Mark P. Shea presents a lively and at times entertaining look at his conversion to Catholicism from Evangelicalism and his discovery of Christian tradition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
179 of 188 people found the following review helpful
By Michael L
Format:Paperback
In this book, Mark Shea presents his reasons for entering the Catholic Church.
This is a fairly small book, but it packs a powerful punch. At the same time, Shea's writing style is always lucid and friendly, and manages to be humorous without making Protestants feel like they're the enemy (as unfortunately too many Catholic Apologetics books do at times). Shea manages to keep things friendly without pulling back from his main and very well constructed argument that Sacred Scripture makes no sense without the support of Sacred Tradition.
I personally know many people who have found the argument the book presents compelling enough to bring them into the Catholic Church, or to solidly buttress questions they had about their Catholic faith. And the number of lengthy, and very defensive reviews here on amazon should give an idea about how agitated it makes some Protestant apologetics with its success. These reviewers wouldn't be so worried about it unless it were in fact making a real impact.
80 of 85 people found the following review helpful
By P. Forrester
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read this book in my examination of the Catholic faith from a Protestant perspective. Don't get sidetracked by the author's use of ridicule. His examination of Protestant traditions regarding interpretation and the authority of scripture made so much sense that I realized I could no longer remain a Protestant. WARNING!
This book is very unsettling to zealous, confirmed sola scriptura Protestants.
This book is very unsettling to zealous, confirmed sola scriptura Protestants.
83 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mark Shea's clever and at times witty examination of the authority of Catholic tradition is a book I turn to again and again in my conversations with others and in my writing.
A former Evangelical, Shea sets out to disprove reliance on Catholic Sacred Tradition for authority. He is unable to. His research and well-reasoned arguments make a solid case against the Evangelical argument of Scripture alone, and a solid case for Sacred Tradition as expressed by the Catholic Church.
This book is short and easy to read. It is meant for the lay person, not the theologian.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Allen Reames
Format:Paperback
If you are a Protestent, as I was until 3 years ago, this book will open your heart and mind to the Revelation of tradition. If you are a Catholic, this book will explain in clear terms the basis of tradition as an additional method for God's revelation. Upon my conversion, I really didn't get the value of tradition in the Church. This writer sets forth a clear and compelling exploration of the truth behind tradition and should foster a closer understanding among all Christians. But even better, it is one of the easiest books to read and follow. The author does not follow a standard cronological time table, rather the book develops, chapter to chapter, as he explores first one alternative and then another, and another, until at last he, and we, are lead to his conclusion. It reads with the ease of a novel. It's contents are as firm as a study.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There are many, many new books on Catholic apologetics written by former ("I'd rather die than become a Catholic!") Protestants. This is one of the best! His style is interesting. It could be described as 'point/counter-point' or 'playing the devil's advocate' regarding any new insight. Mr.Shea's logic is impeccable and his reasoning deductible. He arrives at conclusions that one might never gain yet, when presented, make total sense.
It's style should not offend any but the most strident anti-Catholic. Even to this mindset, his attitude is open and welcoming. His conclusions are hard to refute because, in coming to these logical ends, he anticipates objections, defines them, attempts to defend the objection, and finally states his conclusion only to begin the following chapter with, "Yes, but!!" Highly recommended to Protestants who are secure enough in their theology to look openly and Catholics who want to understand their faith more deeply.
It's style should not offend any but the most strident anti-Catholic. Even to this mindset, his attitude is open and welcoming. His conclusions are hard to refute because, in coming to these logical ends, he anticipates objections, defines them, attempts to defend the objection, and finally states his conclusion only to begin the following chapter with, "Yes, but!!" Highly recommended to Protestants who are secure enough in their theology to look openly and Catholics who want to understand their faith more deeply.
45 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have more than a 150 books, tapes and in-depth tracts on religious apologetics; a 1/3 by Catholics, 1/3 by Protestants and a 1/3 by converts to Catholicism. If I was required to surrender all of them, save but one, it would be this one: By What Authority by Mark Shea. It is above all both convincing, and compelling. It is gentle on the unbeliever yet firm in showing our obligations to give primacy to the Truth of the One who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life", as opposed to our own preconceived agendas. It leads you step by step that is pleasing and interesting (like a brotherly conversation) to both those who are logical as well as those who live their religious beliefs by feelings alone. For those who wish to find the truth and the True Religion in the smorgasbord of religious denominations and sects (30,000 and counting), Mark truly gives us the path to follow. When you are done reading it, you can't help but see the sweet harmony that exists between the Church's Bible (the Witness of light for the faith), the Sacred Tradition (the lens explaining and giving full flesh to the truth of the witness), and the Church which is judge and preserver of the truth. Without the teaching Church and Sacred Tradition of which Paul praises, we end up in the scandalous quagmire of "Bible Only" interpretations which have done so much to dismantle Christendom's attraction for all unbelievers who now gloat over our fundamental disagreements as to God's Truth.
Besides my own copy (which is glutted with marker clips and highlightings), I have given this book to many religious foes of Catholicism, and asked them to return it if they find it unconvincing. None have come back to me so far.
... Read more ›Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved it
Written with pithy humor and deep insight into what it means to be Catholic. Mark Shea's logic and analysis will cause anyone who is not already Catholic--and who is truly... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Christopher J Tolcher
4.0 out of 5 stars
Part Apologetics, Part Conversion Story
A longtime bone of contention between Catholics and other Christians is the role which Tradition ought to play in forming the doctrines of our faith. Read more
Published 3 months ago by James C Sanders
4.0 out of 5 stars
By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition
This is book is a wonderful read and a wonderful apology of Catholic Tradition. If you are interested in reading a good book, this is a great book to read. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Josh Goode
2.0 out of 5 stars
Weak Argument
Author Mark Shea's journey in his change of a personal theological heart is captured in this book. There is sincerity in his writing while his argument falls flat. Mr. Read more
Published 16 months ago by W. Koonce
5.0 out of 5 stars
Protestants are Catholic in many ways.
One of the best books of apologetics I have read. Shea is concise and his argument water-tight. His three examples of how Protestants accept Catholic tradition should be committed... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Chris Serger
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well thought out
At the end of the first chapter, I thought I had wasted my money on a very amateurish book. However, the rest of the book changed my mind. Read more
Published on August 7, 2010 by Mitchell Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read for all Protestants!
Mark Shea (author) a former Evangelical Protestant tells how he discovered the fullness of the Christian faith in the Roman Catholic Church. Read more
Published on January 21, 2010 by orange2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mark Shea rocks
I have recently discovered the writings of Mark Shea and all I can say is - BUY THIS BOOK AND ANY THAT HE WRITES! Easy to read and understand!
Published on December 20, 2009 by Michael P. Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars
A tremendous "first glance" at Catholic Tradition for Evangelicals
This book was a quick read that I purchased to see if it is a book that I'd recommend to Evangelical friends taking their first gander at "the Catholic thing. Read more
Published on July 20, 2009 by D. Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love of scripture leads to love of tradition
Through personal testimony and train of thought, Mr. Shea takes us down the trail he followed from his evangelical beginnings to an acceptance of sacred tradition. Read more
Published on December 19, 2007 by Stratiotes Doxha Theon
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 34
books:
See all 34 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- New Bible Dictionary by I. Howard Marshall on 4 pages
- The Catholic Catechism: A Contemporary Catechism of the Teachings of the Catholic Church by John A. Hardon on page 119, and Back Matter
- Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis on page 52, and page 55
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis on page 52, and page 55
- St. Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton on page 58, and Back Matter
See all 34 books this book cites
- Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church: A 2,000-Year History by H.W. Crocker III in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Shape of Sola Scriptura by Keith A. Mathison in Front Matter, and page 286
- The Lion and the Lamb: Evangelicals and Catholics in America by William M. Shea in Back Matter
- Faith Facts: Answers to Catholic Questions by Leon J. Suprenant on page 216
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