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Nuts & Bolts: A Practical, How-To Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Faith
Step-by-step answers to 14 common arguments posed to Catholics on the divinity of Christ, the Eucharist, confession, means of salvation, and more. Packed with Scriptural evidence for Catholicism, this charitable book teaches you the basics of apologetics. This book is very effective because it shows how non-Catholics think, and it uses Scripture to provide powerful responses. With insights as a former Evangelical, Tim Staples is one of the leading apologists today.
137 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1999
3 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Tim Staples
39 books55 followersTim Staples was raised in a Southern Baptist home in Virginia. Although he somewhat fell away from serious faith during his adolescent years, the preaching of several TV evangelists motivated Tim to give his life to Christ at the age of 18. Shortly thereafter Staples joined the Marine Corps to gain some much-needed discipline and get some help financing his college education. During his tour of duty he had the opportunity to participate in several Protestant ministries and bible studies. Before long, Tim enrolled in the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College and with an eye towards becoming an youth minister for the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination.
However, during his final year in the Marines, Tim met a fellow soldier named Matt Dula who really challenged Tim to examine the Catholic Faith from a biblical and historical perspective. Tim's friendship with Matt sparked a two-year search for the truth. Though Tim was determined to prove Catholicism wrong, he wound up studying and praying his way right into the Roman Catholic Church!
After converting to Catholicism in 1988, Staples spent six years in formation for the priesthood. Tim began his journey towards ordination by earning a degree in philosophy from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania. He then went on to study graduate theology for two additional years at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
In 1994 Tim discerned through prayer and counsel that his calling was not to be a Catholic priest, but rather to be a lay Catholic apologist and evangelist. He has been hard at work ever since producing materials to help Catholics and non-Catholics alike understand the meaning and the biblical foundation of the Catholic faith. His works include Nuts and Bolts: A Practical How-To Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Church, and Twisted Scripture(CD), a critique of the Protestant doctrine of "Sola Scriptura." Tim's personal conversion story can be found in written form in the book edited by Patrick Madrid entitled Surprised by Truth - 11 Stories of Conversion to the Catholic Church. Staples' journey of conversion is also available in an audio/video version under the title The Bible Made Me Do It! (VHS, Audio Tape, Compact Disk).
In hundreds of live appearances all over the country, Tim Staples has helped thousands of people find their way home to the Catholic Church. Tim makes his extensive knowledge of Scripture available in tapes, books, and talks, helping others to see the strong biblical basis under girding Catholic doctrine. Tim’s humor and infectious enthusiasm captivate his audiences, and his unique style has brought him worldwide renown. Tim currently resides in Southern California with his wife Valerie and their infant son, Tim Jr. He is currently a staff apologist for Catholic Answers in El Cajon, CA.
However, during his final year in the Marines, Tim met a fellow soldier named Matt Dula who really challenged Tim to examine the Catholic Faith from a biblical and historical perspective. Tim's friendship with Matt sparked a two-year search for the truth. Though Tim was determined to prove Catholicism wrong, he wound up studying and praying his way right into the Roman Catholic Church!
After converting to Catholicism in 1988, Staples spent six years in formation for the priesthood. Tim began his journey towards ordination by earning a degree in philosophy from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania. He then went on to study graduate theology for two additional years at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
In 1994 Tim discerned through prayer and counsel that his calling was not to be a Catholic priest, but rather to be a lay Catholic apologist and evangelist. He has been hard at work ever since producing materials to help Catholics and non-Catholics alike understand the meaning and the biblical foundation of the Catholic faith. His works include Nuts and Bolts: A Practical How-To Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Church, and Twisted Scripture(CD), a critique of the Protestant doctrine of "Sola Scriptura." Tim's personal conversion story can be found in written form in the book edited by Patrick Madrid entitled Surprised by Truth - 11 Stories of Conversion to the Catholic Church. Staples' journey of conversion is also available in an audio/video version under the title The Bible Made Me Do It! (VHS, Audio Tape, Compact Disk).
In hundreds of live appearances all over the country, Tim Staples has helped thousands of people find their way home to the Catholic Church. Tim makes his extensive knowledge of Scripture available in tapes, books, and talks, helping others to see the strong biblical basis under girding Catholic doctrine. Tim’s humor and infectious enthusiasm captivate his audiences, and his unique style has brought him worldwide renown. Tim currently resides in Southern California with his wife Valerie and their infant son, Tim Jr. He is currently a staff apologist for Catholic Answers in El Cajon, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 1, 2007
I had the privilege of hearing Tim Staples speak when I was just starting to become more interested in my faith. His talk really fired me up and inspired me to learn more about the "why's" of Catholic teachings. I never realized there was so much I didn't have a clue about. I immediately bought this book (which he so graciously signed), and got down to business in finding out how to effectively defend the Catholic Church. I still don't have all the answers, but this book inpsired a desire in me to find them. There will always be new arguments on the battlefield, but Tim Staples definitely covers some hot topics that Protestants love to single out. It's one of those books you wish you could carry with you everywhere!
