Book Description
There are more than one billion Catholics in the world, and each one has a similar set of basic beliefs and practices that he or she follows. Some of the teachings of Catholicism are thousands of years old, while others are more recent. So what is the Catholic culture like and what do they believe? Catholicism For Dummies answers these and many other questions.

Whether you’re a Catholic or not, you may be totally clueless or just unaware of some aspects of Catholic traditions, history, doctrine, worship, devotion, or culture. No sweat. Regardless of whether you’re engaged, married, related to a Catholic, or just curious about what Catholics really do believe, this book is for you.

Catholicism For Dummies is not a catechism or religious textbook, but a casual, down-to-earth introduction for non-Catholics and reintroduction for Catholics. It gives commonsense explanations so that the next time you’re invited to a Catholic wedding, Baptism, funeral, Confirmation, or First Communion, you won’t be totally confused. You’ll also discover other important topics that can help you better understand the Catholic culture—from morality and devotions to worship and liturgy. This book will familiarize you with Catholicism by showing you:

• What it means to be a Catholic: traditions, prayers, beliefs, and holidays
• Who is who in the Catholic hierarchy
• How Catholics worship
• What the Seven Sacraments and Ten Commandments are
• The book regarded as the holiest to Catholics: The Bible
• The Church’s stand on some sticky issues

Catholicism For Dummies presents a rich tapestry and history of the Catholic faith—from devotions to doctrines. This intelligent and faithful look at Catholicism will open your eyes to this religion and answer many of the questions you may have about it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (82)

Universal Knowledge, for a Universal Religion!
Well written, in easy to read/understand english with a few wise cracks thrown in = the Dummies Recipe for success. I bought this item for discerning my vocation into the religious life, and it did not disappoint! I'm fully planning on attending a seminary new year.

No "Dummies" here
Great summary of the Catholic Faith! And in common everyday English to boot. Full of facts we have forgotten or never really knew or thought we knew. Recommended reading for all age groups. The only "Dummies" here are the ones who don't read this book.

Great book for the curious or to brush up on your religion
We bought several of these books for some local college students who have shown an interest in the Cathholic Church.The book is well written but is also an excellent source of info for old time catholics who have forgotten many of the finer points of Catholicism.It's a fun read and a great refresher in case it's time for the final exam.

Wonderful Reference
My husband is in RCIA and this has been his "text book" ! Very informative, well written. Highly Recommended!

Catholicism for Dummies
bought as a gift. The person just love the book has thanked me several times. ... Read more

Book Description
At a time when many people are disillusioned with the Catholic Church, questioning the faith, and filled with doubts about the relevance of Catholicism in the modern world, Matthew Kelly reveals the essence of authentic Catholic spirituality while addressing some of the most important questions we face today as both individuals and as a Church. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Most inspirational book I have read in years
This book is clear, concise, and easy to read.It is a great tool if you are looking to get focused on how to live the Catholic faith more fully each day.I found it to be very thought-provoking, inspiring, and up-lifting.

Rediscovering Catholicism
Excellent book.Every Catholic should read it.Could be titled "back to basics."Keep it simple.Reminds everyone that we are all called to holiness and to be the best person we can be every day.We always need to keep our focus on the ultimate goal--God--our "spiritual north star."

Inspiring book
When the book was loaned to me a few years ago, I was sceptical. However, I found it most helpful in my spiritual life.

Excellent book
Rediscovering Catholicism is an incredibly underrated book!!As Matthew Kelly points out, it's not for everyone; but, it is definitely for any Catholic (although a Christian of any faith could benefit from this book) that finds himself questioning his faith.There are a lot of self-help books out there; however, in a very straight-forward way, this book can be life changing.

Rediscovering Catholicism
This book was suggested by a priest to assist me in truly understanding what being a christian and Catholic means.I joined the Church at 27 and never really made the effort to understand what the Catholic Church is all about.It has made me take a good hard look at my life and the life I want to lead!I would strongly suggest this book to anyone in need of redefining their life! ... Read more

Book Description
Karl Keating defends Catholicism from fundamentalist attacks and explains why fundamentalism has been so successful in converting ``Romanists". After showing the origins of fundamentalism, he examines representative anti-Catholic groups and presents their arguments in their own words. His rebuttals are clear, detailed, and charitable. Special emphasis is given to the scriptural basis for Catholic doctrines and beliefs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (140)

Hard hitting and dead on accurate
This was one of two books that my wifes Brother sent me to counter Boettner's "Roman Catholicism"
Keating does a marvelous job of explaining the the anti-Catholics position and then tells why most of these are just strawman arguements (many made by angry ex-Catholics)
The book is very no nonsense and Keating does not pull any punches.
The best part, at least for me is that he quotes directly from the anti-Catholics work directly, showing very diligent scholarship.
My very best advice, if you are being questioned on your faith or if you are thinking about leaving the Church for one of the Fundamentalist groups, or if you hafve a relative that needs it, buy this book.

FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!
AN AWSOME BOOK! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! REALLY HELPS THE FUDAMENTALIST AND THE CATHOLIC TO UNDERSTAND EACH SIDE'S DIFFERENCE. REALLY EXPLAINS THE CATHOLIC ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT THE QUESTION BEING TWISTED OR MIS- QUOTED.THE BOOK ALSO GIVES THE FUNDAMENTALISTS' VIEWS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS WITHOUT OMMISION! THE BOOK WILL LEAVE YOU WITH BEING VERY WELL INFORMED AND PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC AND MAYBE EVEN CAUSING THE FUNDAMENTALIST TO SEEK THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BECAUSE OF ALL THE CLARIFICATIONS THE BOOK PRESENTS, ALONG WITH A RICH SUPPLY OF CHURCH HISTORY THAT WILL JUST AMAZE YOU! PLEASE ASK YOURSELF ONE QUESTION? DID JESUS REALLY INTEND FOR THERE TO BE SO MANY DIFFRENTDENOMINATIONS IN THE WORLD TODAY, OR DID HE WANT US TO BE UNITED AND COME TOGETHER IN THE BELIEVE OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUXIFIED?

