Why Are Catholics So Concerned about Sin?: More Answers to Puzzling Questions about the Catholic Church [Paperback]

Al Kresta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2005

Why Are Catholics So Concerned About Sin? by Al Kresta To those on the outside, Catholic teaching sometimes seems incomprehensible. To those on the inside, it can be nearly as mysterious: How many can answer the question, "Are Catholics saved?" What is the Catholic position on "the rapture"? Do Catholics take the Bible literally? And what about confession? Does it really help a person change? What about hell? Does the Church actually believe that it lasts forever? In clear, straightforward language, the author answers these and many other questions that perplex Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  If you're wondering about the ins and outs of certain aspects of Catholic teaching, Why Are Catholics So Concerned About Sin? provides some answers. Al Kresta is president and CEO of the Ave Maria Radio Network and the author of Why Do Catholics Genuflect?.  As a veteran broadcaster, he has fielded numerous questions about Catholicism from callers on his nationally syndicated radio talk show, Kresta in the Afternoon.  He and his wife, Sally, live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with three of their five children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Servant Publications (August 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867166967
• ISBN-13: 978-0867166965
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,396,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent as radio host - excellent as author!!, September 7, 2005

By 

Nick (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Are Catholics So Concerned about Sin?: More Answers to Puzzling Questions about the Catholic Church (Paperback)

As a follow-up to his great basic apologetics book, "Why Do Catholics Genuflect," this book zeros in on some of the deeper questions many people have about the Catholic Church.

His answers to questions on topics such as the second coming, sin and salvation, salvation outside the church, and apparitions are not only enlightening but easy to follow and often humorous.

I have enjoyed Al Kresta's thoughts and insights on Ave Maria Radio for years, and now I can explore them more extensively and pass them on to friends and family in this great book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Insights for the Curious and the Converted, October 24, 2005

By 

Carol Blank (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Why Are Catholics So Concerned about Sin?: More Answers to Puzzling Questions about the Catholic Church (Paperback)

For three hours every weekday afternoon, Al Kresta hosts a nationally syndicated talk show that addresses political, educational, cultural, and religious concerns. Questions about Catholic beliefs that have come up on the show are the focus of his new book, which he describes as "a potpourri rather than a work of systematic theology." His responses include quotations from scripture, Church documents, and writers ranging from Pliney the Younger to St. Padre Pio.

Kresta, president and CEO of the Ave Maria Radio Network, has done graduate work in theology at both Catholic and Protestant seminaries. He brings that experience to bear with thought-provoking answers to more than 30 specific questions in five categories: teaching authority, salvation and sacraments; worship and devotion; hell; and the second coming. Certainly this is a good source of information for those outside the Church, but it also has much to offer practicing Catholics.

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Well Articulated, May 17, 2006

By 

Brad Shorr "Brad Shorr" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Why Are Catholics So Concerned about Sin?: More Answers to Puzzling Questions about the Catholic Church (Paperback)

The title is somewhat misleading: the author answers a wide range of questions about Catholic beliefs and traditions. The book will be helpful to Catholics who seek a clearer understanding of their faith, and to any others who want true information about common misconceptions about Catholicism. Some of the questions are:

Do Catholics believe non-Christians can be saved?

Don't Catholics just confess to a priest and then go out and do the same things again?

Why do Catholics believe in hell?

What does the church teach about the "the rapture"?

Kresta writes plainly and persuasively, supporting his assertions with a combination of philosophical, historical, and Biblical arguments. Persuasive as he is, I actually found his non-theological, non-controversial information most interesting. His account of the Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church (including a list of names) was very helpful, as was his description of the Liturgy of the Hours and explanation of solemnities, feast days and memorials.

A very fine book!