The Gospel According to Rome (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: first actual grace, divinely revealed dogma, biblical salvation, Roman Catholic, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Drawing directly from the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, the author addresses the primary differences between Catholic doctrine and biblical Christianity. A clear, accurate comparison of Catholic tradition and the Word of God.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565071077
• ISBN-13: 978-1565071070
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,534 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource of Roman Catholic teaching, February 9, 2005

By	A reader (Michigan) - See all my reviews

McCarthy's "Gospel According to Rome" is an excellent, well organized, and easy-to-use resource book on the subject.

To those Roman Catholics who have bashed this book, I can only say they must be very insecure in their beliefs or very uncomfortable with the teachings of their own religious institution. For the hard truth is that McCarthy's book is not based on his own biased opinion or interpretations of Catholc belief, but a straightforward presentation of the doctrines and teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, via its own well-referenced catechism and official documents.

Though written by a former Catholic, this is not a personal rant abut the Roman Catholic Church. Rather, McCarthy's main aim is to inform about the teachings and structure of the RCC. For this reason alone, many Catholics who have written disparagingly here would do well to read a book like this, as my own experience and observations have taught me that the average church-going Catholic knows little about the offical teachings of his/her own Church.

For example, ask ten Roman Catholics what one must do to get to Heaven, and you will typically get ten different answers. Yet, Mr. McCarthy, utilizing the Vatican's own official teaching (and , in this instance, with the aid of concise, detailed flow charts) clearly delineates the complicated criteria for justification and sanctification that the RCC has developed over the centuries.

As stated, in this sense, this book would be even useful to Catholics who need a simpler understanding of a belief system that is so complicated it requires the employment of canon lawyers.

McCarthy's detailing of the process which made "the Assumption of the Virgin Mary" an infallible doctrine is worth the price of the book alone.

Of all the unique and peculiar doctrines that separate the RCC from Protestants, it can be easily argued that this is the most peculiar. Where is the evidence, scripturally, historically, or otherwise, that Mary was assumed bodily into Heaven? McCarthy relates with inarguable historicity how Pius XII was able to use the RCC notion of tradition to declare ex cathedra a new belief requirement for Roman Catholics, in spite of deafening silence on the matter from the entire body of early Christian fathers.

The book is well organized, with chapters expressing in great detail the Roman Catholic teaching on a topic, followed by a Bibilical response. The material is well authenticated with the Roman Catholic catechism's reference numbers indicated throughout. Every assertion is well documented.

My highest rating, for a well written, interesting and informative book on official Roman Catholic teaching. The first book on my shelf I go to when I need such a resource.

40 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignore all the reviews, but buy the book!, January 17, 2006

By	Richard Teschendorf - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I mean it, ignore ALL the reviews, positive and negative. There are limitless differences of opinion on religion/faith issues and only your opinion should matter to you, but you owe it to yourself to make it an informed one. So buy this book and buy the "Catechism of the Catholic Church". Read the catechism first from front to back. Then read McCarthy's book and cross reference to the catechism. Then pray for guidance while forming your own opinion.

22 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I dare you!, April 21, 2007

By	Vena Cundy "vena renee" (usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I dare you to read this book and not come to the same conclusions as the author! I used this book to inform myself of the facts that as a former catholic I myself did not know about my own religion. I was a good catholic, followed protocol and obeyed all commandments from the church. I stood, I bowed, I kneeled. I confessed, I hailed Mary, and I did not know God personally, I only thought I did, because of my works in following orders. This book shows why burying saints in the ground to obtain a wish, or rubbing a saints medal for protection, or kneeling before a piece of one of the saints body's, is all false hood. Where it all came was man, not God, and God says very clearly throughout the bible, it is through my son Christ that you will see the father, confess and pray only to me, God. Put no gods or idols before me(God), and above all believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, and accept his gift of grace, and you will be instantly justified, not just the first step, but the whole and only step to salvation. This book has helped me understand the religion I grew up in, and left and now understand the one and only way to Christ and salvation. P.S. If you can't understand the bible, it is no mystery. God says your eyes will be covered by scales until you step out in faith, accept Jesus as your savior, then the scales will be removed, and miraculously the bible will open up to you, and you will here Gods voice every time you read his God breathed word, the living Bible. I fully dare you to read both books, and if you can't understand either, then question where your faith lies...