Defense of darkness
Keating is both a waste of words and time.He has swallowed the inventions of Romanism; hook, line, and sinker, and proceeds to then defend darkness and call it light.I gave him 1 star because of the many attacks against Boettner and his book, "Roman Catholicism".Such a diatribe just might lead the curious and searchers of the truth to a book that actually strips the sheeps clothing from the wolf.Had Keating really investigated the facts he might have come across the Biblical and Fundamentalist teaching of Pope Gregory the Great.One must wonder if his straw-man attacks would work against a Bishop of Rome?Gregory writes about the dangers of any bishop trying to put all other bishops under his rule and taking the name of "Universal", "under none, and alone above all", which is exactly what every Pope of Rome has claimed since Gregory's death in 604 AD.So much for Keating's defense of darkness.Perhaps Keating and his readers might want to study the root a little closer?Here are some direct quotes from Pope Gregory the Great in his admonishment of John the Fast who wanted to be callrd Bishop over all other bishops, "But with what daring or with what swelling of pride I know not, you have attempted to seize upon a new name whereby the hearts of all your brethern might have come to take offense... despising thy brethern, to covet to be named the only bishop."Gregory goes on and even quotes the Bible in the following, "Who, I ask, is proposed for imitation in this wrongful title but he [Satan] who, despising the legions of angels constituted socially with himself, attempted to start up to an eminence of singularity, that he might seem to be under one and to be alone above all?... And when thou desirest to put thyself above them by this proud title, and to tread down their name in comparison with thine, what else dost thou say but 'I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven'".Thus, Gregory, a Bishop of Rome himself, dispells this hoax of authority taken by all Popes since, which falsely claim to be Bishop above all other bishops.Gregory taught that not only had he rejected such a position, but that no bishop since Peter, had ever claimed to be the Universal Bishop over all the Church.Gregory wrote, "Certainly Peter, the first of the apostles, himself of the holy and universal Church, Paul, Andrew, John,---what were they but heads of particular communities?And yet all were members under one Head [Jesus Christ]".Keating fails to mention these points and neither will you find them taught in any CCD class.To nail the coffin shut on Keating's Catholicism, Pope Gregory gives us the true history of the Bishops of Rome with these closing words, "Was it not the case, as your Fraternity knows, that the prelates of this Apostolic See, which by the providence of God I serve, had the honor offered them of being called Universal by the venerable Council of Chalcedon.But yet not one of them has ever wished to be called by such a title, or seized upon this ill-advised name, lest if, in virtue of the rank of Pontificate, he took to himself the glory of singularity, he might seem to have denied it to all his brethern."Again, what did all the Popes since Gregory claim that was never claimed prior?They all claimed to be Universal Bishop, or Supreme Pontiff, which was a new and different claim to power never seen since Pope Gregory the Great, or prior!Of course now these Popes are more than just Bishop above all bishops, but blush not at being called "Most Holy Father", which is a title above even God and in direct violation of the Scriptures, since only God is holy, "Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."Revelation 15:4.Of course these 'Bishops above all bishops' and 'Most Holy Fathers' will find out the real truth of their positions, as usurpers of both power and title, when they stand before the throne of judgement and Jesus Christ.I wonder if they will be the Most Holy then!In the meantime don't waste your time reading Keating, unless it is to compare what Boettner, fundamentalism, and the Bible really have to offer.

Gordon A. Stamper

Tremendous resource for Catholics
As a Catholic who is in a minority around my circle of friends and family, thank you Karl Keating for writing this book.This book does such a great job of dispelling the long list of "non-truths" that the "born again" protestants love to use to put down my Catholic religion.This book goes right to the heart of the Catholic faith addressing issues like Purgatory, the Papacy, confession, salvation, the eurcharist, intercession of Saints and many other topics the anti-Catholic enjoys trying to force the unprepared Catholic believer to explain.The book is truly a blessing to have read and continue to use as a resource. I highly recommend this book to all Catholics and non-Catholics who are interested in seeking and understanding the truth about the true Church of Jesus Christ.......Bob Gray, Louisville, KY

Read it!
They say any Protestant who reads this book will have a change of heart. I believe it. ... Read more

Book Description
As religion continues to dominate the news, politics and society in general, more and more laypeople are looking for a reliable guide to understanding the beliefs and practices of each faith.
The Roman Catholic Church-the largest branch of Christianity-claims a total of 1.086 billion baptized members around the globe and has been revered by millions of followers for thousands of years. Why?

The Catholicism Answer Book answers 300 pivotal questions about one of the worlds oldest religions. From the basic tenets of Christianity to the differences between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible, readers can round out their knowledge on such inquiries as:

What are the lost or missing books of the Bible?
Why does it seem like Catholics worship Mary?
What are the Last Things?
Why confess to a priest when I can go directly to God? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A comprehensive One-Stop for rarely tought answers around Catholicism !
They are surely frequently asked questions around Christianity, specifically Catholicism. I like the fact that each topic lists a compressed yet comprehensive answer, and easy to digest. I can jump from one page to another based on my interest topic priority. I'm looking forward to the next 700 most frequently asked questions. Very recommended readings !

Straightforward, orthodox, and concise
As its name suggests, "The Catholicism Answer Book" provides answers to common questions Catholics and non-Catholics ask about the Catholic faith.It covers a wide range of topics, from the nature of God to the liturgy to Church history.The answers provided are straightforward, orthodox, and concise.Each response is essentially a mini-essay on the subject under discussion.Controversial topics are handled exceptionally well, including questions concerning the Crusades, the Protestant movement, the all-male and celibate priesthood, and Latin in the liturgy.The book would be especially useful to those considering reception into the Church, since it covers areas "cradle" Catholics may take for granted.Trigilio and Brighenti infuse the text with their characteristic wit and humor; a question on liturgical movements and gestures is entitled "Why all the Catholic calisthenics?"

That said, it would have benefited from a better editor.There are a handful of typos, including the misspelling of Origen's name.The book also confuses the Great Schism, a period during which French kings moved the papacy to Avignon France and three "popes" claimed the chair of Peter, with the Eastern Schism, the eleventh-century split between Catholicism and the Eastern churches.Although some historians use the term "Great Schism" to describe either event, here it is used in reference to both (cf: questions 211 and 218.)Hopefully, these errors will be corrected in a subsequent edition of this otherwise commendable book. ... Read more

Book Description
A new study edition of the classic that has sold over 150,000 copies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

Something Wicked This Way Comes
My apologies to Ray Bradbury for nicking one of his titles for my headline, but Richard McBrien's "Catholicism" is certainly closer to science fiction than it is to being a true exposition of the Catholic faith. That this book should be considered useful a teaching tool in any catechetical setting is regrettable. The book has no Nihil Obstat, which guarantees a publication is free from doctrinal or moral error, nor does it have an Imprimatur from any bishop, which grants permission for a book to be published. This alone should disqualify "Catholicism" from being used in any Catholic university, grammar or high school, or parish faith formation program.
The fact is that Richard McBrien's "Catholicism" has been rejected by the doctrinal board of the US Bishop's Conference on more than one occasion, the last being in 1996. The committee found inaccuracies in the text that forced the board's members to strongly question the book's suitablity as an introductory text on the Catholic faith. Uncorrected ambiguities in the third edition that caused concern included the book's treatment of the Blessed Mother's perpetual virginity & its suggestion that Jesus Christ, true God & true man, could have sinned (we all know that Scripture tells us that He was like us in all things except sin.) All of this information is easily accessible on the web.
Also disturbing is McBrien's heavy reliance on theologians well known to be strong dissenters from the accepted teachings of the Church's Magisterium. It is a clear fact that Hans Kung & Charles Curran, two McBrien favorites, lost their licenses to teach in Catholic institutions due the their dissenting views.
If you want a sure norm for teaching the faith, as Pope John Paul II would have suggested, than simply go to Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition. If a more accessible presentation of Church teaching is desired, then select Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church by noted & loyal Catholic author Peter Kreeft. This book was granted an Imprimatur by William Cardinal Leveda, the current Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith when His Eminence was still Archbishop of San Francisco (recall once again that Richard McBrien's "Catholicism" has no Imprimatur.)
In any event, do not use "Catholicism" as a true expression of what the Catholic Church actually teaches. To say that McBrien's book is a solid representation of what Holy Mother Church has always taught, and continues to teach today is, at best, wishful thinking on the part of the crowd that has granted this text iconic status; at worst, it can be argued that such a claim is a possible step on the way scandalizing the faithful who might read the book, or even a possible first step on the slippery slope to heresy.

