Controversies: High-Level Catholic Apologetics [Paperback]

Karl Keating (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001

Best-selling Catholic apologist and author Karl Keating presents writings from five of his favorite apologists who give a clear and forceful exposition of Catholic truth. These five well-known British writers of the 20th century had strong convictions, were not afraid of controversy, and defended the truth with vigor and charity. The five apologists are John Henry Newman, Hilaire Belloc, Herbert Thurston, Arnold Lunn and Ronald Knox. Each of their pieces were directed at one person, with the public invited to look over the writer’s shoulder. Each selection includes prefatory material from Keating that sets the stage and introduces the characters, along with 337 footnotes.

These great writers employ what Keating calls "high-level apologetics" — plenty of erudition, accessibility, and wit. Unlike today, when many find reasoned controversy unfashionable, and a desire for the truth giving way to indifferentism, these writers display a passion for the truth, sophisticated arguments, clarity of thought and vivid personalities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898708281
• ISBN-13: 978-0898708288
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,351,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Got me interested in going more indepth, June 4, 2003

By 

Adam Marischuk "amarischuk" (Summerland, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Controversies: High-Level Catholic Apologetics (Paperback)

I give this book a 4 star because it got me more interested in the controversies surrounding the conversion of such men as Newman, Lunn and Knox. Unfortunately it is very difficult to find any of the books listed (other than Newman's apologia). I also ran across what I think to be a better summary of the conflict between Thurston and G.G. Coulton over H.C. Lea in Fr. Shannon's "Medieval Inquisition". Undoubtedly the best section in "Controversies" is Thurston's battle with Coulton over Lea. If anyone is interested in the Medieval Inquisition I would recommend Bernard Hamilton and Walter Ullmann (which in my opinion is the only reason to get the Fr. Shannon book as well, for the quotes from Ullman and Thurston).

It was nice of Karl Keating to let the authors speak for themselves mostly, keeping his introduction brief and merely setting up the history of the characters. Also, though I am not a fan of Belloc's lack of referencing, I do engoy Belloc's prose and sense of humour. Despite the length, the book is a quick read.

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Biographies of the Catholic Faith's Defenders, August 15, 2011

By 

Benjamin Emmel (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Controversies: High-Level Catholic Apologetics (Paperback)

If you're interested in England's modern defenders of the Catholic Church, this book is for you. Karl Keating dives into the lives of John Henry Newman, Hilaire Belloc, Ronald Knox, and more--and takes a look into their most famous works and apologetic encounters. He not only details their backgrounds and biographies, but their most famous apologetic encounters as well. I would say that this book is more of a history/biography of theological controversies and the men who took them on than an actual guide to the apologetic methods of refuting attacks on the Catholic faith.

If you're interested in the history behind these debates, this book is for you. Keating successfully allows the writings of the men themselves to "tell the story" behind the altercations, which allows the reader to dive into the source texts. Everything is faithfully footnoted and cited, which makes for easy studying. Recommended for Catholics interested in modern heology from a historical and "boots on the ground" perspective.