3 comments about The Church, Our Story.

1. This text is a helpful introduction to Catholicism. I highly recommend it for those who are interested in learning the fundamental Catholic convictions about the Church. It works well in RCIA discussions.



2. I used this as a textbook with high school freshmen. It was very informative, but challenging for that level. Driedger takes a thematic approach to church history. So this book is better for understanding who and where the Catholic Church is now than as a comprehensive survey of church history. In fact, it would be helpful to know the basics of Christian history before you delve into this text. The author's religious approach is open minded. She presents the official teachings without being too fundamentalist or rigid. Once the reader gets used to the author's style, this book has much to offer for understanding the contemporary Catholic Church.



3. Had to order textbooks for my two boys who are in high school. Very easy to order. The right price AND delivered as promised.

5 comments about The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose.

1. The Catholic answer to "Purpose Driven Life" This is a great book, well written and an easy read.



2. I've heard Matthew Kelly in person and was intrigued by what he had to say. I agree with other reviewers in that you do have to be open and receptive to what is being presented, but isn't that the case with anything? Although the concepts are sometimes obvious, they are presented well and encourage you to think about how your life can make an impact in a world that needs help. This book hits home and helps puts life in perspective.



3. I am a fan, this purchase was actually a gift for a friend, the perspective while not entirely unique, almost feels like it is, because it touches on the core issues that many of us identify as the true obstacles to personal , spiritual and emotional health. 5 stars becuase of the integrity and depth of the message... you can "tell' when the message is the result of a personal desire to identify ,and more importantly "share" via effective communication practical tools to change and grow



4. I have incorporated the teachings in this book to my life and highly recommend it for all ages.



5. The Rhythm of Life books are awesome, in great shape and arrived promptly. Thank you!

4 comments about Before I Go: Letters to Our Children About What Really Matters.

1. Peter Kreeft is an outstanding philosophy professor at Boston College who has written over 40 books, most of which are excellent. Professor Kreeft is similar to G K Chesterton and C S Lewis in that he is a Christian philosopher who writes very clear and profound books that are full of wisdom.
   
   BEFORE I GO consists 162 life lessons that Kreeft has learned, and each lesson is covered in 1 to 3 pages. Lesson 6, "The Most Important Person" is a hierarchy of what a person's priorities in life should be, with God first, one's spouse second, one's children third and so on. Lesson 9 is a succinct description of "What is a Good Person?"
   
   Lesson 48 has a funny litmus test on how to tell if a book is a great book; funny because it rings true. And Lesson 51 has a poignant lesson learned too late from the poet Thomas Carlyle. Kreeft's advice on how to keep marriages intact in Lesson 87 is short, sweet and dead-on-target.
   
   "Before I Go" is short - it took only about 3 hours to read - and full of wisdom. This is indeed a great book in that it gives cogent guidance on the good, the beautiful and the true. Were Socrates to read this book, he would realize that he had finally found that wise man that Socrates sought in ancient Greece but never found. This is Kreeft's 2nd best book - exceeded only by his outstanding HANDBOOK OF CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS - and I give it my highest recommendation.



2. Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for Reader Views (12/07)
   
   Having sat with several people as they draw close to the end of their life, I have noticed that many find themselves frustrated by the short time they have to say the final, important things to their loved ones. Peter Kreeft has taken a preemptive strike at that moment for his family by writing this short, readably warm book, "Before I Go: Letters to Our Children about What Really Matters." Kreeft states that this book is simply a "word-insurance policy. It is a way of speaking even after you are dead" (4). And he has written it for his grown children against the day that he may no longer be able to say what he deems are the important things, before he goes.
   
   The short chapters are normally succinct, lasting anywhere from three sentences to three pages, but the depth of insight vastly surpasses the amount if ink and paper. For example, in one short chapter, he poignantly reveals the two categories into which people generally fall, "There are only two kinds of people: sinners, who think they're saints, and saints, who know they're sinners. There are only fools, who think they're wise, and the wise, who know they're fools" (51). It becomes clear as one reads further into this book that the writer is skilled at writing and at writing in a memorable fashion. I found myself struggling to put the book aside, because each chapter enticed me to jump to the next.
   
