Rating: 
Summary: "An Invitation to Come Inside"
Review: This book is a quite simply an invitation to view a variety of controversial issues from a Catholic perspective rather than the popular view outside the Church. In much the same manner as stained glass appears differently on a sunny day depending on whether one is outside or inside a church, so with Catholic thought. A sampling: "God in search of us is not just an example of religion. It is not another episode in spirituality. It is, the Catholic Church proposes, nothing less than the truth of the world." A great Christmas present for yourself or anyone you know, now or any time during the year.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a serious defense; pleasing to those who already believe
Review: This book is good for people who already have faith in Catholic doctrine and who aren't looking for a serious defense of Catholicism's weak points. Weigel does a good job of pointing out some of the beauties of the faith, and I appreciated his explanations of Vatican II. When it comes to the thorny issues, though, such as why Catholics forbid women the priesthood, this book proved to be one of the most intellectually weak opinion pieces I have ever read. It's full of either-or fallacies; straw men; and misdirected, missing, and contradictory arguments. For example, Weigel refers to the "common priesthood of all the people of God" (p. 66) and refers to the "personal equality of all the people of the Church by reason of their being created in the image of God, and their spiritual equality because of their baptism" (p. 67). Then, on the same page no less, he begins an argument that men are the only gender fit for priesthood because their "maleness" allows them to "iconographically re-present Christ." To me that sounded oddly like Animal Farm's "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Furthermore, there's more than one flaw in Weigel's argument here. Weigel argues that humanity can't handle worshipping Cardinal Ratzinger's "invisible, remote, and mysterious" God without creating more accessible images, like a golden calf. Therefore, the male priest presents the image of Jesus that our human weakness requires. But why is it the maleness of the priest that makes this substitute effective? Of all the qualities of Jesus one might want a priest to embody, why is gender-rather than faith, compassion, selflessness, or wisdom, for example-a dominant one? Moreover, if it -is- gender that makes the difference, would a sex change operation qualify a woman for priesthood? Weigel doesn't take up these arguments; he merely asserts opinion. I bought this book based on the glowing reviews of the other readers, hoping for a reason to believe in Catholic theology, and was highly disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Not a serious defense; pleasing to those who already believe
Review: This book is good for people who already have faith in Catholic doctrine and who aren't looking for a serious defense of Catholicism's weak points. Weigel does a good job of pointing out some of the beauties of the faith, and I appreciated his explanations of Vatican II. When it comes to the thorny issues, though, such as why Catholics forbid women the priesthood, this book proved to be one of the most intellectually weak opinion pieces I have ever read. It's full of either-or fallacies; straw men; and misdirected, missing, and contradictory arguments. For example, Weigel refers to the "common priesthood of all the people of God" (p. 66) and refers to the "personal equality of all the people of the Church by reason of their being created in the image of God, and their spiritual equality because of their baptism" (p. 67). Then, on the same page no less, he begins an argument that men are the only gender fit for priesthood because their "maleness" allows them to "iconographically re-present Christ." To me that sounded oddly like Animal Farm's "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Furthermore, there's more than one flaw in Weigel's argument here. Weigel argues that humanity can't handle worshipping Cardinal Ratzinger's "invisible, remote, and mysterious" God without creating more accessible images, like a golden calf. Therefore, the male priest presents the image of Jesus that our human weakness requires. But why is it the maleness of the priest that makes this substitute effective? Of all the qualities of Jesus one might want a priest to embody, why is gender-rather than faith, compassion, selflessness, or wisdom, for example-a dominant one? Moreover, if it -is- gender that makes the difference, would a sex change operation qualify a woman for priesthood? Weigel doesn't take up these arguments; he merely asserts opinion. I bought this book based on the glowing reviews of the other readers, hoping for a reason to believe in Catholic theology, and was highly disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Complex Issues Explained Simply and Clearly
Review: This is a short book, and it is not comprehensive with respect to ALL of the issues which confront Catholic's today. It is not intended to be. Nonetheless, "The Truth of Catholicism : Ten Controversies Explored," provides a clear presentation and lucid, (relatively) easy-to-understand explanations of many of the controversies, problems and challenges facing the Catholic Church. Unlike some books in the old-style apologetic tradition, this book presents the various topics with a reasoned prose so that the reader understands not only WHAT the position of the church is, but the HOW and WHY the church holds its positions. As a result, both faithful Catholics and skeptics alike can develop a deeper understanding of the Church.