great book, but controversial
This book, written by a well known catholic priest professor, first came out as a two volume set without specific approval by the church. The Study Edition, which I have, came out later as one volume, and received conditional approval from the local bishop. It is a fine history of Catholicism. Space is given to non-catholic as well as catholic writers, which some church authorities felt could confuse catholic readers. The study of God and the soul is such a profound study that some controversy and perhaps confusion is understandable. But this reviewer is glad that he has the book and that he read it.

NO Imprimatur! Catholics AVOID! Huge Stumbling Block!
Hi
Any Catholic should make sure any book regarding doctrine has anImprimatur which is an official declaration from the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church that a literary or similar work is free from error in matters of Roman Catholic doctrine and morals, and hence acceptable reading for faithful Roman Catholics either or both a Nihil Obstat or Imprimi potest. This book has NONE SUCH ergo it may be full or heresies and or stumbling blocks for Catholics and I experienced quite a few in a brief time I spent with it and hope I can save any Catholics out there from wasting time or money.


Catholic or not you can do your self much better with many other books. My favorite is Peter Kreeft's Catholic Christianity available right here at Amazon and with Imprimatur!

Try some Thomas Merton or St. Augustine's "Confessions". Thomas a'Kempis Imitation Of Christ..and countless others. Of course the official "Catechism Of The Catholic Church" is straight from the horses mouth so any questions may be referred there.


But please this book varies from worthless to dangerous! I'm throwing away my copy and won't allow anyone to be stumbles by Mr McBreins poor work and be responsible for confusing anyone.

I'll leave you with a verse from Luke that sums it up for me regarding this book:
Luke 11:52 " Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves have not entered in: and those that were entering in, you have hindered."

Warren A.

A must for Catholics
As a practicing Catholic who graduated before Vatican II from a major Catholic university, I found this book extremely important in clarifying exactly what we "must" believe and what is myth, fiction and clerical, self-serving mumbo-jumbo in the present teachings of the Church. The sections on Christology and Mariology I found particularly interesting in that in them are presented in some detail what is in scripture and what is not, what was believed at the beginning of Christianity and what was not. For example, such questions are examined as did Jesus have brothers and sisters, which -- if either -- of the "Christmas narratives" are true, and what role did Mary the mother of Jesus have in the early Church. Also, the presentation of the history of the Church after Christ is very instructive.
Overall, I found this to be an extremely useful book which, although quite long, should be read at least once from cover to cover by anyone interested in Catholicism.
Thank you, Father McBrien.

Only one question I need answered
It seems to me it would be useful for all Catholics considering this work if someone would be so kind as to let us know if it bears the nihil obstat (meaning a diocesan censor has cleared the work), and whether it bears the bishop's imprimatur (meaning the bishop thought the work worth publishing and gave it his statement of approval).Anyone care to give us that information? ... Read more

Book Description
What does it mean to be Catholic today?
Newly updated and revised.

How can the Catholic Church be both hugely popular and widely scorned? How can it hold onto its ancient roots and be forever changing? This updated guide tells the story of being Catholic as Catholics themselves live their faith, every day of their lives. More than ever before, this edition speaks to interested outsiders, non-clergy, and practicing Catholics, as well as to religious professionals and members of the clergy.

This book explores:
• The various stances within American Catholicism today
• Recent Catholic history, most notably, the death of John Paul II and the succession of Pope Benedict XVI
• The seven sacraments
• The present state of Catholic education, Catholic identity, and Catholic social teaching ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Not all that accurate
I bought this book years ago, and throughout my reading of it I was disappointed with it's poor, inconcise wording, and failure to highlight the nuances of Catholic teaching.

If you are looking for an equally easy to read book that is accurate and grasps the nuances of Catholic teaching purchase Catholicism for Dummies.

real catholicism?
Let's see. According to a previous reviewer, this book will show you the "real Catholic Church". But he also says that the Church is turning its back on the kind of Catholicism described here and that consequently such books as this will become scarcer and scarcer. So, evidently this "real" Catholicism is not the Catholicism of the future. Is it the Catholicism of the past?Not of the past before the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).It was that council that is supposed to have ushered in "real Catholicism" --- that's why the reviewer calls the Council "great". (Indeed, it was great; but it did not call for 95% of what radical Catholics imagine it did.) So if this so-called "real Catholicism" arose in the mid-1960s and is already on its way out, what does it really amount to in the historical scheme of things?Old-time Catholics were (and are) proud to say that their's is the one true faith and has lasted for 2,000 years.You may not like that, but it makes a lot more sense than saying: "mine is the one true faith and it lasted for about 40 years". If you want an ephemeral Catholicism this is the book for you.

A Book on Catholicism for Those Who Think
Unlike the "Dummies" book on the topic, this book is fascinating and presents Catholic information for those who wish to use their own brains. It thoughtfully and respectfully presents the material and also considers differing sides of the issues.

There are enough "Dummies" style books and "official" books that encourage Catholics not to think but to accept, like undeducated unsophisticated children, only the opinions of the powerful hierarchy.

As the Church continues to turn its back on much of the great Vatican II council, books like these will become sparse and extremely valuable to Catholic seekers and those who want to know the real Catholic Church. You know that today's Church is not going to publish anything like it, nor will you see an imprimatur on such books.

Would like to see an inexpensive addendum published so that new material from subsequent revisions will be available without having to constantly buy new books.

Enjoying the Journey
Becoming a Roman Catholic at the age of 59 was an overwhelming experience for me. "Cradle" Catholics advised me to slow down as being a Catholic is a lifetime of learning, which I've come to realize is true. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Catholicism" assisted me in relaxing and enjoying the journey toward becoming a Catholic. Pork Chops and Applesauce: A Collection of Recipes and Reflections

Not for Idiots
Concise.Funny. Insightful. Irreverant. A good quick introduction. Buy it for everyone in your RCIA program.


... Read more

Book Description
This exciting book shows that, far from straying from the Bible, Catholicism is eminently and thoroughly biblical.Indeed, Catholicism is the only Christian religion that is in full conformity with what the Bible clearly teaches.

