Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God

Catholic for a Reason #1

by Scott Hahn (Editor), Jeff Cavins, Leon J. Suprenant Jr. (Editor)

Imagine today's top Catholic authors, apologists, and theologians. Now imagine 12 of them collaborating on a book that answers common questions about and challenges to the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church. Imagine no more, it's a reality. Catholic for a Reason, edited by Dr. Scott Hahn and Leon J. Suprenant, with the forward by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, will help Catholics and non-Catholics alike develop a better understanding of the Church. Each chapter goes to the heart of its topic, presenting the teachings of the Church in a clear, concise, and insightful way. The teachings on Mary, the Eucharist, Baptism, and Purgatory are explained in light of the relationship of God the Father to us. Catholic for a Reason is bound to become an apologetics classic. Authors: Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, Fr. Pablo Gadenz, Curtis J. Mitch, Richard A. White, Kimberly Hahn, Sean Innerst, Edward P. Sri, Timothy Gray, Leon J. Suprenant, Kris Gray, and Curtis A. Martin. Foreword by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. About the Catholic for a Reason Series: This benchmark series brings together the expert knowledge and personal insight of today's top Catholic apologists on topics at the heart of the Catholic faith. Whether you're a non-Catholic who wants to learn about the Church's teaching, or a Catholic who wants to become a more articulate defender of the faith, the Catholic for a Reason series is for you.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Theology, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Spirituality

310 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Scott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.

Reviews

[Michael Brady]

I am no longer Catholic (nor am I Christian) but it is the team I was born to. The Church's place in history is pivotal - for better and worse - so studying it still appeals to me.

This is another Goodreads Giveaway.

[Krysta Ann Orscheln · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, especially for a great grasp on Catholic apologetics. Each topic is very well explained and supported both Biblically and traditionally. All in all, I enjoyed the book and discovered much about the faith; however, because the chapters cover different topics and are written by different authors, I did find that I was more captivated by some, while others felt more like pulling teeth. But different people enjoy different styles of writing, so nothing against any of the authors.

[Chris Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the greatest apologetics book I've ever read. I specifically loved the chapters about calling priests "Father", marriage, the liturgy, the Eucharist, Mary, and the Sacraments of Healing. Yes, I just said I " specifically loved" almost half of the chapters. It's that good.

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the content of this was - of course - good, wow I found it so repetitive. It was not written in a way that was easily digestible or even particularly interesting. Ultimately I am putting this on my DNF shelf and giving up the urge to try to push through the last 40%.

[Oma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catholic for a Reason looks at Catholicism with the theme of Scripture and Family. it is a collection of writings by various authors. Scott Hahn examines the Trinity as Family. Jeffrey Cavins writes of reading the Bible as a narrative,an approach which would make reading it more palatable for a novice who might be intimidated by books such as Leviticus, and the story of the family of faith. Curtis Mitch writes of God communicating with his family. Father Pablo Gadenz expounds upon the Church as the family of God. He also writes in a later chapter of the priesthood of Jesus, priests as the spiritual father of his parish and why Catholics call their priests father. Richard White writes about Divine Sonship and Justification from the Catholic perspective. Kimberly Hahn writes about Baptism and compares it to being born again, explaining the Catholic perspective of how it makes one the child of God. Sean Innerest writes about the Liturgy as a Seder Meal(though some of the points may need modified in light of the new translation-and this may have been done in a newer edition of this book, and described its relation to Scripture. Edward Siri described the Eucharist as the true Body of Christ and Scriptural basis for it. Timothy Gray writes of Mary as the mother of the universal Church and Queen of Heaven. He describes her as "gebirah" or queen- mother. Leon Suprenant explains marriage through the context of the Church and Scripture. He gives the definition of marriage, the fact that it is a covenant, and explains its purpose. Kris Grey writes of the ways God has given to heal the family bond we have with God through His forgiveness and Reconciliation. Curtis Martin explains the Catholic position on Purgatory though Scripture and the writings of the Fathers of the Church. I received this book as a First Reads reviewer.I am recommending it to several RCIA candidates.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book. Twelve authors contributed to the thirteen essays on various aspects of the Catholic church's take on the Family of God.

