Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical Church (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Janet and I, along with our four children, have converted to the Roman Catholic Church, which claims to be the fullness of the "one, holy,..." (more)
Key Phrases: universal teaching, pure sacrifice, internal witness, New Testament, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An exhilarating conversion story of a devout Baptist who relates how he overcame his hostility to the Catholic Church by a combination of serious Bible study and vast research of the writings of the early Church Fathers. In addition to a moving account of their conversion that caused Ray and his wife to "cross the Tiber" to Rome, he offers an in-depth treatment of Baptism and the Eucharist in Scripture and the ancient Church.

Thoroughly documented with hundreds of footnotes, this contains perhaps the most complete compilation of biblical and patristic quotations and commentary available on Baptism and the Eucharist, as well as a detailed analysis of Sola Scriptura and Tradition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898705770
• ISBN-13: 978-0898705775
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #37 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Reference > Theology
  #74 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Reference > Commentaries
  #99 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Church History

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Research, July 30, 1999

By A Customer

Steve Ray, in his first effort, has clearly demonstrated a great love for Truth. Steve puts forward support of the Catholic understanding of Baptism and the Eucharistic in a readable and highly scholastic manner.

The work is a fine contribution to the Christian faith. It begins with a conversion story quite enjoyable to read and is completed by a truly revealing review of Baptism and the Eucharist.

Catholics will be strengthened in their faith. Protestants will be treated to a fine explanation of matters which often divide Catholics and Protestants. Buy the book. It is worth the read and don't pass up the footnotes.

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Footnotes alone are worth the money, August 29, 2003

By	Momto4athome (Wherever the Army sends us) - See all my reviews

This book is the first one I ever read on the subject of catholicism. It is the single most influential book in my conversion to the catholic church from the southern baptist church. What makes this book different from other conversion stories is the massive amount of footnotes and research backing up everything. For that reason it doubles as both a story/testimony and as an encyclopedia of sorts. I don't recommend reading this book unless you are ready to go where God leads you.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Available on the Eucharist and Baptism, January 25, 2000

By	M. Wallace (Ohio) - See all my reviews

I can't recommend this book enough. The information that is contained in CROSSING THE TIBER is unbelievable. No skimming through any of Steve Ray's books. His knowledge of Scripture and writings of the early Church Fathers is amazing. Wait until you see all of his footnotes. I'll tell you of how God used this book for someone that I don't even know the name of . I was on a flight that I wasn't even supposed to be on (flight change), in a seat that I wasn't supposed to be sitting in (someone took my assigned seat, thank God), and I sat next to a real chatterbox. He just kept talking. I tried to read the paper, eat lunch, anything, but nothing quieted him. Then he got up to use the restroom, so I pulled out CROSSING THE TIBER to finish it. I only had a few pages to go. And I thought the man would not interrupt me if he saw I was reading. I was wrong. He asked me what book I was reading so I flashed it at him. "What's it about," he asked. I told him it was a religious book since that usually ends the conversation. Not this one. He asked me specifically what it was about. So I told him. A former Baptist who converted to Catholicsm started it as an explanation to his family about his decision to convert. The last two sections deal with the Eucharist and Baptism from a Scriptural and early Church writings standpoint. Then I turned to look at him. He had gone completely white. He told me he had just converted to Catholicsm from Baptist and his family's two main problems with it were the Eucharist and Baptism. When I tried to give him the book, he refused. I told him I wasn't even supposed to be on that flight or in that seat and it was obvious God wanted him to have that book. I pray it helped him and his family. I never learned his name, but I think of him often.