To demonstrate this, Catholic author Dave Armstrong ( a former Protestant campus missionary) focuses on those issues about which Catholics and Protestants disagree the most:the role of the Bible as a rule of faith, whether we are justified by faith alone, whether doctrine develops, what the Eucharist really is, veneration of Mary and prayer to the saints, the existence of purgatory, the role of penance in salvation, and the nature of infallibility of the papacy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

It almost convinced me to convert
I love this book.I am a non-denominational charismatic born-again evangelical Christian.I was raised Catholic, and this book gave me some compelling insight into both my personal and religious heritage.This book, together with Scott Hahn's "Rome Sweet Home" almost convinced me to return to the Catholic Church.While I have instead remained Protestant, this book has inspired me to be become a bridge-builder to Historic Christianity, and has increased my understanding and admiration for Roman Catholicism.

So well-done I lent it out to a cousin... and haven't gotten it back.
Of all the recent books on Catholic apologetics, this is probably the best to begin with if you're a cradle Catholic (I'd recommend David Currie's "Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic" for Protestant Christians). The reasoning is straight-forward, comprehensive, and covers a very high level of the topics discussed. I actually read this one straight through, starting about 10 at night and finishing about 5 in the morning. It's that good of a read!

It does not go as in-depth as, say, Paul Thigpen's "The Rapture Trap," but that's perfect for an introductory work. The chapters are not unforgivingly long nor unnecessarily complicated, which adds to the readability.

This book is the second-best way to convince my evangelical friends that Catholicism is a Christian faith. The easiest way would be to have them go to a Mass, but that's next to impossible.

this is "the" book
This is probably one of the best books written on Catholicism apologetics I have ever had access to. Dave Armstrong walks us through many different crucial points to the Catholic faith always making a remarkably fine point at last.
It is hard to not get out on the street and start debating with "Bible-owner" protestants after reading such a wonderful argumentation.

I recommend it. It is an excellent cover-to-cover reading as well as reference book for further studies.

Solid and Compelling
This is a solid intro to Catholic apologetics, with a focus on lucid explanations of what the Church teaches and arguments for her biblical roots.

One of the aspects of this book I appreciated is the authors exegetical method:Instead of just asserting that certain biblical passages absolutely teach doctrine X, a case is made for its relative probability, often compared to protestant views.

One of the weaknesses is the book's reliance on long quotes from Catholic luminaries like James Cardinal Gibbons and John Cardinal Newman.While these explanations are impressive, I'd prefer to read them in their own contexts.

Catholic Bible Thumping
There is a common misconception among Evangelical Protestants that Catholicism (and "high church" expressions of Christianity in general) is something less than Biblical. The fact that some of its followers may be poorly catechised and are incapable of a sound defense of their beliefs is considered evidence that no such defense is possible. Thus it must be a bit of a shock that an increasing number of Evangelical Protestants (often the "best and the brightest") are leaving for Rome. How is that possible? Don't they read the Bible?!? The answer, according to Dave Armstrong, is yes.

Armstrong, a former Evangelical Protestant, asserts in A Biblical Defense of Catholicism that a thorough reading of the Bible in its proper context does in fact support Catholic doctrine. Tackling points of dispute with Evangelicals, Armstrong builds up a defense using Scriptural passages with supporting evidence for his interpreations supplied by writings of the Church Fathers and Councils. A section of appendices covering additional related topics is also supplied.

Armstrong's exposition is very straightforward - often bluntly so - but his frankness never reaches the point of becoming pure triumphalism. The writing can be dry at times and might best be used as a reference work when investigating the Catholic defense of various positions. It presents Catholic apologetics written in a somewhat Evangelical style and Armstrong counters Evangelical Protestant "prooftexting" with some of his own. While some might object that a "bible thumping" approach does not do justice to the richness of Catholic theology, in apologetics one often has to meet people where they are and not argue about methodology.

As for the veracity of his arguments, much of this probably depends one's outlook. More general points on the development of doctrine, the Eucharistic liturgy, and the Communion of Saints have an undisputed pedigree in Church history and the arguments in their favor from Scripture are long established. It is certain applications of these arguments in what may be called the "distinctives of Rome" where the links are not so strong. For example, while the Scriptural and historical arguments for the leadership and role of St. Peter among the Apostles is quite powerful, the application of these passages to the infalibility of the Bishop of Rome seems tenuous at best.

Still, Armstrong does at least provide sound arguements that Catholic belief and practice is not of necessity inconsistent with Scripture. Faced with the growing shallowness of much of the Evangelicalism one faces on Sunday, many are looking to Rome and the East for possible answers to the dilemma. A Biblical Defense of Catholicism presents arguments for Catholic doctine in terms an Evangelical can appreciate and may serve to bridge the theological gap for those seeking a richer and more historically rooted faith. Even for those who reject Rome's claims, it presents strong arguments that one can wrestle with and achieve a greater appreciation for the Roman position and the points of departure between Catholic and Protestant Christians. ... Read more

Book Description

With 1 billion Catholics in the world -- and 57 million in the United States alone -- Catholicism is the world's most familiar religion. Yet many facets of this varied and dynamic tradition remain unknown or poorly understood. Now The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism offers a one-volume comprehensive and authoritative guide to the people, doctrines, history, worship, art, spirituality, literature, theological developments, and changes that have shaped the Church over nearly two millennia.

Led by general editor Richard P. McBrien, bestselling author of Catholicism, an editorial team drawn almost entirely from the University of Notre Dame has collected more than 4,200 entries written by 280 leading experts from around the world and across the theological spectrum, including Benedict Ashley, Gerald O'Collins, Sandra B. Schneiders, Hans Küng, Walter H. Principe, Elizabeth Johnson, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, Virgilio Elizondo, Catherine Mowry LaCugna, Robert F. Taft, Peter Hebblethwaite, Dermot A. Lane, Francis A. Sullivan, Robert F. Trisco, and John Strynkowski. A concise reference for understanding Catholic terms such as vigil light and maniple, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism also offers superb feature-length entries on subjects ranging from the seven sacraments, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Peter, Paul, Augustine, and Aquinas to prayer and Christian spirituality, Catholicism in the United States, women in the Church, and Vatican II.

Treating Catholicism as a unique tradition, community, and way of life, the encyclopedia defines and describes topics such as Eastern Catholicism, canon law, devotions, religious orders and lay organizations, and saints, angels, and archangels. Also included are tables of the liturgical calendar, ecumenical councils, and a list of all the popes, complete with a brief biography of each.

A convenient and reliable source of information regarding every aspect of Catholicism, past and present, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism covers the controversy and dissent within the Church as well as its teachings and beliefs, providing a balanced and unparalleled resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Catholic life.

Customer Reviews (15)

EVEN SELF-CONTRADICTORY CAPITALIST CATHOLICS MUST FIND 1400 PAGES FOR TEN BUCKS A GOOD DEAL
My problem with this book is putting it down. Not that a three and a half pound book is normally physically difficult to drop, but this tome is so engrossing that long nights quickly pass in the reading of it.

