Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church

by Peter Kreeft

For the first time in 400 years the Catholic Church has authorized an official universal catechism which instantly became an international best-seller, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Using this official Catechism, the highly-regarded author and professor Peter Kreeft presents a complete compendium of all the major beliefs of Catholicism written in his readable and concise style. Since the Catechism of the Catholic Church was written for the express purpose of grounding and fostering catechisms based on it for local needs and ordinary readers, Kreeft does just that, offering a thorough summary of Catholic doctrine, morality, and worship in a popular format with less technical language. He presents a systematic, organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental Catholic teachings in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church's Tradition. This book is the most thorough, complete and popular catechetical summary of Catholic belief in print that is based on the universal Catechism.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Religion, Christianity, Faith, Christian, Reference

425 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

About the author

Peter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.

Reviews

[Friar Stebin John Capuchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book by Peter Kreeft. He made an extensive study on the Catholic dogmas and doctrines in order to put out this book. I appreciate the hard work of the author. It is really a helpful guide for the Catholics and it surely will help those who seek the truth in the Catholic teachings.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of my working through the Catechism in a year. Over the last few years I have read the catechism and other similar books a little bit each day throughout the year. This year I added this book and it took me 4 months of study to work through this volume. This was an excellent read. It was a wonderful study tool. It helped me go so much deeper in my study of the Catholic Faith. The sections in this volume are:

Preface
PART I: Theology (What Catholics Believe)
Chapter 1: Faith
Chapter 2: God
Chapter 3: Creation
Chapter 4: Man
Chapter 5: Jesus Christ
Chapter 6: The Holy Spirit
Chapter 7: The Holy Catholic Church
Chapter 8: The Forgiveness of Sins
Chapter 9: The Resurrection of the Body
Chapter 10: Life Everlasting

PART II: Morality (How Catholics Live)
Chapter 1: The Essence of Catholic Morality
Chapter 2: Human Nature as the Basis for Morality
Chapter 3: Some Fundamental Principles of Catholic Morality
Chapter 4: Virtues and Vices
Chapter 5: The First Three Commandments: Duties to God
Chapter 6: The Fourth Commandment: Family and Social Morality
Chapter 7: The Fifth Commandment: Moral Issues of Life and Death
Chapter 8: The Sixth and Ninth Commandments: Sexual Morality
Chapter 9: The Seventh and Tenth Commandments: Social and Economic Morality
Chapter 10: The Eighth Commandment: Truth

PART III: Sacraments and Prayer (How Catholics Worship)
Chapter 1: Introduction to Catholic Liturgy
Chapter 2: Introduction to the Sacraments
Chapter 3: Baptism and Confirmation
Chapter 4: The Eucharist
Chapter 5: The Sacrament of Penance
Chapter 6: Matrimony
Chapter 7: Holy Orders
Chapter 8: Anointing of the Sick
Chapter 9: Prayer
Chapter 10: The Lord’s Prayer
Chapter 11: Mary
Conclusion
Abbreviations
Notes

This is not a volume I could pick up and read through from beginning to end. At least not do so and really take it in. But by reading 5-15 points a day it was very digestible. In the introduction Dr. Kreeft goes over some of the possible titles this book had, and his reason for them, and reasons for changing. They were:

Mere Christianity
What Is a Catholic

He also states:

“Half a century ago such a book would have been superfluous, for Catholics knew then twenty times more than they know now about everything in their faith: its essence, its theology, its morality, its liturgy, and its prayer; and there were twenty times more books like this one being written. The need was less, and the supply was more. Today the need is much more, and the supply is much less. Since “nature abhors a vacuum”, spiritually as well as physically I offer this unoriginal “basic data” book to those Catholics who have been robbed of the basic data of their heritage.”

The book might be unoriginal, and basic data about Catholicism, but maybe that is what makes it such a treasure. This book is likely one I will read each year for years to come. This book is an amazing resource, for the faithful, for those studying Catholicism, and for those just curios about what Catholicism is all about.

Kreeft has written some amazing books and this is among the best!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Dr. Peter Kreeft.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!

[booklady]

It sounds good Wanda! Thank you!

In Wanda's recommendation, she wrote: "If you haven't read this, you might want to pick up a copy someday. I'm only on page 37, but I think this is a book I'll want to take notes on. So far probably everything Kreeft has said, I've read somewhere else, but I really enjoy the way he pulls so much of it together. He's somewhat irreverent at times, like he casually refers to God as "the Big Banger", lol. But I enjoy his frankness and humor."

[Maria Hong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still in the process of reading this, but this is a great book that needs to be read by any practicing Catholic or anyone who is genuinely curious about the Catholic faith. Peter Kreeft explains and clarifies the faith and theory of Catholicism fairly well.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical guide to the Catholic Catechism with no intentions to replace the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Peter Kreeft, a convert to Catholicism, offers great modern perspective in these well thought out descriptions of what is originally offered in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. May be read topically as well.

[Tom Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a good high school Catechism, or textbook for a class on Catholicism. It's very Kreefty if that's your thing (he's an idiosyncratic writer). Probably a better book to give someone interested in the Faith than the JPII Catechism.

[Michael Dendis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a life-long Catholic yet wanting to learn more about my faith I found this book a while ago and finally read it. This is a excellent book that is a great catechism. It is divided into three parts: Theology, Morality & Sacraments and Prayers. Even being a "cradle Catholic" I learned some things reading this book. It has even made me more hungry to learn about the faith. This book is for anyone: Someone who is looking to become Catholic, someone who has recently become Catholic or someone who is already Catholic and wanting to learn more. Dr. Kreeft writes very smartly yet its easy to read for everyone, depending on your comfort with Catholicism. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Jacob Aitken]

I am not quite finished readin this. Very entertaining and informative. I am not Catholic, however. I would have wanted him to dig deeper on a few social issues.

[Gabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Gives you an understanding of what a Catholic should be.

[Mark Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly informative. A must read for anyone who wants to know about Catholicism.

[нєνєℓ ¢ανα · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[sch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mar 2022.

[Landon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kreeft's version of the Catechism is the best I have read so far. The CCC is notoriously difficult for the average person to read and understand. Catholic Christianity is not. Kreeft's lays out the Catholic faith in an ordered and logical manner, covering the content of the CCC as well as adding applications to modern day life and brief entries on Catholic/Christian Philosophy.
I give it 4 stars because it does have a couple of shortcomings. First, the purpose of this work is to explain WHAT Catholics believe, not WHY they believe it. This is not really a flaw, just something to keep in mind; especially since the author occasionally does explain why and the reasons given are often terse and left at least this reader with more questions than answers. Finally, the text does not have an index! This makes it very difficult to use as a quick reference for a particular doctrine.

[Nathanial]

Kreeft posits that each religious tradition passes along a creed, a cult, and a commission--or a set of beliefs, a manner of practicing them in worship, and an ethics of enacting them in daily life. He then goes on to elaborate, point by point, on quotations from the Catechism from the mid-90s. He's not as objective as he would like to be, but at least he's clear in his positions.

[Tara Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this largely based on the horrific notion that after 16 years in several Catholic institutions, I had forgotten the Act of Contrition. It was interesting to remember how much Latin I had forgotten and to go over everything again from an adult's point of view.

[Sam Fink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the 'official' Catechism but provides a complementary perspective. My wife got this as part of her RCIA class and I decided to read it, partly during Adorations sessions each week. Worth the time.

[Ash Pappas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for RCIA and it is wonderful! It breaks down the different beliefs in a more simple way. It's also really easy to read, and references the catechism a lot, and tells where in the catechism you can find more info.

[agnes]

a must have for all catechists.

[martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable and interesting for a catechism. I liked his explanation of alot of the doctrines.

[David Farel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough, very good explanation of Catholicism. Perfect for anyone who wants to know what Catholicism IS and why. Also an essential apologetics reading.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok but a self study of RCIA. I preferred the actual classes. Not one of his best books.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Read it twice.

[Dylan Schweitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Kreeft's witty, yet reverent writing style is able to take complex texts like sacred scripture, The Catechism, and other historical documents, as well as writings from historical theologians like Aquinas and Augustine to be able to make a very detailed and organized summation of, "What Catholics believe". (Imagine Mere Christianity but a more thorough, organized Catholic version)

One thing I love about this book is it is great as full read, and as a resource to look up individual questions and topics.

I would recommend this to:

Atheists/Agnostics: Even if every word of this is just an elaboration on some fake fairy tale, there is much to learn from a 2,000 year tradition that many have devoted their life to. This book will give you many insights on what the biggest 'chunk' of Christians believe (And almost all Christians would agree on well over 2/3 of this book). Why listen to what the media, society, or that dude at your work who thinks constantine started the Catholic church, when you can engage with the documents and church head on in a concise and practical manner?

Protestants: To realize just how many similarities there are amongst Catholics and Protestants. How every belief that Catholics have in some way point backs to Christ. Also, why learn what Catholics believe, from Protestants engaging in polemics? It might be more genuine to engage with the Church head on.

Catholics: Learn about the documents your religion has produced and or has supported. You can understand more thoroughly why there are certain necessary doctrine and Dogmas, the reasons for them, and how they are all rooted and point to Christ.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for catechism classes at my local Catholic church in Tokyo. It is a more accessible book than the official Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), distilling the essential teachings of the Church in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. Sometimes it lacks the beautiful theological language of the CCC, which was promulgated by Pope John Paul II and steered by the late, great Pope Benedict XVI while he was still a Cardinal, but it is a very convert-friendly read and useful for group discussions, covering as it does every single topic of interest to new and existing Catholics looking to dig deeper into their faith.

[Rodeweeks · Rating 3 out of 5]

There seems to be so many contradictions that I wonder about Kreeft as a philosopher. One of the main reasons I kept reading despite this was that I enjoyed engaging with the book. But then, there was also many things I was impressed with; feeling that the Catholic Church really had a lot of time to think about things. However, what I was most impressed with (coming from a Protestant background), was the acknowledgement that Catholics and Protestants were equally to blame for the Reformation and subsequent schism between them.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an invaluable companion to reading through the Catechism. I’m so pleased I followed my priest’s advice. Oddly, it doesn’t follow the Catechism in strict order, but it remains very good.

I heavily annotated this book as it is full of wisdom and wonderfully expands of the Catechism. Bringing in his background in the Protestant world, Peter Kreeft, opened up the real beauty and wellspring that the church is.

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent presentation of the Catholic faith. I would place it between the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is the obvious standard, but can be intimidating, and the USCCB Catechism for Adults, which, to me, is like reading a reciple blog.

Kreeft uses his years of study to accurately portray the Catholic faith in a straightforward and engaging manner.

[Jodi Tooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter offers tremendously helpful modern insight to Catholicism that often gets a bad rap as stodgy. With relevant examples and application to modern dilemma he shows how Catholicism really does apply to and inspire modern morality. A great supplement to the CCC!

[Boyita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am saving five stars for books that truly change my life. This book is still amazing! Answers all the catechism questions in a more narrative, conversational way. Read it beginning to end, or jump in where you want.

[Emilia Migliaccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Finally finished this book. Dense at times but so good. Peter Kreeft is a genius and explains the Catholic faith so well. I gained so much knowledge and cannot wait to go back through all of my highlights and bookmarks and write them down to have it all on a couple pages.