Is there a Theology 101 or something similar book?

[JustRebecca]

I have had a recent renewal in faith, but nothing where I had to go to classes for. I just decided one day that I wanted to pray the Rosary and that sort of changed everything for the better!

But I feel like there is all this important information that I don’t know anything about because I haven’t had a theology class since 5 years ago. Should I just search around for a book, or is there a certain book that might have a lot of this information that most Catholics should know?

Thank you!

 

[GloriousOrder]

Read St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae. He describes it, right on the first page, as a beginner’s manual for theological inquiry!

On the other hand, there’s Frank Sheed’s “Theology and Sanity”, which outlines a very basic, bare-bones Aristotelian and Thomist view (which is the Church’s official stance on metaphysics). I’d recommend this latter one very heavily…

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Rebecca,
No disrespect to Thomas Aquinas and Glorious Order, but being a woman, I know from experience that the Summa may be a little too much for you right now. It still is for me, and I am a graduate student in theology. Old Tom is just a little too heady for me!!

I actually went throught the same thing you are going through when I came back to the faith about 7 years ago. A priest friend suggested that I purchase Catholicism for Dummies. It’s a great book, easy to read and in great format, and gives you lots of information!

Another great book is ***Signs of Life ***by Scott Hahn, it breaks down into very simple terms a lot of the signs & symbolism of our faith.

Welcome home, and peace be with you on your journey!!

 

[Ignatius]

I have had a recent renewal in faith, but nothing where I had to go to classes for. I just decided one day that I wanted to pray the Rosary and that sort of changed everything for the better!

But I feel like there is all this important information that I don’t know anything about because I haven’t had a theology class since 5 years ago. Should I just search around for a book, or is there a certain book that might have a lot of this information that most Catholics should know?

Thank you!

There is an excellent introductory theology book by Peter Kreeft.

 

[Stavros]

For learning the absolute fundamentals of the faith, I’d recommend two books: Baltimore Catechism Part 1 (Free online), and the more current Catechism of the Catholic Church.

If you’re in the mood for something a bit meatier, but also easily digestible, I’d suggest The Way of Perfection by St. Theresa of Avila, and Imitation of Christ, by Thomas Kemper.

The awesome part of being a member of a 2,000 year old church is that many of the classics are so old that they are in the right of Public Domain.

 

[ANNE_2]

I have had a recent renewal in faith, but nothing where I had to go to classes for. I just decided one day that I wanted to pray the Rosary and that sort of changed everything for the better!

But I feel like there is all this important information that I don’t know anything about because I haven’t had a theology class since 5 years ago. Should I just search around for a book, or is there a certain book that might have a lot of this information that most Catholics should know?

Thank you!

Even though I went to a Jesuit Univerisity -

When I came back to the Church,
in addition to a Catholic Bible,
the most helpful book was the " CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH, Second Edition " revised in accord with the offical Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II (dark green cover; published in the USA in March 2000).
This contains the teaching of the Church - matters of faith and morals - that all Catholics are required to adhere to.

When you are reading the CCC, you will notice footnotes that include not only Holy Scripture references but also references to various Church Documents regarding particular teachings.
You can find many of these on the Vatican web site.
vatican.va/phome_en.htm

The thing about the CCC is that you can go as far as you would like regarding various Church teachings from footnote references. You can pick those things of interest to you at various times.

Another good book is “Catholicism for Dummies” by Frs. Trigiolio and Brighenti.

 

[ANNE_2]

Read St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae. He describes it, right on the first page, as a beginner’s manual for theological inquiry!

On the other hand, there’s Frank Sheed’s “Theology and Sanity”, which outlines a very basic, bare-bones Aristotelian and Thomist view (which is the Church’s official stance on metaphysics). I’d recommend this latter one very heavily…

**SUMMA THEOLOGICA **- Written by St. Thomas Aquinas from 1265 until his death in 1274, this is his most famous work and is certainly the greatest, most ambitious, most rational book of theology ever written. It was intended as a manual for beginners as a compilation of all of the main theological teachings of that time. The Summa’s topics follow a cycle: the existence of God, God’s creation, Man, Man’s purpose, Christ, the Sacraments, and back to God. It consists of 38 tracts, 631 questions, about 3000 articles, 10,000 objections and their answers. Hardcover. Five volumes totaling 3,022 pages.

I’m thinking of getting this since I’ve never read it.
Could someone who has read it, please tell me if it is difficult to read since it was written in the 1200’s ?

 

[jpjd]

The Summa could NEVER be described as Theology 101. It is a very long, very deep, very detailed treatment of theology. It is not the place to start for beginning theological reading.

I highly recommend Theology and Sanity by Frank Sheed. I guarantee it is just what you are looking for.

BTW, Catholicism for Dummies, while it is a highly recommended book, is not what I would call a theology book. It introduces the reader to the teachings and practices of the Church, but it’s not theology per se.

