Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic

Conversion stories are always a fun read, when one is reading the stories of those who convert to their own faith. Of course, when the conversion is one away from one's own tradition, that is another thing entirely. However, fair is fair, and evangelicals have been publishing and telling conversion stories about how people were "saved" from the Catholic Church since the beginning of their movement some 400 years ago. It is remarkable therefore that some would criticize these humble and powerful stories of people who "swam the Tiber" in the other direction as "triumphalist" (whatever that word means) or inappropriate. Yet that is exactly what many evangelicals have done regarding the renaissance in Catholic apologetics that has occurred over the last 20 years. However, in my opinion, this renaissance is neither "triumphalist" in a negative sense, nor inappropriate. For, in theology, the only way to get at the truth is to use the time honored tool of philosophical reasoning when discussing Divine Revelation. That means making arguments from Sacred Scripture. Arguments invite counterarguments. Reformationists reject the authority of the Church to settle arguments when they get out of hand, or threaten unity. Therefore, we will continue to argue with each other, even while we often work side by side in the trenches fighting things like abortion and so called "gay marriage." This book clearly shows that ideas have consequences, especially when those ideas are religious ones. Every person whose story is in this book is someone who had the courage to not only challenge received "dogma" but also live their life in a way in conformity with their ideas, regardless of the consequences. Luckily, these brave individuals were not building their houses on the sand of their own understanding, but rather on the rock of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. This book and its companion volumes are a great tool when one needs the support they provide. They are also useful for explaining to reasonable non-Catholics why people would find the Catholic Church a place to call home. I struggled with whether to give this book series 4 or 5 stars. As collections of conversion stories go, these are excellent. However, conversion stories are monologues, not dialogues, and are therefore less interesting to me than a good discussion of various theological issues. I feel good editing and inclusion of other ideas (perhaps a commentary?) could have addressed this weakness to some degree. However, fair is fair, and most other faith traditions (especially Fundamentalist Protestantism) don't extend the same intellectual courtesy when discussing the conversion stories of those who chose to leave the Catholic Church. At the very least, these books prove that the Catholic faith is compelling, and reasonable. I, of course, believe it to be true. However, until He comes again, I fear that debate will continue. When we are Christian it will be a good discussion. When

What a wonderful, positive format, in which converts to Catholicism speak for themselves! This entire series is such a great resource for any person who is searching for the truth, who is considering coming into the Catholic Church, or even someone who is just "curious." Their testimony helps me to cherish my faith all the more. Thank you, Patrick Madrid, for giving these people a forum to tell their story!

All three books in the Surprised by Truth series highly recommended. These are personal stories of conversion, and these converts describe the struggles they had with the claims of the Catholic Church. Various backgrounds here: Anglican, former Catholic "reverts", Baptist, Reformed, etc. The apologetics was a little stronger in the first book of the series, but all three are great books. For books with stronger apologetics content get A Biblical Defense of Catholicism by Dave Armstrong, or Steve Ray's book of conversion Crossing the Tiber.To see and hear many of these converts in person, you can check them out on the Journey Home program from EWTN. Wonderful and impressive given all they had to go through to find the truth.Phil Porvaznik

Of the ten wonderful and insightful testimonies of Catholic converts, I discovered two to be particularyly moving. (coincidently, the only two written by women)"Lookin for Truth in all the Wrong Places" above all and Patty Bond's "Freed from Anti-Catholic Bonds"It is stories like these that remind me of the incredible gift I've been blessed with--The Catholic Faith!These women went from zealous Protestants to zealous Catholics! Fantastic and uplifting!