   Kreeft teaches philosophy at Boston College, which shines through in several chapters, particularly in the superb craftsmanship with which he is able to hone an idea down to its primary point, like the following; "Worship God, love people, and respect stuff" (54). He is also a loyal Roman Catholic, and that similarly comes through clear and without apology all over this book. Neither of these facts detracts from the book, but is the reservoir from which he is able to dish out his nourishing and healthful comments.
   
   The realism with which Kreeft sees the world, and with which he writes, is a two edged sword. Because of the down-to-earth way he airs his thoughts, he will be easily grasped, and heartily appreciated, by the simplest readers: "We strut and fret and preen and pose, but only God can make a rose" (86). But his earthy approach might also catch some completely off guard, especially as he uses expletives on occasion. Yet these are never gratuitous, but serve to drive home a valuable, salient point.
   
   Reading "Before I Go" will be a pure pleasure for the thoughtfully reflective, and a valuable gift for many parents to use in passing on wise words to their children before they lose the ability to say those final, important words.



3. I liked the readable format in which to share some universal "words of wisdom" with my children. Perhaps reading them in another person's time & space will reinforce the significance for all.



4. In 162 short letters to his adult children he summarizes what he would like them to be sure of, to realize, to do, and to love. The idea is nice. Kreeft puts all his intensity and devotion in his letters as he does with all his books.
   
   The only minus I would give in this case is that it is too vague, too general in scope. I guess that is the nature of advice, otherwise it would need a full book to explain why this advice is given, why so important. Then this is not the kind of literature that appeals to me most. But for ole time Kreeft readers it won't disappoint.

5 comments about The Everlasting Man (Dover Books on Western Philosophy).

1. Chesterton uses an outline of the history of Western civilization to explain why the Christian world view is credible. C. S. Lewis credited this book with bringing him to Christ. If you're considering Christianity but have intellectual objections, or if you're a Christian wondering how to explain your faith to inquiring friends, you must read this book.
   
   Chesterton himself was a Roman Catholic, but this book lies squarely in the mainstream of the Christian faith, as shared by Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Evangelicals, and Pentecostals. For more on this common body of belief, read Lewis' book, Mere Christianity.
   
   [...]



2. In a style and tone which could, at times, be misidentified as flippant, Chesterton casts illumination on historical reality from a perspective which might be considered fresh and new if this work had not been written more than eighty years ago. Regardless of its age, and perhaps due to is age, The Everlasting Man offers up topic for consideration that will almost certainly be new, or at least fresh, to a vast number of modern readers simply because of what it and its author were even in their own time. That is, the certainty and conviction with which Chesterton writes would appear to place him in one of two categories: insane or right. It can be imagined that now, as when this work was written, many would place him in the former category. However, it is precisely because the view he defended appeared to move in direct opposition to the tide of the time that he wrote this work, among others. This is also why this work is still relevant today.
   
   Sparing few feelings associated with the spirit of the age, Chesterton clearly, concisely, and, what seems to be, effortlessly presents history through a lens of emphasis as it would appear if God created, entered, educated, and saved the world. Chesterton maintained the truth of Christianity and approached an application of this to all of human history accordingly. In doing so he often attempts to assume a perspective of innocent ignorance, in an effort to demonstrate particular beliefs, and was later criticized for his apparent indifferent ignorance. The fact, however, remains that after reading and, perhaps, rereading this work, it is difficult to perceive Chesterton as anything other than a genius that is not only well aware of the implications of his every word, but also knows and believes that which he passionately writes about. It is no great wonder why C.S. Lewis attributed this work to his acceptance of theism.
   
   "Really, a young atheist cannot guard his faith too carefully. Dangers lie in wait for him on every side." - C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life



3. Chesterton drives home his points in captivating, intelligent and often hilarious ways. He is possibly one of the most intellectually honest writers of the last century. His influence has reached far and wide, including forays not only in the Catholic church, but in Protestant circles as well. C.S. Lewis read this book shortly before his conversion to Christianity. You'll not want to read this book with intellect alone (though it is intellectually very stimulating). The Everlasting Man is meaty enough to nourish your spirit and deepen your understanding.



4. I received mine copy today and will return it. It does not have Chesterton's Prefatory Note and the Introduction has been truncated from 10 pages (soft cover Doubleday) to three paragraphs! I started to read it and two pages in I found a typo. Also, I am not pleased with the quality of the print.
   