Rating:
Summary: Complex Issues Explained Simply and Clearly
Review: This is a short book, and it is not comprehensive with respect to ALL of the issues which confront Catholic's today. It is not intended to be. Nonetheless, "The Truth of Catholicism : Ten Controversies Explored," provides a clear presentation and lucid, (relatively) easy-to-understand explanations of many of the controversies, problems and challenges facing the Catholic Church. Unlike some books in the old-style apologetic tradition, this book presents the various topics with a reasoned prose so that the reader understands not only WHAT the position of the church is, but the HOW and WHY the church holds its positions. As a result, both faithful Catholics and skeptics alike can develop a deeper understanding of the Church.
Rating:
Summary: an excellent introduction to Catholicism
Review: This is a wonderful and compelling introduction to Catholicism. In that sense it does not exactly begin a new literary style. However, it has the interest of presenting the theme in a very contemporary and clear language. The book can be interesting to the agnostic looking for a clear, short enough and understandable book about the issue. It can also be useful to catholics looking for new ways to present the Faith.
Rating:
Summary: "Getting it Straight from the Inside Out"
Review: Weigel's book is very timely. Catholics are constantly asked questions regarding their faith by those who are attacking the faith and by those who are simply interested. This book covers ten essential current event happens in the Church and gives the reader great information and insight as to the reasoning behind the actions of the Church.
The format is very readable and "user friendly". It is a book you would not hestitate to give to a friend, as it explains things clearly. It is firm in the Catholic stance, but it never talks down to the potential non-catholic reader. Weigel's compassion and understanding of the human condition are evident from the first sentence, leading the inquizative reader through what could be misunderstood as a jungle of Catholic double-talk, with the ease of a seasoned guide. Showing the reasonableness of why Catholics do what they do
Get as many of these as you can, and hand them out. In today's world of people believing that there are no good reasons to believe in anything, this book not only gives the reasons, but shines the light on where to get them.
Rating: 
Summary: Controversies Explored, left unsolved
Review: Where I believe the author was sincere in his desire to answer some of the major myths surrounding Catholicism, some of which are popularly shared by Catholics themselves, I think in the end this book simply serves to enforce the common view of a lumbering instituion that has faced tremendous difficulty in forming and communicating its own Gospel to even its own adherents. The papacy of the twentieth century are depicted as men of great wisdom, intellect, vision and extraordinary Christlike individual compassion, especially Pope John Paul II, and as a Catholic I found this particularly enlightening. The chapters on ultimate truths, human suffering and sex were worthy of intellectual and spiritual thought, however the book's greatest failing truly begins and ends in the chapter on Other Christians, Other Religions. It is here in the realm of ecumenicalism that I found great weakness. In the end, if read carefully, one can easily see that Catholicism as portrayed by the author continues to dismiss certain "classes" of Christian faith while embracing others, and though on the surface appears to embrace a world vision of "can't we all just get along," the undertones of a subtle Catholic arrogance defiantly rears its two-sided head. Overall, an informative book, worth reading by all questioning the Catholic faith, and instructive to Catholics themselves. A decent blueprint at best of areas that ought to be avoided and of those that should be more fully embraced. Leaves as much grey matter as a hook to hang a hat on.
Rating:
Summary: Brillent - Gets to the meat quickly and clearly
Review: |
Are you a lapsed Catholic? Do you ever wonder why Catholics believe what they believe? Want to learn a lot about Catholicism but don't have the time to do a lot of reading? If yes, then get this book. This is an excellent short book, each chapter takes an issue and cuts to the heart of the matter. Weigel is a master scholar and worth having in your home. Would give 10 stars if they had them!
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