Daniel Gerhartz

Masterpost - Resources for those interested in the Catholic faith

I’ve received a few asks about those who are seeking to learn more about Catholicism. There’s an abundance of information out there so I would urge you to PRAY and ask God to direct you to the books or people which will help you most. Every person’s journey is different!

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Catechism of Catholic Church

Catholic Answers and Catholic Answers Live radio

Catholic Bridge

The Coming Home Network  (explore by denomination & religion)

EWTN

The Journey Home  

Catholics Come Home

Word on Fire and Bishop Barron’s videos on Youtube

Why I’m Catholic

Convert Journal

Strange Notions

BOOKS:

Here are some great lists of books from Catholic converts, some of them overlap in their recommendations yet each of them offer different suggestions depending on the topic:

Douglas Beaumont

Stephen Ray

Blessed is She

Elizabeth Clare

Two New Books:

Forty Reasons I Am a Catholic - Peter Kreeft (also check out his website, or his many writings and videos online)

Why I Am Catholic (and You Should Be Too) - Brandon Vogt

List from Blessed is She:

Rome Sweet Home - Scott  & Kimberly Hahn (website)

This quintessential conversion story has remained one of the most popular books about conversion for over 25 years with converts and lapsed Catholics alike. As a Presbyterian minister and biblical scholar Scott Hahn assumed the Catholic Church was incorrect about everything, until he begins to see that the Church has the answers to all his questions. The book also shares the difficulty Kimberley had with Scott’s conversion, how she grappled with his coming to the Church and her own acceptance of Church teaching.

What Catholics Really Believe — Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith by Karl Keating

This handbook of common misconceptions regarding Catholicism gives clear answers of what the Church actually teaches to be a true. A great starting out point for someone who has basic questions about the faith, or for someone who wants to know the whys behind Church teaching at a quick search.

Fundamentals of Faith: Essays in Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft

A selection of essays that lay the foundation not just for Catholicism, but for the need of faith and religion and how religion works. A clear framework answering questions about the need for faith in your life, or to answer questions other’s may be tossing your way. Dr. Kreeft’s work is always aimed at helping readers understand the faith more clearly and deeply.

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper by Brant Pitre

A fascinating look at the Scriptural and Jewish roots and meaning of the Eucharist. As the Eucharist is one of the most important teachings of the Catholic faith, this book helps flesh out the importance of Christ’s words and actions at the Last Supper. Seeing the continuation in tradition and teaching from the Old Testament to the Church today makes for a great introduction to the faith and for deepening your understanding of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron

Most Catholics know Bishop Barron, but he’s also making great inroads with people who have no belief by talking about today’s culture from a Catholic perspective. In his book Catholicism, Bishop Barron synthesizes the beauty and teachings of the faith so that someone who has no idea what the Church is about can gain a clear understanding of the Faith. This book is a great reference for the history of the Church, and also discusses the lives of famous saints.

Introduction to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI

A deep dive into the Apostle’s Creed and what Christianity is by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, this book provides a beautiful, intellectual basis of what Christianity believes. Pope Emeritus Benedict’s insight and genius in his understanding of theology and Scripture is a gift not just to the Church but to Christianity as a whole. Diving into any of his books will provide the reader with new ways of seeing faith, Scripture, and the Church.

Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler

Perhaps the best written and most readable memoir of faith and conversion written in recent memory, Fulwiler does a phenomenal job of detailing what led her to seek truth after growing up an atheist. Her humour and candor make her conversion process imminently relatable and her intellectual honesty is sure to touch a reader of any faith or non-faith background.

By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition by Mark Shea

Where does the Catholic Church get the authority to teach her doctrines anyway? Mark Shea shares his personal conversion story as he investigates Sola Scriptura and how biblical authority is the source of the Church’s magisterial teaching and tradition. A book with wit and an easy to read style that answers and appeals to Evangelicals and their questions about Catholicism.

Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Edward Sri

A great book for those with questions on Mary’s role in the Church and salvation history from a Biblical perspective. This book follows Mary’s life through Scripture, her journey of faith, her presence in the life of Christ, and what we can learn from her. A great place to begin if you wonder what devotion to Mary is all about.

Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott Hahn

Another invaluable book by Dr. Scott Hahn, Signs of Life looks at different customs and practices of the Catholic Church and the biblical basis for them. Each chapter explores a different tradition, such as devotion to the saints or the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. A great place to begin if you’ve wondered about all this “Catholic stuff” or if you want to know the deeper meaning behind aspects of the faith.

Doug Beaumont’s list:

First – if you’re only going to read one book on Evangelical conversion …

How to Go from Being a Good Evangelical to a Committed Catholic in Ninety-Five Difficult Steps - Christian Smith

Second – if you’re only going to read one book on the Catholic Faith …

Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine - Cardinal Sheehan

Basic Theological Issues

Evangelicals and Tradition: The Formative Influence of the Early Church – D. H. Williams: EV perspective on the traditional Church/Orthodox relationship.

A High View of Scripture? The Authority of the Bible and the Formation of the New Testament Canon – Craig Allert: EV perspective on the traditional Church/Canon relationship.

The Shape of Sola Scriptura – Keith Mathison: Reformed Protestant writer’s critique of a misunderstood Sola Scriptura.

The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism – Louis Bouyer: RC philosophical-theological evaluation of the positive and negative aspects of Protestantism.

Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism – George Marsden: Historical summary of  Fundamentalist / Evangelical movements.