   The Everlasting Man is a classic and should be read by everyone. It is a shame that the quality of this edition is so mediocre.



5. This may have been a fine work in its original form, but this edition (Wilder Publications, 2008) is so shoddy, it isn't worth the effort to try to read it. Based on my own experience with OCR software, I would guess that this publisher scanned an old copy, translated it to text, then reformatted it, and printed it. There is no evidence that anyone proofread it prior to printing. It it doubtful that it was even run through a spell-check program. Periods are missing at the ends of sentences; words are left out; "d", "h", and "b" are confused; apostrophies are inserted randomly (probably fly-spots on the original), "and" repeatedly appears as "an", "modern" almost always appears as "modem", etc. ad infinitum.
   I read through about a fourth of the book before giving up in exasperation.

5 comments about The Big Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions for Children's Faith Formation.

1. This was a great book and it gave me a great "plan" to follow in educating my children about the catholic faith and it also provided great ideas on family projects that we could do to celebrate and understand the deeper meaning of many catholic customs and traditions.



2. I love this book. It is very helpful in teaching my child about the Faith, Traditions, and Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The book also is divided into great sections based on the Saints, Sacraments, Feast Days and Holy Days. They also break the book down into months of the year to develope awareness of the events and signifigance of each month. The reading materials and activities are great!



3. I thougnt the book was very good, Very glad I bought the book..



4. I bought this book because I like it when our family has some sort of Catholic faith item to discuss at dinner. We were using 365 days of Saints and talking about the saint for that day, but this book is so well organized that I can look up new facts and traditions to bring to our life. I have two older children and two babies, so this book is great for all. I'm just a mom, so probably won't do the little book projects etc, but glad to have them for a reference. I like the organization by season and liturgical year and that there is something for every month.



5. I had been looking for a resource to add to our homeschool curriculum that would follow the liturgical year. We have enjoyed many of the simple enriching activities while learning more about saints/important people and our faith.

5 comments about The Catholic Church through the Ages: A History.

1. Vidmar's book on the Catholic Church is an excellent read. He takes you through the history of Church - the good and the bad - in a style that makes for light reading. This is a great introduction to the Church's history, but is intended only as a brief synopsis. The author provides a list of suggested additional books if the reader is interested in delving more deeply in to a particular age or topic.



2. This is an excellent book for study in a classroom. I appreciated the time lines that are in the beginning of each chapter. It gives you an overall view of what you are studying for that chapter.
   
   Also, at the end of each chapter, it gives you recommended reading if you want to pursue a certain subject. The recommended reading is graded as A for easier reading, B for medium reading and C for harder reading.
   
   This is especially good if there is one part of Christian history you are particularly interested in. I am a Catholic convert and used it in a five week course. It was exceptional.



3. Book matches the text I was required to purchase for my college course. The Amazon price saved me a lot of money.



4. This is a must read book! I am fascinated of how every detailed information, facts and figures, historical events surrounding the early Church has magnified the intensity in a reader, to really imagine and make assessment, the implications and challenges facing the Church today. I recommend this book not only as a "high average" rank among others, but a good source of material for students of medieval church history and the middle ages. Teachers of medieval history and Church studies will be able to benefit from its rich, balance, controversial open-minded style of the author's original handwork. Great!



5. I bought this book due to the good reviews it received. I am sorry to disagree, it presents as far as I can judge a very one-sided view of history. It is one thing to put the inquisition into perspective, but another to distort the facts. "The medieval inquisition was actually a considerable advance in the treatment of criminals" (page 149). Well, I do not even see him as a Dominican mentioning the infamous "Malleus Maleficarum" written by members of his order, revealing the horrofic view behind the inquisition.
   
   To Galilei he writes "what got him into trouble was not his scientific study of the solar system but rather his claim that the bible might be wrong" (page 258). This is absolutely distorting the facts: It was exactly Galilei's study of the solar system, seeing that the earth moves around the sun, which was seen to contradict the bible!
   
   It is sad when Catholics feel the need to white-wash history in order to handle the negative aspects of history. This makes us Catholics loose all credibility.

5 comments about What Paul Meant.

