Customer Reviews

Believing in Jesus: A Popular Overview of the Catholic Faith

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Fr. Leonard Foley's books is an outstanding resource for those who want to understanding the Catholic faith. Fr. Leonard approaches the faith with well founded knowledge and deep spirituality. He speaks to those who search for the meaning of their faith with gentleness and wisdom. This book will lead readers/seekers to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

This book is a great resource for explaining the faith to new RCIA canidates or to Catholics want to develop a further understanding of their faith. This book is very readable and easy to understand which is why it's been around so long. I would give this book to a questioning Catholic WITH the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Both are valuable resources but each used differently. Thankfully, this new edition includes some great new discussion questions.

No text is perfect but this very accessible book was just what we needed for RCIA. Covering the basics, Fr. Foley's writings get the inquirer on the right track. We supplemented with handouts -- as I assume most RCIA programs do -- but found the group returning again and again to the text in developing their understanding of the Catholic faith. To the reviewers who were troubled by the text's statements on certain topics, we found that it stimulated discussion of the questions the inquirers had previously been afraid to raise. We plan to use it again this year.

Probably the best and most easily understood review of the Catholic Faith. Excellent for teaching adults and H. S. students in CCD.

We used this book for my RCIA class and I would not recommend it. A main problem with the book is that it is very much on the touchy, feely side of things.

There are two significant problems that I had with the book. The first is that in the questions of one of the chapters, the author asks for the arguments for and against the ordination of women to the priesthood. This matter was settled quite awhile ago and needs only clarity, not debate.

The second problem is that the author does not use A.D. (Anno Domini meaning In the Year of Our Lord) and B.C.(meaning Before Christ), but instead uses the secular denotions of C.E. (Common Era) and B.C.E. (Before Common Era). For those who have never come across these, they are used predominately by non-Christian historians who wish to indicate dates without a referring to Jesus. Why would the author, a Catholic priest, choose a secular dating convention? Jesus is God. Without God there would be no beginning and time would not have any meaning. Why then, is the book not willing to acknowledge God's place when referring to the year?

"It has all the depth of the gospel message in its entirety." Pope John Paul II

"I hope this book will help some scared and scarred people and challenge others." L. Foley



Catechetical Overview:
Fr. Foley wrote 'Believing in Jesus' to help 'Neonatal Catholics' come to a deeper appreciation of the beliefs of Catholic Christianity and updated practices the Roman Church has held, ever. He attempts also to help the 'Scared and Scarred,'those who reexamine the contemporary Roman Catholic Church tradition, after Vatican II revival. The enlightened Catechist wrote, "I hope this book will help some scared and scarred people and challenge others."

Our 'Catholic' Faith:
We get to know Jesus in person, as the one whole person, both human and divine, by reading the Gospels and Epistles, trying in the Holy Spirit, by His grace to live his love commandment. "We come to know Jesus as brother and friend by experiencing his presence in our own and others' lives. 'Coming together to read Scripture and share faith,' is Fr. Foley's way to grow closer in our relationship with Christ. This is the reason behind Didaskalex, an Orthodox Alexandrine Catechist, presenting this Christian overview to Orthodox and Protestant seekers, many times, without hesitation.
We might say that our faith is this, explains Fr. Foley, God came visibly in Jesus to save us all from our selfish isolation, and brokenness of sinful guilt. Jesus embraces around himself His mystical Body, the Church, both spiritual and visible, whose main essence ought to be unity in love, expressed in Abraham's charity. Our Lord's mercy prevails, even when we fail daily. To come to know Christ, our only mediator, divine Word incarnate, brother and friend, through prayer, as Pope John Paul II stated, "It has all the depth of the gospel message in its entirety." Fr. Foley, also suggests reading one of the Scripture passages for the luminous mysteries of praying the rosary.

St. Anthony Message:
This edition, confirms the publishers St. Anthony Press, is linked with Church documents, and cross-referenced to the official Catechism of the Catholic Church. Discussion questions and expanded resources section is available to readers, individuals and groups exploring the faith they seek. The author presents brief catechetical essays as "a feeble attempt to express in human words what cannot be described, because it is partly divine: God in his Church."
Now in its fifth revised edition, the best-selling Overview captures the Christian's continuing journey of faith, always founded on God's steadfast love for us.

In Their own Words:
"If you are Catholic, this is post-Vatican II wrap-up and short catechism, and an invitation to deeper faith. If you are a no-longer-practicing Catholic, this is an invitation to take a fresh look at your old family. If you come from a different religious tradition, we welcome you to this overview of what Catholics stand for. If you have no religion, we hope this will be a new opening to God." Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

"In 27 short essays written in a lively style, Fr. Foley covers the whole spectrum of Christian faith, from a Roman Catholic point of view, leading the reader from early Old Testament times through a world starting over in Jesus to the end time," St. Anthony Messenger Press


Leonard Foley, O.F.M.:
Fr. Foley is the author of the best-selling catechism of St. Anthony Messenger Press, Believing in Jesus, he is also the author of Saint of the Day and many other books and articles. He has many years experience as editor, retreat master, and parish priest.

Not very useful for RCIA classes. Very "Protestanty". I would recommend the New Adult Cathechism which is far, far better.

This, the sixth edition of Leonard Foley's classic overview of the Catholic faith, like the earlier revisions, updates the material to reflect changes in church documents and expand the list of resources. First published in 1981, Believing in Jesus has long been a popular resource for RCIA programs, and is also considered a classic reference for Catholics born into the faith. The format lends to use by groups, whether as a central text or a supplement. In addition to each chapter's reflection/discussion questions, an appendix contains activities related to specific chapters.

The five sections in Believing in Jesus cover the old and new testaments; Jesus' life, death, and rising; the Spirit and the church; the beatitudes and commandments; the sacraments; and a vision of our future. Part 3, the World Starts Over begins with the resurrection and includes chapters on St. Paul and prayer. Paul, we are reminded, was intense, a human dynamo, "whether as zealous Pharisee or lover of Christ." Because some of Paul's writings are difficult to understand,
Foley chose to "let Paul speak for himself" under 13 different subtitles from "Eternally God had a family in mind with Jesus as the center" to "The final purpose in life is the glory of God."

The chapter on prayer opens with the observation that prayer is not something we do to reach God; it is God's gift to us, what the Spirit does in us. Foley suggests that prayer "does not require a set of directions, any more than two friends need a script." We need but follow Jesus' example in Matthew 6:6, and go to our room and shut the door. "It doesn't matter what we say," writes Foley. "It's probably best when we don't say anything." The chapter continues with a description of vocal and mental prayer and a reflection on prayer as "wasting time" with God. Foley defines this time-wasting as "remaining in God's presence without being concerned about my personal benefit, but simply saying, `You are God. You are all. I adore you. I love you.'"

This is a very appealing, fact-filled, easily read overview of the Catholic faith. It is NOT out of print.

We use this book in our parish RCIA program. It is a concise overview of what Catholics believe. In addition the book is indexed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I highly recommend this book for RCIA programs.