February 2, 2025
This work suffers from 2 principle errors.
1. Rationalism. Tim posits logical arguments about things which we hold as a matter of faith - we are bound to believe it. And he forgets the admonition of St. Anselm: "For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe-that unless I believe I shall not understand."
2. Liberalism. After each objection, Tim posits some notion of thanking the Protestant for their point of view, or pointing out that they are correct in many respects, with an unseemly and inordinate aversion to conflict, to avoid the opposite evil of antagonizing someone for their wrong opinions. But, according to Belloc, heresies "... survive by the truths they retain," (The Great Heresies). One, singular mortal sin suffices to condemn to hell for an eternity. We hold it as a matter of faith that this is not only true, but is just - we are bound to believe it. Likewise we attribute salvation to God's mercy alone, and not our own merit. No amount of meritorious work equates to the power of sanctifying Grace. So if someone is in error, the solution is not to show him how he has not the complete absence of truth, as though a lesser mortal sin were any less condemning than a graver mortal sin. Prudence dictating, one can carefully and gently promulgate the truth. At other times prudent silence is best. But at all times it is worth remembering that a transference of knowledge does not convert souls. Christ says, "without me you can do nothing," and about these words St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa that Christ does not say this as though it would be very difficult to achieve salvation without the Lord's Grace, but would be utterly impossible. Hence it is also said, "convert me, and I shalt be converted," (Jeremiah 31:18). About this St. Thomas Aquinas explains within his Treatise on Grace that the very act of turning to God to receive Grace is itself inspired by Grace, without which it is not merely difficult, but impossible to turn to God. And one of the best means to attain Grace is by the Holy Rosary. "My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words," (St. Therese of Lisieux).
1. Rationalism. Tim posits logical arguments about things which we hold as a matter of faith - we are bound to believe it. And he forgets the admonition of St. Anselm: "For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe-that unless I believe I shall not understand."
2. Liberalism. After each objection, Tim posits some notion of thanking the Protestant for their point of view, or pointing out that they are correct in many respects, with an unseemly and inordinate aversion to conflict, to avoid the opposite evil of antagonizing someone for their wrong opinions. But, according to Belloc, heresies "... survive by the truths they retain," (The Great Heresies). One, singular mortal sin suffices to condemn to hell for an eternity. We hold it as a matter of faith that this is not only true, but is just - we are bound to believe it. Likewise we attribute salvation to God's mercy alone, and not our own merit. No amount of meritorious work equates to the power of sanctifying Grace. So if someone is in error, the solution is not to show him how he has not the complete absence of truth, as though a lesser mortal sin were any less condemning than a graver mortal sin. Prudence dictating, one can carefully and gently promulgate the truth. At other times prudent silence is best. But at all times it is worth remembering that a transference of knowledge does not convert souls. Christ says, "without me you can do nothing," and about these words St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa that Christ does not say this as though it would be very difficult to achieve salvation without the Lord's Grace, but would be utterly impossible. Hence it is also said, "convert me, and I shalt be converted," (Jeremiah 31:18). About this St. Thomas Aquinas explains within his Treatise on Grace that the very act of turning to God to receive Grace is itself inspired by Grace, without which it is not merely difficult, but impossible to turn to God. And one of the best means to attain Grace is by the Holy Rosary. "My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words," (St. Therese of Lisieux).
February 17, 2022
This book has a lot of great information. It is packed with Bible quotes and Catholic teachings presented in the style of arguments. However it is a little heavy with information for a book this short and clearly intended to be read from cover to cover. The chapter titles don't convey what exactly the Catholic teachings will be. They are packed with Scriptural evidence, but I have a hard time believing you'll be able to quote passages from memory. Super useful if you need to dive into these arguments with a friend, but make sure you have access to additional resources to help you keep track of his Scriptural evidence. Personally this is the style of books everyone needs at home if you want to evangelize.
November 15, 2023
A great resource on how to defend the faith.
March 31, 2015
Tim Staples does explain apologetics in a clear way and uses a conversational funny style. He runs into some very odd situations - my mechanic has never called me out on my crucifix for instance, but isn't that the point of the New Evangelization to find opportunities every where. The approaches he takes posit real situations and in a non confrontational Biblically founded answers to why the Catholic teaching is correct. Basic and not at the same time - Greek explanations sometimes next to straightforward logical steps. Interesting read less sure of the practical value
November 11, 2013
In this book, Tim Staples gives a quick glance explanation of how to respond to people's concepts, complaints, misunderstanding of the Catholic Church. It is too short to give in depth responses, though, he does an amazing job with the space he is given. He covers a wide assortment of people that might comment/question the Catholic faith. He does an amazing job. This is a book to read over and over. It is also a handy dandy reference tool that one can use to defend the faith.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews