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, Memoir, Spirituality

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love me a good conversion story!

[Catherine Picou · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Jan Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jamie Giddens · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ginal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Pam Seale · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sharon Panara · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kacey Dershem · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Gerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Catholics who have doubts.

[Sean Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always interested in reading a person's story...where he/she came from to get to where they are at. A particular interest lies in conversion stories....how and what a person did to convert from one belief to another.

Jeff Cavins writes his story from the perspective of a cradle Catholic who fell out of the Church and became a Protestant Minister....but through his study of the Bible and of the different denomiations, finds that his beliefs come full-circle and decides to re-convert as a Catholic. Along the way he picks up knowledge of the bible, which helps him develop a Bible series for Catholics.

This is a very good book that could reinforce a person's beliefs, or perhaps help a person in their faith journey. I'd also recommend this to folks who are looking to enter the Church through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) as it gives them a concrete conversion story.

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, and I don't believe you have to be Catholic to appreciate Jeff's story. He has some incredible experiences to share. This man is author of a series of wonderful Bible studies, 4 of which I have participated in through my church. He's well-versed in Scripture, Jewish customs and the Hebrew language and is filled to overflowing with faith and God's love and wants to share that with everyone!

[Barbarawombatgmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

After taking a class with Jeff on Revelations, I looked forward to reading his story. It came at a time when I was getting confirmed as an Eucharistic Minister. His story gave depth to my formation. I loved what I learned about Catholic apologetics. It was intriguing to understand his journey as a pastor, which was not easy. Amazing wife Emily, I think.

[Greg Bittner · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was surprising how much of the author's journey I could identify with. I have many questions I wish I could ask him. I see the subtitle apparently changed. The edition I have is subtitled, "A rebel returns to his faith."