Have you read other religions' authors?

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If you’re a non-Catholic, have you read Catholic authors on Catholicism?

If you’re a Catholic, have you read authors from other religions (Judaism by a Jew, Islam by Muslim, LDS by a Mormon, etc) ?
 
kalt said:
If you’re a non-Catholic, have you read Catholic authors on Catholicism?

If you’re a Catholic, have you read authors from other religions (Judaism by a Jew, Islam by Muslim, LDS by a Mormon, etc) ?
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I read John Hardon’s Catechism for Adults. Most of it was very well thought out and well written. However, the section in the back about sacramentals gave me such deep dark emapthy that I could not read anything so very dark. I gave it all up at that point, and realized that I could never be catholic. I gave the book away to a catholic friend who had not read the book.
 
I have read books about religion primarily from a Catholic perspective and by Catholic authors, but have also read about people and books by writers of other Christian faiths, and from books written by non-Christians. Some of it I have read to build my faith, some as literature, some to expand my knowledge of the world, of mankind, and of God.

Don’t forget that when you read or hear passages from the “Old Testament”, including at Mass each Sunday, you are reading words from a non-Christian religion, which is also the Word of God. So I guess the answer is that we all do.
 
Does existentialism count as a religion? If so I have read a lot of Albert Camus even though he refused to be labeled an existentialist . Other than that I have stuck to primarily books about religion written by Christians. Protestant or Catholic.

God bless
 
I read a number of Catholic authors – Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and Scott Hahn among others. I’m currently reading Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI.
 
I don’t ever let denomination determine what I read, but I do favor honest scholarship above all. I do try to sample conservative voices and will be reading NT. Wright in a couple of weeks on Justification. I don’t have time to read any apologetics stuff so Hahn would be out. I’m not interested in what’s the “best argument” we can make given the "facts, but true as far as possible exegetical and theological honesty. In other words I like my authors to as best they can simply follow the evidence and report.

In terms of ancient documents I try to read broadly though no doubt the ECF are not at all free from bias in their writing. Most of the sacred writings as well.

My favorites at the moment are Marcus Borg, John D. Crossan, Teihard de Chardin, Robert Brown, Schussler-Fiorenza, and a couple of other feminist biblical scholars. I’m a fan of Merton too. Reinhold Neibuhr, Cornel West, the list is fairly long. As you can see some are Catholic, some aren’t.
 
kalt said:
If you’re a non-Catholic, have you read Catholic authors on Catholicism?

If you’re a Catholic, have you read authors from other religions (Judaism by a Jew, Islam by Muslim, LDS by a Mormon, etc) ?
Click to expand...
I surprised a Reformed Baptist gentleman who came to our Greek festival because I was familiar with John MacArthur, James White, John Piper, and their works. He asked, “You’re OK with reading Protestant scholars?” I replied, “Sure, so long as they don’t preach Jesus was a rodeo clown.” 🙂 In fact only too recently I purchased John MacArthur’s The Truth War.

Regarding Roman Catholicism (since I’m Orthodox) I have a copy of the Catechism, as well as Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue Concerning Heresies (which comes from the point of view of a Roman Catholic, though most of the beliefs are similar) as well as a few other books written by Roman Catholics, mostly in general Christian scholastics or apologetics.

Also I have some books written by Muslim converts and apologists on my bookshelf.
 
kalt said:
If you’re a non-Catholic, have you read Catholic authors on Catholicism?

If you’re a Catholic, have you read authors from other religions (Judaism by a Jew, Islam by Muslim, LDS by a Mormon, etc) ?
Click to expand...
The last Protestant religious author I have read was in 1995. It was called Baptist Successionism by James Edward McGoldrick. When I was a third order Dominican, a group of us were doing a study of Islam for presentation and I read the Koran twice, and a book by a Franciscan that would be heterodox at best and and most likely heretical. But he ingeniously proposes that Mohammed’s revelation is compatible with the Catholic faith: The Koran in the Light of Christ by Giulio Basetti-Sani, O.F.M. He was a friend of Islam.

I am not usually studying to be able to dismiss the beliefs of others, but when I am, I don’t believe that you can be objectively critical without becoming well-acquainted with their best literature. I’ve read about a dozen LDS books. More in the Reformed and Dispensational traditions. But these were read while I was investigating them as possibly being true, not while I was Catholic.

I believe that the Index was a good idea. I don’t recommend that most of us, and include myself, lightly assume to be able to quickly identify the errors in the best non-Catholic works. I am not a theologian or scholar, but a husband, dad, and employee. I distinguish sharply between apologetics which is easy, defending what I know by experience and love, versus polemics, which is hard, attacking what I don’t care about and only know through books. To do polemics, you have to have time to do the hard work. Given my vocation, I am perfectly content to leave that to others.

Rory
 
kalt said:
If you’re a non-Catholic, have you read Catholic authors on Catholicism?