1. I've now read all three of Wills' books in this series. He provides a very insightful analysis of the actual language of the New Testament in context, in sharp contrast to many commentators who pick and choose passages to suit their doctrinal perspectives. In this one, Wills is obviously an advocate intent on redeeming Paul in the face of historical criticism, which Wills readily acknowledges, but he makes it clear where he's making an argument and where he's making an objective observation. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his translations from the Greek, but they pick up nuances that other translators have described in commentary or have expressed themselves in their own translations. I think this is essential reading for anyone interested in a close reading of the New Testament texts.



2. Review of: "What Paul Meant"
   
   By: Garry Wills
   
   Paul was the first letter writer of Christianity.
   
   His epistles are considered the most pessimistic writings of the early church.
   
   Despite the pessimism of Paul's epistles, he guided the early church and aided the growth of the early church. The author, Garry Wills, calls the growth of the early church an explosion of belief. He says of Paul: "Paul was part of this explosion of belief." Garry Wills says that Nietzsche called Paul the "dysangelist" or the bad news bearer, and "a man with a genius for hatred." This is in contrast to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the "evangelists" or the good news bearers.
   
   The author asks the question: "how much of this notoriety is deserved?" His answer: "very little."
   
   This book uses seven of Paul's letters: "Letter to the Thessalonians", "Letter to the Galatians", "Letter to the Philippians", "Letter to Philemon", "First Letter to the Corinthians", "Second Letter to the Corinthians" and "Letter to the Romans." These are the letters whose authorship is not disputed.
   
   Author Wills shows that Paul echoed and amplified the message of love spoken by Jesus. Paul had the same message of love as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John when he reports on the teaching of Jesus.
   
   This book also gives details of the life of Paul and of the history of early Christianity.
   
   See Also:
   
   What the Gospels Meant
   
   and
   
   What Jesus Meant
   
   This book is a good amplification of the meaning of Paul's letters. It is clear and easy to understand and the reasoning is very sound.
   
   I recommend "What Paul Meant" as a supplemental guide when reading the New Testament or as a stand alone text.



3. The author, Garry Wills, offers a fresh approach to New Testament books usually attributed to Paul, attempting to put specific words into context of the first century. He carefully chooses to deal with the books that almost certainly were written by Paul, giving reasons for believing that some others probably were not written by him. Dr. Wills says that he is not a theologian but writes from the perspective of a Historian and a Greek scholar, although he did study for the priesthood. He separates fact from myth in an interesting and readable writing style.



4. As a younger man, I attended a conservative Christian college, where I majored in biblical studies. I still recall how adamant the professors were that the Bible was not only infallible but inerrant as well. It is almost amusing to watch the hoops such people will jump through to maintain this untenable position.
   
   Fast forward a few years, to when I took my first serious look at the other end of the spectrum, the ominous "liberals." There I found an approach to the Scriptures in which any possible contradiction or inconsistency in the text is trumpeted loudly as an error, with no attempt whatsoever to harmonize the seeming disparities. Whereas my old mentors were obsessive in defending the Bible's perfection, the other side seems almost gleeful in its attempts to fictionalize as much of it as possible.
   
   Wills obviously belongs to this latter camp, and it shows in the condescending approach he takes to the New Testament. A prime example is on pages 32-36, where he examines Acts 9:1-19, the account of Paul's Damascus Road experience.
   
   On page 33 he writes: "We know from Paul that he was 'unknown by my features to the Judean gatherings in Messiah (Galatians 1:21)......how could a man who had gone house to house arresting the brothers be unknown by them?"
   
   Wills fails to read the surrounding verses in the Galatians passage. They answer his question easily:
   
   "Then I went into the regions of Syria and Silicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches in Judea that are in Christ. They only heard it said, 'the one who was formerly persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me." Galatians 1:21-24.
   
   What Paul is actually saying is not that the Judeans saw him and didn't recognize his face. Rather he is saying that during this particular journey he did not make personal contact with those believers, though they did hear he was in their area. A simple examination of the text makes Willis' objection fall to pieces.
   
   Other points he makes suffer from similar problems. On page 33 he writes "if Paul had been a pupil of the famous Gamaliel, he would have surely said so when he boasted of his Pharisaical training."
   
   Really? How does Wills know this? Is it possible that Paul had a valid reason not to mention this training? Perhaps upon becoming a Christian his former mentor disowned him, in effect saying "do not disgrace me by speaking of our past associations," and Paul honored this request. Perhaps Paul simply didn't see it necessary to mention.
   
   Perhaps Gamaliel was especially hated or feared by the Christians, and Paul's mention of his name would only have made them unduly suspicious of him as well.
   
   Wills considers none of this. Upon sniffing out what may be a problem in the biblical account he loudly proclaims that the New Testament is in error.
   
   The solution he proposes is predictable: "Luke's fiction has replaced far more interesting fact. Here as elsewhere we must look intently at Paul's own words to see what he actually meant. Luke will prove a continuing obstacle to this effort." page 36.
   
   So, once again, it's the biblical writers who screwed everything up, and it's up to modern scholars, looking back two millennia, to correct their lies and find the real truth they failed to report. This isn't scholarship, it is arrogance, and a particularly pompous type of arrogance as well.
   
   Yet it is this very attitude that guides Wills throughout the rest of the book, which is a mixed bag in my view. He defends Paul against claims of inciting hate (a good example is on page 56), demeaning women, etc. and at many times employs sound hermeneutical principles. On the other hand, he seems passionate to remold the Apostle into a politically correct advocate of diversity and multi-culturalism.
   
   In conclusion, I give this book an overall positive recommendation, but with reservations. It is useful both for its insights into modern approaches to the Bible as well as its analysis of Paul's writings.
   Let the reader be aware, though, that it is faulted by biases that should be critically - and fairly - examined. Of course, this is good advice when reading any book, even the Bible.



5. Wills' earlier book, "What Jesus Meant", was truly inspired -- engaging from start to finish, it challenged many of the assumptions of modern Christianity about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I was expecting more-or-less the same from "What Paul Meant". I was slightly disappointed; because this book doesn't quite measure up to the extremely high bar set by its predecessor. Nonetheless, it is a very good book; and I'm glad I took the time to read it (though, since it is a short book, it didn't really take much time at all). The goal of the book is to defend Paul against the unfair criticism that he has received over the centuries from those who claim that he distorted the teachings of Jesus, and also to rescue Paul from those Christians who have twisted his writings to support doctrines that that are contrary to the true gospel of Jesus. Wills argues that Paul's basic message was the same as that of Jesus. The book aims to explain why Paul is so misunderstood, and what he was really trying to accomplish. However, the bulk of the book is actually an attempt to use the available textual and historical evidence to sort out the details of Paul's life and mission -- where he went, what his goals were, what problems he had to deal with, what his relationship was with the leaders of the Jerusalem church and various other missionaries, etc. If you're interested in the life of Paul and the early history of the church (as I am) you will find this a worthwhile read. But, given the title of the book and the precedent set by his earlier book, I was expecting more of an analysis of what Paul wrote, and less of an analysis of his life, his mission, and his relationships with other followers of Jesus. Nonetheless, my disappointment with the book is only slight; and I would certainly recommend it. (Of particular value is the appendix that deals with issues surrounding the proper translation of various words found throughout Paul's writings.)

5 comments about Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews -- A History.

1. How could a Christian nation have attempted the extermination of Judaism? Doesn't Christianity (a religion of love) preclude such activity? Was it the absence of true Christianity that permitted such deeds (as could be assumed by the many volumes devoted to social, political, and military circumstances)? Or is there some inherently anti-Semitic baggage in Christian history that needs to be confronted?
   
   That search is the nature of this work. The author (best-selling author of `American Requiem') is a former priest who spent part of his childhood in postwar occupied Germany as the son an American General.
   
   The text begins at a controversial cross erected by Carmelites at Auschwitz, progresses (and returns at times) to personal memories of a devout Catholic, and masterfully explores the uneasy (all too often deadly) two millennia history between Catholicism and it's parent. From Constantine's adoption of Christianity as the imperial religion (delivering on a promise made for military victory), all bets changed (former differences were subsequently frequently magnified for political-temporal convenience).
   
   The cross is considered by Christians as an irrefutable holy symbol (and frequent touchstone of jewelers)--without the realization that (for others) it (especially the one erected at Auschwitz) can be symbol of oppression, let alone of oppression and summary execution (which is what it was under the Romans).
   
   This work candidly explores an all-too-often tortured relationship between Christians and Judaism without pulling punches. Highly recommended. But beware, given the subject it is introspective, honest, and (consequently) sober.



