"Catholic Matters" by Richard John Neuhaus

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Hello, friends. I’m almost done reading *Catholic Matters *by Richard John Neuhaus, and I have to tell you, I am pretty blown away. I’ve been reading a lot about the Church for the past three years, but most of what I’ve read is leftward-leaning authors (for lack of a better term) who talk about reform, the primacy of conscience, dissent, etc. This guy Neuhuas is cut from a different cloth! He is so…direct. So focused. I’m finding his writing, and his ideas, to be remarkably thought-provoking. I have to tell you: I’m not used to this kind of thinking (which is my own fault, I guess).

Can anyone suggest other authors like Neuhuas who write about the Catholic faith in such an explict, direct way?

Thanks!
Michael
 
Michaeljc4 said:
Hello, friends. I’m almost done reading *Catholic Matters *by Richard John Neuhaus, and I have to tell you, I am pretty blown away. I’ve been reading a lot about the Church for the past three years, but most of what I’ve read is leftward-leaning authors (for lack of a better term) who talk about reform, the primacy of conscience, dissent, etc. This guy Neuhuas is cut from a different cloth! He is so…direct. So focused. I’m finding his writing, and his ideas, to be remarkably thought-provoking. I have to tell you: I’m not used to this kind of thinking (which is my own fault, I guess).

Can anyone suggest other authors like Neuhuas who write about the Catholic faith in such an explict, direct way?

Thanks!
Michael
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Scott Hahn
David Currie
David Armstrong
Jimmy Akin
Patrick Madrid
 
Michaeljc4 said:
Hello, friends. I’m almost done reading *Catholic Matters *by Richard John Neuhaus, and I have to tell you, I am pretty blown away. I’ve been reading a lot about the Church for the past three years, but most of what I’ve read is leftward-leaning authors (for lack of a better term) who talk about reform, the primacy of conscience, dissent, etc. This guy Neuhuas is cut from a different cloth! He is so…direct. So focused. I’m finding his writing, and his ideas, to be remarkably thought-provoking. I have to tell you: I’m not used to this kind of thinking (which is my own fault, I guess).

Can anyone suggest other authors like Neuhuas who write about the Catholic faith in such an explict, direct way?

Thanks!
Michael
Click to expand...
The first name that comes to mind would be George Weigel. Aidan Nichols would be another one, though perhaps a little more difficult. Avery Dulles and Joseph Ratzinger (yes, I mean the Pope) are marvellous theologians but you might not find them as “direct.” Those would be (in order of increasing difficulty and profundity) some of the Catholic writers you might find profitable if you enjoy Neuhaus.

Neuhaus’s book Death on a Friday Afternoon is IMHO an excellent series of meditations on the Passion of Christ. You might consider it for Lenten devotional reading.

But my main recommendation for anyone who enjoys one of Neuhaus’s books is to subscribe immediately to the journal he edits, *First Things. *Neuhaus writes a column called “The Public Square” which is always entertaining, and there are wonderful articles and book reviews. It’s an ecumenical, even interfaith journal (with Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Jewish perspectives), but it’s dominated by a Catholic point of view. The Pope wrote one article–after he became Pope (at least it was published afterwards–he may have written it as plain Cardinal Ratzinger). You won’t find more thoughtful and thought-provoking reading anywhere.

Edwin
 
I’ll second the recommendation on First Things. It is very well written and the articles are almost always well thought out. Although it is not a Catholic journal per se, the viewpoint is predominately Catholic, or at least, traditional Christian.
 
It was very well written, and very thought-provoking. Fr. Neuhaus challenged my thinking on several issues, as well as informing my thinking on several others. Very good stuff; I’m glad that I read it.
 
He spoke at the university where I work last year and I’m very sorry I missed him. I’ve seen him several times on EWTN - he has a good sense of humor too. I believe he is a convert and was a Lutheran minister, so his perspective is especially interesting. We need more like him to combat all the rot spread by self-proclaimed dissenters over the past few decades.
 
Just finished reading it (Catholic Matters by Neuhaus). He has some interesting things to say about the existence of a “parallel magisterium” of Catholic intellectuals. All in all a good read.
 
Fr. Benedict Groechell speaks pretty plainly, but also incredibly knowedgeably and wisely.

Archbishop Chaput is awful direct at calling a spade a spade.

Francis Cardinal George is erudite and reflective, but also pointed.

Mother Angelica was always able to come right out and tell it like it is. Her writings and old shows are still available.
 
As I lLay Dying, by Neuhaus, is very good, too. I like Scott Hahn, but I like Neuhaus’ casual erudition and tone better. George Weigel is good, as well.
 
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