My Life on the Rock: A Rebel Returns to the Catholic Faith

by Jeff Cavins

Over and over, readers have told us they couldn't put this book down. My Life on the Rock , Jeff Cavins' modern-day prodigal son story, is one of the most intriguing and dramatic conversion stories in the Church today, a bittersweet story of an emotional and spiritual search for peace in a chaotic world. The founding host of EWTN s popular Life on the Rock program and creator of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study Program, Jeff spent twelve years as a Protestant pastor before returning to the Catholic Faith. This is the perfect book for friends who have left the Church and for those who desire a powerful story of Catholic conversion.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Biography, Faith, Memoir

216 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2000

About the author

After twelve years as a Protestant pastor, Jeff returned to the Catholic Church under the guidance of Bishop Paul Dudley. His conversion story, one of the best known and inspiring stories of its kind, is chronicled in the best-selling book, My Life on the Rock.

Over the past several decades, Jeff has dedicated his life to developing The Great Adventure: A Journey through the Bible, a practical, interactive program that helps people read the “big picture” of God’s plan in Sacred Scripture and understand its meaning for their lives. The Great Adventure presents the entire sweep of the Bible in a way that is easy to understand and genuinely fun. Its unique Bible Timeline learning system has revolutionized Catholic Bible Study for hundreds of thousands of Catholics since 1995.

Jeff received his MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Reviews

[Ann]

Great read. I really enjoy Jeff Cavins insight and listen to his daily reflection on Hallow! He also has taught me so much through the Bible in a Year with his introduction into each section of the timeline with Fr. Mike! I also loved the postscript in this edition that Cavins wrote along with Scott Hahn!

[Ben De Bono]

This is a fascinating and deeply moving book chronicling the author's journey from Catholicism to Charismatic Protestantism and back again. Although Jeff Cavins certainly comes down on the Catholic side of the argument, it's well worth reading for Protestants and Catholics alike. It puts a human face and story on the journey between the two traditions and will, hopefully, have the effect of increasing charitable dialogue between Catholics and Protestants.

On a more personal note, the beginning of the book was of particular interest to me. Like me, Cavins was born and raised in Minnesota and he mentions several locations important to his story (including the now closed Minnetonka Perkins that was just a couple miles from where I grew up) that are very familiar to me. It was fun connection that made a good book that much better

[Tracy]

This book is a very interesting story of someone returning to the church after turning so far away as to become a protestant minister! He is a real student of biblical history and in his efforts to grow as a minister, he comes face to face with the church he rebelled against! He reminded me that the church can have some downright bad leaders and it doesn't change the original truths of God and of the church. He also met some very good leaders in the church that kept him on his journey. It gave me a little incite into the world of protestantism. Very Good!

[Sue]

Pretty good. I think I enjoyed the first couple chapters the best. His style of writing was natural and humorous. The middle part got tedious as it was more like theology lessons which were fine, but not written in a way that grabbed your attention. I think what I missed from this book were personal insights, self-discoveries, etc. He did realize that his leaving the Catholic Church was an act of rebellion against his Dad, but that was it.

[Kristin]

I would probably give this book a 3.5/5 if it was an option. It started off really good, but towards the middle it seemed to drag on a little bit. I do like Jeff Cavins though and I have heard that his bible study programs are really good. This is my brother-in-law's book, but he would be more than willing to let others borrow it if needed.

[Melissa]

Jeff Cavins has become one of my favorite teachers of Catholicism over the past ten years. It is amazing to hear his journey from being Catholic, rebelling against the church, and what convicted him to return. A must read.

[Pam Seale]

A beautiful autobiography of what God did in this author's life. He's a little younger than I, so it was interesting to hear the experiences he had while being drawn into a life of service to God and the church.

[Ryan]

Perhaps the best book I've read in '09. Cavins' honest account of his dramatic spiritual journey is required reading for anyone in search of truth.

[Meghan]

Love me a good conversion story!

[Catherine Picou]

Laughed and cried. Beautiful testimony to the amazing love God has for us.

[Jan Cole]

I listen to Jeff Cavins daily on Hallow and his story intrigued me. Being about the same age, I remember how the flashier “Jesus” movement took root and Jeff renounced Catholicism to join a Pentecostal church. His little girlfriend had a lot to do with it!
At the end of high school, 4 of the students he went to church with were headed to a year long seminary.
Jeff completed seminary, married Emily, and began a career in church work going from Assembly of God to non denominational. He also did radio work. His relationship with his parents was fractured because he took every opportunity to tell them where their Catholicism was wrong.
But he was restless and never content. He missed the church history, and theology that years of study by groups of people brought to a church. Each new church was that- a new church- without a strong doctrine to stand on.
This was an interesting read. I’m not Catholic but I am a mainline Protestant that follows a doctrine several hundred years old. We have creeds, call and responses, and follow the liturgical calendar. We have an altar- not a stage. Our worship is based on tradition. I can see how he struggled in his youth.
The book got a little heavy in theology while other parts were glossed over. His wife deserves a medal because he hopped around while he was figuring it all out, but it was nice to hear his story.

