Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic (v. 3) [Paperback]

Patrick Madrid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

Ten former Protestants tell why they chose the Catholic Church!

In these dramatic and thought-provoking conversion stories, ten men and women reveal why they changed their minds about Protestantism and entered the Catholic Church.

These tales will do for you what these converts had to do for themselves: answer the most common objections to the Catholic Faith — and answer them in terms that non-Catholics find familiar and easy to understand.

These stories will remind you of the critical truth that all converts know but most others forget: churches must not be judged by the weakness of their members, but by the truth of what they teach.

The closer these former Protestants looked at Catholicism, the more they found that Christ's truth is taught in its fullness only in the Catholic Church. No wonder this book is a convert maker.

But these stories do more than make converts. If you're already Catholic, they help you explain your Faith to non-Catholics and leave you prouder and more grateful than ever to be in Christ's Church.

So whether you're Catholic or just inquiring, Surprised by Truth 3 is the book for you!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A superb collection of personal conversion stories, —interesting, informative, and inspiring!" -- Bert Ghezzi, author of Mystics and Miracles & Voices of the Saints.

Pat has done it again! Ten more equally compelling, inspiring and intellectually sound stories of conversion. -- Marcus C. Grodi, President of the Coming Home Network

The Catholic Church continues to call men and women home! You'll find the reasons why in Surprised by Truth 3. -- Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., editor, Shaken by Scandals: Catholics Speak Out About Priests' Sexual Abuse.

You need to read this book! -- Curtis Martin— Founder & President
FOCUS — Fellowship of Catholic University Students

From the Publisher

"Working closely with each and every one of the contributors to this project was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences I've had as an editor." T.A. Editor, Sophia Institute Press

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sophia Institute Press (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928832598
• ISBN-13: 978-1928832591
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Series, March 8, 2003

By 

P. J. Porvaznik (St. Petersburg, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic (v. 3) (Paperback)

All three books in the Surprised by Truth series highly recommended. These are personal stories of conversion, and these converts describe the struggles they had with the claims of the Catholic Church. Various backgrounds here: Anglican, former Catholic "reverts", Baptist, Reformed, etc. The apologetics was a little stronger in the first book of the series, but all three are great books. For books with stronger apologetics content get A Biblical Defense of Catholicism by Dave Armstrong, or Steve Ray's book of conversion Crossing the Tiber.

To see and hear many of these converts in person, you can check them out on the Journey Home program from EWTN. Wonderful and impressive given all they had to go through to find the truth.

Phil Porvaznik

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Converted Me All Over Again, November 11, 2005

By 

Laurence A. Gonzaga (Colton, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic (v. 3) (Paperback)

I received this book about 6 days ago in the mail. I would have finished it in less time (I read half of it on the first day), but I didn't pick it up for a few days. What an awesome and moving book!

This is a compilation of conversion stories of folks who converted to Catholicism. They tell their personal stories, in detail, through the doubts and inconsistencies they faced in their former traditions, and sometimes, providential introduction to Catholicism. They describe their journey in search for truth, and finally the joyous steps through the doors of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

The individuals include:

1. A former soldier of a nation and present soldier of Christ and priest of God
2. A former Anglican
3. A former "a la carte" contracepting Catholic couple and present defenders of Life
4. A former "Left Behind"-ing Rapturist and present Catholic apologist
5. A former Commune-er and present Communion receiver
6. A seeker of Truth
7. A former Anglican priest
8. A former radical traditionalist (SSPX) adherent, present Canon lawyer
9. A former Baptist lawyer, present Catholic defender
10. A former Anti-Catholic and sister to Catholicism's most formidable anti-Catholic apologist, Dr. James White- now in the most ironic of twists, she and the grace of God are our best hope for Mr. White's conversion.

This book has changed my views of many things. Indeed, it has opened my eyes to the difficulties most Protestants have in accepting the Catholic faith, especially considering the traditions from which they came.

It has also humbled my approach to this process. It can never be a black and white process of truth and heresy, submission or rejection- in matters of the heart and faith, these things take times; for some, years.

There was numerous times when negative approaches were demonstrated which reflected my past as well as some lingering habits I still have. This book was a "mirror" to my conscience at times. Although it is right to strive for Christian perfection, as the Catechism and the Bible inspire us towards, we cannot give way to Pride, EVER!

A chilling quote which still haunts my conscience, even though I have evolved and improved, it is not totally gone, was said by a Saint to the Jansenists: "Your piety is that of the angels, but your pride is that of the devils!"

Wow! What a saying. There's just to many good things about this book to mention just a few; to choose one over the other is injustice to the consistent priceless value each of these stories hold. It converted me all over again!!!!

Highly recommended!

Dominus Vobiscum,
Laurence A. Gonzaga

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and insightful, January 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic (v. 3) (Paperback)

Of the ten wonderful and insightful testimonies of Catholic converts, I discovered two to be particularyly moving. (coincidently, the only two written by women)"Lookin for Truth in all the Wrong Places" above all and Patty Bond's "Freed from Anti-Catholic Bonds"It is stories like these that remind me of the incredible gift I've been blessed with--The Catholic Faith!These women went from zealous Protestants to zealous Catholics! Fantastic and uplifting!