 

[TMC]

Even though I went to a Jesuit Univerisity -

When I came back to the Church,
in addition to a Catholic Bible,
the most helpful book was the " CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH, Second Edition " revised in accord with the offical Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II (dark green cover; published in the USA in March 2000).
This contains the teaching of the Church - matters of faith and morals - that all Catholics are required to adhere to.

When you are reading the CCC, you will notice footnotes that include not only Holy Scripture references but also references to various Church Documents regarding particular teachings.
You can find many of these on the Vatican web site.
vatican.va/phome_en.htm

The thing about the CCC is that you can go as far as you would like regarding various Church teachings from footnote references. You can pick those things of interest to you at various times.

Another good book is “Catholicism for Dummies” by Frs. Trigiolio and Brighenti.

I heartily endorse using the Catechism as a “Theology 101.” It is pretty accessible to the lay person, and (as Anne2 points out) you can learn an amazing amount by following the footnotes to the source material. You can get paper copies in Catholic bookstores, but I find it just as easy to use the on-line version from the Vatican’s homepage.

 

[GloriousOrder]

**SUMMA THEOLOGICA **- Written by St. Thomas Aquinas from 1265 until his death in 1274, this is his most famous work and is certainly the greatest, most ambitious, most rational book of theology ever written. It was intended as a manual for beginners as a compilation of all of the main theological teachings of that time. The Summa’s topics follow a cycle: the existence of God, God’s creation, Man, Man’s purpose, Christ, the Sacraments, and back to God. It consists of 38 tracts, 631 questions, about 3000 articles, 10,000 objections and their answers. Hardcover. Five volumes totaling 3,022 pages.

I’m thinking of getting this since I’ve never read it.
Could someone who has read it, please tell me if it is difficult to read since it was written in the 1200’s ?

My dear lady, I was joking. It is a common joke among Catholics to recognise that St. Thomas called his Summa a “beginniner’s book”, yet it is literally so long and complicated that it might take a lifetime to get through! Every single idea is asked as a question, and 3 or so objections are raised to the idea, then St. Thomas says the opposite shows why it must be true, and answers each of the objections one by one. It is very very dry and boring for someone who is just beginning. Start with Frank Sheed, that lovely man!

 

[yinekka]

Your question is not as easy as it sounds. Before we can give an answer which is really helpful we need to know your age and Catholic background e.g. do you come from a practising Catholic family? Did you attend a Catholic school? If so, for how many years? Did the school teach orthodox Catholicism e.g. the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the pope is Christ’s representative on earth, mortal and venial sin or heterodox Catholicism e.g. God loves us as we are, God can be a she, the Mass is a big, happy meal etc

Based on those answers it will be possible to gauge your entry level into Catholicism. Some of the books recommended in this thread may be too simple and some may be too difficult depending on your entry level.

Don’t buy a book just on our say so: go to Amazon and see if the books are reviewed or if you can look at them, go to a Catholic bookshop and look through the books so you can decide for yourself if any of the books recommended seem right for you.

If you decide to answer the questions I have asked I will give some recommendations for you to check out.

I hope my post doesn’t sound too priggish; it’s my inner teacher coming out!

 

[OldYoungGuy]

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. I realized despite my mothers best intentions I had been very poorly catechized. Luckily it seems that I keep ending up at parishes with very holy priests, the most recent gives adult catechism classes knowing the majority of us received poor instruction. Our priest gave a class explaining the faith, and he advised us to get and follow along with This is the Faith by Canon Francis Ripley. I missed most of the classes so started reading it on my own. It is very strait forward and touches on every aspect of the faith in a clear and simple manner. I highly suggest this book.

 

[puzzleannie]

two good short intro books for laymen

The Faith by Father John Hardon SJ

Theology and Sanity (longer work) by Frank Sheed

and Theology for Beginners (shorter) by Frank Sheed

since the Summa of Aquinas is several hundred volumes PP’s suggestion is not practical

Summa of the Summa, and a Shorter Summa by Peter Kreeft are much more manageable, but deeper than the first 3 suggestions

the first go-to for any Catholic on a particular question of doctrine is of course the Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

[ANNE_2]

My dear lady, I was joking. It is a common joke among Catholics to recognise that St. Thomas called his Summa a “beginniner’s book”, yet it is literally so long and complicated that it might take a lifetime to get through! Every single idea is asked as a question, and 3 or so objections are raised to the idea, then St. Thomas says the opposite shows why it must be true, and answers each of the objections one by one. It is very very dry and boring for someone who is just beginning. Start with Frank Sheed, that lovely man!

I am fast becoming a ‘fan’ of St. Thomas, and eventually would like to read the writings of all the Doctors of the Church.
Based upon your description, it sounds like a great book for apologetics - except for the dry part.

As I mentioned earlier, the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” is the best book regarding what the Church teaches and requires of its members.It’s the only Catechism from the Magisterium.
Just all the facts.
Great for all Catholics, and interested non-Catholics who want the truth about Catholic beliefs.