Catholicism Study Edition

Do not be deterred by the negative reviews of Catholic fundamentalists, who basically will not approve of anything unless it has a Nihil Obstat. This exhaustive study of Catholicism presents the Church in all of its facets, and presents the viewpoints of theologians across the "conservative" and "liberal" spectrum. So, if you're looking for a book that will simply repeat what the Magisterium of the Church says, this is not it. If, however, you are interested in what a broad range of Catholic theologians have had to say, this book can not be recommended highly enough. McBrien simply explores what these theologians have to say and some of the critical questions they have raised, while not necessarily endorsing them himself. If you are fearful of modernity and a pluralism of theological viewpoints, do not read this book. If you have an inquiring mind and suspect that there is more to Catholicism than what the Vatican officially states, then this book is for you. Many thanks, Father McBrien.

I purchased this originally for research and really found it a treasure trove of facts. It was objective historically, even with information that the Catholic Church may have been less than thrilled to have out there. This book is a must have for anyone who wants to know more about the faith, not just Roman Catholics, but Protestants and Jews as well. The Cranky Old Lady in Phila

Fr. McBrien takes a lot of flak from conservatives. I guess they don't want people to read his book. Ironically, it was precisely their loud complaining that initially brought this book to my attention. It's funny how things work that way. If you are a very conservative Catholic, you should probably skip this one. When McBrien discusses the teaching against contraception, for example, he doesn't only provide the arguments in favour of the teaching -- he provides arguments against the teaching as well. And even worse, you might even get the impression that McBrien disagrees with the official teaching himself! McBrien has been criticised for presenting official church teachings mixed together with alternative perspectives in a way that might "confuse" people. I think there is little danger of that, since he clearly distinguishes between them. Anyone intellectually deficient enough to be confused is not likely to pick up the book in the first place. It is difficult to shake the suspicion that people making this criticism are resentful of the fact that McBrien even acknowledges dissenting views at all. As a religion teacher, I find myself consulting this book almost constantly. If you just want the teachings of the magisterium, buy a Catechism. If you are looking for a comprehensive overview of Catholic thought, this is the book.

If you're expecting merely another cathecism of this book--as often people are--you'll be disapppointed. If, however, you want a sound, accurate, and scholarly survey not just of Catholicism iteself, but of the environment in which it grew, and continues to exist, this is a great book. McBrien, a priest, and professor of theology at Notre Dame, objectively examines many, many spiritual and theological forces at work within and without the church, since its inception through the present day. These forces, naturally, include many Protestant, and even secular influences. At the end of each section, McBrien provides useful lists for further reading, should you want to explore certain ideas further. Yes, McBrien is a liberal theologian, and no, I am not theologicall liberal. Far from it. But this book is not like the editorials he writes for that left-wing Catholic rag National Catholic Reporter. He doesn't use the book as a platform to advocate for gay marriage or gun control or an end to celibacy among clergy--all of which (and much more) NCR does, and loudly. I read some of the negative reviews here and I have to wonder if these people are reacting to the book, or to what they already think about McBrien. What they seem not to realize--and what McBrien does--is that Catholicism is more than just catechism. Sure, if all you want to know is church doctrine, read the catechism. If you want a deeper look into the history of church doctrine and theology, and the environment in which is has existed and currently exists, though, read this book. It is a work for thinking Catholics. Everyone else should stick to their catechism.

McBrien has done a magnificent job in presenting the Catholic version of Christian theology. His book clearly illustrates the sincerity of the Church's scholars in reconciling faith and reason, and readers will be overwhelmed at how tightly Catholic theology is wound. The astounding aspect of this masterpiece is that it brings together the fundamental richness and diversity of Catholic thinking while showing the utmost respect for Protestant challenges and thought. In fact, McBrien clearly explains that "Catholicism is not some undifferentiated religious view .... but is a form of Christian faith alongside Protestantism, Anglicism, Orthodoxy, and Oriental Christianity." In Catholic theology, he points out, there can be many churches (Lutheran, Baptist, etc.)but one Body of Christ. One thing McBrien gives away, however, and he does so without realizing it, is that the Catholic religion has become, in some cases, separated from the theology on which it is based. For example, the Catholic Church's emphasis on the importance of the sacrements as redemptive instruments, and the restriction of ministry to the ordained seems to go against the traditions of Christiantiy and seems to put the Catholic religion out of sync with the theology on which it should be based. This book will earn the respect of all who constantly look for the marriage of reason and faith in religious principles. It will help them develop their own set of beliefs at the same time that they develop a respect for all religious thought.