If you’re a Catholic, have you read authors from other religions (Judaism by a Jew, Islam by Muslim, LDS by a Mormon, etc) ?
Click to expand...
kalt,
Good question. 🙂
Yes, I am Lutheran.(LCMS) I have read more that one book by Scott Hahn 🙂
I have read Patrick Madrid, Tim Staples, Ralph Martin, Alan Schreck.
Geisler and Mackenzie. This isn’t the entire list, but I do like to be informed .
I also have read about Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses.Oneness Pentecostals.(UPCI)
I like R.C. Sproul.

How about you, what have you read lately?

God bless,
jean
 
Byzantine_Wolf said:
I surprised a Reformed Baptist gentleman who came to our Greek festival because I was familiar with John MacArthur, James White, John Piper, and their works. He asked, “You’re OK with reading Protestant scholars?” I replied, “Sure, so long as they don’t preach Jesus was a rodeo clown.” 🙂 In fact only too recently I purchased John MacArthur’s The Truth War.

Regarding Roman Catholicism (since I’m Orthodox) I have a copy of the Catechism, as well as Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue Concerning Heresies (which comes from the point of view of a Roman Catholic, though most of the beliefs are similar) as well as a few other books written by Roman Catholics, mostly in general Christian scholastics or apologetics.

Also I have some books written by Muslim converts and apologists on my bookshelf.
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What were the thoughts on heresies by Sir Thomas More?
Do the majority of catholics think all non-catholics are heretics?
If so, why?

God bless,
jean
 
kalt said:
If you’re a non-Catholic, have you read Catholic authors on Catholicism?

If you’re a Catholic, have you read authors from other religions (Judaism by a Jeby Muslim, LDS by a Mormon,w, Islam etc) ?
Click to expand...
A Interesting book by James Spenser, a former Mormon is good.
I have looked up the beliefs of those you have mentioned, but I don’t think I would waste time reading their books. I also wouldn’t like to spend the money on them.

jean
 
I’ve read quite a bit of C.S. Lewis (Anglican) but most of his work tends towards philosophy rather than theology.

I’ve read part of Bonhoeffer’s (sp?) Discipleship. I couldn’t really finish it because it was a thick read and I don’t have much of an understanding of Lutheran theology. Still an interesting read though. I recommend reading the chapter on Cheap Grace for everyone.

I’ve read the “history” of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. While it was definitely a propaganda piece, it was still interesting to read. Actually, it was a bit repetitive.

John Ortburg and his book If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat but that’s because it was used on a retreat I went on. I don’t remember what denomination he’s from.

I’ve read Max Lucado but can’t stand the anti-Catholic sentiment.

I’ve read Muslim authors. I’ve read a lot about the history of the Muslims.

I hit the new books shelves first when I go to the library and can usually find a new non-fic book to read. That’s how I’ve come to read a lot of C.S. Lewis since they’ve ordered several of his books. Bonhoeffer’s book as well. Which is surprising, for the books they have the religion section. Most of those are really out there.
 
Authors I’ve read (don’t remember names):

An Orthodox rabbi on Judaism: Knew a lot about Jewish customs and traditions, had a good sense of humor.

An Orthodox priest on the Orthodox church: Experienced in theology, but not so in history.

A Protestant theologian on Protestantism: Way too many fallacies, tried to fill in the gaps of Jesus’ life, but a genuine love for Jesus Christ.

A Muslim apologetist on Islam: I can sum it up in one word: brainwashing. To expand on that, he spoke a lot of lies and misinformation - and I mean a lot.

A Mormon apologetist on Mormonism: Good understanding on Mormon history, at least as far as the LDS teaches its followers.

A Satanist on Satanism: He said he was happy the terrorists caused 9/11.
 
jean29 said:
What were the thoughts on heresies by Sir Thomas More?
Do the majority of catholics think all non-catholics are heretics?
If so, why?

God bless,
jean
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I’m not Roman Catholic, but I personally do not believe all non-Catholics are heretics.

As for Sir Thomas More, he was a staunch Roman Catholic who opposed any criticism of the Church’s beliefs, including Purgatory and indulgences. Sometimes you have to read the book with an open mind of the time period, especially when he starts supporting the persecution and censoring of Protestants. IIRC, More persecuted Protestants in real life.
 
I have several books by Orthodox author/priest John Meyendorff. That man was truly articulate, thought-provoking, a brilliant historian, and full of common sense.

I have a host of Anglican books by Anglican authors from Vernon Staley, John Moorman, John Booty and Stephen Sykes, the Book of Common Prayer, etc.

I have three books on Luther, the Bainton book being my favorite.

I have a large library of Buddhist texts with authors varying from Bloefeld to Walpola Rahula, the Dhammapada, books on various Bodhisattvas like Kwan Yin and Amida Buddha, Tibetan Book of the Dead

I have several books on Hinduism, a copy of the Koran, books about world religions, a Book of Mormon, several books on Augustine of Hippo, The Early Church Fathers, about five books on the theology of the Eucharist, a few bibles, several books disecting the Old Testament, some John Paul II books, the Christendom series by Warren Caroll, Pagan Religions in the Roman Empire (2 volumes), books about gnosticism and the Naj Hammadi Library, etc. etc.

and that’s what I can think of off the top of my head! lol:rolleyes:
 
I have read the Qu’ran (though, not in Arabic) and several of Bernard Lewis’ works, as well as Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, and at the other end Rushdie’s novels. I don’t remember the author’s name and I’m not up for mutli-googles right now but the name of the book was “Dream Palace of the Arabs.” Really interesting, though I laid it down about two-thirds through for some reason and never picked it back up. I haven’t read any Sufi authors that I am aware of.

The Torah and Tanach (Tanakh). Parts of the Talmud, though mostly in quotes or summaries. I know I’ve read some of Maimomides (sp?) writing but it too was a summary by another author. I’ve done a fair but of reading on the ANE and Semitic religions tracing them back to the Indu valley, but it was mostly in periodicals and essays not in dense scholarship.

I own a copy of the Book of Mormon and have read it several times. I have LDS family as well so I get some information from them. I’ve read some of the books by former Mormons, but none recommendable.

I’ve read western intepretations of various Buddhism schools, as well as some of the Hindu interpretations, but not original sources. The writings of Confucious (collections); various Taoist tracts and Sun Tzu, of course.

I’ve read through most of the ante-Nicene and post-Nicene fathers, Eusebius’ History . . .John Cardinal Henry Newman’s Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine; Fr. Raymond Brown’s An Introduction to the New Testament;Scott Hahn–Stephen Ray— the Catechism of the Catholic Church; various and sundry encyclicals and Councils and G.K. Chesterton until my eyes hurt. General works on the Saints and Doctors of the Church and St. John of the Cross; St. Teresa of Avila; Mother Teresa; St John Vianney . . .St. Augustine’s Confessions and City of God (City of Man). Most of St. Thomas Aquinas; St. Anselm; Pascal . . .lots of others that aren’t leaping to mind. Dante, and Shakespeare, of course.

Luther; Calvin; summaries of Zwingli and various Christian authors (Bunyan; Milton; Jonathan Edwards–Wesley–Billy Graham–John MacArthur–Ravi Zacharias, etc., etc.) and everything from The Left Behind books ( I stopped at number 3, however) to Francis Schaeffer; Os Guiness; Ronald Nash; J. P. Moreland; Gary Habermas; Edwin Yamauchi; etc. I’ve also read a fair number of the “Word of Faith” types: Jack Hayford; Kenneth Copeland; Benny Hinn, etc. Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship . . .The Spirit of the Disciplines (I forget the author but he is a Quaker and teaches at Dallas Theological Seminary, or used to), C.S. Lewis, of course . . .just too many to recall offhand. Oh, I am reading Head and Heart–A History of Christianity in America by Garry Wills, at present. It’s very good. He’s a good writer.

Timothy Kalistos’ Ware’s The Orthodox Church; Chrysostum’s Liturgy; Dancing Alone by Franky Schaeffer (Francis’ son) and some general histories involving the east-west schism and various rivalries over the centuries.

I’ve read the NWT of the Jehovah’s witnesses, a couple of books by a Seventh-day Adventist (he has a tv show. that’s all I remember) Mary Baker Eddy.

The Satanic Bible; Necronomicon; some Blavatsky; The Aquarian Conspiracy (Marilyn Ferguson); Deepak Chopra; Whitley Streiber; Danyon Brinkley. L.Ron Hubbard and various books about Walk-ins, native American folklore and spirituality, tons of books about spiritism; witchcraft and ritual magic–demonology and ghosts.

Dalai Llama—transcripts of Ghandi—and some histories of the Incans and Mayans and Aztecs that described their various beliefs and practices.

Norse mythologies, and popular introductions to them. Celtic legends; Icelandic legends and books covering mythologies in general (Joseph Campbell, Carlos Castenada being the most popular).

I’m leaving a lot out, but I’ve been fascinated with religion since I was a teenager and like to read just about anything I can get my hands on.

All my best . . .
 
Byzantine_Wolf said:
As for Sir Thomas More, he was a staunch Roman Catholic who opposed any criticism of the Church’s beliefs, including Purgatory and indulgences. Sometimes you have to read the book with an open mind of the time period, especially when he starts supporting the persecution and censoring of Protestants. IIRC, More persecuted Protestants in real life.
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He persecuted Protestants? What exactly did he do? I know he was persecuted by Protestants when they imprisoned him in the Tower of London for refusing to recognize Henry VIII as the head of the Church. And he was definitely persecuted by them when they cut off his head.
 
Janet_S said:
He persecuted Protestants? What exactly did he do? I know he was persecuted by Protestants when they imprisoned him in the Tower of London for refusing to recognize Henry VIII as the head of the Church. And he was definitely persecuted by them when they cut off his head.
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Oh definitely, enjoying his book gave me sadness, knowing how he ended up. In terms of his interaction with Protestantism, he supported a lot of moves to censor Luther’s books from coming into England, and Foxe’s Book of Martyrs records More’s darker side in his physical and legal persecution of Protestants.
 
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