Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith
by Scott Hahn
List Price:
Our Price: $12.96
You Save: $9.99 (44%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.91 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Scott HahnBrand: Random House
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-08
ISBN: 0385509359
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Doubleday Religion
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780385509350
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith
Book Review: A Banquet Serving Up Three Courses for the Student
Summary: 5 Stars
In this book, Scott Hahn writes three separate topical essays, which are further divided into chapters. In this online review, I'll [ap]praise each section.
The first subdivision is titled "Natural Reasons," which introduces the reader to natural theology: knowledge of God ascertained from reason and creation (or, natural revelation) without the aid of divine revelation. Hahn demonstrates that natural faith (faith in objects other than "God") is a common phenomenon, which we all exercise on a regular basis, often without realizing it. Not only that, but faith is necessary and therefore consistently applied in many instances, especially in the scientific field. In addition to this form of faith, the author proves the parallel case with morality in very clear and brief terms (Bravo!). I especially enjoyed this brief excerpt: "Or they say, 'You should never impose your morality on other people' - which is itself a moral prescription! In rejecting morality, people must paradoxically embrace a morality that is opposite and equally imposing" (p. 41). Upon making a case for natural theology and natural law - with abundant references and suggestions for further reading in the endnotes - Hahn explains how this exercise cannot bring one into the realm of divine faith and the subsequent Christian way of life because reason has its limits, yet points to divine faith, and is then elevated by that faith.
The middle theme of the book surveys and summarizes a Biblical defense of Catholic 'distinctives' in the realm of Christianity for those uninitiated in Catholic apologetic works designed for those who engage in discussions with Protestant Christians. This is a very charitable, well-worded, and concise treatment of the common objections non-Catholic Christians raise; these particular "reasons to believe" should become common knowledge among Catholics who move in today's multi-denominational culture. They will strengthen your faith as a Catholic Christian and give you a means to - lovingly - explain the prevailing objections on the street. For those who have read books such as Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians", Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God (Catholic for a Reason), or Where Is That In the Bible?, this section will bore you. But don't let that deter you from adding this text to your library... why you ask? The answer lies in the Tertia Pars (third part)!
The third and final essay of this book, "Royal Reasons," is a summarized treatment of how the Catholic Faith and Church is the divine culmination of Israel's history in the Old Testament. Dr. Hahn focuses upon the theme of the Davidic Kingdom, which is absolutely central to the way the Gospels speak of Jesus and his Church - for Jesus came to renew, fulfill, and transform the latest and greatest covenant God made with Israel: the Davidic Covenant (See 2 Samuel 7)! The reader - if unfamiliar with the dense and valuable information packed in these chapters - should carefully read and re-read pages 141-197. In my own experience, a clear presentation of these points has done more to advance my own personal understanding of the New Testament than the study of any other paradigm. The original authors of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) presumed their audiences to have been familiar with what Hahn unpacks in (or one could say, packs into) Chapters 11-15 of "Reasons to Believe." You will feel as if you're engaging in the sweet course at the end of a meal as you devour the royal reasons.
Finally, as in all of Hahn's books, the endnotes are jam-packed with great insights as to what to read to go deeper, and deeper is where you'll want to dive when you finally put down this book.
As a parish director of adult formation, I am going to purchase a number of copies and give them to those Catholics on the fringes that are searching. I believe this book is the answer they are looking for, and I pray it will both deepen the laity's resolve to embrace the Faith wholeheartedly and instill a desire to engage in [and aid] the primary mission of the Church on earth: evangelization.
More Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Summary of Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith
This book unravels mysteries, corrects misunderstandings, and offers thoughtful, straightforward responses to common objections about the Catholic faith.
Bestselling author Scott Hahn, a convert to Catholicism, has experienced the doubts that so often drive discussions about God and the Church. In the years before his conversion, he was first a nonbeliever and then an anti-Catholic clergyman.
In REASONS TO BELIEVE, he explains the "how and why" of the Catholic faith?drawing from Scripture, his own struggles and those of other converts, as well as from everyday life and even natural science. Hahn shows that reason and revelation, nature and the supernatural, are not opposed to one another; rather they offer complementary evidence that God exists. But He doesn't merely exist. He is someone, and He has a personality, a personal style, that is discernible and knowable. Hahn leads readers to see that God created the universe with a purpose and a form?a form that can be found in the Book of Genesis and that is there when we view the natural world through a microscope, through a telescope, or through our contact lenses.
At the heart of the book is Hahn's examination of the ten "keys to the kingdom"?the characteristics of the Church clearly evident in the Scriptures. As the story of creation discloses, the world is a house that has a Father, a palace where the king is really present. God created the cosmos to be a kingdom, and that kingdom is the universal Church, fully revealed by Jesus Christ.
Catholicism Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Catholicism Books
Bernadette of Lourdes: A Life Based on Authenticated Documentsby René Laurentin
Winston Press; Published: 1979; Paperback; Book
El catolicismoby Bob O'Gorman Ph.D., Mary Faulkner M.A., Bob O'Gorman, Mary Faulkner
Alpha; Published: 2001-10-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops:
Love, Joy, Peaceby Mother Teresa
Zondervan; Published: 1998-09-07; Paperback; Book
Seeking God: The Way of St.Benedictby Esther de Waal
Fount; Published: 1984; Paperback; Book
Freedom to Rejoice: Understanding St. John of the Crossby Norbert Cummins
Harpercollins; Published: 1992-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.25
Achievement of John Henry Newmanby Ian Ker
T&T Clark Int'l; Published: 2001-01-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $27.01
Price in other shops:
Novena of Our Ladys Rosary:William J Hirten Company; Published: 1994-10; Paperback; Book
When in Romeby Robert Hutchinson
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd; Published: 2000; Paperback; Book
Hitler's Popeby John Cornwell
Penguin MD; Published: 2000-10-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $24.87
God's Choice: Pope Benedict XVI and the Future of the Catholic Churchby George Weigel
Harper Perennial; Published: 2006-11-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.58
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supperby Brant Pitre
Random House; Image; Published: 2011-02-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.97
Price in other shops:
Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians"by Karl Keating
Ignatius Press; Ignatius Press; Published: 1988-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.52
Price in other shops:
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass (Book): Understanding What We Say and Do In The Liturgyby Edward Sri
Catholic Word; Ascension Press; Published: 2011-01-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.87
Price in other shops:
A Pocket Guide to the Bibleby Scott Hahn
Our Sunday Visitor; Our Sunday Visitor; Published: 2008-06-16; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.45
Price in other shops:
Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confessionby Scott Hahn
Random House; Doubleday Religion; Published: 2003-03-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $8.77
Price in other shops:
Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of Godby Scott Hahn
Random House; Image; Published: 2006-09-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.24
Price in other shops:
A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scriptureby Scott Hahn
St. Anthony Messenger Press; Servant Books; Published: 1998-03-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.50
Price in other shops:
The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earthby Scott Hahn
Random House; Doubleday Religion; Published: 1999-11-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.48
Price in other shops:
Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Rootsby Scott Hahn
Random House; Doubleday Religion; Published: 2009-11-03; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.69
Price in other shops:
Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicismby Scott Hahn, Kimberly Hahn
Ignatius Press; Ignatius Press; Published: 1993-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.68
Price in other shops: