Product Description

A new study edition of the classic that has sold over 150,000 copies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36872 in Books
• Published on: 1994-05-19
• Released on: 1994-05-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1344 pages

From Library Journal
This thorough revision of McBrien's best-selling summary of Roman Catholic theology, history, and moral values is an important statement of what it means to be a Catholic Christian. McBrien, a priest and professor of theology at Notre Dame, provides a marvelous synthesis of contemporary interpretations in a compendium designed for the general reader. Throughout, McBrien is faithful to tradition and to contemporary scholarship; he does not hesitate to raise probing questions and to suggest needed changes in teaching and practices. Human existence, God, Jesus Christ, the Church, the sacraments, Christian morality, and Christian spirituality all receive intensive treatment; Orthodox and Protestant views receive respectful consideration. Essential for all libraries, including those with earlier editions.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"A vital resource for grasping the dynamism of Catholicism." -- --Mary C. Boys, S.N.J.M., Union Theological Seminary

"No less indispensable now than was its predecessor." -- --Nicholas Lash, Cambridge University

"Now McBrien has even surpassed his previous achievement, and has ensured the continued service of this modern classic." -- --Thomas H. Groome, Boston College

"Seldom are masterpieces improved on...[but] this new edition must be hailed as a great triumph in its own right." -- --Eugene Kennedy

"The clearest and most competent guide in the English language to the Catholic Church's origins, teaching, traditions, and developments." -- --Gerald O'Collins, S.J., Gregorian University

"[Catholicism]...now commendably contains developments of the past decade from papal teaching to liberation and feminist theologies." -- --Elizabeth A. Johnson, Fordham University

About the Author
Richard McBrien, the bestselling author of Catholicism and general editor of the HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, is a leading TV, radio, and newspaper commentator on the Catholic Church. He is the Crowley-O'Brien-Walter Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.

Customer Reviews

An Excellent, Accurate Survey
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.

Interesting introduction, though...
Raised a Protestant I had always been taught that Catholicism consisted of kissing somebody's ring, praying to Mary, and paying penance. I now look back on my lacking religious education with dread. "Catholicism" did away with many of those stereotypes. While it was a good introduction to Catholicism, I feel it's not fully representative of the purest form of the religion. His use of "cocreators with God" applied to humans sounds as if he's stretching logic to its limits just to be able to say those words. Why? It's provocative. All in all, a good book, but have another catechism and Bible nearby.

Format
This book is set up very well. It is easy to understand with chapters placed logically for someone wanting to learn about the Catholic Church. However, it only gets 4 stars from me, because of it's size. I think this would have been better formated as 2, or even 3 seperate books. (i.e. Catholicism, Part 1... approximately 600 pages, Catholicism, part 2) I say this as a warning to potential purchasers, as it is not easy to carry with you and read. Instead, you will have to read this one at home.

As for the individuals who seem so upset about the freedom of the author's thought, and opinion... one of the biggest complaints of the bishops (mentioned on the webpage posted below) was that McBrien refers to the virgin birth as "unlikely." That being said, having just read Daughter Zion, by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a great theologian in his own right, he also refers to the virgin birth with the word "unlikely," though he also says, not impossible. Also, the bishops didn't say this was not to be read, but not to be read by the people they see as not intelligent enough (I didn't word that well, all apologies for my deficiency) to understand the complexity of opinion. (I believe they use the words, parishoners and undergraduate students) So, in other words, they're saying there are some tough concepts covered in this work. Come to this book, knowing the differences between opinion and fact.

When you read this, do not read it as a simplicist would read the bible. Instead, read it as an opinion, and well constructed history. This book is useful for Catholics and non-catholics alike. I didn't find the open-mindedness of this book to be over my head, and my degrees are in education, not theology. But, there is nothing wrong with not understanding every concept covered here. Overall, this is an enjoyable book to read.