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Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs
"You're a Catholic. What do you believe?"
You’re on the spot. Someone wants you to explain some aspect of Catholic belief. Do you really think the pope is infallible? Why do Catholics pray to Mary? Where do sacraments come from? What do you think of the Bible? Are you saved? You wish some well-informed Catholic friend were around to help with the answer.
Or perhaps you are asking the questions yourself. Where do Catholic beliefs come from? Why do we pray for the dead? How does the rosary fit into a biblical faith?
The best-selling Catholic and Christian provides the answers you need. It is a readable and concise summary of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs the teachings and practices that don’t get much attention in Sunday homilies and in religious education, but which puzzle Catholics and non-Catholics alike. This is a book for all Catholics who want to know more about their faith.
You’re on the spot. Someone wants you to explain some aspect of Catholic belief. Do you really think the pope is infallible? Why do Catholics pray to Mary? Where do sacraments come from? What do you think of the Bible? Are you saved? You wish some well-informed Catholic friend were around to help with the answer.
Or perhaps you are asking the questions yourself. Where do Catholic beliefs come from? Why do we pray for the dead? How does the rosary fit into a biblical faith?
The best-selling Catholic and Christian provides the answers you need. It is a readable and concise summary of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs the teachings and practices that don’t get much attention in Sunday homilies and in religious education, but which puzzle Catholics and non-Catholics alike. This is a book for all Catholics who want to know more about their faith.
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2023
11 people want to read
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September 13, 2024
AN ATTEMPT TO HELP CATHOLICS AND OTHER CHRISTIANS TO UNDERSTAND SOME MISUNDERSTOOD TEACHINGS
Alan Schreck is a professor of theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville; he has also written books such as 'The Gift: Discovering the Holy Spirit in Catholic Tradition,' 'Vatican II: The Crisis and the Promise,' 'The Compact History of the Catholic Church,' 'Your Life in the Holy Spirit: What Every Catholic Needs to Know and Experience,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1984 book, "The purpose of this book is to clarify the Catholic understanding of certain Christian beliefs in order to promote unity among Christians... Catholics believe that their church and its teachings, while not the only expression of Christianity, ARE genuinely Christian. Some may ask, 'Why is it even necessary to assert this? Isn't it evident that the Catholic Church has been proclaiming Jesus is Lord for over 1900 years, and has led millions of people to believe in him and follow him?'
"There are two reasons why an explanation of some Catholic teachings is necessary now. First, many Catholics do not fully understand or live out the Gospel message as officially taught by the Catholic Church... Secondly, some people today (even committed Christians) are openly stating that the Catholic Church and Catholic doctrine is not Christian, or even 'anti-Christian.'...
"Therefore, this book is intended to help Catholics and other concerned Christians to grasp the true meaning of certain commonly misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church... this book was not written to present Catholicism as the only legitimate form of Christianity, and certainly not to criticize other Christians, not to 'prove them wrong' in their beliefs." (Pg. 1-2)
He states, "What about the salvation of those who have not yet committed themselves to Jesus Christ? The Catholic Church makes no firm judgment about their salvation, but leaves open the possibility that God may save some persons who, through no fault of their own, have not accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Pg. 19-20)
He adds, "Catholics agree that mature Christians must make a conscious choice to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and to commit themselves to follow him. Catholics make such a public recommitment every year when they renew their baptismal promises during the Easter liturgy. The practice of regular, even daily, personal 'acts of faith' in Jesus Christ is a part of Catholic tradition." (Pg. 22-23)
He admits, "From the Bible we learn that this charism of infallibility is not always operative. it is obvious that Peter did not always speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, such as when he wanted to set three tents on Mt. Tabor for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (Mk 9:5), or when he denied Christ (Mk 14:66-72). Even after Pentecost, Peter was not totally preserved from personal weakness (Gal 2:11-14)." (Pg. 95)
He acknowledges, "Many Catholics today are becoming aware of their need for a deeper knowledge of God and are seeking a fuller release of outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives... they are right to pray to God and seek the prayers of others to be 'baptized in the Holy Spirit.' They open themselves to receive the full range of gifts (charisms) and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit. (Catholics do NOT believe, however, that any particular gift, such as 'speaking in tongues' ALWAYS and necessarily accompanies being 'baptized in the Spirit.'") (Pg. 109)
He cautions about miracles, "Of course, there is a danger of lapsing into superstition here. Catholics must avoid it, remembering that it is God's power alone that brings about all healings and miracles. Relics themselves contain no 'magic' power, but God uses them to testify to the spiritual power released through the life to an exceptionally holy man or woman." (Pg. 160)
He says, "leading Catholic and Protestant scholars agree that the New Testament does not give conclusive evidence either for or against the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity. In such cases Catholics have always sought to understand the scripture according to what the Holy Spirit has led the church as a whole to believe. Here it seems clear that the Christian people have historically believed that Mary remained a virgin." (Pg. 175) Of the Immaculate Conception, he states, "Many Catholics believe that God provided a striking confirmation of this papal definition... at Lourdes since 1858, through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception." (Pg. 179)
This reasonable, non-dogmatic book will be a great help to persons seeking to better understand Catholic doctrine.
