Book Recommendation For Converts

[TotusTuusMaria]

Suprised by Truth 1, 2, and 3 by Patrick Madrid

[Knight of the Holy Rosary]

[quote]Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed[/quote]

I think this book is nice solid ground to begin studying theology. Gotta get the basics in! This book goes over very instrumental teachings of Holy Mother Church; such as what a soul is, the Trinity, grace, salvation, sacraments, our Lady and much more!

This book, to me, is a must read!!

[Katholikos]

St. Benedict,

When he made those remarks about Traditionalists, Scott Hahn may have had in mind his long-time seminary associate and friend, Gerry Matatics, who converted and came into the Church a little before he did, and has become a radical "Traditionalist." And I do mean radical. Overboard. More Catholic than the Pope. Matatics and Karl Keating have had public fights over this. Not pretty.

I dislike these divisive labels and attitudes among Catholics. It's really a turn-off for inquirers, who say we're as divided as the Protestants. The only distinctions that matter are orthodox and heterodox, which means no longer Catholic. I hope Papa Benedict's action to make the TLM more accessible will tone down the clamor.

Perhaps you need to assess the educational level of your prospects before compiling a list of books for them? I think Trent's Catechism is difficult reading for the average inquirer, who probably has little or no knowledge of the historical background. You might want to save it for later. The CCC is much easier to read and teaches the same doctrines. My 2 cents.

Sheed, Shea, and Currie are excellent.

Likos

Edit to add P.S. The Spirit of Catholicism by Karl Adam is a wonderful book, but it's a very challenging read. Adam was a theologian.

Edited June 10, 2007 by Katholikos

[Ziggamafu]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Catholic-Reads-For-Protestants/lm/RGB8YNSEHH212/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full/002-9174798-6048829"]Amazon Listmania: "Easy Catholic Reads For Protestants"[/url]

This list only has seven books and they are all great, easy reads. I would add the new adult catechism and the standard CCC as well.

[Katholikos]

P.S. Not exactly easy to read, but not too difficult, but essential in my opinion:

Henry G. Graham's Where We Got the Bible

It's free on line at [url="http://www.angelfire.com/ms/seanie/deuteros/graham_contents.html"]http://www.angelfire.com/ms/seanie/deutero...m_contents.html[/url]
and available from Amazon and Catholic Answers.

Or, a book like it. Most Protestants do not know that the Bible came from the Church and has a long history. That knowledge was very helpful to me on my journey.

[homeschoolmom]

Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs by Alan Schreck
Unabridged Christianity: Biblical Answers to Common Questions About the Roman Catholic Faith by Fr. Mario P. Romero
Worthy is the Lamb: The Biblical Roots of the Mass by Thomas J. Nash

[Moneybags]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1292666' date='Jun 11 2007, 09:41 AM']Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs by Alan Schreck
Unabridged Christianity: Biblical Answers to Common Questions About the Roman Catholic Faith by Fr. Mario P. Romero
Worthy is the Lamb: The Biblical Roots of the Mass by Thomas J. Nash[/quote]

I've added the second two to my list but not the first one. I have been warned that Schreck has erroneous opinions on the issue of "savlation outside of the Church". We definitely need that issue taught correctly to converts.

I have also added this to my list:

Radio Replies Volumes 1 & 2 by Fathers Rumble and Carty

[Moneybags]

[quote name='TotusTuusMaria' post='1291797' date='Jun 10 2007, 09:39 AM']Suprised by Truth 1, 2, and 3 by Patrick Madrid[/quote]

I have been told that Volume 3 is extremely anti-traditional. I removed it from my list. I also added these to the list: "Where is that in the Bible?" and "Where is that in tradition?" by Madrid.

[TotusTuusMaria]

J.M.J.

[quote name='St. Benedict' post='1292849' date='Jun 11 2007, 12:43 PM']I have been told that Volume 3 is extremely anti-traditional. I removed it from my list. I also added these to the list: "Where is that in the Bible?" and "Where is that in tradition?" by Madrid.[/quote]

There is nothing extremely anti-traditional in Volume 3. The only possible thing you could be referring too is the piece written by Pete Vere, JCL titled "'More Catholic Then the Pope' No More". It can be found on pp.147-168. He was Catholic growing up amidst Vatican II, but left the Church and turned toward the occult, in a search for "spiritual power". He never lost his love for Our Lady though, and continued to wear her scapular. He soon started to attend a Pentecostal church finding in it that "spiritual power" he had been searching for. But doctrinal issues among other things made him re-examine his beliefs. He returned to the Church after meeting a very kind, elderly lady who taught him the Divine Mercy Chaplet. She was involved in SSPX though. In turn, he became involved in SSPX. He discusses in his writing the beauty of the Tridentine Mass and the problems that he encountered in realizing that he was truly in schism.