[Mrs C]

I’m curious about folks who enroll in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) so I picked this up thinking that the next best thing is to read about someone raised as a Catholic would leave and then come back to it. I don’t know much about the Protestant faith so I wanted to see the conflicts behind it. I was hoping for more, but the author provides a lot of further readings to look into.

It’s a good read and I was eager to read the outcome of the author’s conversion. The timeline of this book is 70s to 90s and I hoped the revised edition would include a contemporary view. The writing has a good flow and candid - something common I find with these kinds of books on sharing their faith.

[Mary O]

Oh my goodness. I laughed, I cried! This is Jeff Cavins’ amazing story of his journey from cradle Catholic to Protestantism and back to Catholicism where he is now an Author, Speaker, TV host, Podcaster, creator of the Great Adventure Bible Study, etc. and someone I listen to on a daily basis. After leaving the Church at a young age he explored other churches and was even a Protestant pastor for 12 years. His search for answers to difficult questions brought him Home. A beautiful story for EVERYONE to enjoy. Yes, it originally came out in 2000 and I’m just now getting around to it, but it could have all happened last year.

[Elizabeth Pachota]

I would give 10 ⭐️s if I could! I love to read Jeff Cavins’ books and this has to be my favorite. It had me in tears and so excited to continue to learn more about Christianity & Catholicism. It’s a beautiful testimony to coming back into the Catholic faith and a deep love for Jesus and scripture.

“I’m coming home. I need to come home.” pg 121

“If you believe the Bible, why don’t you believe what Jesus said when he told his disciples, ‘This is my body’?” pg 90

“Then with the grace that comes from the sacraments, and especially the Eucharist, let us all continue on this great adventure until the day we shall see him face to face.”pg 178

[Jamie Giddens]

As one new to the Hallow prayer app, I had just begun listening to Jeff Cavins’ daily segments, and I really liked his teaching style. I looked him up on YouTube Tube and found he had written a book, which I promptly ordered. Similar to his struggle, I have been grappling with the Protestant problems for years and found with this book that I was in good company. He gave me a launching pad for further study, and his compelling story gave me an entirely different perspective of faith and worship. I recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God.

[Mary]

Being familiar with Jeff from his DVD Bibles studies, I could really hear his voice throughout. His story is told well--linking his beginning rebellious pronunciations to his dad and the bishop to his reconciliation to each of them. God has/has such a wonderful plan as we journey.
Now I understand how Jeff is able to link New Testament words and practices with the fulfillment of the Old. He's done so much study!
Wonderful biography, inspiring conversion story!

[Neil Lynch]

Jeff Cavins lives and loves his Faith. This book covers a lifetime, from his childhood to his young adulthood, when he confronts a bishop and declares he's done with the Catholic church, through his years as a Protestant pastor when he years for something more, to his realization and return to the Church. I chose this as a Lenten reading, and I couldn't;t have been more satisfied. Personal. Powerful. Compelling.

[Elizabeth Lumpkin]

Wonderful story of his personal journey!

Catholic or not, Jeff Cavin’s personal story is a compelling read. He is upfront about all of his issues in the past as well as the reasons he returned to the Catholic Church. From disdainful to trustful, his tale recounts how he went from a rebel to being on fire for the Catholic Church.

[Ginal]

This was a really helpful book in my understanding of my Catholic roots and moving to other Christian religions. Jeff echoed many of my same thoughts, concerns & fears - albeit from a much more educated perspective. It has given me much food for thought.

[Sharon Panara]

I have been questioning my own Catholic faith after a series of horrific events in my life. Since the beginning of the year I have been praying, meditating, reading the Bible and listening to Jeff daily on Hallow. I loved his story and how supportive his family was towards him on his journey.

[James R.]

Loved learning about the life’s journey of this very successful Bible teacher, whom I first became aware of by listening to Hallow, the prayer app. Fast, easy and very compelling read!! I highly recommend reading this book.

[Katie Leahy]

It's so good! I would recommend this book to anyone especially someone who's thinking of becoming Catholic or wants to return to the Catholic church. The book is funny, interesting, inspiring, informative, and easy to read. I also learned some things about my Catholic faith as I was reading it.

[Kacey Dershem]

I love Jeff Cavins' Bible Timeline and I loved this book.

[Caroline]

Having experienced enjoyment from hearing Cavins speak, I can now say the same of what he writes!

This book tells his realistic, humorous journey away from Catholicism and his ultimate return.

I finished it within days and would highly recommend it!

[Alicia]

Excellent book. Jeff's experiences mirrored mine in so many ways. I really appreciated reading about how he, too, came back to the Catholic church and why. Highly recommend.

[Greg Stratman]

Any anti-Catholic would do well to read this book.

[Gerri]

A must read for all Catholics who have doubts.

[Sean Bowers]

Fantastic book for anyone new or returning to the Catholic faith. I couldn’t put it down.

[Nancy McCourt]

Found this interesting but a bit deeper than what I needed. Did enjoy it and learned a lot about Jeff Cavins.

[Alexis Ramirez]

Relatable! Loved it. Easy to read.