Far From Rome Near To God

by Richard Bennett (Compiler), Martin Buckingham (Compiler)

This book contains the moving testimonies of fifty priests who found their way, by the grace of God, out of the labyrinth of Roman Catholic theology and practice into the light of the gospel of Christ. But this is not a narrowly polemical work, nor is its relevance limited to the ongoing controversy between Rome and the churches of the Reformation. The love and concern felt by the former priests for those they left behind, and their fervent desire that they too should experience the joy and peace of salvation in Christ are seen throughout. The wider relevance of the experiences described will also be felt in many contexts remote from Roman Catholicism where human pride and presumption have erected rival sources of authority between people and the Word of God, so obscuring the way of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Catholic, Christian

346 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 1994

Reviews

[Nathan Ormond · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fun read for the differences between Roman Catholics and EVANGELICAL protestants. Certainly incredibly biased in its views -- not so much a discussion of the distinguishing features of theology between the two sects but more people just saying "I really felt like it was true".

Nevertheless contains many moving testimonies and an interesting historical piece too as you get a glimpse into the lives of many over the past two hundred years or so and into how their lives as priests was, more than likely, radically different from your own!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't know an awful lot about the dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church. Was shocked to read many priests were not allowed to read the Bible at seminary, yet it was through reading the Bible that they got peace and assurance of their salvation. The RC church couldn't give them that, only Jesus could. Very interesting read.

[Margaret Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immense and powerful book of testimony. It was encouraging to read of so many different men, from all different situations, who hungered for truth and eventually followed their convictions to come out of the Catholic system and into the Truth. A good amount of information is given about the Catholic church-much of which many may not know. And many of the former priests would argue how there is a good amount of 'brain-washing' for those growing up in it. One statement that shows the truth of the Catholic religion is that it is built upon 'pagan philosophies.' For many of the testimonies there was first a desire to know God and perceiving emptiness in the Catholic church with its rituals, second, they read the Bible and search the scriptures and third, they meet genuine Christians.

[Rory Pineda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite frankly a poor reflection of Catholic faith. Inaccurate at best, most of the theological arguments are trope and easily refuted. The personal testimonies of these men do not prove much. Having been to Catholic seminary myself, the idea of the Bible being forbidden to read is absurd. Both of the Testaments are read every day. This is simply a collection of straw man arguments and questionable stories.

[Aaron Kleinheksel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of testimonies from former Roman Catholic Priests. I only wish they would produce a 2nd volume of this book with more recent additions, since these are all from mid to late last century.

[Neil]

A lot of very well written biography in this book, as you would expect, but one also learns much of the doctrine and practice of the Roman church, and how far removed from the Bible it is, according to priests who had spent years of their life totally devoted to the church. As such, it is far from being a biased account.