My favorite authors were Scott Hahn, Kimberly Hahn, Curtis Martin and Kris Gray. As with any book of this type where you have multiple contributing authors, some of the essays were more readable than others. I personally preferred the ones that didn't use so many footnotes. Every time I have to leave the text to jump down and read a footnote it takes me some time before I can find the place where I left off due to eyes that have seen better days. It is hard for me to find the tiny little footnote numbers to find the place where I left the text.

Other writers seemed to forget at times that they were writing this book to people who have little experience with the Catholic faith. It is, after all, a book of apologetics and is geared toward Catholics who want to know more about their faith and non-Catholics who want to know more about the Catholic faith.

This is actually volume one of a four volume set. Having enjoyed my experience with this volume I will most definitely be reading the others. I can recommend this book for anyone who wants to know what the Catholic church really believes as opposed to what most Protestants want you to THINK the Catholic church believes.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen rightly observed back in the 1950's that "there are not 100 people in this country who hate the Catholic church, but there are millions who hate what what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic church." This book and series is an effort to educate the lay person as to what the Catholic church really believes and to do it in clear and concise language that is easily understood. So far, it succeeds marvelously.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway, so having said that, this is an unbiased review.

I enjoyed reading this book, I thought it did a good of explaining a lot about the Catholic faith in a way that is eaasily understood by people who are not Catholic. I am not Catholic, although I did take a few classes when I was considering coverting years ago. I've always been fascinated by the Catholic faith.

I enjoyed the part about Baptism as it led me to a clearer understanding of what it means to Catholicism as compared to the Baptist faith I grew up with.

Of course I don't agree with everything that's discussed in the book, that would be the reason I did not convert, however I feel this book is very informative and I wish I had had access to it years ago. It's really thoughtful and its explanations are clear and simple.

I'm still Protestant but I still hold a fascination by the Catholic church and think their ways of faith are beautiful. I appreciate this book, and will keep it on my shelf, it's interesting reading and it actually piques my interest in re-reading the Catechism.

Oh yeah, I also enjoyed the chapter on Purgatory. Very thoughtful...this book has me contemplating a number of things.

[Candis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading apologetics quite a bit lately so I didn't think this book was life changing. I would recommend this book to anyone who does not have any apologetics reading under their belt.
My favorite chapters were the one on marriage and the one on purgatory.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review through Goodreads Giveaways. I read this book awhile ago and realized that I hadn't written a review. Even though I'm no longer a practicing Catholic I enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it as a way to study scripture.

[Erik]

Listed by Patrick Madrid in the Reading Plan of Search and Rescue in Phase 2 (Intermediate).

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some chapters are a little dense, definitely to be taken one piece at a time to really soak it in! I especially loved chapter 8, with Dr. Sri’s look at the Eucharist. MIND BLOWN, I feel like I’m seeing the sacrifice of the Mass in a whole new way.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, as would be expected from these authors. I found the essay detailing the differences between Catholic and Protestant views of justification to be especially interesting.

[Viktorinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear Explanation about Catholicism from top Notch Appologets. Systematic, and fun presentation....

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal clear Catholic apologetics.

[Ella Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed discussion on how and why the Catholic Church view Mary the way they do. It was educational and considerate of discussing the common views of non-Catholics. I have questions to ask, however I think this book provided answers to the extent in order to allow me to understand better.

I really like the connections to biblical imagery and symbolism which is included in this book. I liked also how they grouped together different writers and scholars to give a larger scope of opinions.

Something I valued is the amount of research and references which were used. It felt less about expressing an opinion of this group but building up an argument, some chapters and writers did this better than others.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning more about this subject.

[Joy Patton]

This is a great book.

[Jakenv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won on Goodreads. Well written and should be of interest to all not just Catholics.

[Chic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in Kindle