own struggles and those of other converts, as well as from everyday life and even natural science. Hahn shows that reason and revelation, nature and the supernatural, are not opposed to one another; rather they offer complementary evidence that God exists. But He doesn't merely exist. He is someone, and He has a personality, a personal style, that is discernible and knowable. Hahn leads readers to see that God created the universe with a purpose and a form—a form that can be found in the Book of Genesis and that is there when we view the natural world through a microscope, through a telescope, or through our contact lenses.

At the heart of the book is Hahn's examination of the ten "keys to the kingdom"—the characteristics of the Church clearly evident in the Scriptures. As the story of creation discloses, the world is a house that has a Father, a palace where the king is really present. God created the cosmos to be a kingdom, and that kingdom is the universal Church, fully revealed by Jesus Christ.

Customer Reviews:

It's a great book!.......2007-10-05

It's a very good book for enriching your faith, and for sharing with your family.

This book will stimulate deep thinking.......2007-10-02

There are other good reviews here that do an excellent job of summarizing the content and organization of this well-written book. "Reasons to Believe" was not exactly what I was expecting, but was both informative and satisfying. Hahn is a theologian, not a lay apologist, and in this book he writes for the reader interested in the theology of this topic. "Reasons to Believe" is informative and satisfying, because it goes into the underlying theology of apologetics, and that is essential to the serious student. Because I earned minors in both theology and philosophy in college, I was able to digest this material quickly. However, for the person with no formal theological background, the book might feel like a little bit of a stretch at first. Having said that, Dr. Hahn is an outstanding writer. He is always clear, logical and understandable. Stay with the book and you will learn quite a bit. However, you probably won't fly through this book. It is worthwhile to take in a little bit each time, and give it some thought before going on. This book can get you to think on a very deep level. It's one I will probably re-read several times over the next few years.

Reasons to Believe.......2007-09-11

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in apologetics. Scott Hahn has a way with words that makes the concepts of Augustine and Aquinas very readable.

I would recommend this text for teaching adults and high school students.

Best book I have read on the subject.

Frank G.

One part OK, one part fascinating, one part valuable.......2007-09-02

This book is really three things in one. The first part of the book is a straightforward defense of the faith, where Mr. Hahn briefly answers many of the common misconceptions about Catholicism with rational argument, and then through Biblical analysis. This segment seems to be written mainly for Protestant inquirers and Catholics who want to be better equipped to defend the faith. While very well written, there are many other sources of apologetics that treat these subjects in far more detail (Hahn mentions a number of them himself).

The second part of the book is a high level interpretation of the Catholic Church considering the Bible - Old Testament and New - as an epic story about a kingdom. Hahn starts with the first words of Genesis and wraps up 40 or 50 pages later in Revelation. His view casts the Catholic Church in a new light, and a fuller one than I had ever imagined. Hahn, a Biblical scholar, is able to connect the dots between the ancient meaning of the Biblical texts and what we experience today of Christianity and the Church. In presenting his case, Hahn does much more than defend the faith - he puts the Bible in a clear perspective, transforming it from a collection of seemingly unconnected parts into a unified whole. This has value for readers of every stripe.

The third part of the book is an extremely lengthy list of recommended reading. Actually it is more than a list. Hahn takes the trouble to explain what the books are about and why they are important, and there are enough of them to last a lifetime. I'd say the list alone is worth the price of the book.

Good start to apologetics.......2007-08-26

Good summary, for laymen (and women!). Good jumping off point for undestanding how to defend the true faith.

Average customer rating:

Extremely Informative!
A good primer
First Book on Path to Catholicism
Not so good
IF WANT A CONCISE SIMPLE EXPLANATION, NOT RECOMMENDED

Why Do Catholics Do That?
Kevin Orlin Johnson
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345397266
Release Date: 1995-10-10

Amazon.com

Why Do Catholics Do That? by Kevin Orlin Johnson assumes nothing and tells all. As such, it's not only an ideal catechism companion but also a source of infinite wisdom for students of art history, politics, literature, philosophy, and pretty much any other subject connected with Catholic history. In a voice refreshingly free of condescension (and full of humor, witnessed in chapter titles such as "Saints: How You Get To Be One"), Johnson defines and expatiates upon hundreds of topics, including the Mass, the rosary, the cross, the eucharist, and the pope. Why Do Catholics Do That? is destined for the all-time top 20 list of indispensable desk references. Whether your interest in Catholicism is devoutly religious or defiantly secular, you'll be glad Kevin Orlin Johnson has fulfilled his vocation so faithfully. --Michael Joseph Gross

Book Description

"Johnson offers lucid explanations of a dizzying array of customs and beliefs."
--Publishers Weekly
In Expressions of the Catholic Faith, renowned scholar and religion columnist Kevin Orlin Johnson answers the most frequently asked questions on Catholic faith, worship, culture, and customs, including:
* How the Church Makes Laws * The Hard-Fought Genesis of the New Testament * The Cycle of Redemption * A Short Guide to the Meaning and Structure of the Mass * Decoding Symbols of Scripture and the Sacraments * The Calendar as the Image of Christ's Life * The Rosary * The Stations of the Cross * Monks, Nuns, and the Rules That Guide Them * The Pope * The Laity in the Modern World * Saints * Fatima, Lourdes, and the Story of Apparitions * The Vatican: A Holy City * The Sign of the Cross, Christianity's Best-Known Symbol * Candles in Prayer and Liturgy * The Meaning of the Nativity Scene
Blending religious history, a deep appreciation for art and culture, and an enlightened reverence for the traditions of the Church, Expressions of the Catholic Faith is the definitive resource for any one who wants to learn more about the rituals, symbols, and traditions that can strengthen our faith every day.

Customer Reviews:

Extremely Informative!.......2007-08-24

I am a life long Catholic and I learned a great deal from reading this book. The book is well written, informative, interesting, humorous. I would reccommend this book to anyone interested in the Catholic faith.

A good primer.......2007-08-03

I grew up in a strict conservative Protestant church, then spent ten years describing as apathetically agnostic, before starting to explore Catholicism. When I went to a Catholic bookstore and asked for a book that's an introduction to the Church for the non-Catholic, this is what they gave me.

Pros: It's an excellent primer -- it answers a lot of the 'Why' questions I had that my Catholic friends weren't able to answer to my full satisfaction. It covers the basics while encouraging the reader to seek out clergy and other literature for more information.

Cons: The author is somewhat arrogant in his writing style, but not enough so to be obnoxious; he also assumes the reader knows more than the average Catholic-ignorameous does, and I'd have liked to see a glossary in the back with short definitions of Church-specific words and phrases. One thing that annoyed me was the constant references to biblical passages without providing the text of those in the back of the book -- if you don't have a Catholic bible, you're SOL.

First Book on Path to Catholicism.......2007-06-09

I walked into a Catholic Church once after 40+ years of frustration with the doctrinal inconsistencies and contradictions I lived with as an Evangelical lay leader. After three Sundays of going to Mass I realized there was A LOT I didn't understand about the Catholic Church, and even more I discovered I had been lied to by Protestant leaders. Two weeks later I picked up WHY DO CATHOLICS DO THAT at an airport bookstore. The historical perspective of this book, Johnson is an Art History professor, made a lot of sense to me, and placed the Roman Church in history, a history that was ignored by my Evangelical teachers. After 6 more months of reading a lot of Catholic material, I could hardly wait for Easter 1998 when I came into the Church. It's now 2007, and I'm producing television and writing Catholic projects in an attempt to tell others of the beauty I've found in Catholicism. It's wonderful...the book and the Church.

