Basics of the Catholic Faith

I like this little book ... and if you're looking for some light reading that will help you gain insight into the beliefs of Catholics, this volume is for you. The Coleman family has done a good job of outlining the basics of the faith while avoiding the tendency toward "Catholic fundamentalism" that is so pervasive today. The answers in this booklet are laid out so as to be readable and well-organized. The authors wisely avoid divisive issues, but they do a good job introducing non-doctrinal issues that are being discussed in the church today (such as gospel authorship and mandatory celibacy for priests). Although there are a couple of places in the book where nuance might be helpful, one must remember that this volume is offered as a simple expression of the basics of the Roman Catholic faith. In that sense, the authors have done a nice job and I recommend this volume to those who are looking for such an introduction.