J
Joe_5859
Guest
What are the must have books for a Catholic apologist? Below is a list that I have started off. Are there any books you would add?
I’m looking primarily for specifically Catholic apologetics rather than general Christian apologetics.
I’m also more interested in those of a general nature rather than those that go in depth on one specific issue.
But, of course, if you know of a great Apologetics book that is either generally Christian or tackles a specific issue, you can share that as well (I think I have a few such books listed below, anyway).
Perhaps this could even become a sticky if we can get a good list going?
Apologetics Bibliography
I’m looking primarily for specifically Catholic apologetics rather than general Christian apologetics.
I’m also more interested in those of a general nature rather than those that go in depth on one specific issue.
But, of course, if you know of a great Apologetics book that is either generally Christian or tackles a specific issue, you can share that as well (I think I have a few such books listed below, anyway).
Perhaps this could even become a sticky if we can get a good list going?
Apologetics Bibliography
- Armstrong, Dave. A Biblical Defense of Catholicism. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2003. A comprehensive look at the biblical support of Catholic teaching.
- Chacon, Frank, and Jim Burnham. Beginning Apologetics Series. Farmington, NM: San Juan Catholic Seminars, 1993-2005. A great set of booklets that systematically lays out how to defend Catholic teaching amongst a variety of specific groups.
- Drummey, James J. Catholic Replies. Norwood, MA: C.R. Publications, 1995. 800 Questions and answers on some of the most pressing questions Catholics face.
- Drummey, James J. Catholic Replies 2. Norwood, MA: C.R. Publications, 1998. 800 more questions on a wide variety of important Catholic topics.
- Hahn, Scott. Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith. New York: Doubleday, 2007. Comprehensive overview of how to explain the Catholic faith to others.
- Keating, Karl. Catholicism and Fundamentalism. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1988. A more in depth look of the differences between Catholics and Fundamentalist Christians, as well as an analysis of the roots of many of the common misconceptions Fundamentalists have regarding Catholic teaching.
- Keating, Karl. What Catholics Really Believe: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1995. Written for beginners.
- Madrid, Patrick. Pope Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths & Misconceptions about the Papacy. San Diego, CA: Basilica Press, 1999. As the title suggests, this book addresses the most common misconceptions people have regarding the Pope.
- Madrid, Patrick. Search and Rescue: How to Bring Your Family and Friends Into — Or Back Into —the Catholic Church. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2001. This book takes a pastoral approach in giving advice to the reader on how to approach the topic of Catholicism with family and friends. Not an apologetics book per se, but very helpful in applying the information learned from other apologetics books.
- Madrid, Patrick. Where is That in the Bible?. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2001. This book identifies and explains the scriptural roots of those doctrines unique to Catholicism.
- Madrid, Patrick. Why is That in Tradition?. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2002. Similar to Where is That in the Bible?, this book uses the writings of the Early Church Fathers to illustrate that the earliest Christians were Catholic in their beliefs and practices.
- Salza, John. The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2005. Similar to Armstrong’s book, but briefer.
- Schreck, Alan. Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs. Revised ed. Cincinnati, OH: Servant Publications, 2004. A good overview of Catholic teaching from an apologetics standpoint.
- Suprenant, Leon J., Jr., and Philip C.L. Gray. Faith Facts: Answers to Catholic Questions. Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Publishing, 1999.
- Suprenant, Leon J., Jr., and Philip C.L. Gray. Faith Facts II: Answers to Catholic Questions. Steubenville, OH: Emmaus Road Publishing, 2004.
- Currie, David. Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1996.
- Hahn, Scott, and Kimberly Hahn. Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1993.
- Howard, Thomas. Evangelical Is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1988.
- Howard, Thomas. Lead, Kindly Light: My Journey to Rome. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2004.
- Madrid, Patrick, Ed. Surprised by Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic. San Diego, CA: Basilica Press, 1994.
- Madrid, Patrick, Ed. Surprised by Truth 2: 15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2000.
- Madrid, Patrick, Ed. Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2002.
- Ray, Steve. Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historic Church. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 1997.
- Schoeman, Roy, Ed. Honey From the Rock: Sixteen Jews Find the Sweetness of Christ. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2007.
- Shea, Mark. By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition. Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 1996
