Any Friend of God's, is a Friend of Mine: A Biblical & Historical Exploration of the Catholic Doctrine of the Communion of Saints

The Catholic Church presents and preserves a beautiful teaching about our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone on before us in a state of grace... that we are not separated by death, that our departed loved ones can still hear us and pray for us, and that there is a real union between us.Pat Madrid presents a very brief, yet very substantive book that examines this teaching. Covering topics that range from praying to the saints to the power of saintly relics, Madrid argues almost exclusively from the Scripture, thus making this book a valuable resource in presenting the Communion of the Saints to a bible-only Christian.As you read this book, you will hear the objections against this teaching from both modern apologists as well as the founding fathers of the Reformation (i.e., Calvin and Luther). You will be directed to the Scriptures that support this teaching, and be invited to consider the implications of those Scriptures. You will be taken back into history to see how these teachings (prayers to saints and venerating relics) were actually practiced BEFORE the Church came into being, by the Jews who comprised the first Church.For being such a short, digestible work, this book is dense with truth, and is recommended for daily meditation.

Madrid provides a needed service with this book. He addresses the following subjects: 1) What is the Communion of Saints? 2)Classical Protestant Objections 3)"Me nad Jesus" Christianity Isn't Biblical 4)The "One Mediator" Argument and Other Objections 5)Praying for the Souls in Purgatory 6)The Testamony of the Early Church 7)The Veneration of Relics 8)Statues and Images 9)Does Honoring Mary and the Saints Offend God? 10)Epilogue 11)Appendix: Council of Trent Decree Concerning the Invocation, Veneration, and Relics of Saints and Sacred Images This book has been given to many Protestant friends and has clarified a great deal for them. It is also very useful for Eastern Orthodox Christians, with the exception of the chapter on purgatory (Orthodox have a different understanding of the matter). Other books of interest may include: Discovering the Rich Heritage of Orthodoxy, by Bell; Lossky's, Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church; The Experience of God, by Staniloae; The Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, ed. Ferguson. For a detailed account of Icons and their usage see, The Resurrection and the Icon, by Quenot. Enjoy!

Not only did this book explain some questions I've always had about Catholic devotion to saints, but it was a delight to read. Not intimidating, as many books about the faith can be in their presentation. The writing is clear and to the point, but not dry or lacking in character. Many of the questions I had about the why's of praying to the saints have transformed into lucid and concrete answers that increase my faith in God and the church, and help me discuss the issue intelligently with others. I highly recommend the book to anyone.

"Any Friend of God's" gives the best, clearest explanation of the Catholic doctrine of the communion of saints I've ever seen. The biblical evidence shown in this book for honoring and praying to Mary and the saints is impressive, especially in the way it thoroughly refutes many standard Protestant arguments. Great book to give to non-Catholics who want to understand Catholic teaching about praying to saints.

I loved this book! The communion of saints is one of the most misunderstood Catholic teachings. "Any Friend of God's Is a Friend of Mine" is the first book I've ever read that tackles the biblical and historical evidences that support this crucial Catholic teaching. The Catholic practice of honoring Mary and the saints, asking for their intercession (after all, doesn't the Bible say we should pray for one another? 1 Tim. 2;1-4), and using statues, icons and sacred images, is clearly shown to be scriptural. When Catholics honor and ask for the intercession of Mary and the saints (our departed fellow Christians), they are not commiting "idolotry" -- and this book proves it.