2. This book IS, pace a recent previous reviewer, an anti-Catholic screed, a nasty, self-important diatribe of more than 750 pages against the Church and fundamental Christian doctrine. It seeks to revive the old and long-debunked myth about Christianity "causing" the Holocaust. In the process it distorts the history of the early Church, ignores the persecution of its adherents, and misrepresents its practices (including the importance of the symbol of the Cross long before Constantine, even in the Catacombs), its development of the Nicene Creed over a century, and its teaching (including the full divinity and humanity of Jesus). He also ignores the importance of the non-Christian Jews, not as passive victims of the early Church, but as strong competitors for adherents. His treatment of the medieval Church is no less distorted to fit the author's thesis, and characteristically blames the actions of certain Catholics on the Catholic Church, although, for instance, no pope or council ever authorized or proposed the killing of Jews. It describes the Crusades as a "necessary" outcome of a totalitarianizing culture, but here means not Islam, which had conquered the Christian lands of the Middle East, Spain, and North Africa and threatened the existence of Christian Europe, but Christianity. He distorts medieval theological debates and misrepresents its participants. His treatment of the Church in the 20th century is tendentious and one-sided, to say the least. In general, Carroll cites as authorities writers he agrees with and ignores others, along with the evidence and arguments that are inconvenient for his thesis.
   
   This is an "ideological" history not only in that it is driven by its thesis while ignoring contrary evidence and argument. It also gives central importance to ideas, in particular those of the Church, as causing or leading to evil after evil over two millennia, especially those perpetrated against the Jews. As a result, his history is void of historical context or the economic and political forces that might explain, for example, why the Crusades happened when they did, or why the Holocaust did not happen before Hitler (or for that matter, why anti-Jewish racism, as distinct from religious bigotry, arose in the 19th century and peaked in the most secular of centuries, the period of Hitler and that other anti-Semitic mass murderer, Stalin).
   
   This book is an expression of that most poisonous current of modern anti-Catholicism--the anti-Catholic "Catholic" who claims the name but rejects almost the whole of Catholic teaching, organization, and practice, and calls instead for a different religion more to his liking. And now the book has been made into a documentary, God help us!



3. This is the best book I've ever read. I was amazed to discover the actual origins of some church policies and the specifics of how anti-semitism arose in Western society. This isn't just another boring history book, it almost reads like a novel. It will enlighten you, and thereby, make you a beter person no matter what your religion.



4. A WELL DOCUMENTED HISTORICAL BOOK. ONCE YOU START READING IT IS VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN IT IS VERY WELL WRITTEN AND ENTERTAINING. THIS BOOK HAS CONFIRMED A LOT OF THE BELIEVES I HAD ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CHURCH FOUNDED BY THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE BUT SOMETIMES IT IS VERY HARD AS A CHRISTIAN TO READ ABOUT THE HORRORS COMMITED IN THE NAME OF JESUS. I WOULD ONLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO THOSE WHO ARE OPEN TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH AS DIFFICULT AS IT MAY BE TO ACCEPT IT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT RELIGIOUS AND PIOUS INDIVIDUALS MAY BE OFFENDED BY THE TRUTHS EXPOSED IN THIS WONDERFUL WORK.



5. I found this book to be factual, brilliant and disturbing. Perhaps if the issues in this book could be openly addressed by all religions, as the author so desires, we could have love replace fear and its evil twin hatred as the dominant emotions in the world today.

5 comments about Orthodoxy.

1. A common criticism of Orthodoxy is the format, and while people are entitled to criticize the rambling nature of Chesterton's exploration as aesthetically displeasing, there are plenty of rigidly organized explorations of faith; all neat and tidy with headings even. If you read his introductory comments on why he wrote the book, you should be able to see that the whole work focuses on how he stumbled unintentionally into seeing the beauty and reason of orthodoxy through the accumulation of a thousand little things that all pointed in the same direction: God. The book purposely models this, and frankly I find the joy of the book is how he expresses faith this way.
   I admittedly found it very confusing my first read, but each time I read it again more and more of it starts to connect. Give the book a second chance if you stumble at first Soon you'll start to see the pattern of thought in his "rambling" observations, an intentional metatphor for the divine pattern and purpose that escapes us in our everyday "rambling" lives.



2. "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die."
   