In no way is it "anti-traditional". It does state that SSPX is in schism. That is the truth though. He never says anything "bad" about the traditional liturgy, but rather talks of it's beauty and Pope John Paul II's encouragement of a wider celebration of the sacraments according to the Tridentine Liturgy. It is a very well written testimony. The only people who would find it "anti-traditional" are those that are involved in SSPX because it totally does away with all of their justifications of being involved in SSPX. Other people who are in communion with Rome, but still have a love for the Latin Liturgy would never find this "anti-traditional". I am curious to know what is considered "anti-traditional" to you?

These books can be a great profit to future converts. And Volume 3 can especially be of great profit to those that are in schism from Rome. (Only one testimony in volume three (15-20 pages or so) speak of SSPX. They need to be converted just as well as Protestants or those that are not Christian. Also, Protestants and those that are not Christian can come to have a better knowledge of Vatican II and a greater love for the Latin Liturgy by reading Pete Vere's testimony. I encourage you to add Suprised by Truth back to the list.

I have never read "Where is that in the Bible?" and "Where is that in tradition?" by Madrid. I am sure they are very well written though. I have read many of his debates on the topics of the Bible alone and tradition. He is very good.

In Jesus and Mary,
Marie

[Moneybags]

Let's not argue about whether the SSPX are in schism are not

I have been asked to remove Deus Caritas Est from the list because it is not a true apologetic work. What do you think?

I've also added these to the list:

The Sinner's Guide by Venerable Louis of Granada., OP
Liberalism is a Sin by Fr. Felix Sarda y Fr. Salvany

[goldenchild17]

[quote name='St. Benedict' post='1293383' date='Jun 11 2007, 10:20 PM']The Sinner's Guide by Venerable Louis of Granada., OP[/quote]
Not familiar with this work.

[quote]Liberalism is a Sin by Fr. Felix Sarda y Fr. Salvany[/quote]
definitely

Edited June 12, 2007 by goldenchild17

[Laudate_Dominum]

The Sinner's Guide is phat!

[TotusTuusMaria]

J.M.J.
[quote name='St. Benedict' post='1293383' date='Jun 11 2007, 11:20 PM']Let's not argue about whether the SSPX are in schism are not

I have been asked to remove Deus Caritas Est from the list because it is not a true apologetic work. What do you think?

I've also added these to the list:

The Sinner's Guide by Venerable Louis of Granada., OP
Liberalism is a Sin by Fr. Felix Sarda y Fr. Salvany[/quote]

I never wished to argue about anything. I was just saying it is not anti-traditional. Maybe you should read it.

It is a pity that you took Deus Caritas Est off the list. A true pity. Have you read it?

I have never read the other two.

In Jesus and Mary,
Marie

[Moneybags]

I have read parts of Deus Caritas Est, and I do believe that it is a little too theological for most converts. Plus, it examines a very specific issue - love. I would like to have books with a more broad subject.

I have decided to add the following to the list:

1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal by Angelus Press

I want to also add Butler's Lives of the Saints to the List. What edition do you recommend?

Edited June 12, 2007 by St. Benedict

[Innocent]

[quote name='goldenchild17' post='1293485' date='Jun 12 2007, 11:07 AM']Not familiar with this work.[/quote]

I've been looking through this online..

Some links:
[url="http://www.ewtn.com/library/SPIRIT/GRANADA.HTM"][color="#FF0000"]1 [/color][/url]
[url="http://www.catholictreasury.info/Guide/Default.htmhttp://www.catholictreasury.info/Guide/Default.htm"] [color="#8B0000"] 2[/color][/url]
[url="http://catholictradition.org/Classics/sinners-guide.htm"][color="#FF00FF"] 3 [/color][/url]
[url="http://www.franciscan-sfo.org/ap/SG/GRANADA.htm"][color="#2E8B57"]4[/color] [/url]