I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of Catholic by Design: God's Blueprint for His Church from Eden to the Garden of Revelation by Joe McClane in exchange for an honest review.
This book strikes an excellent balance between accessibility and depth. Joe McClane presents complex theological ideas in a way that is easy to follow without oversimplifying them. Newer readers will find the writing approachable, while those who enjoy digging deeper into Scripture and Catholic theology will discover plenty of "meaty" passages that invite reflection long after finishing a chapter.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was how the author traces God's plan for His Church throughout salvation history, connecting themes from Eden to Revelation in a cohesive and thought-provoking way. Several insights challenged me to consider familiar passages from a fresh perspective, while other sections affirmed ideas I had already begun to understand, giving me greater confidence in my own study of the faith.
Rather than feeling like an academic textbook, the book reads like an engaging conversation that encourages readers to slow down, think, and pray about what they are learning. It provides enough substance for experienced Catholics while remaining welcoming to those who are simply curious about what the Catholic Church teaches and why.
I would readily recommend Catholic by Design to Catholics looking to deepen their understanding of the biblical foundations of the Church, as well as to anyone who is "Catholic curious" and wants a thoughtful, approachable introduction to the continuity of God's plan throughout Scripture.
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. I can honestly say that I loved this book. so much so that I definitely will be buying a physical copy of it. this is a great book for both Catholics and Non-Catholics with an open mind. This book really taught me a lot and made me think. It links the old testament to the new testament in ways that I never even thought of before but it makes so much sense to me now. Joe explains it wonderfully. I highly recommend this book to everyone.