Crossing the Tiber

Most interesting book I have read on my catholic faith and written by a converted Baptist/Evangelist....Love the book...I highly recommend this book!!!

Introduction: Back in 1994 Stephen K. Ray began writing "Crossing the Tiber" as an attempt to explain to his Baptist family (and his Evangelical friends) his spiritual and intellectual journey into Catholicism. This is a conversion story (and a Roman-Catholic apologetics) book unlike any other. It has been helpful in my pilgrim's journey from a Baptist-family background to a more historical and liturgical tradition found in the Lutheran movement. The Tiber is a river that traverses the city of Rome and borders the Vatican state. Author: Ray, and his wife, come from strong Evangelical families, and his writing shows his candor, courage, and theological literacy. The Rays have spent years investigating and researching Church history, doctrine and theology (sola Scriptura, etc.), studying the Bible and reading the writings of the Church Fathers. The author seems to be very much in love with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and its faith but do not let his overly enthusiastic tone be confused with lack of theological and historical knowledge. Content: From the very beginning the author explains his purpose for writing this book and its intent is to be " 'pastoral' in tone - not combative and harsh." The content of the book seems a bit academic, because there are many comprehensive and useful footnotes which sometimes take up 80% of the respective page. There is a good index at the end, and also a bibliographical list of the research books the author used the most in his journey across the Tiber. The book is divided into three strategic parts. Part one, tells the story of how the Ray's belief in fundamental evangelical Protestantism of Sola Scriptura started to crumble, how they were confronted and troubled by some historical and theological issues, and how they compared the Greek, eastern Christian tradition (Orthodoxy) with the Latin, western Christian tradition (Roman-Catholicism). I was dissapointed that in the pages that Stephen discusses Orthodoxy (a church that he almost decided to join!) he only shallowly enumerates the issues that made him chose the other ancient historical church - the Roman Catholic Church (page 79). In this section, Ray exhuberantly and almost evangelically talks about the RCC as the true ancient church "with a two-thousand year continuum" while not acknowledging that many well-meaning and well-informed Protestants and Orthodox believers disagree with the interpretations and teachings of the RCC. Part two and three are the heart of this study book or journey from Protestantism to Catholicism. Here the author does an excellent job presenting the cultural, historical, exegetical, and theological understanding of the effecacious nature of Baptism and the deep meaning of the Eucharist (Communion, Mass, Lord's Supper) by analyzing the Biblical (both OT and NT) verses and Early Church writings on these two very important topics in Christianity. These concise yet thorough sections are the best resources of

Steve Ray, once a fundamentalist Baptist, and now convert to the Catholic faith has written an excellent conversion story. When Steve converted his whole family converted with him. This is the story of that conversion.As with most conversions, Steve did a lot of soul searching. He also did a lot of research.Part of Steve's research into the Catholic faith appears in a very readable, but comprehensive, form in this book. Aside from a conversion story, this book is also a thorough treatise on baptism and the eucharist. Steve's remarks on these topics are concise and heavily supported by scripture.Steve also provides a wonderful commentary on how the early church fathers believed in the Catholic understanding of the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) and baptism. As Cardinal Newman, a convert from the Anglican faith, once stated, "To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant."These words bode true for Steve Ray. Sometimes it can be a hard pill to swallow when you realize that your suppositions that the Catholic faith had engineered their position on baptism and the eucharist to conform with pagan belief and custom is utterly false and not proven true by scripture or early (i.e., 1st & 2nd century) church history. Steve does a great job of refuting these suppositions.Steve swallowed this bitter pill and the result was his conversion and this excellent and well thought out book. The treatment of the eucharist and baptism is thorough so take your time in reading this.Most importantly, this book is a charitable presentation of Catholic truth. Steve Ray, like many converts to the faith, does not find it necessary to denigrate the faith of protestants in order to make his points. His argument is forceful because it is well made and has the ring of truth. Most protestants, I think, would enjoy reading this book. A good book for all.

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.

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.