The Catholic Church in History: Legend and Reality [Paperback]

Keith D. Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

The darkest chapters of Catholic history usually evoke either denial or uninformed prejudice. But under the leadership of visionaries such as Pope John Paul II, a new way of understanding history is emerging - reconciliation and hope come not from ignoring history, but from a close examination of the forgotten facts, with clues to their meaning for life today. In The Catholic Church in History, Keith Lewis helps us reexamine what really happened in these controversial events, and shows us how Catholic faith offers tools for addressing mistakes and moving forward.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082452389X
• ISBN-13: 978-0824523893
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,994,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A timely historical review of current state of affairs, April 7, 2007

By 

M. Sezzi (Ventura, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Catholic Church in History: Legend and Reality (Paperback)

Lewis presents in his book, "The Catholic Church in History - Legend and Reality" a carefully crafted understanding of historical situations which reflect modern state of affairs. Evangelization of the New World, Islamic and Christian relations, Science and Faith, among other topics are what Lewis presents in this historical work. Through Lewis' research the reader is able to come to fuller understand of history and thereby better deal with present dilemmas facing our world.

According to Lewis, "The work of the church historian in this regard must above all else be bound by a solemn commitment to `patient, honest, scholarly reconstruction, free from confessional or ideological prejudices, regarding both the accusations brought against her and the wrong she has suffered.'" (Introduction, 3) Lewis completes this monumental task while maintaining the interest of the reader.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in bringing hope to our modern state of affairs. In knowing the past we are in a better position in dealing with the present and at the same time we can work for a brighter future.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must to clear misconceptions!!!!!!, April 20, 2009

By 

Sylvia Scott (Los Angeles,Ca) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Catholic Church in History: Legend and Reality (Paperback)

The Catholic Press Association included this book among the top three new books in Church History in 2007, and it is definitely a worthwhile read. Rather than a simple survey of church history, it offers a refreshingly objective treatment of some key areas in the history of the Catholic Church, and how they have often been misperceived. Topics include early relations between Christianity and Islam, the Crusades, the Inquisition, Martin Luther and the Catholic Church, 16th century missions and their impact on indigenous cultures, the Galileo affair, and Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust. Clearly and concisely written, the deceptively brief text offers a wealth of factual information and insights, and draws on a wide spectrum of sources, both primary and secondary.

7 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a Catholic interpretation!, January 8, 2007

By 

Angela Haissig "amazon or bust" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Catholic Church in History: Legend and Reality (Paperback)

This book is researched from primarily (if not entirely) Protestant sources. It is not an orthodox Catholic view nor is it researched with authentically Catholic sources such as the church fathers, saints etc. I cannot recommend it.