Not so good.......2007-06-08

I found this book more informational than other books on Catholicism I read, but I was looking for unbiased info on the religion, and I hard time with some of the things in the book. For example, the author explains that the hierarchy of the Church prevents "innovations" from being introduced into the teachings, which I understood. But then he adds, "and they've done a pretty superhuman job of it." He also states that some early Catholic figures were "some of the smartest people to ever have lived." I would find this book much more informative if it weren't peppered with statements like these. I thought from other reviews that I had finally found a good, solid book on the doctrine of catholicism. I wish it were more factual and unbiased. It is also important to know that you should have a Bible on hand when reading this book. The author frequently includes Bible verses to back his writing, and if you don't own a Bible (like me), you may get a little frustrated.

IF WANT A CONCISE SIMPLE EXPLANATION, NOT RECOMMENDED.......2007-04-22

This book is very complete and educational. However, it is historical and gives complex antecedents for topics such as: Faith, Worship, Culture and Customs. I do not recommended if you want simple, brief and easy to read explanations for Catholic Practices, but it is a good reference book for research purposes.

Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God (Catholic for a Reason)

Average customer rating:

Much needed
Opened my eyes to things I never saw in the Bible
Quite Reasonable
The big picture
Incredible

Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God (Catholic for a Reason)

Manufacturer: Emmaus Road Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0966322304

Customer Reviews:

Much needed.......2007-03-20

Today the number of Catholics that do no go to mass, or do not have a clear idea why go to mass at all, is immense. Catholic for a reason is an excellent tool in helping those Catholics to come to know and love the Faith they received at baptism. Great book!

Opened my eyes to things I never saw in the Bible.......2006-12-16

If you want to take a leap in your faith, this is the book for you. The depth of the book is fantastic and should be read over and over for it to sink in. I am buying 5 more copies to give to my closes friends...and I have never done that before. Need I say more.

Quite Reasonable .......2006-09-01

Scott Hahn is without question the most popular and important Catholic apologist in today's world. Not only is he an incredibly gifted author but he is also a very dynamic speaker as well. His efforts have not only helped many of the Catholic faithful to better understand our faith but he has also been instrumental in the conversion process for many new Catholics. He himself was a Protestant minister until he began to examine scripture more closely and found a home in the Catholic Church.

Most of Dr. Hahn's books are the exclusive work of his brilliant mind and I have yet to read one that didn't teach me many things and help me understand better the things that I thought that I knew. In somewhat of a departure however the good doctor only writes one chapter and serves as co-editor of the rest of the essays that make up this book. Surprisingly, Dr. Hahn's chapter is not the best one to be found within this collection but among such other fine works that is nothing to be ashamed of. Among the best chapters are those by Curtis Martin, Kris Gray, Timothy Gray and Kimberly Hahn all of whom shine in a sky full of stars.

The basic theme for this collection of essays is the Church as the family of God (familia Dei) and each and every chapter deals with some aspect of this reality. From chapters on Our Lady's role as our mother, Divine sonship, the Church as the bride of Christ and the reality of Purgatory to the use of the term Father when addressing a Priest this book covers many interesting facets of our Catholic family. Best of all everything is explained in an easy to read and understand method with the authors not assuming that we are all as well educated in the Faith as they are.

There are a few negative aspects of this book however that deserve some attention. In any collection of essays some will be better than others and that is certainly the case here. None of the essays are bad, or even average for that matter but some of them are just a bit dry in places. Another problem is that some of the authors tend to use way too many quotes, one of which is so long that it takes up an entire page. Some quotations are reasonable and necessary but some of these authors push the limits a little too far. One other point that registers as both a negative and a positive is the somewhat repetitive nature of some essays. It is excellent that the main them is discussed time and again and that the subject is never far from the surface but too often I found myself thinking that I must have lost my place because I had read the same exact thing just minutes ago. I don't know how this could have been avoided but it was sometimes disconcerting.

There is much to know about the Catholic Faith and despite some minor flaws Dr. Hahn and company have done a marvelous job of explaining some of the very basics of Church teaching. They are not mean spirited or pompous as they explain to us less educated Catholics some things that we really should have known already. This book can justifiably be touted as another winner in the Hahn collection.

The big picture.......2006-08-22

I highly recommend this to people considering converting to the Catholic faith or those who are new in it. I would even suggest it to "cradle Catholics" like myself because we all need a refresher on what our faith really is. The conglomeration of different authors is a brilliant idea because it gives the reader different perspectives. The authors are connected to the Franciscan University at Steubenville, which some priests have told me is the best Catholic university in the country. This book is heavily based on the Scriptures and very enlightening. It gives the big picture that we are God's family and He loves us.

Incredible.......2006-07-06

This is an amazing book that helps understand and love Catholic theology. I will be taking RCIA classes soon, and I can't imagine a better book for preparation. The contributing authors are brilliant, inspiring, and motivating. Put this book at the top of your list!

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The depth of thought.. the poetry.. the reasons that are not accesible to reason
A Spiritual Classic from a Great Scientific Mind
Religion of the Heart and of the Head
Pascal's Pensees
reasonable faith

Pensees (Penguin Classics)
Blaise Pascal
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140446451

Customer Reviews:

The depth of thought.. the poetry.. the reasons that are not accesible to reason.......2007-05-15

My profile- No qualifications as a philosophy critic whatsover

I write this review based on my own experiences while reading it in my early 20's... I was blessed with the time and the setting for it was done in a remote beach town here in Venezuela...indeed if there ever was a good time to read the Pensees it was during this period, where I had the time to read the philosophy, where the spirit was eagerly looking for its tools to discover truth..

The Pensees are even more applyable today (at my 40s) than back then.. its true I no longer follow the precepts of the Roman Catholic Church as I did back then.. to outgrow your religion, your nationality and your family is to me a necessary part of existence.. its ok if you go back to any of them later, but the trip has to be made... and to make this trip this is the book!! sure, it has compelling arguments to turn you into a christian.. but then again, the arguments are compelling for any religion that uses them.. I do not want to give you an impression that this is about religion only.. they are some many themes.. chose your existencialism poetry (young readers take note).. use practical psycology as to classify manking perception modes... laugh at the imagination is a an imperfect tool that exerts its mastery here and wide..

A Spiritual Classic from a Great Scientific Mind.......2005-11-01

I first picked up Pascal's Pensees because I was intrigued by his reputation as a genius of physics and mathematics. I was not very far into it before I realized that I was reading a Christian spiritual classic, in its own right.

Perhaps because Pascal was such a brilliant physicist and mathematician, his Pensees resonate with my very modern soul, steeped as it is in the scientific mode of thought.

He understands the restlessness of the modern soul in his comments on "diversion" - "If our condition were truly happy we should not need to divert ourselves from thinking about it." And again - "The sole cause of man's unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room." These things are at least as pertinent in the 21st century as they were in the 17th.

His comments on reason (and its limitations) are very sharp - "Reason's last step is the recognition that there are an infinite number of things which are beyond it." Pascal was a world-class scientist of his day, and yet he was very much aware of what reason was and was not capable of.