If you must work the next day, struggle not to declare an old night prayer vigil with it, especially if you operate heavy machinery in my area. Seriously, faithful, this large and comprehensive study deserves it requisite ten by seven by three inch space on your bookshelf next to the New Jerome Biblical Commentary and the REv. Father McBrien's other well-known magnus opus Catholicism, along of course with all your hagiography by Sr. Ita Ford, Dorothy Day, the Jesuit Most Rev. and learned Fathers Daniel Berrigan, John Dear, Fr. Ellacuria and Jon Sobrino, alongside of course Fr. Thomas Merton, Fr. Matthew Fox, Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, the Brothers Boff, Father Ernesto Cardenal, Father Hans Kung (represented here with his wonderful questioning in this great Encyclopedia), Sr. Joan Chittister, etc. etc., all available here on amazon for less than the price of shipping (except for one of Fr. Sobrino's most intriguing brief articles which here costs over ten dollars a page!). At under ten bucks this Encyclopedia is the best buy on the mighty amazon, as well as the most orthodox and comprehensive work on Roman Catholicism. I only wish the Search Inside service were active for this tremendous tome.

extraodinarily comprehensive and thorough
If you are a fundumentalist/ radical Mother Angelica type catholic you will be hard pressed to appreciate the truth presented in this book about the Roman Catholic Church.As a masters level student in Theology, I am familiar with Mcbriens other publications and I commend Mcbrien et.al. for their courage to continue publishing "truth" even at the risk of medieval magisterial papal suppression.This book is an excellent resource for parish catechists and all lay ecclesial ministers.

If you can handle the truth, buy this book.Otherwise spend your money on beads and leaflets

A waste of money
I own two of McBrien's books (Catholicism & Encyclopedia). They look very serious on Catholicism, but they are NOT. They contain a lot of McBrien's thoughts about what should be Catholicism. In other words, McBrien wishes the Catholic Church to conform to his opinions. A waste of money. If you want to know about Catholicism, buy the Catechism of the Catholic Church instead. For more detailed review on McBrien's books, go to catholicculture.org and search for McBrien.

McBrien and His Team Have Performed a Great Service
Since I received this book from Amazon last week, I have had real trouble setting it aside.Not only does it contain a staggering amount of information; it also is beautifully produced and intelligently written.

First, it is huge, a good thing for any encyclopedia -- 1300 pages and over 4,000 entries.It is full of pictures: photos of important individuals and sites, reproductions of famous artwork, and explanatory drawings.Major topics, such as each of the sacraments, are covered in long, well-organized essays.And all the details indicate that this project was undertaken with the seriousness and dedication it deserves: the entries are cross-referenced, helpful bibliographies follow many entries, boldface subheads break up and organize the longer entries, bylines are provided after the more analytical entries, a complete list of contributors with their affiliations is provided, pronunciations are given for unfamiliar terms -- I could go on and on.

But most impressive to me is the care with which the entries are written.The writing is aimed at the intelligent non-specialist, someone who has the curiosity and mental vigor to want to hear the various sides of difficult issues.Clearly, some Amazon reviewers were distressed that the book does not simply say, "The Church teaches X," and leave it at that.The book *does* say where the Church stands on various issues (insofar as it has taken a stance), AND the book *also* tells us what other opinions have been and are held by important thinkers and in repsected circles.

Take for example the entry on homosexuality, which other reviewers here have singled out.It was written by Michael Place, Research Theologian to the Curia, Archdiocese of Chicago.The entry expressly tells us that "Traditionally Catholic teaching has grounded its understanding of human sexuality in the Genesis vision of man and woman," and that "On several occasions the Church's hierarchical magisterium has rejected" liberal doctrines in this area.And, for those who want to know more than what the "blackletter law" is, the entry also discusses those liberal doctrines and how attitudes about, and scientific understanding of, homosexuality have developed.

Some Catholic readers apparently do not want the added information; they would prefer a series of cut-and-dried pronouncements without a dangerous idea in sight.Perhaps some Catholic readers also would prefer that a Catholic encyclopedia proclaim in no uncertain terms why their priest or their co-parishioners are heretical corner-cutters.To its credit, that is not what this book provides.

If you want to *understand* Catholicism rather than put your God-given reason on autopilot, this book is for you.Buy it.It is well worth every penny.

Compliments RP McBrien's "Catholicism"
If you didn't like his book "Catholicism" there's a good chance you won't like this rare assest. A rare asset since Fr. McBrien unabashedly states that it is truly comprehensive...and it is.
While purusing it at Borders, I looked up several rather arcane topics I didn't think would be included and which I would be hard pressed to fine info on...voila...all were there. I also like the staggering list of contributors...of all faiths and persuasions.
I looked at the "Catholic Encyclopedia" which was next on the shelf, and found in banal, definitely not worth the price. Incidently I didn't buy it as I wanted to check the price at Amazon...a $14 SAVINGS! I would have bought it from Amazon, but a friend knew I wanted it and purchased it for me. It's a great asset and I will use it in conjunction with my well thumbed and underlined "Catholicism" and "Good News Bible." Oh yes, those reviewers that panned it should be right at home with Archbishop Pilarczyk and Fr. DiNoia along with the NAB...zzzzz ... Read more

Book Description
Try to define a layperson without using the word not: cannotpreach or say Mass, is not in a leadership position in the church. TheSecond Vatican Council, with its emphasis on the priesthood of allbelievers rooted in baptism, changed all that. Yet, writes Paul Lakeland,"many of our bishops and not a few of the lay members of the church areattracted to a dangerously incomplete vision of Catholicism...one thatsidesteps the major themes and key insights of Vatican II." Teasing outideas first developed in his prize-winning The Liberation of the Laity,Lakeland develops "ten steps toward a more adult church." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

If only US Bishops would read this book!
We are reading and discussing this book in our VOTF AffiliateWe particularly love Mr. Lakeland's vision of the Church modeled on the Trinity where all: Laity, Priests and Bishops, have different but equal relationships to God and each other. We serve our communities in different capacities, empathize on service not authority and power. We the laity are not children, and should not be "infantilized". This is a hopeful, nurturing book for those discouraged by the rampant clericalism in the Roman Catholic Church. This book will be enjoyed by Vatican II Catholics.

Fine Analysis
This book gave a good description and analysis of the role of the laity in the church today; as well as several helpful points to further develop their growing involvement as ministers in the 21st century. I would strongly recommend "Catholicism At The Crossroads" be read by anyone interested in furthering the dialogue and conversation regarding the mission of today's Church. ... Read more

Book Description
"[McGreevy] has written the best intellectual history of the Catholic Church in America."—Commonweal

For two centuries, Catholicism has played a profound and largely unexamined role in America's political and intellectual life. Emphasizing the communal over the individual, protections for workers and the poor over market freedoms, and faith in eternal verities over pragmatic compromises, the Catholic worldview has been a constant foil to liberalism.

Catholicism and American Freedom is a groundbreaking tale of strange bedfellows and bitter conflicts over issues such as slavery, public education, economic reform, the movies, contraception, and abortion. It is an international story, as both liberals and conservatives were influenced by ideas and events abroad, from the 1848 revolutions to the rise of Fascism and the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, to papal encyclicals and the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s; and by the people, from scholarly Jesuits to working class Catholics, who immigrated from Europe and Latin America.

