The rich tradition of Catholicism is so vast that questions are bound to arise. This book will answer your questions on: Matters of faith, matters of practice and matters of curiosity. Offering wise, authoritative answers to common (and some not-so-common) questions about the faith, this book is an invaluable resource for parishes, laypeople, students and libraries.
Why do Catholics pray for the dead? ... Is there humor in the Bible? ... Is Purgatory painful? ... Is there a dispensation for missing Mass when traveling? ... Can human beings become angels after they die? ... Why is the color blue associated with Our Lady? ... Was the Catholic Church the first one to say no to contraceptives? Over 2,000 years of tradition can lead to many questions and misunderstandings about the Catholic Faith. You are not alone if you are confused, curious, or wish to have an answer for challenging questions others may confront you with. Catholic Answers to Catholic Questions provides solid answers to hundreds of common questions asked by people just like you -- questions both big and small regarding doctrine, history, morality, the pope, saints, the sacraments, the Mass, prayer, Scripture, and much more. Be more confident in your faith. Allow the "why" to enhance the "what" you do as a Catholic. Make better decisions. Be more prepared to pass on your faith to others. Feed your curiosity. Solidify your beliefs. Author, theology professor, and Catholic apologist Paul Thigpen ensures the answers are not only rock-solid, but also pastoral in their approach and written in everyday, relevant language. He considers questions from real people to reveal the vast breadth and depth of our Catholic teachings.
More and more Catholics are asking tough questions about their faith and the leadership of the Catholic church. With sensitivity, insight, and well-researched, biblical responses, former-Catholic Tony Coffey answers the more pressing questions, including: Who speaks for God? Which is the one true church? Is the papacy taught in scripture? Did the first Christians believe in the mass? Should we go to confession? This clear and simple presentation of the differences between Roman Catholic tradition and the teachings of Scripture helps Catholics examine the Bible's view of everything from Mary to purgatory and divorce. Christians who want a foundation when talking to Catholics will find Tony Coffey's information invaluable.
Catholic Answers to Protestant Questions is a must read for those seeking to grow in their Catholic identity. Here are just a few of the questions that are covered in this book: Where did the Bible come from? Was Christ or Constantine the founder of the Catholic Church? Was Peter the first Pope? What do Catholics mean by being "born again" and why do they baptize children? Where do Catholics find the seven sacraments in the Bible? Why do Catholics believe in the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of Christ? Why do we need a priest to forgive serious sins? What are indulgences and why are they needed? Where can we find a priest being referred to as "Father" in the Bible? Do Catholics worship saints? What is the communion of saints? Is Mary the Mother of God? Did Jesus have brothers and sisters? Was Mary assumed into heaven? Is there a purgatory? Is there a rapture? Is salvation assured? Are we justified by faith alone, or by faith and works? Do Catholics practice idol worship?
As religion continues to dominate the news, politics and society in general, more and more laypeople are looking for a reliable guide to understanding the beliefs and practices of each faith. The Roman Catholic Church-the largest branch of Christianity-claims a total of over 1 billion baptized members around the globe and has been revered by billions of followers for thousands of years. Why? The Catholicism Answer Book answers 300 pivotal questions about one of the world's oldest religions. From the basic tenets of Christianity and the nature of God and salvation to the differences between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible, readers can round out their knowledge on such inquiries as: What are the "lost" or "missing" books of the Bible? And why are the books we have canonical? Why does it seem like Catholics worship Mary? What are the Last Things? Why confess to a priest when I can go directly to God?
Do you ever feel confused, befuddled, or just plain lost when it comes to the Catholic Faith? Do the teachings and practices of the Church leave you scratching your head? Then this is the book for you. In Catholic and Curious: Your Questions Answered, Monsignor Charles Pope tackles 500 tough questions on just about every subject imaginable. In easily digestible question and answer format, this book covers everything from God and the Bible to the liturgy, the sacraments, Catholic moral teaching, Mary, the saints, and life after death, all organized by topic for quick reference. In this book you’ll find not just straightforward answers, but a deeper understanding and appreciation of the truth of the Catholic Faith. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Monsignor Charles Pope was ordained a priest in 1989 for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. He is a well-known blogger and writer, and has authored a question and answer column for Our Sunday Visitor since 2013. He gives numerous retreats and talks for laity and clergy and appears as a regular guest on EWTN’s Morning Glory.
This book is an attempt by Fr. Romero to share some of the scriptural and historical "evidence" that the contemporary Roman Catholic Church and the Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ circa 30 A. D. are one and the same. Using some of the commonly-heard misconceptions about the Catholic Faith as points of departure, Fr. Romero examines various key passages from Scripture, looks at historical documentation found in secular sources and, at the end of each chapter, presents quotes from the writings of the first generations of Christians to show that modern-day Catholic beliefs and practices have solid precedence in the beliefs and practices of the early Church.
