Crossing the Tiber [Paperback]

Steve Ray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

An exhilarating conversion story of a devout Baptist who relates how he overcame his hostility to the Catholic Church by a combination of serious Bible study and vast research of the writings of the early Church Fathers. In addition to a moving account of their conversion that caused Ray and his wife to "cross the Tiber" to Rome, he offers an in-depth treatment of Baptism and the Eucharist in Scripture and the ancient Church.

Thoroughly documented with hundreds of footnotes, this contains perhaps the most complete compilation of biblical and patristic quotations and commentary available on Baptism and the Eucharist, as well as a detailed analysis of Sola Scriptura and Tradition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898705770
• ISBN-13: 978-0898705775
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Evangelism
  • #46 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Church History
  • #84 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 66 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Available on the Eucharist and Baptism January 25, 2000

By M. Wallace

Format:Paperback

I can't recommend this book enough. The information that is contained in CROSSING THE TIBER is unbelievable. No skimming through any of Steve Ray's books. His knowledge of Scripture and writings of the early Church Fathers is amazing. Wait until you see all of his footnotes. I'll tell you of how God used this book for someone that I don't even know the name of . I was on a flight that I wasn't even supposed to be on (flight change), in a seat that I wasn't supposed to be sitting in (someone took my assigned seat, thank God), and I sat next to a real chatterbox. He just kept talking. I tried to read the paper, eat lunch, anything, but nothing quieted him. Then he got up to use the restroom, so I pulled out CROSSING THE TIBER to finish it. I only had a few pages to go. And I thought the man would not interrupt me if he saw I was reading. I was wrong. He asked me what book I was reading so I flashed it at him. "What's it about," he asked. I told him it was a religious book since that usually ends the conversation. Not this one. He asked me specifically what it was about. So I told him. A former Baptist who converted to Catholicsm started it as an explanation to his family about his decision to convert. The last two sections deal with the Eucharist and Baptism from a Scriptural and early Church writings standpoint. Then I turned to look at him. He had gone completely white. He told me he had just converted to Catholicsm from Baptist and his family's two main problems with it were the Eucharist and Baptism. When I tried to give him the book, he refused. I told him I wasn't even supposed to be on that flight or in that seat and it was obvious God wanted him to have that book. I pray it helped him and his family. I never learned his name, but I think of him often.

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Research July 30, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Steve Ray, in his first effort, has clearly demonstrated a great love for Truth. Steve puts forward support of the Catholic understanding of Baptism and the Eucharistic in a readable and highly scholastic manner.

The work is a fine contribution to the Christian faith. It begins with a conversion story quite enjoyable to read and is completed by a truly revealing review of Baptism and the Eucharist.

Catholics will be strengthened in their faith. Protestants will be treated to a fine explanation of matters which often divide Catholics and Protestants. Buy the book. It is worth the read and don't pass up the footnotes.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Half-way across the Tiber ... and ... stuck indefinitely December 2, 2006

By Gabriel E. Borlean VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Introduction:

Back in 1994 Stephen K. Ray began writing "Crossing the Tiber" as an attempt to explain to his Baptist family (and his Evangelical friends) his spiritual and intellectual journey into Catholicism. This is a conversion story (and a Roman-Catholic apologetics) book unlike any other. It has been helpful in my pilgrim's journey from a Baptist-family background to a more historical and liturgical tradition found in the Lutheran movement. The Tiber is a river that traverses the city of Rome and borders the Vatican state.

Author:

Ray, and his wife, come from strong Evangelical families, and his writing shows his candor, courage, and theological literacy. The Rays have spent years investigating and researching Church history, doctrine and theology (sola Scriptura, etc.), studying the Bible and reading the writings of the Church Fathers. The author seems to be very much in love with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and its faith but do not let his overly enthusiastic tone be confused with lack of theological and historical knowledge.

Content:

From the very beginning the author explains his purpose for writing this book and its intent is to be " 'pastoral' in tone - not combative and harsh." The content of the book seems a bit academic, because there are many comprehensive and useful footnotes which sometimes take up 80% of the respective page. There is a good index at the end, and also a bibliographical list of the research books the author used the most in his journey across the Tiber.

The book is divided into three strategic parts.

Part one, tells the story of how the Ray's belief in fundamental evangelical Protestantism of Sola Scriptura started to crumble, how they were confronted and troubled by some historical and theological issues, and how they compared the Greek, eastern Christian tradition (Orthodoxy) with the Latin, western Christian tradition (Roman-Catholicism). I was dissapointed that in the pages that Stephen discusses Orthodoxy (a church that he almost decided to join!) he only shallowly enumerates the issues that made him chose the other ancient historical church - the Roman Catholic Church (page 79). In this section, Ray exhuberantly and almost evangelically talks about the RCC as the true ancient church "with a two-thousand year continuum" while not acknowledging that many well-meaning and well-informed Protestants and Orthodox believers disagree with the interpretations and teachings of the RCC.

Part two and three are the heart of this study book or journey from Protestantism to Catholicism. Here the author does an excellent job presenting the cultural, historical, exegetical, and theological understanding of the effecacious nature of Baptism and the deep meaning of the Eucharist (Communion, Mass, Lord's Supper) by analyzing the Biblical (both OT and NT) verses and Early Church writings on these two very important topics in Christianity. These concise yet thorough sections are the best resources of biblical explanations and patristic understanding of the traditional view of Baptism and Communion that I have in my library and I plan on using them as reference in the future.

Publisher:

It is worth to mention that Ignatius Press, the Catholic apologetics power-house, is the publisher of "Crossing the Tiber." This is also the publisher of other books in the recently emerging "conversion" cottage industry, such as Scott Hahn's "Rome Sweet Rome" and Thomas Howard's writings.

Conclusion:

For any Christian who is not afaid to have his/her doctrines challenged and can deal with a vast amount of ancient and contemporary sources, great literary handle on church history and doctrinal development (not to mention small font but large footnote sections), this is a book that will expand your horizon. The biblical texts and early church writings research on understanding Baptism and the Lord's Communion is impeccable. For me the last two parts have been very educational, but because I disagree with many of the distinctively pro-Catholic beliefs presented in the first part of the book, I can honestly say that I will be indefinitely stuck half-way across the Tiber. Enjoy the research!