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beachmoss
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| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 02:04 am |
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| What book would you recommend to give to a Mormon that explains the Catholic faith? Would the Catechism be too deep?
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 02:48 am |
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It depends on the person, Beth, more than his affiliation. The Catechism is a beautiful and eloquent text as well as deep, and many have found it persuasive even if they only understand a portion of it. But there are others who are confused by what it says or cannot warm to its contents.
Also, it depends on the person’s attitude. Anti-Catholics have a hard time with anything Catholic, period. But people with an open mind will at least come away with a positive impression, even if there are some “hard sayings” in it. (Now if only Catholics acted like they believe what the Church teaches!)
David
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 03:56 am |
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beachmoss wrote: What book would you recommend to give to a Mormon that explains the Catholic faith? Would the Catechism be too deep?
I would think the Compendium to the Catechism would be a better place to start, followed by the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. The full Catechism is a better reference book and is not really structured for learning.
Popular books such as Catholicism for Dummies or Unabridged Christianity (my favorite) are also excellent places to start.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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BodRod
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 06:06 pm |
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It seems to me that what you recommend would depend on what they are saying or asking. I would try to play to their interests. For example:
If the were interested in a biblical basis for the Catholic religion, they might like, A Biblical Defense for Catholicism by Dave Armstrong, OR Where Is That In the Bible by Patrick Madrid.
If they were interested in why the Church has her traditions they might like, Why Is That A Tradition? by Patrick Madrid.
If the were interested in general topics they might like, The Essential Catholic Handbook, a Redemptorist pastoral publication, OR What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating.
You get the idea .......
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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beachmoss
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Posted: Sun Jan 20th, 2008 10:44 pm |
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Thanks, guys! I appreciate your responses!
I'm not too familiar with the Compendium to the Catechism, but I'll check it out.
Cliff, thanks for the suggestion of playing to their interests! That's genius!
Beth
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Jan 21st, 2008 01:00 am |
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beachmoss wrote: I'm not too familiar with the Compendium to the Catechism, but I'll check it out.
The Compendium is basically a summary version of the Catechism in a Q&A format. It's available online at the Vatican web site. The Q&A format is much more "user friendly" than the full catechism, and it is completely cross-referenced so more complete explanations can be found quickly.
It's small, easy to carry, easy to read, and makes an excellent introduction to the Catechism itself. It's also a heck of a lot less intimidating!
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Mon Jan 21st, 2008 03:05 am |
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CajunRick wrote:The [Compendium’s] Q&A format is much more "user friendly" than the full catechism….
“Small, easy to carry, easy to read,” yes — but not easy to comprehend by someone unfamiliar with general Christian doctrine. Elsewhere I’ve likened it to a PowerPoint presentation. It begs for a teacher or commentator to help one interpret the ultra-compressed statements and straighten out misconceptions. I consider it a good classroom tool, but not a good personal read-through. Random example:
126. What place does the Resurrection of Christ occupy in our faith?
The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ and represents along with his cross an essential part of the Paschal Mystery.
Question: How is the resurrection the “crowning truth of our faith in Christ”? What does it prove, that we should consider it to be important? (By the way, this is something that mystified me as a child, so I speak from experience. Also see my note near the end of the post.)
Question: What is the exact relationship between the cross and resurrection that the latter can be considered “an essential part of the Paschal Mystery”? And while we’re at it, what is the Paschal Mystery?
Another example:
202. What is the meaning of the term “body” (or “flesh”) and what importance does it have?
The resurrection of the flesh is the literal formulation in the Apostles Creed for the resurrection of the body. The term “flesh” refers to humanity in its state of weakness and mortality. “The flesh is the hinge of salvation” (Tertullian). We believe in God the Creator of the flesh; we believe in the Word made flesh in order to redeem flesh; and we believe in the resurrection of flesh which is the fulfillment of both the creation and the redemption of the flesh.
Question: Why does the creed use the term “flesh” instead of “body” if the latter is meant? Isn’t “flesh” a wider term, sometimes used symbolically in scripture? How does this enter into the choice of words?
Question: What does Tertullian mean by “hinge,” and who is Tertullian, anyway, that we should accept what he says?
Some of these things may be explained elsewhere in the book (if one perseveres), but it is not obvious to the casual reader what is meant by the different terms — especially when some of those terms (like “resurrection”) have a different meaning for Latter Day Saints. I can imagine a Mormon reading it and coming away utterly mystified: “Huh?”
These are my impressions. I continue to base my assessment on the person’s ability to understand what he reads. This, to me, is just as important as a person’s interests or goodwill.
If your friend is able to maintain communications with you as he reads, so that you can explain the definitions and presuppositions of the text, it can be a good primer. If not, I am skeptical that he will profit by reading it.
David
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Cindy
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Posted: Mon Jan 21st, 2008 05:59 am |
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Hi Beth,
This might be a good one:
Exploring the Catholic Church: An Introduction to Catholic Teaching and Practice by Marcellino D'Ambrosio
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Dave Armstrong
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Posted: Mon Jan 21st, 2008 09:40 pm |
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Also, it's not a book, but a testimony of conversion by former Mormon Steve Clifford might come in handy.
Patrick Madrid offers for sale, tapes of debates he has had with Mormons. He also tells the story of encountering Mormon missionaries (this one's free!), and has an article about "the Great Apostasy".
On a more technical theological level, I have myself debated a Mormon elder.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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