Personal Conversion Stories

Evangelical Exodus – Doug Beaumont, ed.: The stories of alumni and professors from an Evangelical seminary who came home to Rome.

Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic – David B. Currie: RC convert from EV with fair, moderate criticisms.

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism – Scott and Kimberly Hahn: The most popular EV – RC conversion book.

Return to Rome: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic – Francis Beckwith: EV to RC conversion testimony. Half personal / half polemic.

Apologia pro Vita Sua – John Henry Newman: The classic Anglican – RC conversion story.

Journeys of Faith: Evangelicalism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Anglicanism – Various (Counterpoints Series): Eight authors discuss various conversions.

Particular Theological Issues

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Authoritative source for RC doctrine.

Not by Faith Alone: A Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification – Robert A. Sungenis: A collection of RC articles contrasting the RC with the Prot view of the Doctrine of Justification.

Not by Scripture Alone: A Catholic Critique of the Protestant Doctrine of Sola Scriptura – Robert A. Sungenis: A collection of RC articles contrasting the RC with the Prot view of the authority of Scripture.

Eucharist, Bishop, Church: The Unity of the Church in the Divine Eucharist and the Bishop During the First Three Centuries – John Zizioulas: EO book on the early Church’s Ecclesiology.

An Essay On Development Of Christian Doctrine – John Henry Newman: Classic RC perspective on doctrinal development.

The Infallibility of the Church – George Salmon: The definitive criticism of RC infallibility . (NOTE: The Church and Infallibility – Basil Christopher Butler is the RC response to Salmon’s book.)

The Bible Made Impossible – Christian Smith: RC argument that the popular EV view of biblical interpretation cannot be made to work.

Comparative Evangelical Resources

Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences – Norman Geisler and Ralph MacKenzie: EV evaluation of RC faith and practices.

Is Rome the True Church?: A Consideration of the Roman Catholic Claim – Norman Geisler and Joshua Betancourt: EV evaluation of RC faith and practices. (Of historical interest since Betancourt – already a convert from Evangelicalism to Anglicanism – converted to Roman Catholicism shortly after the book was published).

Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics – Ron Rhodes: EV critique of RC faith and practices from scriptural standpoint.

List provided from Convert Journal:

A Century of Catholic Converts by Lorene Hanley Duquin and Lorene Duquin Hanley

An American Conversion: One Man’s Discovery of Beauty and Truth in Times of Crisis by Deal Wyatt Hudson

Atheist to Catholic by Rebecca Cherico

Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David B. Currie

By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition by Mark P. Shea

Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs - Alan Schreck

Catholic Converts: British and American Intellectuals Turn to Rome by Patrick Allitt

Catholics Can Come Home Again: A Guide for the Journey of Reconciliation With Inactive Catholics by Carrie Kemp

Chats With Converts Complete Explanation of Catholic Belief by Fulton J. Sheen

Chosen: How Christ Sent Twenty-Three Surprised Converts to Replant His Vineyard by Donna Steichen

Classic Catholic Converts by Charles P. Connor

Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor by Allen Hunt

Could You Ever Become a Catholic? by Lorene Hanley Duquin

Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical Church by Stephen K. Ray

Evangelical Is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament by Thomas Howard

Full of Grace: Miraculous Stories of Healing and Conversion Through Mary’s Intercession by Christine Watkins

Home at Last: 11 Who Found Their Way to the Catholic Church by Rosalind Moss and Michael J. Sheehan

How to Go From Being a Good Evangelical to a Committed Catholic in Ninety-Five Difficult Steps by Christian Smith

If Protestantism is True: The Reformation Meets Rome by Devin Rose

In No Strange Land – Some American Catholic Converts by Katherine Burton

Lead, Kindly Light: My Journey To Rome by Thomas Howard

My Journey to the Land of More by Leona Choy

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

No Ordinary Fool: A Testimony to Grace by John Jay Hughes

No Price too High: A Pentecostal Preacher Becomes Catholic by Alex Jones

No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy by Fr. Donald Calloway

On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard

One Lord, One Faith by Vernon Johnson

Prodigal Daughters: Catholic Women Come Home to the Church by Donna Steichen

Return to Rome: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic by Francis Beckwith

Roads To Rome: Being Personal Records Of Some Of The More Recent Converts To The Catholic Faith by various authors and Cardinal Vaughan

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott Hahn and Kimberly Hahn

Surprised by Truth -: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid

Surprised by Truth 2: 15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons For Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid

Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reason for Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid

The Catholic Church And Conversion by G.K. Chesterton

The Faith of the Early Fathers -

The Ingrafting: The Conversion Stories of Ten Hebrew-Catholics by Rhonda D. Chervin

The New Catholics: Contemporary Converts Tell Their Stories by Dan O’Neill

The Lamb’s Supper - Scott Hahn

The Path to Rome by Dwight Longenecker

The Unexpected Way: On Converting from Buddhism to Catholicism by Paul Williams

This Is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers The Real Presence by Mark P. Shea

Welcome Home!: Stories of Fallen-Away Catholics Who Came Back N Returned by St. Joseph Communications and Victor R. Claveau

When Other Christians Become Catholic by Paul Turner

Why do Catholics Do That?

Women in Search of Truth: Converts to Catholism Tell Their Story by Jennifer Ferarra and Patricia Sodanno Ireland

And Stephen Ray’s list is long and detailed, check it out on his website!

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The peace I needed 💗

20 YEARS OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY 

(DECEMBER 19, 2001)

It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened? 

But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.

What are we holding on to, Sam?  That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2001 - 2003)