Rating: 
Summary: Why do Catholics Do that? I STILL DONT KNOW
Review: Fair Disclosure: I am a Protestant. I picked up this book eager to find an intelligent answer to some qeustions such as: Why do Catholics disapprove of Birth control? What is the explanation of the really corrupt Popes of the middle ages? How come they did not come out against slavery until after it was pretty much gone anyway? Instead I got some interesting information about how the Church runs, and some history that contradicts most other sources (the history included never mentions any incident that would make the church look bad), but NOTHING about the origins of some of the points of view I was curious about.
Rating: 
Summary: succinct, enlightening
Review: Johnson examines the traditions of the Church in efficient and lucid prose. This book can serve as an engaging introduction to Catholicism, or if the reader is Catholic, as a bracing affirmation. Johnson effectively clarifies the tradition, meaning, spirit -- and beauty -- of the Church. Some question the Church's truth (its doctrine, symbols, hierarchy, methods of worship), but as Johnson makes clear, one finds truth through Faith. Even if you have inclinations that do not extend beyond the secular, Johnson's work is accurate and informative and will provide answers to your questions ("What's up with the Pope? How did Mary ascend into Heaven? Why do Catholics consider abortion murder?"). If you have a taste for fiction, Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited" is an excellent novel which brings to life the joy and turmoil of an Anglo-Catholic family through the eyes of a protestant narrator. It's a beautiful story, and Johnson's work can serve as a handy guide, if the reader needs to decipher opaque references to Catholic tradition and doctrine.
Rating:
Summary: clear & helpful
Review: I first read this book when I was attending RCIA classes three years ago. It answered the many questions that I had regarding simple things such as, why the different colors of vestment robes and the like. I found the answers to be suprisingly clear and helpful. It is also a good source of information for when my daughter asks "Why do we do that?". I am now giving the book to the elect that I am currently sponsoring in RCIA as a gift.
Rating: 
Summary: The Dividing Line
Review: It's achingly simple to see the dividing line in the reviews below...those who "desire to hear the Truth" and those who don't have the capacity to accept it.The author of this book underscores his detail of historical doctrine with a zeal for Christ that invites the reader to further know and love the character of God and His Church. He endeavors to uncover not just the facts but the personalities of those who unearthed them. He gives a three dimentional look at well known historians, saints, and laymen who were driven to explore and gift us with all with understanding through and of Christ. There are gems about Luther and Assisi that I hadn't come across until picking up this book. Excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: Follow up on previous book review
Review: If you do some digging into the first reviews on this book, you will find one that I wrote quite a while back. When I first read the book I was looking into going through the RCIA process, and wanted to read on the church and its practices before I jumped into the classes. At that time that I first read the book, I had no previous knowledge about the Catholic church, since I was raised protestant. When I read the book looking for information and "why do they do that?", I found the book had a very cocky Catholics-are-the-only-absolute-true-church-without-a-doubt attitude and 'Protestants are just horrible and so incorrect that there is no hope for them'...it seemed like Kevin Johnson was trying to sell the church off like a new model of car by making the text showy and trying to point out all the great features. I finished the book, wrote that review, and put the book on my shelf where it stayed for months. Since then I did join RCIA, and am planning on entering the church in April. I decided to reread the book to see if maybe my past review was wrong. When I read the book with all of my RCIA knowledge and better insight to the Catholic church, it made more sense...and the proposed "cocky attitude of the author" was not there. I have other friends in RCIA who have read the book, and we conclude that perhaps to people that have no previous knowledge about the church, it is not a good book. But if someone already knows the basics (such as a Catholic that has been away from the church for a while, or wants to deepen their faith in the church) this book would be wonderful. It truely is full of knowledge, but someone with no background other than in protestant churches may misinterpret things that are said, and be offended by the book. I would not recommend this book for a gift to someone that is not catholic, but wants to just learn about the church...I am afraid that it will cause more confusion than it will help them. However, used with several other books on Catholicism, this is an excellent reference.
Rating:
Summary: A Jewel of a Book
Review: I loved this book so much that I have shared it with friends, including my pastor who found it true to the faith and exceptionally well written. I am a librarian and enjoy reading books on my faith. These books have been useful on specific subjects but did little to fill in those little holes that made me crazy but I never thought to ask about. This book caused me several times to say to myself, "Ah, so that's what that's all about"! I attend mass at least five days a week, teach religious ed., and have served on parish council so I thought I knew everything. Boy, was I wrong and how fun to be set straight so gently. This is not a book to be gulped down in one mouthful; you'd choke on all the information, instead savor it chapter by chapter. I highly recommend this book to Catholics, practicing and non-practicing, and anybody who wants to learn more about the Church.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing! (And slightly offensive.)
Review: As half of an interfaith marriage, I bought this book to learn more about Catholicism, and to use it as a reference to teach our children. Honestly, I am only on page 33 and I find the book offensive enough to put down. It is definately biased, full of information on why Catholics are right and the rest of us are wrong. But, in addition, it is not written as an easy read for people not familiar with the religion. I don't think I'll complete the book, I will look elsewhere for a reference.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: Yes, I'm Catholic -- always have been. I bought this book while taking a bible study course on the Acts of the Apostles. I wanted to know more about the beginning of the Church. It's been over a year since I read it -- I found it profoundly enlightening, and continue to learn from it. I've read many of the reviews here, and am surprised at the negative accounts. The author has a definite writing style -- he's actually VERY funny -- but I think he is being taken by many to be haughty. Instead, I find him to be a true believer -- he is very secure in his Catholicism -- that's why he wrote the book! Kevin Orlin Johnson has taken VOLUMES of material and gleaned powerful information to show us what makes Catholicism unique. I couldn't help but read much of it out loud to my family, as it was so exciting to examine the history from which our practices developed. I found it humbling and inspiring at the same time. It's one of the best books I've ever read! Even more important, I believe it will move the reader to want to learn more about his/her own faith through Scripture and other publications, whether Catholic or not. It surely motivated me!
Rating:
Summary: Why Do Catholics Do That?
Review: This book was awesome! Dr. Johnson tackles a huge mountain of information and history; and catalogs it into many fascinating chapters, written so laymen can understand. Previous to purchasing this book, I had read the Amazon.com reviews and noted that some had complained about Dr. Johnson's negativity towards Protestants. I did not find this to be at all true, and I am one!Dr. Johnson not only writes with great authority, but also with much humor, and his book is extremely readable. It has inspired me to read further on many of the topics he covered. Definately a Five Star read!
Rating:
Summary: Informative and interesting
Review: A good text if you are interested in understanding many customs, traditions, as well as some of the rituals of the Catholic faith. The book is very useful for understanding church culture, but probably not theology.
|