   Orthodoxy is filled with insightful information regarding some of the most poignant critiques against the Christian faith. This book should serve as a starting point for all exploration into the topic. What's more frightful than arguing with someone who has a lot of answers? Probably arguing with someone who can generate just as many questions and can argue your side of the issue better than you can. We usually only think on one side of the issue (our position), but Chesterton expounds both.
   
   It isn't necessarily a very easy read, but it is still very relevant for today's skeptic. Begin here: "The sense of the miracle of humanity itself should be always more vivid to us than any marvels of power, intellect, art, or civilization." Any book that looks to refute something must begin with awe in the fact that there is an intellect which makes it even possible to toil in the world of ideas and fact. A great follow up book would be Mere Christianity.



3. There are so many reviews here. I'll be brief.
   I've read this book many times (though not this edition, which someone said is poorly formatted) and it's a whirlwind of provocative thought. Clever beyond what most any other writer can achieve. A defense of his faith that could almost convince the faithless, and if not, at least it will entertain them.
   At least read the chapter on THE PARADOXES OF CHRISTIANITY. It's a kick, and could get you hooked on Chesterton.



4. Chesterton is hard to take at times; his irritating metaphors and play on words can grind one down. But, what is extraordinary is that this book is so relevant to the "now". He has grasped the nettle of modern relativism and said: "no, accipio crucem Christi; I believe in the Trintiy of princely might": "it is utterely rational for me to so believe". A definite "must" for anyone who wishes to deal with the issues of modernity and faith.



5. Chesterton is difficult to read because he makes references to things and places that I do not know about but his work is still good reading.
   
   If you don't get his point just keep reading and you soon will because he gives so many examples that sooner or later you will understand one and it becomes clear.

5 comments about Why Do Catholics Do That?.

1. This is perhaps the single-best book I've read on the practices of the Catholic faith. It is rich in useful information and historic context for many of the main elements in the faith that Catholics see and use every day. From the origins of the rosary, to the colors of priestly vestments, to the history of the Bible, to the use of numbers as symbols in the Bible, to the cycle of redemption, its all here.
   
   Written in a relaxed, easy-to-understand style, this book does a masterful job of instructing that is neither too erudite nor too simplistic. Much like the Faith itself, this is a book designed to reveal more and more to you each time you read it. Whether you are a cradle-Catholic, a convert, or simply someone who wants to understand, "Why do Catholics do that?" this book is for you.
   
   If you were to only have three books in your Catholic library, I'd recommend the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and then this book. It truly is that good.



2. I was not impressed with this book. I felt that it put down other Christian denominations. I don't have a problem with the book explaining Catholic practice and beliefs, but I think the author should have been kinder to other Christians. I think he could have explained Catholic practice but left out the jabs at other Christians.



3. This is a handy and easy read organized into brief chapters dedicated to a particular distinctive of the Catholic faith. The organization of material is perfect for ready reference to a specific interest or to be read through in any order. Dr. Johnson organized the material into 4 parts under the headings, faith, worship, culture, and customs.
   
   Each part is organized into brief chapters on focused topics. Part one on faith covers such topics as the formation of the canon of scripture, how the church makes laws, and how the church views other documents of the early church not included in the canon. Part two on worship provides material on topics such as the meaning of common symbols and order of the mass as well as background on the stations of the cross and the rosary prayer. Part three concerning culture delves into the pope and vocations in the church and provides background on apparitions and signs (Fatima, weeping images, etc). Part four on customs provides a wealth of information on the meaning of materials and symbols in worship including music, medals, sacramentals, incense, water, and even numbers.
   
   Whether you are a Catholic who has wondered the significance of a given practice or a non-Catholic seeking to understand, you will find a treasure of information here. It is a fantastic introduction to many of the practices that have been wrongfully dismissed as mere superstition. The history and culture of the Catholic faith is rich with meaning and significance. It is an heritage Catholics too often neglect. This is not just a how-to of these practices but a well developed study in why we do them. All within a text that is easy and enjoyable to read. A great resource and part of that Catholic heritage to be cherished.



4. Really great information for Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. Rich in history and easy to read. Pick this one up!



5. I have purchased this book over and over because when someone expresses interest in Catholicism I usually give them my copy. It is beautifully written and although it is not a new book, the information is still correct. One reason for that is that the author explains how practices evolved and as it is history, it does not become outdated.