McGreevy reveals how the individualist, and often vehemently anti-Catholic, inclinations of Protestant intellectuals shaped the debates over slavery&#151and how Catholics, although they were the first to acknowledge the moral equality of black people and disavowed segregation of churches, even in the South, still had difficulty arguing against the hierarchy and tradition represented by slavery. He sheds light on the unsung heroes of American history like Orestes Browson, editor of Brownson's Quarterly Review, who suffered the disdain of abolitionists for being a Catholic, and the antagonism of conservative Catholics for being an abolitionist; and later heroes like Jacques Maritain and John Courtney Murray, who fought to modernize the Church, increased attention to human rights, and urged the Church "to adapt herself vitally . . . to what is valid in American democratic development."

Putting recent scandals in the Church and the media's response in a much larger context, this stimulating history is a model of nuanced scholarship and provocative reading. 18 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Personal Review
Excellent.This writer documents every assertion, often with quotations.As a professional historian, he tells the story without inserting his own opinions until the very last chapter.Even then, he inserts very few of his own opinions.The book documents the often-uneasy relationship between Protestant viewpoints derived from a belief that each individual is responsible for himself and his own actions, and Catholic viewpoints that are based on Thomistic understanding of the community/common good, and individuals' relatinships to each other through the common good.This is not Protestants versus Catholics.This is two different mindsets, both of which produce responsible citizens.

Excellent history of Catholicism in the United States
Catholicism and American Freedom: A History is a readable, scholarly work, with extensive references. Although it is a history of Catholicism, one also gets an education on the great influence of all Christian religions on US historical development, which is woefully lacking in modern, politically correct textbooks. (One can learn here how Justice Felix Frankfurter invented the "wall of separation of church and state," which did not exit before 1948.)

There are a couple of threads to the book. One is the struggle of Catholics to gain acceptance as loyal Americans first from Protestant antagonism, which has ebbed and flowed over two centuries, to the attacks by secular liberalism, today. The book opens in 1859 with Protestants questioning Catholic motives because of the refusal of a Catholic child in a public school to recite the Protestant enumeration of the Ten Commandments. One hundred years later, in that same state (Massachusetts), Catholics were berated for inflicting their views of contraception on non-Catholics. In the mid-1800s, the Church saw slavery as an acceptable institution (though not in its form in the American South); by the late 1960s, the Church was a leader for racial equality. Also, since the early 1900s, the Church began leading the campaign for social justice in the US.Today, the Catholic Church finds itself aligned with conservative Protestants against secular liberals' insistence on legal abortion. The final chapter of the book is about the post-Vatican II Church's handling of internal problems, such as pederasty by priests, and its effect on the Church's mission in America. This section is weak, but the scenario is still being played out.

A second thread is the struggle by the institutional Church to come to grips with democracy, and with individual freedom, which is the hallmark of American democracy. In early American history, the Church was suspicious of democracy because of the persecution of Catholics and seizure of Church property by European democracies, and the Church favored governments that sponsored Catholicism as the state religion. Though it took over a century, the American experience was a major influence on changing the Church's thought to realize that freedom of religion is better for the Church and that individual freedom in a democracy is preferred over authoritarian rule.

Praise for accurate title and fascinating book
It took me about ten days to read this fascinating book.The author has made an excellent contribution to U. S. history by carefully keeping to his title topic (Catholicism and American Freedom: A History), halting his account when he has made his point, and jumping ahead ten or fifteen years.With a hundred pages of notes and a helpful index, McGreevy has fashioned a parade of people exposing their thoughts and prejudices.I had already known many of the names and events, but I found the quotations startling.Such brazen words written by such renowned men!As for wisdom and insight, Jacques Maritain stood out.I must explain the withheld fifth star: Other authors enliven their work by colorizing, presenting one view with convincing animation.This book is nuanced, more like life, therefore a bit more difficult to read. ... Read more

Book Description
The Classic Work Simplified and Updated

Written by one of the country's most respected Catholic theologians, for twenty years this book has been the standard in explaining the major doctrines of the faith. Here now is a fully revised edition, updated throughout by Hellwig herself. The result offers solid, trustworthy answers to questions that trouble most thinking Catholics.

This concise overview of the Catholic faith--

· uses inclusive language for God and gender.

· streamlines the original's expression of ideas into simpler terms.

· clarifies the book's more difficult material.

· covers a wide range of topics.

· addresses the major questions raised by general readers over the past twenty years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Still #1
Thirty years ago I did a survey of Catholic theology teachers to identify what texts they used in Introductory Courses.The first edition of Monika Hellwig's "Understanding Catholicism" was the top selection of over 50% of the respondents.Her revised edition is even better.The only thing I could have wished for is more recent books in her chapter bibliographis.

ONLY THE LATE PROFESSOR HELLWIG OPENS TO US THE PORTALS TOWARDS A LIFETIME UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH IN 200 PAGES
Forget triglio's Catholicism for Dummies and the water downed rest. Only the great Catholic Theologian and professor Monika Hellwig can, like Dante's Beatrice, open unto us the portals towards understanding our faith in under 200 pages, with substantial indications for further study.

To do so, of course, she structures her entire work upon the essential and infinite Catholic mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Triune God of three Persons in One God who unfolds itself to deeper mystery and understanding the more we contemplate and seek to comprehend. Hellwig here opens the way for us to a lifetime of active Faith.

Her first section then speaks to God as Powerful Compassion, the Creator, and the sinfulness which separates us. The second section therefore speaks of Jesus, our Redeemer, our Saviour, our Liberation and Foundation for Our Hope. The Third Section necessarily discovers the Spirit in our Church, in Communion and Institution, in the Sacraments and the gifts of the Spirit. Finally Professsor Hellwig speaks of the end times and the world which is to come, and final words on our Triune God.

As noted above, throughout this brief yet comprehensive text, Professor Hellwig indicates very solid sources for further study as a path towards an impossible to complete understanding of Catholicism, a path which nevertheless we Catholics must take towards unity with our Triune God and one another in love. Highly recommended for seasoned Catholics as well as initiates and other seekers.