I especially liked his comments on "The Hidden God" - "[We see] too much to deny and not enough to affirm." Or again, "What can be seen on earth indicates neither the total absence, nor the manifest presence of divinity, but the presence of a hidden God. ... to know that one has lost something one must see and not see; such precisely is the state of nature."

He is also very perceptive in his comments on the simultaneous greatness and smallness, glory and corruption, of human nature.

And I haven't even mentioned the two most famous passages, "The Wager" and "Reasons of the Heart"; this book is dense with nuggets of pure gold.

The Pensees can seem very disjointed, because, in his lifetime, Pascal merely wrote down his thoughts as they occurred to him. What we have are essentially his notes; he died before he could organize them into a coherent work, or develop some of his more obscure themes. A lot falls on the editor/translator to make sense of the material he has to work with, and I think A.J. Krailsheimer has done an admirable job.

This is a wonderful book, and justly counted a classic.

Religion of the Heart and of the Head.......2005-05-10

Before actually reading "Pensees," I knew Blaise Pascal and his "Pensees" only from snippets of quotes such as, "The heart has its reason of which reason knows nothing" and from "Pascal's Wager": better to risk believing in God and living with Him for all eternity and being wrong, then risk not believing in God and living apart from Him in all eternity and because you were wrong.

Having read him, I know now that the quote and wager just mentoned, though only snippets, do summarize his brilliance and his beauty. Like few others, Pascal fuses head and heart in his defense of Christianity. His ability is likely due to his brilliant mind that on November 23, 1654, from 10:30 PM to 12:30 AM encountered God in a mysterious, mystical experience that he could only describe with the one-word epitaph: "Fire."

For the rest of his brief life (he died at age 39), the fire in his soul and the genius of his mind merged in the "writing" of "Pensees." I place "writing" in quotation marks because Pascal's early death never allowed him to finish "Pensees." What we have is akin to his outline (though 325 pages in length!). Imagine if he had actually finished it. Pascal, ever the absent-minded professor, would have a thought run through his mind, write it down, cut it in a strip, and splice it in with other similar subject headings.

It's helpful to understand this before reading "Pensee" for what you find is brilliant disorder--an incomplete sentence here, half a thought there, then long and insightful paragraphs here. In other words, you do need to wade through the unusual design of the book, but in the wading you will find oceans of depth that flood both your heart and your head with passion and reason to love and know God.

Pascal's "real world" arguments for God are the most rationally and personally compelling ones that I have ever read. Pascal honestly faces the reality that we see God only in part and that by evidence alone, whether of reason or nature or both, we might just as well conclude that there is no God (the atheists), or that He is not loving, or not powerful, or that He is disinterested (Deism), or dispassionate (the Greek philosophers). He then explains that God reveals enough in nature to cause us to perceive His existence and to perceive that we are finite and fallen. Nature, according to Pascal, points more to the Mediator--Christ--the One who reveals the hidden God as a God of holiness and love, and the One who reveals us as God's prodigal children who need to come home.

Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

Pascal's Pensees.......2004-11-07

For thousands of years humanity has been searching for the presence of an invisible God. Blaise Pascal's "Pensees" is an excellent book describing why God's presence in our lives is so important. Even though I disagree with Pascal's reasoning concerning the defense and support of the Christian faith, he comes across as someone interested in the well-being and happiness of others, which makes it possible for "Pensees" to be beneficial to people of all faiths.
Pascal reminds us that people have been trying to find happiness, through worship, for many years. People have worshipped idols like wood, clay, stone and religious figures. Pascal's intention is to extend the idea that the need to worship someone or something is a natural fixation installed in us. Man's need to worship someone or something must then be due to the fact that God exists.
Pascal's "Pensees" suggests that we need God's help to be happy and to settle many of our own internal wars. Pascal points out that people fight with their own selfishness as well as that of others. He reminds us that the injustices, tyranny and irrational wars of the world have caused much distress. Pascal points out three troublesome questions humanity has struggled with: what is my purpose in life, where is my life going and how much time do I have left?
Pascal sheds light on the three types of people in the world and how God's presence in their lives is needed for their happiness. He tells us that people who have found God are reasonable and happy. Those who have not found God but continue to seek God are unhappy and reasonable, and those who leave God out of their lives are unreasonable and unhappy. Pascal is trying to relate to us that true happiness comes from knowing and understanding our creator.
Pascal, with his wager, intends to show how people have nothing to lose or possibly everything to gain when they put their faith in the Christian God. Although, he argues total destruction may find those who choose not to devote themselves to the Christian faith. As I stated, I disagree with the one-sidedness of Pascal's wager. If we look at Pascal's wager from a religiously neutral standpoint, we can eliminate the fallacy of the wager. Therefore, to put your faith in the "Creator of All Things" can only bring about a relationship with the true God.
Pascal's Pensees is a challenging book that if looked at with the right perspective depicts that happines can be found when a relationship is established with the true God. Pascal's "pensees", consists of ideas that can be useful if applied to our lives in a positive and non-prejudicial way.

reasonable faith.......2004-08-02

_One must know when it is right to doubt, to affirm, to submit. Anyone who does otherwise does not understand the force of reason. Some men run counter to these three principles, either affirming that everything can be proved, because they know nothing about proof, or doubting everything, because they do not know when to submit, or always submitting, because they do not know when judgment is called for_

Blaise Pascal found his faith to be the basis of reason. In this collection of his thoughts, the Pensees provide a glimpse of how he may have arrived at this concept. Further, he expresses the impact of this revelation on his own thinking in a way that transcends time and place. People throughout the centuries, some of whom have never known of Pascal's other contributions, have found encouragement in the Pensees.

The introduction by A. J. Krailsheimer provides an excellent background of the life of Pascal and his influences. The argument which Pascal uses to fortify his faith is given a thorough development that provides a course and direction to the otherwise often disconnected thoughts. Professor Krailsheimer points out that Pascal is in a paradoxical position of appealing to reason in order to communicate truths which, on his own showing, are outside its province. The paradox is that only reason can persuade reason of its own inadequacy.

Pascal's starting point is that the temporal world is inadequate to demonstrate eternal truths. Further, Pascal believes that a choice about the eternal is imperative. To leave the decision untested is to actively not decide and to fall into the category of skeptic. Pascal did not hold that ultimate skepticism was possible, maintaining that a _perfectly genuine skeptic has never existed. Nature backs up helpless reason and stops it going to so widely astray._

On the other hand, Pascal does not condone dogmatic acceptance of unsubstantiated presumption. _Is he, on the other hand, to say that he is the certain possessor of truth, when at the slightest pressure he fails to prove his claim and is compelled to loose his grasp?_ Neither certainty not uncertainty can be ultimately proved nor disproved in Pascal's world.

Our friend appears to have painted himself into a corner. Indeed, Pascal has and intentionally so. He appeals to a leap of faith to establish the legitimacy of a faith. Pascal's argument hinges on the concept of prevenient grace. _We shall never believe with an effective belief and faith unless GOD inclines our hearts and we shall believe as soon as he does_ (380).

Pascal's argument benefits from his own miraculous vision that occurred on 23 November 1654. In that experience, he saw the light that guided him the rest of his life; a vision of the Messiah that brought him certainty and joy. This is, at the same time, both the strength and weakness of Pascal's argument.

