Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma [Paperback]

Dr. Ludwig Ott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

Ready Winter 2009 Recognized as the greatest summary of Catholic dogma ever put between two covers. A one-volume encyclopedia of Catholic doctrines. Tells exactly what the Church teaches on any particular topic. Tells when the pronouncement was made and gives the sources from Scripture, Church Councils, Papal statements and the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. Essential for priests, seminarians, parents and teachers. Easily one of our most important books. 560 pgs, PB

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: TAN Books and Publishers; 4th edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895550091
• ISBN-13: 978-0895550095
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #662,989 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book which fulfills. . ., November 17, 2000

By 

David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (Paperback)

. . .the purpose for which it was written. Another reviewer correctly commented that this work is not a systematic theology. If you are looking for a Catholic systematic theology, begin with Hans Urs von Balthasar. But if you are looking for an orthodox reference book which outlines what the Church teaches, and why, and supplies you with defenses from the Scriptures, from the Church Fathers, from Sacred Tradition, and from Reason, then this is your book.

As the forward indicates, this work is an excellent guide for busy parish priests who wish to refresh themselves on the reasonings and justifications for particular doctrines or themes. It is also accessible to the informed layman. The volume is also of potential value to the honest Protestant, seeking to understand the teachings of the Catholic Church.

I highly recommend this book.

54 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Roman Catholics are Required to Believe, February 24, 2002

By 

D. S. Heersink "D. Stephen Heersink" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (Paperback)

During my spiritual journey to find a home, I came to rely on this excellent compendium of solid catholic theology during a time when I found most clergy and laity unsure of what it was they did believe -- or believed anything they wanted, despite centuries of belief to the contrary. As a resource document, it is without parallel after the Documents of Vatican II.

The documents of Vatican II are a clearer, wider, and more spiritual exposition of what the Church today believes. But sometimes, with so many mixed messages from pulpit and revisionists, the Documents of Vatican II can present difficulties to those uncertain of core beliefs.

That's where this book comes in. This book is systematic theology at its best. It posits the dogmas of the Church in a clear and unequivocal manner, and then goes about supplying the historical foundations for these dogmas. These foundations include ecumenical councils as well as writings of the saints. If a certain proposition is "de fide," it is of unquestioned belief. But there are other propositions that are not "de fide," that are provided to sharpen the core deposit from speculative ideas.

I refer to this book often when I come across propositions I find either doubtful or equivocal. Not only does it provide the clear and unadulterated truths of the catholic faith, but it provides the raison d'etre for those truths, making it a wealth of clear exposition of why catholics believe what they believe.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly wonderful reference---not a bit out-of-date., December 9, 2000

By 

Louis Melahn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (Paperback)

This book is a wonderfully precise and concise summary of the Church's dogmatic theology, and with due respect to a previous reviewer, it is not a bit out-of-date. It is not intended to be an expanded or detailed discussion of theological problems, so of course it is recommended that people also read the works of orthodox theologians such as Hans Urs von Balthazaar, Henri de Lubac, and (especially) John Paul II; and they should also examine the beautiful teachings of Vatican II. Nevertheless, the dogmas summarized in the _Fundamentals_ are timeless.

What makes this volume so valuable is its precision and clarity: one can easily look up a particular doctrine of the Church and see what status it has---that is, how formally it has been defined by the Church. Moreover, for every point of doctrine it states with exact precision which opinions are consonant with Church teaching, which are tolerated, and which are contrary. These are things that are beyond the scope of, say, the new Universal Catechism. However, all well-informed Catholics ought to know them.

The _Fundamentals_ is highly recommended, and I urge all Catholics who want to know their faith well to get the book along with the new Universal Catechism.