Customer Reviews

The Seeker's Guide to Being Catholic

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a "cradle Catholic" who recently returned to the Church after 25 years, I have turned to this wonderful little book again and again. No, it is not the be-all and end-all books on the Catholic church and its history, doctrine, dogma and traditions.It isn't meant to be. There are many, fine books to cover that material. But this book's charming, warm style makes it easily readable, whetting the spiritual appetite to delve into the "big books" if one is so moved to do so. I have found that I can pick it up, open to any page at random and walk away refreshed! A great comfort to me as I travel "home"

This is not a book to be taken lightly; this is a book that you should take firmly in hand and hurl away from you with all your might!

This book is a lot like cotton candy. It appears to have some substance, but in reality, it is mainly just air.

Finley touts this book as a seeker's guide to Catholicism. You should only seek to avoid it. The author is at best vague; at worst, he obfuscates, rather than clarifies.

For example: on page 136 Finley writes, "In the end it is possible to be a good Catholic and still disagree with a non-infallible church teaching, which virtually all church teachings are." On page 137 he says, "There are no absolute answers. He enthusiastically endorses this quote from Dr. Edward Stevens, who states: "Moral codes are human constructions. All we have to go on are our minds, our hearts and each other." (page 132). "Dr. Edward Stevens points out that there are no absolute moral answers." (page 133).

Huh? How can one be a "good Catholic, " and yet dissent from her official teachings? One might be a "good Anglican" with such convictions (or lack thereof), but one wouldn't be a "good Catholic"! If you want to really be a good Catholic, try believing what the Church teaches! And put it into practice, for crying out loud.

Finley gladly quotes Fr. Richard P. McBrien's "Catholicism," a book so poorly constructed that the normally wishy-washy US Council of Bishops rejected it when it first appeared, and again rebuked McBrien when he came out with a revised edition.

A teacher is known by the sources he cites. Finley gives glowing approval, not only to liberals like McBrien and Andrew Greeley, but even to notorious non-believers like Joseph Campbell(cf. page 25).

Finley is not only confused about Catholic dogma, he is just plain sloppy in his presentation. On page 9 he says, "Catholics believe that God has a triune nature--in traditional terms that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while still one Person."

I believe the traditional language speaks of "One Substance" but "Three Persons." 3 Persons, not 1. Has he forgotten the lyrics to a favorite hymn, "God in 3 Persons, Blessed Trinity!" (Holy, Holy, Holy).

If you are truly interested in learning about Catholicism, do not consult the McBrien's, the Greeleys and others of their ilk. Rather, consult the official sources that Finley distrusts so much. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the holy scriptures, and apologists and other writers that contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Orthodoxy is not a four-letter word. Finley seems ashamed of his faith. I celebrate mine, including the creeds, the councils, and--dare I say it?--even the pope and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

This book was an agonizing waste of time. And, not only a waste of time, but a waste of $11.95.

Do yourself a favor and read Chesterton, Frank Sheed, Hilaire Belloc, Scott Hahn, Patrick Madrid and Stephen Ray. You will actually get a good return on your investment.