Alan Schreck is a professor of theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville; he has also written books such as 'The Gift: Discovering the Holy Spirit in Catholic Tradition,' 'Vatican II: The Crisis and the Promise,' 'The Compact History of the Catholic Church,' 'Your Life in the Holy Spirit: What Every Catholic Needs to Know and Experience,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 1984 book, "The purpose of this book is to clarify the Catholic understanding of certain Christian beliefs in order to promote unity among Christians... Catholics believe that their church and its teachings, while not the only expression of Christianity, ARE genuinely Christian. Some may ask, 'Why is it even necessary to assert this? Isn't it evident that the Catholic Church has been proclaiming Jesus is Lord for over 1900 years, and has led millions of people to believe in him and follow him?'
"There are two reasons why an explanation of some Catholic teachings is necessary now. First, many Catholics do not fully understand or live out the Gospel message as officially taught by the Catholic Church... Secondly, some people today (even committed Christians) are openly stating that the Catholic Church and Catholic doctrine is not Christian, or even 'anti-Christian.'...
"Therefore, this book is intended to help Catholics and other concerned Christians to grasp the true meaning of certain commonly misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church... this book was not written to present Catholicism as the only legitimate form of Christianity, and certainly not to criticize other Christians, not to 'prove them wrong' in their beliefs." (Pg. 1-2)
He states, "What about the salvation of those who have not yet committed themselves to Jesus Christ? The Catholic Church makes no firm judgment about their salvation, but leaves open the possibility that God may save some persons who, through no fault of their own, have not accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Pg. 19-20)
He adds, "Catholics agree that mature Christians must make a conscious choice to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and to commit themselves to follow him. Catholics make such a public recommitment every year when they renew their baptismal promises during the Easter liturgy. The practice of regular, even daily, personal 'acts of faith' in Jesus Christ is a part of Catholic tradition." (Pg. 22-23)
He admits, "From the Bible we learn that this charism of infallibility is not always operative. it is obvious that Peter did not always speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, such as when he wanted to set three tents on Mt. Tabor for Jesus, Moses and Elijah (Mk 9:5), or when he denied Christ (Mk 14:66-72). Even after Pentecost, Peter was not totally preserved from personal weakness (Gal 2:11-14)." (Pg. 95)
He acknowledges, "Many Catholics today are becoming aware of their need for a deeper knowledge of God and are seeking a fuller release of outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives... they are right to pray to God and seek the prayers of others to be 'baptized in the Holy Spirit.' They open themselves to receive the full range of gifts (charisms) and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit. (Catholics do NOT believe, however, that any particular gift, such as 'speaking in tongues' ALWAYS and necessarily accompanies being 'baptized in the Spirit.'") (Pg. 109)
He cautions about miracles, "Of course, there is a danger of lapsing into superstition here. Catholics must avoid it, remembering that it is God's power alone that brings about all healings and miracles. Relics themselves contain no 'magic' power, but God uses them to testify to the spiritual power released through the life to an exceptionally holy man or woman." (Pg. 160)
He says, "leading Catholic and Protestant scholars agree that the New Testament does not give conclusive evidence either for or against the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity. In such cases Catholics have always sought to understand the scripture according to what the Holy Spirit has led the church as a whole to believe. Here it seems clear that the Christian people have historically believed that Mary remained a virgin." (Pg. 175) Of the Immaculate Conception, he states, "Many Catholics believe that God provided a striking confirmation of this papal definition... at Lourdes since 1858, through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception." (Pg. 179)
This reasonable, non-dogmatic book will be a great help to persons seeking to better understand Catholic doctrine.
January 31, 2024
2.5⭐️
When I picked up this book I thought it’d be as straight forward as the cover stated, “An explanation of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs” in which I thought YES finally someone’s explaining Catholic beliefs to me so that I can have that further understanding for myself.
However, I found the majority of the book to read like a textbook with numerous quotes and references within it.
I think my expectations leaned more toward a simple, straightforward explanation of Catholic beliefs in a way I could easily understand them and be able to give a brief explanation to those closest to me if they also had questions… all in all it wasn’t a bad book, it just took me a while to get through it.
When I picked up this book I thought it’d be as straight forward as the cover stated, “An explanation of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs” in which I thought YES finally someone’s explaining Catholic beliefs to me so that I can have that further understanding for myself.
However, I found the majority of the book to read like a textbook with numerous quotes and references within it.
I think my expectations leaned more toward a simple, straightforward explanation of Catholic beliefs in a way I could easily understand them and be able to give a brief explanation to those closest to me if they also had questions… all in all it wasn’t a bad book, it just took me a while to get through it.
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