What Catholics Really Believe--Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions about the Catholic Faith [Paperback]

Karl Keating (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1995

The popular apologist and best-selling author of Catholicism and Fundamentalism addresses fifty-two of the most common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith that are held by many Catholics and Protestants. Drawing upon Scripture and the Catholic tradition, he not only shows the logical errors in these positions but clearly spells out Catholic teaching and explains the rationale behind frequently misunderstood doctrines and practices. An excellent guide to what Catholics really believe and why.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Catholics and others who want to play with a full deck will welcome the fifty-two explanations provided by Karl Keating in What Catholics Really Believe. He deals with each question crisply and clearly. Readers can await the last trump with equanimity. --Ralph McInerny, University of Notre Dame

Keating is simply one of the best Catholic apologists alive. He writes in the tradition of, and as a worthy successor to, Frank Sheed and Fulton Sheen. He is thoroughly orthodox, reasonable, clear, and interesting. --Peter Kreeft, Author, Fundamentals of the Faith

Product Details

• Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898705533
• ISBN-13: 978-0898705539
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

148 of 158 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-Opener, June 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: What Catholics Really Believe--Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions about the Catholic Faith (Paperback)

I returned to the Catholic Church about five years ago, and after reading this book -- realized why I had left in the first place. I never understood Catholicism!

I now learn about the faith from Catholic resources -- beginning with The Saint Joseph's Baltimore Catechism (available here at Amazon.) Reading Amazon reviews have helped me to find other trustworthy Catholic authors. (There's a lot of self-will run riot today, even in the Church, so careful even if it says "Catholic").

"What Catholics Really Believe" is a great litmus test for how one has been deceived by traditions of men. Many of the lies I believed came over on the Mayflower and were handed down on my mother's side for generations.

I also love the way this book is organized. I have referred to it handbook-style many times and have given several copies away.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent little handbook on the teachings of the RCC., November 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: What Catholics Really Believe--Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions about the Catholic Faith (Paperback)

As someone who was brought up within Fundamentalism, and who later received a formal education in Reformed Theology, I had a good many questions concerning the legitimacy of the Sacred Traditions of the RCC. Keating's explaination concerning the difference between Sacred Tradition and Customs of the Church was eye opening. Much of what I was told was dogma was actually a matter of custom and, therefore, not essential to Catholic Faith. This discrepancy caused me to re-examine Sacred Traditions such the Canonization of the Scripture, Sola Scriptura, Papal Authority and Infallibility for myself. The result of further reading confirms Keating's assertions on RCC doctrine in (very persuasive terms). Fundamentalists,Evangelicals, and Protestants of evry ilk - do yourselves the favor of reading this book. If you still disagree afterward - at least you can do so with integrity.

61 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars so helpful and informative!, May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: What Catholics Really Believe--Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions about the Catholic Faith (Paperback)

I've read the derogatory reviews of this book and I couldn't disagree more. Having come into Catholicism only recently, I had many questions re: the sacraments, the rituals etc, of the Church. This book has answered so many of them, I am actually teaching my husband stuff he doesn't even know (a lifelong Catholic-he). It's an EXCELLENT book and I couldn't recommend it more highly.