While I respect the experience of Pascal and others who have witnessed eternity break the temporal barrier, not all of us who faith in the spiritual have this to fortify our convictions. Since there is no way to manufacture such an experience in my own life (neither do I feel that I need to) the type of intensely personal apologetic that Pascal's work represents often strikes a hollow chord.

At the same time, I do find encouragement in Pascal's validation of a personal experience while upholding the certainty that dogma and skepticism will not be silenced. This is the decision to which I am drawn regularly on my spiritual journey as circumstance comes into conflict with my convictions. I agree with Pascal that the capacity to acknowledge a spiritual relationship has its source outside of the temporal realm.

This is the stuff of life. We choose a course without guarentee of the destination. Each step brings us closer if for no other reason than our experience has grown.

Whether or not one chooses to wager on the side of eternity, as Pascal purports as the only sensible bet, I find the Pensees to be important for it's unique position in the then nascent era of Science. Pascal's contemporary, Descartes, at whom Pascal points some of his arguments, took a completely different path to establish his faith. Neither of which provides eternal certainty, and thus, both of which are questions still pertinent for today.

PEACE
Catrina

Not by Faith Alone: A Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification

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Significant Catholic Response to Sola Fide
Flawed Hermeneutics - Eisogesis instead of Exegesis - Contextual Inconsistency
Faith + Works = Justification/Salvation
Faith Alone human tradition
Thorough, Unified Treatment of Traditional, Historical Justification

Not by Faith Alone: A Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification
Robert A. Sungenis
Manufacturer: Queenship Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1579180086

Customer Reviews:

Significant Catholic Response to Sola Fide.......2007-09-19

This hefty tome should give you plenty to think about on this distinction between Catholic/Orthodox and Protestant views of justification and sanctification. Whether we say we are saved by faith while cooperating with works (Catholic) or we say it is a faith that is not alone (most Protestant views), it seems to be splitting hairs to many. But the issue is one on which distinctions are everything to those locked in the debate. Whether you think it theological hair-splitting or you find yourself on one side of a dilemma, you will want to study this issue in all the detail provided in this book. A good resource for the Catholic apologist or for the Protestant wishing to learn more from the Catholic doctrines of faith, grace, justification, and sanctification.

Flawed Hermeneutics - Eisogesis instead of Exegesis - Contextual Inconsistency .......2006-08-30

QUESTION: What was the roll of Christ's death on the Cross?

If man is capable of completing his own salvation once begun by Jesus, then man is claiming Christ's death is only a "partial payment" towards his salvation. All of Grace with CD (Audio) (Pure Gold Classics)

- Why then is man unable to inaugurate, or begin his salvation via the same system he uses to "complete" that salvation?

If God rejects all actions of man that launch his salvation, - why does God then supposedly accept our actions that complete our salvation, or bring salvation to fruition? All of Grace with CD (Audio) (Pure Gold Classics)

Moreover, what stops man from both BEGINNING and FINISHING his own salvation without the necessity of Christ's Blood?

IF according to this book's eisogesis, man can complete a work of Christ, but man cannot also begin his own salvation - Why not?

QUESTION: What did Jesus mean when He looked to heaven, breathed His last, and claimed; "It is FINISHED!"

In the Greek, Christ's cry from the cross, "It is finished!" is an accounting term, it means that the debt was paid in full. Accordingly, justice is satisfied by full payment of its penalty. The penalty of sin is death for which God sent Jesus as payment in full.

The Bible clearly states, "For by grace are ye saved...not of works" (Eph 2:8-10). True to such scriptures, evangelicals firmly declare that we cannot earn or merit salvation in any way. Eternal life must be received as a free gift of God's grace, or we cannot have it.

Grace that we attempt to earn is not "grace." Salvation is given to us as a (free) gift since the penalty was fully paid. God offers pardon and eternal life as a free gift. He cannot force it upon anyone or it would not be a gift. It would not be by grace.

If man can earn his own salvation through a Liturgy that denies God's grace and Christ's finished work on the Cross, --- Didn't God play a mighty cruel hoax on Jesus to require his suffering and death for our salvation when we could affect our own salvation without Jesus' death?

Faith + Works = Justification/Salvation.......2006-08-04

Obviously 'Southern Reviewer' is tryin to play a cruel joke on everyone when he/she isolates verses despite 2 Tim 3:16. And as long as he rejects and denys it, he will always be lacking in the truth. And I invite them to e-mail me. How do we recieve the blood(and body)of Christ? read John 6:54-56.

Are you saved? read Philippians 2:12 & Philippians 3:12

(The Bible states we are supposed to be doing something, whether he likes it of not.) Not to mention Matt 16:27, Matt 25:34, John 5:29, Titus 3:8 etc. Folks the Faith Alone vs. Works question is answerd right there is the Bible not only in James 2:17(which by the way Luther never resolved) But also Matt 10:22, Matt 16:27, Matt 25:34, Luke 17:10, John 5:29, Romans 2:6-13, Acts 10:35, 2 Corinth 5;10, Titus 2:7, Titus 3:8 1 Peter 4:7-11, Rev. 20:13 and especially Philippians 2:12 & Philippians 3:12. Those are the verses the Faith Alone crowd doesn't want you to know about.

The works of the Law that Paul speaks of are the 613 man-made Laws the Jews had on righteousness and cleanliness, not the Ten commandments(without the Ten commandments, how do you know your a sinner in need of Christs Atonement?)

Also 'sola fide' is an unbiblical man-made doctrine because Luther seriously misinterpreted what Paul said and ment see "Paul and Palestinian Judaism" by E.P. Sanders and "Paul among the Jews and Gentiles" by K. Stendahl

Also, God's gift of salvation through grace is given to us freely. We do nothing to merit it. But the choice is still ours. Thus we recieve 'objective salvation' freely. But in order for us to have 'subjective salvation,' we must certainly exersize our God-given gift of free will(Calvin and the predestination crowd don't want you to know about Rev. 3:8 & Rev. 3:20) to accept or reject salvation.

On Confession-Romans 10:9 & James 5:16 go hand in hand. Also,
On Purgatory-1 Corinth 3:15 & 1 Peter 3:19 go hand in hand (contrary to the negative, naive, anti-catholic review of crypto-papalogist, 'theologicalresearcher!') Romans 2:13 & James 1:22.

And now 'southern reviewer' trys to site Christs "it is done," where The Lord ment (His work) was done and (His mission) was fullfilled NOT, our work or mission, as revealed in the verses I already sited above and Phili 2:12.

As for Eph. 2:8-10 it says "through are faith" NOT because of our faith. Through our Faith, like a channel. Sorry again Southern Reviewer.

