Where to start/what books to read

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Im becoming more and more interested in the Catholic faith…but probably hundreds and thoudands of questions/concerns/worries. Im a newish Episcopalian, but feel drawn toward the RC church (maybe because I watch EWTN all the time, lol!) Could you recommend some books that would be helpful? Books that explain theological issues, and things like the catechisms, but also books that look at the history, and this idea that the RC Church is the oldest and (in some opinion) truest church, books that maybe discuss apostolic succession, communion of the saints, the role of Mary, the eucharist, the sins of the Church, basically everything, lol! And if thats not asking too much, Id love “readable” books if you know what I mean…not boring, not too heavy, but honest, and interesting…THANKS!
 
  1. Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberley Hahn (San Francisco: Ignatius, 1993)
    One of the greatest stories explaining their search for a church and understanding
    individual faith issues they had to satisfy. When reading this I became aware of just
    how much I took my faith for granted, and made me appreciate more what
    had been handed to me at no cost. My personal thanks to God just zoomed up by
    1000%.
  2. Surprised by Truth, edited by Patrick Madrid (San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994)
    This comprises 11 convert stories on the order of Scott Hahn’s story that are soul
    wrentching. Here is a sample of some of the topics discussed and explained in this book:
  • Apostolic tradition preserved and proof
  • Infant baptism
  • Real presence and Mass
  • Upon this Rock and Peter
  • Pope’s infallibility, head, and misconceptions
  • Abortion
  • Repitious prayers
  • Why church infallibility is necessary, and authority
  • The firstborn
  • Sola Scriptura
  • Wrong impressions by protestants
  • Confession
  • Birth control
  • Communion of saints
  • Mary
  • Works necesary
  • Justification and salvation
  • Mortal and venial sins
    A many of the thin line issues are also included.
  1. Crossing the Tiber, by Stephen K. Ray (San Francisco: Ignatius, 1997)
    This is also a convert story which is fascinating. But the real value is in
    his footnotes which are extensive, which explain and validate many of our
    Catholic truths. He excells in his method of explaining doctrine.
    He mentions this catechism in his bibliography.
The Catholic Catechism, by John A. Hardon (New York: Doubleday, 1981)
“This is a very extensive, easily read, and well organized compilation of
church teaching.”
 
zaida said:
Im becoming more and more interested in the Catholic faith…but probably hundreds and thoudands of questions/concerns/worries. Im a newish Episcopalian, but feel drawn toward the RC church (maybe because I watch EWTN all the time, lol!) Could you recommend some books that would be helpful? Books that explain theological issues, and things like the catechisms, but also books that look at the history, and this idea that the RC Church is the oldest and (in some opinion) truest church, books that maybe discuss apostolic succession, communion of the saints, the role of Mary, the eucharist, the sins of the Church, basically everything, lol! And if thats not asking too much, Id love “readable” books if you know what I mean…not boring, not too heavy, but honest, and interesting…THANKS!
Click to expand...
I just downloaded onto my Nook the book Catholicism by Fr. Robert Barron. It appears to be the text of his 10 episode Catholicism TV series. I am reading the chapter on God. I found that episode disturbing - in a good way, and welcome the opportunity to read his commentary. (OK I am a visual learner :))

When I say disturbing, that episode really made me uncomfortable - it made me stretch my thinking, the outcome of which is helping me to let go of control and rest in God a bit more. Long way from perfectly though!!:o:blush:🙂
 
Oh fantastic!!! Im going to check all of these books out…very exciting…funny how you never know where life is going to lead…I really had never considered that I would be considering the RC Church, lol! but here I am…
 
Zaida,

I would just like to recommend “My Catholic Faith” catechism. I call it a super -Baltimore catechism. You can find it online as a used book, or a new reprint. It in a clear manner explains much about the faith, with helpful sketchings/drawings to bring it home.

Joe
 
In addition to the above, I would highly recommend the YOUCAT - the Youth Catechism. It’s a remarkably easy to read, clear, no-beating-around-the-bush presentation of the teachings of the Catholic faith. It covers every subject you can think of, and the index is very easy to use. 🙂
 
zaida said:
Im becoming more and more interested in the Catholic faith…but probably hundreds and thoudands of questions/concerns/worries. Im a newish Episcopalian, but feel drawn toward the RC church (maybe because I watch EWTN all the time, lol!) Could you recommend some books that would be helpful? Books that explain theological issues, and things like the catechisms, but also books that look at the history, and this idea that the RC Church is the oldest and (in some opinion) truest church, books that maybe discuss apostolic succession, communion of the saints, the role of Mary, the eucharist, the sins of the Church, basically everything, lol! And if thats not asking too much, Id love “readable” books if you know what I mean…not boring, not too heavy, but honest, and interesting…THANKS!
Click to expand...
Theology For Beginners by F.J. Sheed.
Frank Sheed explains things in an easy to read and understand manner.
 
Former Episcopalian here, currently in RCIA…just wanted to thank you all for this list. I’ll be checking these out too! 😃
 
I highly recommend the Baltimore Catechism, Instructor edition. I wish I had been taught out of that book when I was growing up. It literally has everything your need to know about Catholicism in simply Q&A format.
 
Ive just finished “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott and Kimberly Hahn…WOW what a book!!! I bought it yesterday, finished it on the train to work this morning…I didnt want to put it down at work yesterday, lol…

Now onto the Baltimore Catechism…

thanks for all the recommendations…
 
Ohana said:
I just downloaded onto my Nook the book Catholicism by Fr. Robert Barron. It appears to be the text of his 10 episode Catholicism TV series. I am reading the chapter on God. I found that episode disturbing - in a good way, and welcome the opportunity to read his commentary. (OK I am a visual learner :))

When I say disturbing, that episode really made me uncomfortable - it made me stretch my thinking, the outcome of which is helping me to let go of control and rest in God a bit more. Long way from perfectly though!!:o:blush:🙂
Click to expand...
Catholicism is a stunning documentary and book that puts the full glory of the Catholic Church front and center. For Catholics it is a no-brainer do-not-miss experience.A reading selection here. And a teaser here:

The term “adoration” comes from Latin adoratio, which in turn is derived from “ad ora” (to the mouth). adore, therefore, is to be mouth to mouth with God, properly aligned to the divine source, breathing in God’s life. When one is in the stance adoration, the whole of one’s life — mind, will, emotions, imagination, sexuality — becomes ordered and harmonized, much as the elements of a rose window arrange themselves musically around a central point. The beautiful garden in which the first priest lived is symbolic of the personal and, indeed, cosmic order that follows from adoration.

dj
 
thistle said:
Theology For Beginners by F.J. Sheed.
Frank Sheed explains things in an easy to read and understand manner.
Click to expand...
Seconded.

I would also recommend The Fathers of the Church by Mike Aquilina. It is a really slimmed down and streamline version of the the teaching of the early church fathers. A quick and fun read.

Also, if you like Rome Sweet Home, the I would recommend Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David Currie.
 
A very readable book focusing on some of the early fathers is Four Witnesses by Rod Bennett.
 
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