Customer Reviews

Quite Contrary: A Biblical Reconsideration of the Apparitions of Mary, 3rd ed.

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The author, once a Marian devotee himself, exposes the apparitions of Mary for what they are: Deceivers. Chapters discuss the contradictions of the messages given by the apparitions with both Catholic doctrine and Scripture. The author rightly states that if the apparitions draw people to Mary rather than to Christ, they contradict Scripture and cannot be from God. He interestingly notes that NO ONE has used the biblical test for spirits found in 1 John 4:1-3, where we are charged to ask if the spirit confesses that Christ has come in the flesh. The only time a question even close to this was posed, the apparition changed the subject and then quickly disappeared! One apparition said that if a devotee was wearing a Scapular (a cloth item worn under the clothing) at the time of death, they would be released from purgatory on the Saturday after they died. Apparitions are in large part responsible for the popularity of the Rosary as a prayer in the Catholic church. Even though many Catholics do not follow after these supernatural visitors, it is clear that the Catholic church is being influenced by their messages. This book details how.

I found this book to be one that had to be read at least twice. Unfortunately, there are too few critiques on this kind of subject.The author makes the point that too often what is supernatural is of God to the average layperson in the Roman Church, so the messages are accepted at face value.There seems to be little or no recognization of the fact that Satanic forces often portray themselves as "angels of light" to deceive many. The messages of the apparitions "represent the complete transfer of all the messianic attributes of Christ to Mary, or rather to the apparition that claim to be Mary: His sinlessness, His resurrection, His role as Redeemer, Mediator and Advocate." This book will certainly awaken some to what is happening in this realm. It is well written and documented.

I was a devout Catholic and follower of Marian apparitions, when I saw an ad for this book in 1996. It was with fear and trepidation that I ordered it. However, it turned out to be a life changing event and led me to see the errors of the Catholic Church especially in regard to Mariology, and connections between the so called apparitions and the traditions and teachings of the Church. It was like dominoes falling once I saw the errors in the apparitions. My strong faith in the Church was utterly crumbled by this expose' backed up with biblical quotes. I left the Catholic Church in spirit with the completion of this fast read, although it took a few more months to finally make the break physically in 1997. I will be eternally gratefully to Mr. Kauffmann for helping me to see the light despite the Catholic [teachings] I had so long been in bondage to. I have recommended this book to many people, as a tool to reach others caught up in the bondage of Mary "Worship". Now I go directly to Jesus, bypassing all the dead "saints" of the Catholic Church. The real Mary deserves to be revered as blessed, but the "Mary" of the apparitions is nothing less than one of Satan's clever minions disguised as an "angel of light". Thank you...

Kauffman's approach is biblical and uncompromising, yet compassionate, concerning the Marian Apparitions. I appreciate Mr. Kauffman's wisdom, logic, accuracy and fairness on this extemely controversial subject. Quite contrary is a must read for anyone (Catholic or Protestant) who seeks to know the truth concerning this phenomenon.

This book is meant for followers of Marian apparitions. It gently takes the reader (usually Catholics) through comparisons of the messages of the Marian apparitions and why they can not be from the Mary of the Bible. Will show that these are from the Enemy and not from God, without angering the reader who may be subscribing to these phenomena.

The author proceeds with meticulous step after meticulous step. Each step leads closer to a conclusion which cannot be denied and, that is both awesome and frightening. The leadings of these apparitions bring to the light of reality the deception and the awesome power that the powers of darkness possess and shows how these powers play on man's innate desire to be "loved", to have a personal contact with a "god" and to be reassured that all they have to do is believe and obey what the apparitions say. The eventual goal of the apparitions becomes crystal clear as the author proceeds, chapter by chapter. This is must reading for all Roman Catholics and Protestants as well. The content can not be faulted with it's multitude of references.

Kauffman's book is meticulously researched and his logic is faultless. Since the Catholic Church claims a biblical basis for its teachings, the apparitions of Mary must be examined in light of the Bible. This would make an excellent companion to "Those Who Saw Her" by Catherine Odell. If you don't know what to believe about the apparitions of Mary, GET THIS BOOK.

Biblical Christianity is not `polytheistic' as some "christian" religions, in this case, one which not only prays to Mary to act as an intermediary between them and God/"co-redemptrix (Where is this found in the Bible?), but to various "saints" to help them in their lives instead of solely to the one, true God of the Bible, practice it. Great subject to clarify that Jesus Christ is the only one who redeems us from our sins; the only one through whom we can know we have eternal salvation (e.g., Acts 16:31)! Very simplistically written w TMI! Could have summed it up in a few pages, rather than proving and reproving his points.

CAdvoc

This book is really just a rehash of protestant fundamentalist objections to Catholic views of Mary. It is only incidently about apparitions. In fact, Kauffman concedes without discussion that the apparitions are supernatural (!) but assumes they must be demonic since they are reported to say things that sound Catholic. He complains that the apparitions have not been subject to the testing of spirits described in 1 John, but he gives no exegesis of that passage to justify its being applied to situations its author could hardly have had in mind. I wish Kauffman would have given more credit to the Church which has placed apparitions under careful scrutiny and rejected most. I enjoyed Kauffman's personal story of growing up Catholic and having a shallow magical form of Marian devotion. It should serve as a reminder that we need to teach our children well. Otherwise they will be vulnerable to shallow seductive teachings -- including protestant fundamentalism.

It is a commonplace among many Protestants that Catholics honor Mary "too much". What is never discussed is how much honor is "just enough." Writers like Kauffman make is clear that *any* amount of honor given Mary is "too much." They are fixed in a phobia and regard her with such horror that all expressions of devotion to the one of whom Scripture said "all generations will call me blessed" are waaaaay too much. In other words, Mariophobic books like this tell us more about the author than about the subject. Reading it is like being told by a teetotaler that a sip of wine or a glass of beer is alcoholism. It is like being told by an anorexic that a normal meal is gluttony. Catholic devotion to Mary is simply normal, human and healthy, like honoring one's mother. Protestant phobic horror of Mary is the weird, sad and inexplicable thing.