I'm always getting requests for book recommendations, and it's funny how your mind goes blank. I just got one from a sweet Protestant lady who is looking for a book to read with her husband and her older teens to answer objections from friends to Catholicism. That seems so open-minded of her, doesn't it? I wanted to try to find just the right one and I asked on Facebook for help.
I am putting the answers here so that they are in one place and we can find them again. They are more or less in order of how they answer the need -- something to give to a Protestant as opposed to a resource for a Catholic wishing to defend the faith (Another time I'll do a post for books that explain Catholicism to Catholics and/or give resources for apologetics -- also a necessary undertaking!).
Any description is by the one who recommended it or from the listing and I have not read it myself, unless otherwise noted. The links are affiliate links with Amazon -- when you buy, a little comes my way, so thank you.
The Case for Catholicism: Answers to Classic and Contemporary Protestant Objections by Trent Horn. Comprehensive guide to answers for Protestant objections. Also Why We're Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love.
The Protestant's Dilemma: How the Reformation's Shocking Consequences Point to the Truth of Catholicism by Devin Rose. Rose patiently unpacks each dilemma, and shows how Catholicism solves the Protestant dilemma through the witness of Scripture, Christian history, and the authority with which Christ himself undeniably vested his Church.
Scriptural Catholicism by Steven Kellmeyer. For non-Catholics who insist on asking the question, "Show me where in Scripture it teaches that ...?!" All the things are indeed taught in Scripture.
Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David Currie. Currie was a Protestant missionary and converted to the Catholic faith. Update: I have now read this book. I would say that the section on the papacy is marred by a certain ultramontanism, however understandable given the time in which it was written, when the Pope was committed to upholding the teachings of the Church. It does not age well in light of this papacy. Catholics are challenged to return to a sense of obligation to do our part, including to "say it to Peter's face" when he is taking the wrong approach, and we don't help our cause with Protestants when we ignore the crisis we face. I wrote about this here.
Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians" by Karl Keating. 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.
Catholic Answers to Protestant Questions: A Concise Summary by Fr. John J. Pasquini. Convincing defense of Catholic beliefs through reason, Scripture, and the life of the Holy Spirit. Maybe not for someone looking for quick answers, from what I can tell.
This Is the Faith: A Complete Explanation of the Catholic Faith by Canon Francis Ripley. He was also known as Francis Joseph Ripley, was an English priest born in 1912 at Lancashire. Comprehensive guide to Catholicism.
Unabridged Christianity: Biblical Answers to Common Questions About the Roman Catholic Faith by Fr. Mario P. Romero.
Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs by Alan Schreck.
Why Do Catholics Do That?: A Guide to the Teachings and Practices of the Catholic Church by Kevin Orlin Johnson.
Signs of Life by Scott Hahn. Similar to the previous one.
The Apostasy That Wasn't: The Extraordinary Story of the Unbreakable Early Church by Rod Bennett. The idea of a Great Apostasy is one of the cornerstones of American Protestantism, along with Mormonism, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and even Islam. Countless millions today profess a faith built on the assumption that the early Church quickly became broken beyond repair, requiring some new prophet or reformer to restore the pure teaching of Jesus and the apostles. This theory is popular... but it's also fiction...
Evangelical is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament by Thomas Howard
Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic by John Bergsma, former Protestant pastor.
Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberley Hahn. The conversion story of a couple who were leaders in their Protestant confession. I have read it and it's great.
Confessions of a Roman Catholic by Paul Whitcomb. Booklet length story of the conversion through the Bible of a former Presbyterian.
Surprised by Truth by Patrick Madrid. 11 stories of personal conversion; Biblical and historical proofs of Catholicism.
The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth by Scott Hahn. Specifically about Scriptural reasons to accept Catholic worship in the Mass. I have read it and it's excellent. Update: I just want to add that I don't agree with his conclusion, in which he addresses the very real problem that we face in ordinary worship, where the Mass we are given diverges from and doesn't at all reflect the glories he spends his book extolling. I don't agree that we should just accept the situation. Where children are in the picture especially, we have to do our utmost to find the most reverent and most traditional form of worship we are able to, including making sacrifices to travel. And we should tell our bishop why we do that.
Salvation Is from the Jews: The Role of Judaism in Salvation History from Abraham to the Second Coming by Roy Schoeman. Traces the role of Judaism and the Jewish people in God's plan for the salvation of mankind, from Abraham through the Second Coming, as revealed by the Catholic faith and by a thoughtful examination of history. It will give Christians a deeper understanding of Judaism, both as a religion in itself and as a central component of Christian salvation. I have read this book; it leads you to understand how the Catholic Church is the fulfillment and continuation of God's plan for worship.
Christians Must Reunite: Now is the Time by Paul Nelson. Short conversion story aimed at reuniting those of faith.
Christus Vincit by Bishop Athansius Schneider. For a high-information Protestant, the gripping story of Schneider's youth and especially of the faith of his family offers a view of Catholicism under trial. A great part of the book is an excellent explanation of what it means to be Catholic.
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Christianity by Michael Foley. Maybe more for an atheist looking for answers... Prof. Foley is an excellent writer.
Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton was the book that helped me to go "higher up and deeper in"!
If you have suggestions for books that would be good to give to Protestants (not ones for the Catholic who wants to explain things) that are not on this list, please leave a comment! Thank you!
Mark McNeil has a book called All In The Name, detailing his conversion from Oneness Pentacostalism.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Leila!
Thank you!
DeleteThe middle part of Carrie Gress's The Marian Option is an interesting look at the way Mary has worked in history- it's not aimed at Protestants at all but would still be interesting to a Protestant that has questions about her.
ReplyDeleteLuigi Giussani's trilogy of The Religious Sense, At the Origin of the Christian Claim, and Why the Church? really get to the heart of things. They are very different from the books you listed but I think would help a seeking Protestant immensely- and the first book would help an open agnostic/atheist as well.
Thank you, Anamaria!
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