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Title: Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences by Norman L. Geisler, Ralph E. MacKenzie ISBN: 0-8010-3875-8 Publisher: Baker Book House Pub. Date: September, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $30.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.85 (13 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Mostly fair and accurate
Comment: I am a Catholic, and I am in a position to tell you, that unlike most books written by Protestats about Catholicism, this one by Geisler is a very fair, charitable, and mostly accurate presentation of the differences between Catholic and evangelicals. Most Protestants writing about Catholicism (e.g. James White) adopt a condescending tone towards Catholics, and attempt to set Catholics straight about what we really believe. This book, however, allows Catholics to define for ourselves what Catholicism is all about, it allows Catholics to speak for themselves, it goes back to the original source documents, which is unusual for this kind of book, which usually rely on works by former Catholics, or non Catholics. I am afraid that I believe they misinterpret and distort some of the teachings of the early Fathers of the Church, plus there are a few minor factual errors in the text (i.e. the claim that the "apocryphal" books of the Old Testament were first recognized by the Council of Trent) so I am afraid that I must take away two stars for sloppiness. And, of course, I believe that in some cases they commit some serious logical errors and bad arguments. Overall, I would much pleased if evangelicals interested in Catholicism would turn to this book instead of, say, the intellectually dishonest works of Loraine Bottener.
Rating: 5
Summary: Charitable and Fair - but I'm still Catholic :)
Comment: I bought this book on a whim one day while browsing books, and I was very pleased with what I found. I had previously read Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating, as well as some books by Scott Hahn, Stephen Ray, among others. Reading those works, I became familiar with the arguments, and subsequently, the critiques of less than fair polemic works.
The positive comments from Catholics on the back cover (no less a figure than James Akin praised the work for its fairness) made me give in and buy it. The first section was wonderful, presenting the great amount of agreement we have in very charitable terms. The second section, where differences are discussed, the authors seem to go out of their way to "get it right." Most Catholic arguments for a given position are presented, and then refuted in generally kind, charitable terms. There are some exceptions though, where they leave out the most convincing arguments for the Catholic position. One glowing example is the chapter on justification. On page 227, some Catholic Scriptural arguments for their position are presented, and they cite such things as Matthew 5:12, 25:34, Romans 2:6, among others. Curiously missing from this, and hence never discussed, is James 2. One has to wonder why they would decline to interact with the one verse in the whole Bible that contains the clause "faith alone", and condemns it (James 2:24).
While I think that many of their arguments are very inadequate, and at times they seem to apply a double standard when quoting the fathers (depending on if the fathers seem to support or refute their positions), others are very well presented. In fact, their chapter on baptism got me thinking very, very hard. Wonderful stuff indeed.
This work stands miles apart from other works that are often used to refute Catholicism. In general, other books written in opposition to Catholicism lack scholarship, as if the authors don't want their readers to check the sources, but rather just accept what they're presented as fact (oftentimes fabricated out of thin air). Further, some authors show no interest in presenting the Catholic defense of a given doctrine. Geisler and MacKenzie go out of their way to footnote everything, present facts fairly, and make a genuine effort to initiate REAL discussion about the issues, and that is something that is greatly needed. Readers who are truly interested can easily identify and consult the source documents in their own time.
This is the book I give to my staunch Protestant friends who need to learn what the Church really teaches, but won't trust Catholic sources.
The actual arguments and methodology contained within only merit 4 stars from a scholarly and logically consistent point of view, however, given that this book sets a new standard in dialogue, I have to give it 5. I truly hope this sets an example for the future of dialogue between Catholics and Evangelicals.
Rating: 3
Summary: Honest and moderate Author
Comment: As a Theologian myself, I see this book very moderate and good to read. .... But for those deeper, more serious, and for schoolar readers, I suggest these most briliant books listed below ...:
1. Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating 2. What Catholic really believe by Karl Keating 3. Catholic for a reason by Scott Hahn 4. Refuting the Attack on Mary by Mateo
....
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Title: Roman Catholicism: Evangelical Protestants Analyze What Divides and Unites Us by Alister E. McGrath, John H. Armstrong ISBN: 0802471692 Publisher: Moody Publishers Pub. Date: August, 1998 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
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Title: Letters Between a Catholic and an Evangelical by James G. McCarthy, John R. Waiss ISBN: 0736909893 Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc. Pub. Date: January, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: The Roman Catholic Controversy by James R. White ISBN: 1556618190 Publisher: Bethany House Pub. Date: July, 1996 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: What You Need to Know About Roman Catholicism : Quick Reference Guide by James G. McCarthy ISBN: 1565074297 Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc. Pub. Date: September, 1995 List Price(USD): $2.99 |
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Title: What Catholics Really Believe-Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith by Karl Keating ISBN: 0898705533 Publisher: Ignatius Press Pub. Date: December, 1995 List Price(USD): $10.95 |
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