Read this if Catholicism a la EWTN comes up short
I was writing reviews of some other books and a notice on this book popped up on the page.I am surprised to see that it is still published.It is one of the books which helped me to reconnect with the Catholic tradition in 1990 after a time away as a born again fundamentalist.Hellwig awakened me to the sense that understanding Catholicism (or any tradition) is indeed a lifelong process.Catechesis is ongoing, at least in my experience, and this is very much unlike the idea, increasingly found in conventional Catholicism, that we somehow have managed to fully articulate the Christian vision. ... Read more

Product Description
Mere Catholicism explains in easily accessible, non-technical language the fundamental doctrines of Catholicism. It also shows how these doctrines follow naturally from the fundamental doctrines common to orthodox Christiansmere Christianity .Catholicism can mystify or even repel other Christians, while its complexities can confuse Catholics themselves. Ian Ker s stimulating book makes Catholicism come alive as the fullness of Christianity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Can Anything Good Come Out of Tübingen?
Adam's book is terrific, and as Olson points out, amazing in that it was ahead of its time. Another reviewer's comments on his socialism pushed me to do a little research. Despite his brilliant writing, Adam was in certain ways a child of his time and place, and appears to have been a patriotic German. While his loyalties may have been misplaced, and he was also anti-semetic in ways embarrassing to us today, he was no Nazi. In certain ways he seems to offer a Catholic counter-portrait to the many devout Christians who were overly zealous in support of America's Confederate South. We can condemn the man and his writings, or see it as grace that despite human blinkers he was still able to get so much so right, and keep his lasting books free of the nationalist taint that hurt his middle years. To modern eyes his volumes read as strikingly clear-sighted and irenic, and I can think of no author better to recommend to inquiring Protestants (along with Bouyer, Guardini, and von Hilderbrand). These comments on Adam's German patriotism from The Catholic Historical Review are long but helpful:

"The Tübingen theologian Karl Adam (1876-1966) won international respect in the 1920's with the publication of The Spirit of Catholicism (German text, 1924), which appeared in English in 1929 and eventually in ten other languages,including Chinese and Japanese.This book on the Church as the mystical body of Christ influenced Yves Congar, Dorothy Day, Flannery O'Connor, Karl Rahner, and Pope Paul VI,who implicitly drew on the work in his first encyclical, Ecclesiam suam (1964). Adam wrote other widely read books as well:Christ Our Brother(1926) and The Son of God (1933), in which he stressed thehumanity of Jesus Christ, and The Christ of Faith(1954), which illumines theChurch's teachings about Jesus Christ against the demythologizing of Rudolf Bultmann and the reductionism of the liberal quest for the historical Jesus. Adam was surely one of the most creative Catholic theologians of the early twentieth century. However,he was also one of the most prominent German Catholic proponents of an accommodation between the Catholic Church and Adolf Hitler. How could he have perceived common ground between Catholicism and National Socialism? What was it about his theology that fed into his political naiveté?

Lucia Scherzberg answers these questions in Kirchenreform mit Hilfe des Nationalsozialismus, "church reform with the help of National Socialism." Along with most Germans,Adam's patriotism swelled in August,19l4,when the nation went to war,and it was deeply offended by the war's end and the Treaty of Versailles. Beginning in 1919, Adam set out to present the Catholic Church's primary teachings in categories that were faithful to the Bible and Christian tradition and simultaneously intelligible to his contemporaries. Intent upon finding an alternative to Neo-Scholasticism,he made use of Max Scheler's phenomenology and the neo-romantic existentialism or Lebensphilosophie of Rainer Maria Rilke and Friedrich Nietzsche.Crucial was the notion of community, of the "organic" interconnectedness of people who share a common history and
similar religious beliefs and moral values.

Residing in idyllic Tübingen, Adam judged in 1933 that Hitler could restore Germans'unity and pride. If the new chancellor and his circle could be influenced to uphold the legal and moral order, then the Church could flourish in Germany,for it could build its spiritual community on the foundation of a vibrant national community. Moreover, the Church itself could undergo its much-needed renewal by means of its participation in the new German society; that is, it could replace its medieval and baroque forms with ones more appropriate to the contemporary world,for example, by switching from Latin at Mass to the vernacular and by dropping the requirement of clerical celibacy.

Scherzberg has shed new light on Adam's theological and political reasoning and also on his professional relationships, thereby highlighting aspects of Catholicism in the Third Reich. She goes beyond the books on Karl Adam by Hans Kreidler (1988), Robert Krieg (1992), and Karl-Heinz Wiesemann (2000) in her review of the theologian's correspondence and in her discussion of his work from the perspective of recent studies in theological inculturation, for example, by Michael Bongardt, Robert Schreiter, Roland Spliesgart,Hans Kessler, and Otmar Fuchs. She appropriately cites Kevin Spicer's valuable doctoral dissertation "Choosing Between God and Satan" (Boston College, 2000) concerning Berlin's Catholic clergy under Hitler. However, she does not refer to the two-volume Der Rheinische Reformkreis (2001), edited by Hubert Wolf and Klaus Arnold, which includes Adam's correspondence with German Catholics who looked for ways in which they could use the national movement to bring about changes in the Church.This correspondence shows that Adam's primary loyalty was to the Church; although he tried to find points of contact between the Church and some of Hitler's ideas, he was not a National Socialist." -R.A.Krieg, Catholic Historical Review, Oct. 02.

Theological compartmentilization
Karl Adam's book was one of the few I bought as a teenager in Germany on the recommendation of the priest in charge of the parish youth group. Even then it struck me that the author turnedmore to Goethe than tothe saints and Fathers of the Church to make his point.I have come to know only recentlythatmy scepticism was well founded.An article by Denziger, a professor at Bambergand a book by Krieg, a professor at Notre Dame, have demasked Adam as one of the three important German theologians who endorsed the "blood and soil" doctrine of National Socialism. Adam considered the Jews an inferior race and even speculated in a very peculiar way thatJesus Christ was miraculously spared the shame and stain of Jewish genes.
The young priestwho had attended Adam's lectures in Tuebingen explained to me that the Nazis were right in restricting the Jews, especially the ones infiltratingGermany from the East.My parents had Jewish friendswe visited quite often and I had gotten good advice from Dr. Roseconcerning my studies of ancient Greek. I also knew that anotherpriest in our parish had insisted that Christ was a Jew. So I was surprised and annoyed by the first priest's anti-Semitism. Inspite of Adam's brilliant writings I have notbeen able to take him seriously since. --Another disillusion of old age.

Talking to all of each part of the human person
German theologian Karl Adam makes here the best case I have yet found for the following proposition: The Catholic faith not only speaks to all people, it speaks to each part of every person. Adam knew, and showed, how rich the Catholic faith is, from art and literature to intellectual and architectural cathedrals; from piety and community to mysticism. Each part of a person is addressed: the intellectual, the affective (or emotional), and the imaginative. And each part is brought together with the others to form a beautiful, brilliant, and vibrant whole.

Adam shows the teachings of the Church as lived realities. They are beautiful, intellectually sound, and viscerally charged. lamentably, contemporary writings about the Church's loveliness tend to fall miles beneath the august standard here set.

Though written in the 1920s, this book's appeal is not primarily historical. It presents a fresh vision of what the Catholic life may yet again be, and inspires one's journey toward that lovely horizon.

Good First Step
I picked up a copy of the original 1935 version of this book and gave it a chance. This is not an area that I normally read so at first I did not know what to expect.I am also not an overly religious person so I do not have a large stock of other books to compare it to.I found that the book was well written and easy to move through. I was concerned it would be a little high handed, but it was not. It was full of information that was beneficial.You certainly gain a positive view of the church from the book and it has spurned me on to look for more titles on the subject. If you are like me, a first time reader in the area this was a good way to start.

