I plan on reading a book supporting a Catholic position and a book with a Orthodox position. So I’m asking here for the Catholic position.
I’d actually prefer a book that is unashamedly pro-Catholic. Books that try to be “unbiased” usually are poorly written in the first place.
I’ll find a book with a pro-Orthodox slant next.
Thanks!
I wouldn’t suggest this approach.
If you want to understand Roman Catholicism, find good books on that subject from Catholic authors and publishers and schedule a talk with a priest, or even visit a monastery. Many monasteries will accomodate visitors overnight.
If you want to learn about Orthodoxy, do likewise, find the best materials you can find on that subject from Orthodox authors and publishers.
In my opinion, most polemical materials, even from (what some people think) are the most reputable sources tend to be full of errors. Sometimes the facts are spun, sometimes they are omitted or redacted out. It can be like a more polished form of a CAF thread, not better info, just more wordy and expensive. I mean this comment to apply to both sides of any contentious subject, including Orthodoxy/Catholicism.
My all time favorite Catholic resource for getting a flavor of the Roman Catholic church is probably the late Father John Hardon’s
The Treasury of Catholic Wisdom. Actually he was a very prolific author and editor so you could learn a lot by reading his overall bibliography.
You could also read father Romano Guardini. Look him up and pick something out.
The best little book on Eastern Christianity from a Catholic viewpoint would have to be by the late Archbishop Joseph Raya (Memory Eternal!) entitled:
The Face of God. It is out of print now, and the prices asked are outrageous, but that should be some indication of it’s continuing value to people.
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