Faith Alone human tradition.......2006-01-10

This book should be read by any Christian seeking a biblical explanation of the doctrine of justification. There are two important points which Sungenis stresses and makes clear through abundant biblical passages: St. Paul's intent on using the phrase "works of the law" means works performed to justify oneself through ANY law, be it Mosaic Law, natural law, or ceremonial law; St. Paul makes a distinction between works performed under the auspices of justification through the law and works performed under the new dispensation of grace;.
Sungenis covers the history of the issue of justification with particular concentration on the thought of St. Augustine, Luther, and Calvin. He demonstrates how Protestant theologians tend to raise the writings of St. Paul to a superior level over the rest of Sacred Scripture including the Gospels and other N.T. writings, thus distorting their viewpoint. He shows how many Protestant theologians engage in further eisegesis rather than exegesis when justifying their doctrine of justification. Sungenis explains the issue of forensic vs. transformational justification. He articulates through biblical references the distinction between justification, sanctification, and salvation. He explains the difference between condign and congruent merit. He also includes numerous appendices covering various issues related to the topic.
The most important accomplishment in this book is Sungenis' clear demonstration through biblical passages that works are indeed necessary for salvation. My only criticism is that he fails to show how this can be if our salvation is completely through the grace of Christ. I think for Protestant readers this becomes the cardinal factor because when one starts talking about the necessity of works, justification and salvation through Christ is immediately called into question. In order to answer this question I think Sungenis should have covered more clearly the issue of sufficient and efficacious grace and the governing will of God. The important point to remember in St. Augustine is his teaching that some are saved and others not simply because while God loves all people and wills the salvation of all people, he loves some more than others and gives them grace unto salvation that He knows they will not refuse, while to others He offers grace sufficient for salvation, but which he knows they will refuse. This is the crucial difference between Luther/Calvin and St. Augustine. Luther and Calvin claim God actively wills the damnation of certain individuals, while St. Augustine says God actively wills human persons to have free will and subsequently must ALLOW certain individuals to refuse His grace and thus be damned. This is how St. Augustine preserves the doctrine of free will while Luther and Calvin must resort to defining humanity as totally depraved.
For a good summary of St. Augustine's teaching on the issue of predestination go to the "New Advent" web site for the Catholic Encyclopedia article on "St. Augustine - His Teaching."

Thorough, Unified Treatment of Traditional, Historical Justification.......2005-12-13

I'm in nearly daily dialogue with Protestant friends regarding a number of things, very often sola Scriptura and sola fide. For quite some time I was wondering why Scott Hahn hadn't written a book dealing with the Traditional answer to Reformed Predestination. Then I found this book with its chapter on Predestination, a work within a work, along with Dr. Hahn's endorsement.

This comprehensive volume of Robert Sungenis clearly illustrates what the major biblical authors and personalities had to say with regard to salvation, justification and sanctification. After a good introduction, Mr. Sungenis leads us through an examination of Paul's thinking on the matter. He's able to articulate the distintion Paul made between the system of law - in which man had come to believe that he obligated God through works - and the system of Grace - in which man is obligated (in a different sense) to perform works of love and to emulate Christ. Next, his exposition of James' epistle removes it from the Pauline lens through which many Protestants necessarily view it. James stands on its own as an answer to the abuses and misunderstandings of Paul's criticisms of "the Law." Next we see what Jesus himself had to say on the subject of salvation/justification - a subject often ignored in the polemical struggles of various Christian groups. Then Mr. Sungenis reviews Justification as "event" (protological and eschatologial) and "process" (ongoing in the life of the Christian living in grace). The chapter that "drew" me (if you'll pardon the Johannine expression) was the one on the Christian discussion regarding Predestination and Free Will. There are a few more chapters on Justification and the relationship of Christian works thereto.

Throughout this work, Sungenis takes us again and again to Scripture and through the writings of authors ancient (Augustine) and modern (James White, John MacArthur) as well as those Reformers (Luther, Calvin) who set the tone for much of what has transpired over the last nearly 500 years. I appreciate that the Reformers are not demonized, and their theologies are respectfully reviewed.

The various appendixes contain focused academic material dealing with finer points of doctrine or passages of scripture. For Catholics, this book bears the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. For other Christians and those interested in the historical discussion of "Salvation" and "Justification," this book will be an essential part of your library whether you agree with the conclusions of the author or not. I happened to, but I also own and read Augustine's writings on faith, works and grace, Luther's "Bondage of the Will" and Calvin's "Institutes."

By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition

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Why do you believe the bible, anyway?
Not such an easy read....
Difficult to Refute
A "must read!"
Question Authority?

By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition
Mark P. Shea
Manufacturer: Our Sunday Visitor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0879738510

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Why do you believe the bible, anyway?.......2007-08-05

This book in defense of the role of true Christian authority is in my mind one of the best out there. Starting with a very clear and sympathetic synopsis of the evangelical/ fundamentalist (and, alas, modern Lutheran) approach to the authority of the bible, Shea masterfully demonstrates why that bucket just doesn't hold water. And this is based upon his own spiritual journey, which adds to its readability. I find it hard to believe that someone can prayerfully read it with an open mind and come away confirmed in the belief that sola scritpura (bible only theology) is logically, functionally or even scripturally true. I don't write that as a bash against anyone, just as an observation. I have given this book to at least a dozen of my Protestant acquaintances and friends for almost 10 years and none of them could afterwards say with conviction that Shea's argument was false and that their previous understanding was totally true. Not all of them have abandoned their beliefs, but they have all modified them to take into account at least the role that the Church played in formulating the New Testament.

And for the record, before anyone dismisses this review as Roman propaganda, I am Eastern Orthodox (former Lutheran M.S.). It's just a great little book.

Also check out This Is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers The Real Presence, Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian, Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians", and Mother Church

Not such an easy read...........2007-06-12

I bought this book because of all the wonderful reviews about it here on Amazon.
I found it a difficult read. Not because it was technical, or overly spiritual, but it was dry and repetitive. Obviously many other reviewers don't share my view point on this.
This book does hammer home the point that Tradition is not a dirty word and that every stripe of Christian observes some form of Sacred Tradition.
I would not recommend this book to my Protestant friends simply because it is so dry and slow moving.

Difficult to Refute.......2007-04-02

An easy to read and cogent defense of Tradition. A must read for any Christian in search of the roots of faith.

A "must read!".......2007-01-10

All Evangelicals should take time to read this book - it is an eye-opener!
The author, using a frank and yet sensitive approach, systematically analyzes
the essential role of Sacred Tradition as it relates to a complete understanding of the Scriptures and the formation of the early Church. My Protestant faith now appears half-baked, weak, and unsubstantial.

Question Authority?.......2006-01-24

When an Evangelical Protestant moves to a Church more in line with historic Christianity, it is often difficult to break old habits in defending this change to friends in the Evangelical movement. Frequently, the new convert defends his newly held doctrines by supplying lists of "proof texts" with an analysis divorced from the Faith that gives the doctrines life. From the perspective of historic Christianity, the context of the ancient Faith is everything. If you don't view the world from the eyes of the early Church, worship and pray as they did in their liturgies, and read the Scriptures within the context of their received Faith, then it is absurd to conclude you could share their beliefs.

In By What Authority?, Mark P. Shea shares his face-to-face encounter with this problem as he sought to counter scholarship questioning the truthfulness of the New Testament accounts of Jesus Christ. As he delved deeper into the issues raised, he came to realize the Evangelical Protestantism he sought to defend employed the same flawed deconstructionist principles as the modernist critics of the Gospel. The only difference between the two was in the degree these principles were followed to their logical conclusions. Scurrying for an answer to this challenge, he began to seek the wisdom of the early Christians in the writings of the Church Fathers and in the process discovered the rudder the Church has always used to steer its way clear of Scriptural misinterpretations: the Tradition of the Church.

In this engrossing account, Shea lays out for the reader his thought process as he began to appropriate the Tradition of the Church as a necessary component in the preservation of doctrinal integrity. Intertwining issues facing the Church today with past controversies, a context is provided in which the writings of the early Church come to life and the reader can see through a patristic lens the inseparability of Holy Scripture and Apostolic Tradition.

