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What You Need to Know About Roman Catholicism : Quick Reference Guide

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This is a springboard for deeper study and perhaps a companion for the authors book "The Gospel According to Rome". On one side is the teachings of the Catholic Church referenced to their cathecism, then on the other side is what McCarthy believes the Bible to be teaching. It is the authors contention that "the gospel according to Rome is not the gospel taught by Christ and recorded in the Scriptures." In this sense, this booklet is evangelical in reaching out to what the author considers the unsaved. I can find nothing in this pamphlet that would be particularly offensive to open minded Roman Catholics but it would serve them as a review what some of the criticisms are of their doctrines if they wish to converse intelligently with Christians who believe in the supreme authority of Scripture.

I like this booklet because it gives a clear understanding of the main Catholic doctrines. Being a former Catholic who was very much into reading the doctrine, I found it very beneficial that this booklet went through ALL the main points of doctrine. The ultimate success of this publication is that it leaves the Catholic with two main conclusions. Firstly, that the bible clearly shows that only the bible is God's word, and secondly, that the more Catholic you get, the less biblical - and hence, christian - you become. It has been a great evangelism aid as well because it allows a Catholic to see just how ludicrous Catholicism is in comparison to true Christianity. It is very accurate in its diagramatic explanation of Catholic salvation, and has even shown some of the ppl i've come across that many of the strong born-again Catholic Christians in society are close to God not because of Catholic doctrine but IN SPITE of it! congratulations to James McCarthy. God bless you.

a brief but timely summary of Catholicism and some doctrines they espouse that may ge objectionable to those who search to know God's word and plan in truth.

It is a very helpfull tool for arguing with catholics about what the Catholic Church teaches versus what The Bible teaches.

McCarthy did an exceptional job of condensing the major Catholic / Evangelical issues into one pamphlet. Regardless of whether you agree with him or not (as many other reviewers obviously don't!), he does do a great job of putting the issues on the table. Then readers can go the Bible and examine for themselves which view is more biblical.

..what's behind these severely misrepresenting pamphlets. Harvest House publishes several pamphlets with almost identical formats..."Roman Catholicism: What you need to know".."Islam: What you need to know".."Mormonism: What you need to know".."Intelligent Design: what you need to know", etc. These pamphlets are then distributed through local conduits, including the 1300+ fundamentalist church network of "Calvary Chapels", which many times will sticker their own name onto the pamphlet. Harvest House has selected severely disgruntled former members of religions/denominations, and then allows them to offer "representation" of their former Faiths. Within the pamphlet, after getting a severe misrepresentation of the religion discussed, the reader then is (sadly) encouraged to explore more of the author's writings. With the Mormon pamphlet, it's former Mormon Ed Decker, who apparently has the same vitriol against his former Faith as former Catholic (and Harvest House pamphlet author) James G. McCarthy has against Catholics.

I am a Catholic who just recently was invited to a Calvary Chapel and was shocked to see that someone was attempting to represent the Catholic (or any) Faith in a pamphlet, let alone attempting to misrepresent it so much as McCarthy does. I bought four of the different pamphlets they had, and am slightly relieved after reviewing the Mormon and Islam pamphlets that Harvest House seems to simply be painting themselves as a foolish organization, by choosing laughable critics such as Ed Decker and James McCarthy. But as a warning, the Calvary Chapel/Harvest House method (demonstrated in these pamphlets)of isolating their members/readers from comparative argument can function as the psychological abuser/victim model. I just now see on the web that in Christianity Today[May 2006] "Unaccountable at Calvary Chapel", Calvary Chapel has serious accountability issues,..all the while they push these accusatory publications. I do pray for those that may be misled by these pamphlets...doesn't seem too Christ-like.

This pamphlet exclusively uses Catholic Catechism quotes, and not the Biblical basis for those Catechism teachings. The Catechism clearly states that it is only a summary of beliefs(meant primarily as a reference for educators) and does not offer the Catholic biblical argument for such beliefs. The effect of this pamphlet is essentially to silence the real Catholic biblical argument for its teachings by suggesting that none exists. Anyone who sincerely wants to find the Catholic Biblical basis for the points offered in this pamphlet can find a competent Catholic theologian, or look them up on an online Catholic encyclopedia("Catholic Answers" www.catholic.com is great!).

If you want to know about the Roman Catholic Church, ask a practicing Roman Catholic parishioner or a nun, seminarian, or Priest. If that is too uncomfortable, watch Catholic television (you know the channel) silently in your own home. Why not go to the source? A thorough, open, and truly objective inquiry would help to prevent the publishing of pamphlets and books filled with misconceptions and misunderstandings or at least offer a well-balanced, well informed document. I was baptized Catholic as a 2-day old baby, raised Evangelical Protestant and am now a devout practicing Catholic. I did not jump into the faith, but rather educated myself; asked questions, sought answers and I find these types of books so severely uninformed. This and other types of similar publications are propagandaism and rhetoric in the purest form.

I was highly offended by this publication because it was Anti-Catholic. When you open it up the sub title is something like, the 62 Errors of the Catholic faith. It proceeds to state Catholic Beliefs on one side and the "Bible Teachings" on the other, which are day and night different. How offensive; we all know Protestants and Catholics have differences in translation, but to make it look like facts that Catholics are wrong is irresponsible of the author. It also states not to be premature about helping your "Catholic" Friends find Christ - give me a break - I have Christ in my life, and Catholics and Protestants are both Christians. I think the pamphlet should be re-written to summarize the differences, as that is fair. I am dissapointed to have found that pamphlet in a Christian Bookstore - I do not get offended easy, but I was offended enough to bring it to the store manager's attention.

As a former Protestant minister who is now a Catholic priest this is not the resource you need to understand Catholicism. I would suggest you start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. McCarthy's bias and bigotry are not very subtle.

McCarthy is way off the mark with every area he touches on. Customers would be far better advised to find out about Catholicism from authors who know what it really is .This author maybe has a chip on his shoulder, but misrepresenting Catholicism is hardly a solution.