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Summary: Try as I might. . .
Review: . . .I can't be supportive of this effort.Fr. McBrien, a popular American theologian with a long history of dissent against the Church he purports to support, has provided in this text a wonderfully, post-modern, late 20th century apologetic for his ideas about what he believes Catholicism should be. As someone who rejects post-modernism, both philosophically and theologically, I find that the 'religion' he presents is merely a poor shadow of the Christian faith I know and love. (And I'm not even a Roman Catholic) The text is scholarly, no doubt about it, (I will give credit where credit is due) and is a useful as a reference tool. (I've had the previous 2 volume edition on my shelves for years) But I'm concerned that the picture of Catholicism it presents is so heavily weighted in favor of McBrien's pet issues that it obscures the reality of what the Church 'is' and what the Church 'means'. For those who want to understand what the Catholic faith is really about, I would suggest that your time and money is far better spent on the "Catechism of the Catholic Church".
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Summary: want to know what's wrong with catholicism? ...
Review: ... Read this book. The whole accurate history of the most dictatorial and evil religion out there. You'll better understand where its followers are coming from and where they get their strange ideas about what constitutes good living and spirituality. It covers the inquisition, the burning of scientists, and the present day crusades against science, all common sense and compassion. To understand pure evil, this is the book for you.
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Summary: Not exactly the best book on Catholicism
Review: As a convert to the Catholic Church whose conversion was intellectual to begin with, I believed that this book might help me understand more deeply some of the complex theological and historical issues dealing with Catholicism. What I found was a well intentioned no doubt, but misguided sense of ecumenism throughout. Perhaps the part which disturbed me the most was the point at the end where McBrien stated that the Papacy's existence need not always necessarily be so. McBrien it seems is simply another Notre Dame Americanized liberalized theologian who refuses to humble himself and his opinions before the truth which is actually taught by the Church. The fact that he would even mention someone like Hans Kung should be anathema to any knowlegable Catholic, and an indication to educated protestant theologians reading this book that what is written is not an accurate representation of what we as Catholics -- practicing Catholics mind you -- believe and know to be true.
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Summary: Revisionism and fuzzy thinking undermine this work
Review: As a student of history and theology, I found McBrien's presentation to be shockingly unacademic. Any work of this sort must make better use of early sources, such as Church Fathers and Doctors. Too often McBrien uses condescending remarks to dismiss serious positions. Other times the book reads like one of his newspaper columns, and fares as badly as the "Coneheads" skit being expanded into a major motion picture.
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Summary: It's great
Review: Catholicism is a comprehensive work of Richard McBrian. It has helped me a lot in my studies and preaching. It gives a clear picture of catholic doctrines and beliefs.
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Summary: Stilted
Review: Despite the size of this tome, McBrien's work leaves glaring omissions and fails to even consider obvious reposnses to his assertions. Can anyone say "straw man"?
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Summary: The definitive work on Catholicism in the 20th century.
Review: Despite what conservative-fundamentalists and literalist might say, simply the definitive work on Catholicism in the 20th century. An high level scholarly work, giving a balanced, widespread view of the development and views of Catholicism along with alternative and compatible positions of Protestant as well as other religions. Every reference I've checked in this book (and there are numerous) has panned out. Detailed citations to decisions of the ecumenical councils. Complicated points of view, are presented clearly, not simplistically and with great concern showing an in-depth approach to the subject material. McBrien does not shy away from controversion issues, such as the Sexuality of Jesus, which conservatives would shun to even think of, let alone to scholarly do work on. His approach is at a high scientific and theological level. This source is a must for anyone who is seriously considering professional scholarship and theology. First rate scholarly work.
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Summary: Comprehensive in every regard
Review: Explores Church history, beliefs, and interactions with both the ancient as well as the contemporary world. As clear as a book on spiritual subjects can be, exceptional for the layperson.
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Summary: A valuable reference
Review: For the Catholic who wishes to find an overview of the various streams of theological discourse on a variety of issues, you can't do much better than this. Fr. McBrien's rather even-handed approach to vearious issues is sure to infuriate very conservative Catholics (witness some of the flaming reviews posted here), but if his work is viewed as a survey rather than as another volume of the Catechism it is very valuable. I read this book to get an idea of the range of opinions, and then turn to the Catechism in order to discern the Church's official teaching.
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Summary: Misleading at best
Review: For those that truly want to know what the Catholic Church stands for, this is NOT the book to read. McBrien, perhaps in an honest, but misguided, sense of ecumenicalism has watered down some core truths about the Church. By saying that Catholicism is "equal in truth" to other faiths he denies the very vows he takes. While Catholics believe that our separated Protestant brethen have shares of the truth, it is the belief that the Catholic Church carries the full truth, and McBrien should know this. I would warn fence straddling, lapsed and new Catholics away from this book, and urge non-Catholics to seek more orthodox Catholic writers than McBrien. His book does not reflect actual Church teachings!
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