One common criticism for books of this sort is their failure to prove the case for Apostolic Tradition to the satisfaction of many advocates of sola sciptura. This usually means they have not engaged in listing "proof texts" from Holy Scripture and given a systematic development from those texts. Such criticisms are erroneous from the start as they presuppose the a use of a scriptural passage to develop an explicit proposition devoid of the historical, cultural, and theological presuppositions shared within the Church to whom it was addressed. Holy Scripture was given as an infallible witness to attest to the truthfulness of the Faith already given and present in the Church. It was never intended as a source of deductive theorems without recourse to the shared life of the Church. Furthermore, in assuming a restriction to scriptural passages, the critics assumes their conclusion. One must look to all evidence of the context in which the Holy Scriptures were used to understand how early Christians would have viewed the competing claims.

As Shea and many others from Evangelicalism have discovered, you cannot truly understand the Bible until you understand the Church. Furthermore, you cannot understand the Church until you understand Tradition. Many things not explicitly mentioned in Holy Scripture are nonetheless contained in traditional presuppositions shared by the New Testament writers and their intended audience. For example, the early Church that worshipped liturgically, baptized, and offered the Eucharist in union with the bishop and his presbyters might read things in passages mentioning work (the Greek word for liturgy translates roughly as "work of the people"), worship, water, bread, wine, order, and authority that would be missed by those Evangelicals who worship casually, have a quasi-gnostic view of matter as "evil" (hence grace can not come from material means such as Sacraments), and share a uniquely American paranoia concerning all expressions of authority. These contextual readings, obvious to any properly catechized Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Christian, would never even occur to many Evangelicals.

However, there is one theme in this book needing further development. While making a compelling case for Tradition and skillfully handling many common objections, he without much explanation assumes the Tradition of the early Church to be the Tradition of the Roman Church. Shea can at points leave one with the view that the Catholic Church alone uses Tradition. This is certainly not the case - the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox have as high a view as Rome and the Anglican appeal is less but certainly not inconsequential. Many traditionalist Lutherans and Reformed Christians also appeal to tradition for their distinctives (even though they may never use the word). Furthermore, the historical evidence concerning distinctively Roman developments of Tradition (e.g., papal infallibility, specifically Roman doctrines on Mary) casts serious doubts on the veracity of Shea's claims. Thus the case for Rome as holding fast to the pure undefiled Tradition of the early Church must be viewed as suspect without further supporting evidence.

Despite this one drawback, Shea has still given a clear and powerful testimony to the necessity of Tradition in the Church. All Christians attracted to the beliefs and practices of historic Christianity will find much to contemplate in its pages. By What Authority? successfully calls the bluff of contemporary Evangelicalism and leaves its modernist foundations bare for all to see.

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Prove it God
Great for teen and adult
insightful
Don't believe in God? This book can help.

Prove it God
Amy Welborn
Manufacturer: Our Sunday Visitor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0879733969

Product Description

All the Good Stuff Happened Thousands of Years Ago ...

It would be easy to believe if a couple of seas suddenly parted or a few cities were destroyed with fire and brimstone, or people were able to walk on water. But after spending a jillion Sundays in church, teens haven't seen anything that would convince them that God is alive - much less that God cares about them personally.

In fact, nobody is giving clear, solid help in dealing with the really important questions of life - like, does God exist? What does God want from them? Does it matter if they're Catholic or not? Until now.

God, the first in the Prove It! series, answers the real questions they have about God, the Catholic Church, other religions, evolution, good and evil, and a whole lot of other things they never hear about in religion classes, Sunday sermons, or from their parents.

But don't take our word for it. Let them read Prove It! God and decide for themselves. What do they have to lose besides their doubts?

Customer Reviews:

Prove it God.......2006-11-05

Fantastic. Buy this book if you deal with kids at any age group. Answers questions that even burgeouning adult Christians may have. A must read for any Christian evangelist, and anyone trying to spread the Word. Transcends its target audience, high school teens, indeed the toughest group going.

Great for teen and adult.......2006-05-11

I bought this book for my teenage daughter, who had a lot of questions.
I pre read it before giving it to her and was quite pleased. The reading level was not to advanced or overly simplified. Amy Wellborn did a great job of taking some difficult concepts and explaining them very clearly.
Even if your kids are not into reading this book will give y ou a lot of information to explain things to them, or it can be used for just about any CCD/ Religious Ed class.
Keep in mind that this is not intended to be an all encompassing tome like the Summa Theologica of Aquinas, but for the average teen and pre teen this does a great job.

insightful.......2006-03-30

My teen enjoyed this book. And even though I am in my 40's, I thoroughly enjoyed it also. I found it to be insightful and simply explained some concepts that can get confusing when confronted by a nonbeliever. Highly, highly recommended!

Don't believe in God? This book can help........2000-12-19

Written in a lively style, this excellent book provides answers to the most common arguments for not believing in God. Short and easily readable, this book is ideal for teenagers or adults that question their faith.

Drawing from Welborn's experience as a teacher, she tackles statements such as:

-I don't believe in God because no one can prove he exists. -I don't believe in God because people could have just made the stuff in the Bible up. -I don't believe in God because people do such horrible things in the name of religion. -I don't believe in God because innocent people suffer.

Welborn provides clear, solid help in answering the important questions of life, such as does God exist? What does God want from me? Does it matter if I'm Catholic or not?

Each chapter includes a summary. This book could easily be used with teenagers, or as part of religious instruction or CCD classes.

Book Description

In his first full-length book since converting to Roman Catholicism over ten years ago, Thomas Howard presents his wonderful, refreshing insights on the "glad tidings" of the deeper meaning of Catholic piety, dogma, spirituality, vision and practice, rendered in his unique style of prose for which he is well-known. The book's chapters take the form of lay meditations on Catholic teaching and practice, opening up in practical and simple terms the richness at work in virtually every detail of Catholic prayer, piety, liturgy and experience.

Customer Reviews:

Well worth your time..........2007-04-22

This book meaningfully explores and probes the "good tidings" of the Catholic church, measuring its teachings and concepts against preconceptions and objections by both non-Christians and, especially, non-Catholic Christians. Howard looks at a variety of topics moving from the general to the specific, from the question of whether man is essentially a religious being, through discussions of typical Christian subjects like the Gospels and evangelism, to considerations of particularly Catholic doctrines such as the Church's view of Mary and understanding of human freedom. Probably because he is a converted evangelical himself, Howard tends to be at his best contrasting Catholic and Prostestant views; the chapter which considers whether or not Catholics are "saved," for instance, is one of the book's best. He also excels in his treatments of Church tradition and prayer. A late chapter on "Hiddenness," primarily about gender, is probably the book's weakest mainly because Howard seems too tentative.

Reviewers like to compare Howard to C. S. Lewis; I don't wholeheartedly agree. There is the same tendency to work with apt analogy, of course. And Howard also works "in dialogue" as did Lewis, anticipating and answering objections as he goes. It's appealing and familiar, to be sure. But Howard tends to gush more than Lewis and a lot of his discussions get away from him. Lewis's voice is calm, solid, and reassuring in its peculiarly British sobriety. Howard's voice, on the other hand, bears the weight of much learning and enthusiasm. He's excitable and sometimes overwrought, like a old fashioned preacher. Consider his liberal peppering of the text with Latin phrases, something Lewis (a classics professor) certainly could have done but didn't rely on so much. All this is not to say Howard is less worthy, only that his style is perhaps not so accessible as Lewis's to a wide variety of reader.

Of course this is a nitpick, offered here only because of the common comparison to Lewis. In general, the book is fine, rewarding reading for both the committed Catholic or the curious non-Catholic. For the most part Howard manages to be open-minded and conservative at the same time, not an easy trick.

What it means to really BE Catholic.......2007-04-06

As a convert to Catholicism I had already been introduced to Mr. Howard's work in his book "Lead Kindly Light" and had been very impressed with how well he told not only his story of conversion but mine as well. Because of that experience I couldn't wait to get started on this book once I had it but I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in this one. It may be that the other book was just so good that I expected too much of this book, it may have been that the author seemed to delight in using big and sometimes archaic words, or it may have been that this book was a little deeper than the other one but whatever the reason I found this book to be a little dry in comparison to "Lead Kindly Light."

That being said, I would still say that this is one of the better books on the subject of what it means to be Catholic. Having been raised an evangelical Protestant this author is very aware of the horrible misconceptions that many Protestants have about the Catholic Church and is also very aware of the kind of questions that evangelical Protestants sometimes ask Catholics and he takes these questions and answers them in a clear and concise way. He points out that many of the questions Catholics are asked don't resonate at all with them because the question is based on something that is just not part of their belief system. To help clear up these misunderstandings he takes the time to explain to the Catholic reader the background of questions like, "Are you saved?" and then explains to the Protestant reader why they may get a blank stare if they ask this question of a Catholic.

Throughout the book Mr. Howard takes great pains to get to the very essence of what it means to be Catholic and takes on some major issues that divide Catholics and Protestants. He takes on the arguments over tradition, which was never hard for me to grasp as I journeyed home to the Catholic faith and he also takes on the veneration of the Blessed Virgin, which took a while for me to grasp. Everyone I suppose has different hang ups as they make or consider making this move and the author has done an excellent job of tackling most of the things that are most likely to be sticking points. As a side note since grasping the devotion to Mary I have become as devoted to our Blessed Mother as any cradle Catholic.

One significant positive that I found in this book is that the author, with the sensibilities of a former Protestant, backs everything he asserts with scripture. The Church Fathers are liberally quoted as is the Catechism but even the most dedicated disciple of the doctrine of scripture alone will find every one of Mr. Howard's points to be clearly documented by scripture. Curious Protestants will find that this book answers a lot of their questions and devout Catholics will find that this book brings home the truly glorious experience that it is to be Catholic. I would especially recommend this book to any Protestant who is curious about the Catholic faith of a close relative and to any non-Catholic who is married to or about to marry a Catholic.

Another Gem.......2007-01-23

Thomas Howard's work was instrumental in my conversion from evangelical protestantism to Roman Catholicism. He is consistently Chestertonian and Lewisian. He presents the protestant concerns with more rhetorical flourish than they normally do. On Being Catholic is no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Much More Than By-the-Numbers Apologetics.......2006-07-03

When I converted from evangelical Protestantism to the Catholic faith, I knew it would be a cause for concern (to one degree or another) among my evangelical family members and friends.

Most adult converts are asked "why Catholic?", sometimes followed by rapid-fire objections (to Mary, images, Purgatory, confession, repetitious prayers, etc., etc.) based on misconceptions our evangelical brethren have been told about the Church. (Yes, told, and often from the pulpit; I was sitting in those pews, too.)

These days, when the question arises and before the litany of objections begins, more often than not I will suggest reading this book -- because Mr. Howard expresses the "why" so beautifully and completely.

To read this is to truly understand how "the Catholic Church constitutes that fullness toward which all other forms of Christian profession tend". There is no arrogance, no air of superiority; on the contrary, Mr. Howard speaks boldly and plainly, but there is also a note of appropriate humility here.

My purpose in recommending "On Being Catholic" to my concerned relatives is not to take myself off the apologetic hook, but rather an acknowledgement that a) Mr. Howard explains Catholicism to an evangelical audience with more clarity than I ever could, and b) he does it much more respectfully than some other authors.

I don't agree with other reviewers that this is not an apologetics text, unless we're defining Catholic apologetics as mostly chapter-and-verse defenses to sola scriptura evangelicals who without exception (it is assumed) put no credence in an argument that isn't liberally peppered with scriptural references and annotations. Let's give at least some of them a little credit for the ability to take in the "big picture", which Howard masterfully paints, and line it up themselves with what they know to be scriptural.

(Or, put another way, let's not presume to define what the Holy Spirit can and can't use to change hearts.)

Quite aside from its apologetics value, I've been told -- by cradle Catholics to whom I loaned this book -- that "On Being Catholic" is both an affirmation of their faith and a source of surprising illumination into one or more aspects of Catholic belief and practice that had been "automatic" for them, and is now much more meaningful.

Every time I read this, I receive new insight into my beloved adopted faith. The format makes it easy to focus on a particular aspect of Catholicism, and yet there is a fluid continuity throughout the book that makes it a very worthwhile cover-to-cover read.

Great book on Catholicism for Protestants.......2006-03-06

I was raised as a Protestant, and I have always been a little challenged by Catholic writings. I understand the words, and I share the Christian beliefs, but something about the assumptions, the paradigm, is different. However, having also grown up Protestant, Tom shares with me a history and a thought process that I can fully understand. And unlike the writings of some other converts (Scott Hahn, for example), Tom's books have only good things to say about the Protestant beliefs he has left behind (See Evangelical is not Enough, a previous book). For a Protestant who truly wishes to understand the Catholic Church, I can't imagine a better book than this one.
I read it first to understand the faith of my Catholic wife. After the third reading, I converted to Cathoicism.

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Essential reading for both Catholics and Protestants
Absolutely essential reading for both Prots & Caths
Important and foundational

The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism
Louis Bouyer
Manufacturer: Scepter Pubs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1889334316

Book Description

An immensely important contribution to true interfaith discussion, this book is a generous and illuminating introduction to the genuine strengths of the Protestant movement — and a frank, charitable examination of its weaknesses. Louis Bouyer shows the value of the Protestant ideas of the sovereignty of God, justification by faith, and even the centrality of Scripture. He also looks squarely at how Protestantism has suffered from its denial of the sacraments, Church authority, and more. He challenges Catholics and Protestants alike to know their beliefs more deeply — an essential foundation to any dialogue.

Customer Reviews:

Essential reading for both Catholics and Protestants.......2007-05-25

Committed Christians of all persuasions often know what their churches teach, but seldom know why. The value of this book, in my estimation, is that it lays bear the philosophical underpinnings of the Reformation, rooted as it was in Scotist/Occamist Scholasticism. Bouyer shows that Reform thought resulted in a reinterpretation of the meaning of Christian doctrine and Scripture through the lens of Occamist radical dualism-- ergo the Reform emphasis upon private interpretation, the appeal to Scripture and Faith alone, the doctrine of Consubstantiation and the rejection of reason as an authoritative and reliable means of interpreting revealed truth.
Bouyer, beginning his spiritual service as a French Lutheran Cleric, knew Protestant thought from the inside out. He is careful to outline all the good Reform teaching contains and quick to point out how Church practice at the time of the Reformation had come to deemphasize much the Reformers championed. His issues are not with the orthodox doctrines but with the negative elements that mysteriously appear with them in Reform thought. Bouyer insist that these elements, not rooted in orthodox doctrine but in the poison of Occamist Nominalism, weaken and dilute the orthodox doctrines and prevent them from bearing fruit. They also create endless division and doctrinal chaos and confusion.
The book is divided into three large sections. In the first he outlines the positive principles of the Reformation, with numerous quotes from the writings of the Reformers. The second section, which is much shorter, Bouyer discusses the negative elements in Reform thought, shows their source in Occamist/Scotist Scholasticism and exposes the logical incompatibility of Occam's Nominalism with Christian realities as they are presented in both Church Doctrine and Sacred Scripture.
The final section is essentially his solution to the dilemma of doctrinal chaos in the Protestant world.
As a convert to the Catholic faith I must say I never really understood my Protestantism until I read Bouyer. I believe it will be a revelation to all who read it with an open mind and a desire for the truth. I highly recommend it for those on both sides of the issue. As the Medievals were fond of saying, "Sell your bed and buy it."

Absolutely essential reading for both Prots & Caths.......2003-11-22

"The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism" is a critically engaged yet remarkably sympathetic analysis of the Protestant Reformation by a Lutheran who converted to Catholicism. In the first half he praises the key positive principles of the Reformation, showing how they are good, true, and fundamentally Catholic. In part two he shows how those same great principles have been continuously and inevitably undermined by and among the Reformers (and their heirs) as a result of Protestantism's failure to properly critique and throw off the nominalistic philosophical framework of the late medieval period. He clearly explains how the positive principles of the Reformation and Protestantism can only be sustained and flourish within the Catholic Church.

Whether Protestant or Catholic, you should read this book. It is absolutely crucial to understanding what unites & divides Protestants and Catholics, and how to preserve untainted the truths we hold most dear.

Important and foundational.......2003-08-09

Bouyer has a masterpiece of Christian writing in this work. It is written with the heart of an apostle seeking truth and nothing but truth. He looks at all the good that Protestantism has accomplished in its teachings and fervor for Christ and then shows the flaws that underlie the entire system. He then goes on to show in amazing fluidity and detail how the good the comes from Protestantism can only come to its fullest potential in the Catholic Church. Wonderful argument, original thesis and great writing. What a book!

Upon This Rock: St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church (Modern Apologetics Library)

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Wonderful book
Decent for dealing with Fundamentalists; otherwise, useless
Good Apologetics Resource
Borrow or buy used
The Mother of All Footnotes

Upon This Rock: St. Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church (Modern Apologetics Library)
Stephen K. Ray
Manufacturer: Ignatius Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0898707234

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful book.......2007-06-21

First I have to say that this is a wonderful book. It's a slow read but full of a wealth of information. I've given away my first copy and have ordered a second for my own use. Though some have complained about the footnotes I find them of great use and one of the reasons why I think the book is wonderful. I would have taken me months (if not years) to research the same information on my own. Thanks Steve.

Decent for dealing with Fundamentalists; otherwise, useless.......2007-04-02

Supposing there was someone who along with rejecting the doctrine of Apostolic Succession also denied the historical fact that Peter was in Rome and that the Papacy existed, then this book would convert such an individual (assuming he was of good will) to a different opinion. I cannot deny that this is an excellent book for the Protestant polemicist or anyone else of like mind who has not taken the RC papal claims seriously. It is, after all, an undeniable fact that Catholicism is much closer to apostolic Christianity than Protestantism. However, the sad truth is that Upon This Rock (UTR) is, like the Westminster Confession, a proof-text disaster, an exercise in historical revisionism and excessive question-begging.

The fact that Steve Ray has written a lackluster apologetic manual does not imply that the RC papal theory is not true or that better arguments have not been put forward elsewhere; it means only that you will not find those arguments here. Ecclesiastical history as depicted by real Church historians (Catholic & non-Catholic) completely contradicts the claims made by Steve Ray, period. Truth be told, most of my views concerning Church history and papal primacy have been shaped and influenced by Catholic historians; I don't even have to bring in non-Catholic sources to construct a critique.

Steve Ray doesn't appear to have an adequate grasp of the RC papal theory he's defending which would explain why he overestimates the importance of certain quotes, downplays the importance of other quotes, and doesn't notice when the text he has cited actually conflicts with the definitions of Vatican I's Eternal Pastor. It doesn't matter if two of the necessary conditions are met if another four are not satisfied. For example, according to Vatican I, the pope's special perogatives come *immediately* from Christ Himself, not from conciliar decrees, but Ray cites texts which assert that the pope's ecclesial powers were *given* to him through conciliar decrees; this is a very big mistake. Same goes for the basis of Roman primacy. Quotations that he should be trying to explain away he uses as evidence.

He ignores nearly all of the available counter-evidence. He, for the most part, ignores the patristic exegesis of the relevant Petrine texts in the New Testament. He also ignores the opposing statements from the Fathers, along with those from various Local and Ecumenical Councils. This is an extraordinarily one-sided work. Here is some helpful advice for those upcoming Catholic apologists:

"This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force." (Dorothy Parker)

Good Apologetics Resource.......2007-01-05

If you can manage to battle your way through the format of this book (%10 text and %90 footnotes) it is a great book to have in your library. It is not a reason-based approach to the issue of the primacy of Rome in the early Church as it is an overwhelming number of references and citations. The argument relies mostly on historical proof, however, it can get a bit tedious at times.

As a soon-to-be Catholic I think this book erased any questions in my mind about how the early Church regarded Rome and it is a nail in the coffin of independent congregationalist fundamentalists.

It is a great reference book which could be used by armchair apologists, if you are into that sort of thing. But it will require a bit of discipline to finish this book.

Borrow or buy used.......2006-10-28

The book was OK. I wish I'd borrowed it, though.

Let me explain... As a former university academic and a career R&D guy, I think it's important to cite one's sources carefully. However, this book has the oddest "style" of any book I have ever read. Basically, the book is a list of patristic quotations defending papal primacy. That's fine and useful as far as it goes, but the "book" part of the book is in the footnotes. Many, many pages are 80% (or more) footnote and 20% (or less) normal text. That makes reading the book a different sort of experience.

Beyond that, if you already agree with the Roman Church (as I do) about papal primacy, it's a great patristic reference source. Comprehensive, in fact. But if you are wondering about the doctrine, perhaps because you are considering converting to the Roman Catholic Church, I think you'll be very disappointed. I'm sorry I can't recommend a better book as I am a new convert going through the RCIA, but I cannot believe they do not exist. I think Wikipedia does a better job with the Big Picture, and I am not a big fan of Wiki.

The Mother of All Footnotes.......2006-05-31

Ray's book is a marvellous defense and historical explanation of papal primacy. He clearly knows his sources and the arguments of the Protestant and Eastern Orthodox dissenters. But why in heaven's name did his editor allow so many extensive and bloated footnotes? The footnotes do contain essential information, but these should have been part of the text. Constantly going from text to footnotes could aggravate one's vertigo. Some extended footnotes are even needlessly repeated such as that dealing with St Augustine on pages 92-93 and again on page 227. The book's information is valuable but the editing job is terrible.

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