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Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma

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. . .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.

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.

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.

Ott's compliation of Catholic systematic theology first appeared in German in the early 1950s. Translated wonderfully into English since then, it remains the best single volume presentation of Catholic theological data (as opposed to, say, catechetics) available anywhere. Indispensable, extremely easy to use. Everybody who's anybody should have a copy on the shelf somewhere.

The Truth of the Roman Catholic Church. This book will help all understand what all Roman Catholics must (no choice) believe, and why we believe. To deny any dogma is to deny all dogma.

This book will help you understand what it means to be a Roman Catholic. This book will also help you understand why modernist, humanist, societist dissenters are wrong (or worse); why the Church cannot (FYI, its not a matter of will or desire) change Her position on many posititions that uniformed Catholics and non-Catholics alike would "wish" to see Her change.

Unlike some other reviewers I didn't find this book dry at all. Yes, it is much to assimilate and understand, so take your time the rewards of understanding and learning are well worth the effort! I find this book facinating, interesting and informative. I often refer to it, and it often refers me to Holy Writ and other writings. It will also help you recognize statements and positions that are truly consistent with Roman Catholic teaching on Faith and Morals and those that are not (e.g., anathema and heresy).

I can't adequately describe how important this book is to me, the Teaching on Faith and Morals of the Church succinctly presented, cross-referenced and with foundation references to Holy Writ and the writings of Doctors of the Church and those of many other holy, faithful and learned figures throughout history. For Roman Catholics, this is a great start on how to inform one's conscience. This book has re-energized my efforts to understand what it means to be Roman Catholic. Credo!

De fide.

As one of the previous reviewers correctly noted, this book is somewhat dry. However that is not necessarily a fault in a reference work. One doesn't expect excitement from a dictionary, for instance. If you want to know what the Church has authoritatively declared on a certain issue, and with what degree of authority it has declared it, this is the place to turn. Is a certain teaching "de fide" (of the faith), or "theologically certain", or "the common opinion of theologians", or something in between? Here is a place where one can find out. One also learns something about the Scriptural, patristic, and theological evidence for teachings. There is just no book like it --- readily available in English anyhow. I have consulted it innumerable times. As a physicist, I appreciate its clarity, precision, and logic.

I was first introduced to this work roughly sixteen years ago, and it has proven to be an incredible reference. I have two copies, one for home and one for the school where I teach. In both locations it has come in handy, not only for research but for certain historical links. At one time, I thought about parting with one of the copies ..... hmmm ... I decided against that, only because it continues to be a frequently used teaching and general knowledge tool.

Therefore, in my lack of generosity, some good-hearted people had puchased their own copies! To this day, they are glad they did.

Not often can a person say that he or she enjoys reading a reference book, but I can say that I read Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (FCD) for the sheer joy of it.

FCD is a systematic explanation of dogma. Whereas the "Denzinger" (Enchiridion Symbolorum) gives dogmatic sources chronologically, FDC lays out dogma according to topic.

FCD cites Denzinger in nearly every passage. (However, if you want to go back to check the Denzinger, you must have the correct edition, otherwise the numbers will not line up.) FDC also gives generous historical background and citations from Church Councils, Fathers, Popes, and theologians.

The first chapter, dealing with the background is alone worth the price of the publication. There is a section in which Ott lists the grades of theological certainty, followed by grades of theological censure. A person with a highlighter addiction could easily go crazy "color-coding" the dogmas.

What makes this book so easy to read is the fact that Ott gives a formula and that formula is immediately followed by the grade of certainty, followed by the explanation. I find that in my research I often begin with FDC because I know I can find the dogma I'm loking for very easily. Then I follow the textual trail he leaves, starting with Denzinger's Enchiridion.

Sometimes the text runs a little dense visually. It would be nice to have a new typesetting that would be easier on the eyes.

FDC is simply an amazing book. For anyone who is interested in historic, systematic, and dogmatic theology, this book is it!
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Nota bene: as it was this English translation was originally published in 1952, it has not been updated since the Second Vatican Council. There would really not be a lot of changes. The most notable change would be the dogma regarding an all-male priesthood. In FDC, there is a citation to Canon Law. Since Vatican II, and especially since John Paul II's Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, that dogma regarding an all-male priesthood has enjoyed a vast rise in its theological certainty. (We should also note that no dogmas can be "downgraded," --even if they are honored more in the breech, as it were--so FDC remains a definitive sourcebook.)

This work by theologian Ludwig Ott is a necessary resource for anyone trying to defend the Faith or understand it better. It covers an enormous amount of material briefly but sufficiently. It gets technical at some points but is for the most part straightforward and understandable. As he was limited by the amount of space required by the depth and precision of Catholic doctrine, he was forced, in most cases, to give only the verse of the patristic or biblical passages that support the particular dogma. This seems to be the only fault(albeit understandable) of the entire work. Despite this little setback, I believe this book will enhance your understanding of Catholic beliefs and why they are held.

Every Catholic apologist needs to have this book on their shelf for reference. It covers the breadth of Catholic dogma well. Explanations are concise but what they lack in depth is made up with abundant references. Most questions can be answered with the content contained in the book. When more information is desired, the references are good starting points for exploring the more subtle aspects of a particular dogma.