Kregel Academic has added another wonderful addition to their 40 Questions series. This one is titled 40 Questions about Roman Catholicism, and it is authored by Gregg R. Allison and edited by Benjamin Merkle.
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40 Questions About Roman Catholicism
Here are just a few of the reasons why I appreciate the format of this book:
- Question and Answer format: This is a proven method for effective teaching.
- Short chapters: If one utilizes this book as a resource, you can easily find your question/answer for a quick study.
- Summaries: In addition to what I just mentioned, each chapter has a summary section at the end. Sometimes I will just read the summary, and if I feel the need for further teaching or elaboration, I’ll dive into the entire chapter.
- Reference: Though I typically enjoy reading books from cover to cover, these types of books are such valuable resources that can be referenced again and again, and as mentioned above, it’s very user-friendly.
Differences Between Protestant Christians and Roman Catholics
This book is much needed today. As a Protestant Christian, I think that it is very important to understand our differences with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstanding about the teachings of the RCC, and oftentimes Protestants are guilty of maligning the RCC and even misrepresenting what the RCC teaches. Even though there are vast disagreements and differences that need to be discussed and dealt with, it’s still important to understand correctly what it is that the largest church in the world actually teaches. Enter this volume in the 40 Questions series!
Allison breaks the book into three parts:
- Historical and Foundational Questions
- Theological Questions
- Contemporary and Personal Questions
Here is a sampling of questions found in this book:
- What led to the division between Catholicism and Protestantism?
- How did Vatican Council II influence Roman Catholicism?
- How do Catholics understand the interdependence between nature and grace?
- What is Tradition in the RCC?
- What is the Catholic magisterium, and how does it exercise authority?
- What happens during a Roman Catholic mass?
- Why do Catholics celebrate seven sacraments and Protestants only two?
- What is the process of salvation according to Catholic theology?
- Why are some leaving Protestant churches and joining Catholic Churches?
Doesn’t that small list of questions whet your appetite? And that’s just 9 out of 40! This book is so well written, and Allison shows much humility and charity as he writes about a church that he largely disagrees with. He is, without a doubt, an expert in Roman Catholicism, and he is the right man to help Protestants rightly understand what the RCC teaches and believes as well as what the Protestant church teaches and believes. That is perhaps one of the greatest strengths of this book! Allison not only articulates very well what the RCC teaches, but he often adds a section in his chapters about what it is the Protestant church believes also. This allows the reader to not only come to a right understanding of the RCC teaching, but it also provides the reader the opportunity to grow in their knowledge of what Protestants believe and why they believe it.
Conclusion
This book was so enjoyable to read, and I have no doubt that any Christian, Protesant or Catholic, will benefit from and enjoy this book by Allison. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Tolle lege, take up and read!
Disclaimer: My thanks to Kregel Academic for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Other Book Reviews in the “40 Questions” Series:
- 40 Questions About Islam
- 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell
- 40 Questions About Pastoral Ministry
- 40 Questions About Prayer
- 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
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