Excellent book
This book helped me immensely with my apologetics "homework", especially concerning communion of the saints and other issues that are so alien to Protestants. The book is extremely well written and contains so much information that I haven't found in one source anywhere else. If you are sitting on the theological fence then this book is a MUST read! ... Read more

Product Description
Are you a member of the "lost generation?"

Do you still feel in a bit of a "fog" over the details of your Catholic upbringing and education?

Finally, here's the opportunity to "connect the dots" and tap into the true joys of the Faith!

Written in a warm, friend-to-friend style by a fellow "lost generation" author, Catholicism: Now I Get It! is a refreshing guide for rediscovering the doctrine, truths, and deep satisfaction in your faith that may have never quite "clicked."

Recalling childhood memories of her own religious education, the author relates to readers with wit, humor, and loads of encouragement.With simple explanations of key concepts, enlightened discussions of common misperceptions, and thought-provoking ideas for spiritual growth.Catholicism: Now I Get It! helps readers clear the "fog" and bring faith into daily life.

Catholicism: Now I Get It! empowers readers with:

• The highlights of historical origins, beliefs, and traditions of the Catholic Church
• The truth behind the sacraments
• The "aha!" explanations of the "whys" behind Church Tradition
• Unwavering support to get -- and stay -- focused on living out the Faith

Sometimes amusing, sometimes poignant, Catholicism: Now I Get It! gives readers the spark they need to begin their own unique journeys.Recapture the fullness of your Catholic Faith.Discover what you've been missing today! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Good but not completely accurate
I am a non-denominational protestant exploring the Catholic faith and will more than likely become a Catholic.I pick up this book with several others on the Catholic faith.

I like the style of the book and it is very easy to read.What is troubling it that it is not completely accurate.The author uses scripture passages to suppport her discussion around different teachings of the Catholic church.At different points, she makes a statement and then gives a scripture reference in parenthesis.Some of her statements suprised me since I have already studied many books on the Catholic faith and some of her conclusions were new to me; I was also very happye to see the scripture references.The problem is that when I went to the Bible to read the supporting reference, in more than one case they did not support the statement that she was making!!This was really problematic for me since I am wanting as accurate an understanding of the Catholic faith as possible.Since I am using a lot of what I read as an apologetic to my husband, it is very important that it is very accurate (he has found statements in other books that are not supportable and is now very suspicious).

For Catholics and non-Catholics I would suggest "Catholicism for Dummies" as very readalbe and accurate.For Catholics or those that already have a pretty good grasp of the Catholic faith I would suggest the "United States Catholic Catechism for Adults".This book is much easier to read than the Catechism itself and have a very nice format for each section.The biggest advantage, however, is that you know it is 100% accurate.

Claire Gets It, Now You Can Too!
I love Claire's story because it mirrors not only my own, but just about every cradle Catholic I've ever known. We learn the faith as children but really don't "get it" until the it gets challenged--then we either get it or bale. Sadly many bale, without unpacking what we learned and putting it into practice. Thankfully Claire does the work for us.
The Ivy League grad gives a great overview of the basics of the Faith in a manner that makes this not only enjoyable to read but lifechanging.

A Big Thumb's Up!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It is affordable (retailing for $12.95) and relatively brief (252 pages).The author gets right to the meat of her subject, which is a hardy defense of the Catholic Church, her teachings and dogmas, without apologies while laying down her apologetic approach.

Ms. Smith stumbles a bit out of the gate, before hitting her stride, about 1/3 of the way into the book.I found three glaring errors early on in this book.

On pages 41-42, she writes, "After the Resurrection, Paul (whose name was Saul before he was renamed by Jesus)..."To be more precise, St. Paul was born a Roman citizen, and therefore Paul (Paulus) was already his name at birth.It was his Roman name.Saul was his Jewish name.Jesus didn't have to rename Saul to Paul, since he already was known by both names.St. Paul, as apostle to the Gentiles, found it more fitting that he would go by his Roman name in his ministry.

On page 44 the author writes, "The Roman authorities later paid the guards to say the body (of Christ) was stolen."This is a glaring error.The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 12-16, makes it clear that the Chief Priests in Jerusalem bribed the guards of Jesus' tomb, not the Roman authorities.

Page 46 has this error, "Over at Lourdes, France---where Mary had appeared to St. Bernadette in 1958..."The author surely meant 1858, a century earlier.

Other than the 3 above mentioned mistakes, the rest of the book is quite sound, and I would recommend it highly for those that are looking for a nonscholarly & brief introduction to basic Catholicism.

John Paul

Now I really do get it!
I was born and raised Catholic, but received the typical post-VII Catholic education. As an adult, I found myself with virtually no knowledge of just what it meant to be a Catholic. This book caught my eye while I was perusing the shelves at a Catholic bookstore, and I decided to give it a try.

I found it to be an excellent summary and defense of the basic tenets of Catholic teaching. It gave me many "A-HA!" moments in which some action, prayer, or tradition I'd always practiced without knowing why, suddenly made sense. Most importantly, I came to understand precisely why the Catholic church is the true church founded by Christ, which instilled in me a desire both to study the faith more in depth, and to spread the good news to all the world. This book marked the beginning of a period of intense spiritual growth for me, and now I encourage all my fellow post-VII "fuzzy Catholics" to give it a try.

An Impressive Defense of the Faith
Claire Furia Smith is a cradle Catholic who grew up going to Mass and Catholic schools. It would therefore appear that she was as well educated in the Faith as any lay Catholic could be. As an adult however she realized that she was seriously lacking in knowledge concerning some of the Church's primary teachings and she took commendable action to correct this problem. Realizing that there were probably many others like herself Mrs. Smith has written a book just for the long time Catholic that may need to bone up on the teachings of Mother Church and she has done so in a clear and easy to understand manner.

This book deals with several major positions taken by the Church including Infallibility, Confession, Purgatory, the Saints and the Virgin Mary. In each chapter the author clearly explains the Biblical and historical basis for Church teachings and tells of her own experiences concerning each subject. Included in the chapter about Confession is the heartwarming and funny story of her own first Confession. It seems that she decided to make a list of her sins to take along with her so that she wouldn't forget anything but then someone suggested that it might be dark in the Confessional. To solve that problem she took along a flashlight that she kept hidden inside the pockets of the baggy outfit that she chose to wear that day. She thought that all was well until a year later when a Nun told the newest group of first timers not to bring a flashlight. Each chapter is presented in a like manner, which makes for a highly interesting and enjoyable read.

Unfortunately the author is a little strident at times, which might turn off those thinking of conversion and looking for answers. Mrs. Smith is a proud Catholic after all and she makes no excuses or apologies for her opinions. For long time Catholics however this book will prove to be a very useful resource, explaining things that we might not quite understand and also providing answers to the questions we are most often hit with by those hostile to Catholicism. A friend of mine at Church recently told me about a conversation she had been involved in which forced her to think back to her Catholic education to try and answer some tough questions. This book would be perfect for this friend and I think that I may well buy her a copy. I could give her mine but I intend to keep this precious little book in my own library so that I can consult it with regularity. ... Read more

Book Description