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Summary: Very useful encyclopedia of dogmatic theology
Review: Ludwig Ott's work is an extremely useful reference tool for anyone wanting to know what the Church teaches. The book not only lists the teachings of the Church, but also lists whether the teaching has been declared dogma. In addition, it lists from which scriptural text a teaching has been derived and what various fathers and councils have said. We learn of the major heretics who denied various teachings and what their denials were based upon. Contrary to what an earlier reviewer claimed, the book does state (although very briefly) which teachings upon which any given dogma is based. Even speculative theology is touched upon. Ott's work has proven to be consistently useful to me in apologetics, systematic theology, and history. I believe it will be useful to nearly anyone interested in these subjects.
Rating:
Summary: Very useful encyclopedia of dogmatic theology
Review: Ludwig Ott's work is an extremely useful reference tool for anyone wanting to know what the Church teaches. The book not only lists the teachings of the Church, but also lists whether the teaching has been declared dogma. In addition, it lists from which scriptural text a teaching has been derived and what various fathers and councils have said. We learn of the major heretics who denied various teachings and what their denials were based upon. Contrary to what an earlier reviewer claimed, the book does state (although very briefly) which teachings upon which any given dogma is based. Even speculative theology is touched upon. Ott's work has proven to be consistently useful to me in apologetics, systematic theology, and history. I believe it will be useful to nearly anyone interested in these subjects.
Rating:
Summary: De fide, two words not heard enough today
Review: Nothing is ever quite so blunt as dogma. Nor as charming. Buy this if you are either a Catholic who has no idea what "Fr.Wundaba" (that's swell, I'm OK, you're OK) was talking about or are an inquisitive non-Catholic Christian who wants some food for thought and alternative exegesis.
Rating:
Summary: De fide, two words not heard enough today
Review: Nothing is ever quite so blunt as dogma. Nor as charming. Buy this if you are either a Catholic who has no idea what "Fr.Wundaba" (that's swell, I'm OK, you're OK) was talking about or are an inquisitive non-Catholic Christian who wants some food for thought and alternative exegesis.
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Summary: Dogma isTruth and Truth is Dogma
Review: One of the best books I think you'll find on Catholic truth.Which is the only truth there is when it comes to Religion! I really like what Pius XII has to add to the dogma.
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Summary: Rock-solid accuracy, unsurpassed in English.
Review: Ott's compliation of Catholic systematic theology first appeared in German in the early 1950s. Translated wonderfully into English since then, it remains the best single volume presentation of Catholic theological data (as opposed to, say, catechetics) available anywhere. Indispensable, extremely easy to use. Everybody who's anybody should have a copy on the shelf somewhere.
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Summary: Wonderful Resource - a Must for Apologists
Review: Ott's wonderful book reads like a companion piece to the Catechism. Well labled, titled, organised and referenced, "Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma" is a *must* for anyone studying Apologetics and Theology. The book is "user-friendly," and Patrick Lynch's translation excellent, both experts and "newbies" will find the format and explanations accessible. However, the reader should bear in mind that Ott's book ought to be seen as a reference, not a testimony. If you're looking for the personal touch, check out "Crossing the Tiber" by Steve Ray, "By What Authority," by Mark Shea, and "Rome, Sweet Home" by the Hans.
Rating: 
Summary: Hopelessly Out-Dated and Sterile but Still Valuable
Review: Perusing the comments below, I would like to offer my two cents. First, Ott's book is good for what it does--namely, it is a great encyclopedia of dogmatic theology. It is steeped with citations from Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the various Ecumenical Councils, and Popes. But again, it is only an encyclopedia. Furthermore, I would contend that it is not a book of systematic theology per se. To systematize ideas is to show how they are interrelated, how the are put together and form a whole. This book does not do it. For example, if I want to learn about the Trinity, I can. However, if I want to learn about how the multi-layered relationship between the Trinity and, say, the Eucharist, I'm out of luck. Why? Because it's not a book of systematic theology. Further, the book is hopelessly outdated. It doesn't take into account the theological richness of Catholic thinkers such as Hans Urs von Balthasar, Henri de Lubac, Yves Congar, Karl Rahner, Walter Kasper, or Joseph Ratzinger; nor does it contain the deep insights provided by the Second Vatican Council. It is hopelessly stuck in a neo-Thomistic framework that Catholic theology has (thankfully) outgrown (mind you, I am currently writing a Master's thesis on Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas is great; neo-Thomism is very limited!) Ludwig Ott, however, can't be blamed for this, since the book was written in the 1950's. If you are interested in gaining a limited yet solid knowledge about the Catholic faith--a knowledge based solely on the hard facts, then you have found the book. But if you are interested in a theologically rich synthesis of a particular doctrine, then I would suggest reading a book from one of the authors mentioned above. And, if you are an apologist or catechist, you need more than this book. Post-modern men and women are more open to someone who has grappled with mystery head-on than someone who has absolutized the dogma's of the Church. You need to read Balthasar, Kasper, Congar, de Lubac, Rahner, and Ratzinger--you need to read them and make them your own if you really want to be an effective Catholic thinker. Theology is something that is supposed to be living, breathing. This book makes is dry and boring--a necessary evil if your really interested in theology, but one that can surely be avoided if you are interested in meditation on the beauty of Catholic theology. I do have the book on my shelf, and I do reference it on occasion. But I would much rather read, say, De Lubac's MOTHERHOOD OF THE CHURCH than the dense and sterile prose of Ott's treatment on the Church.
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Summary: An Incredible Research Tool!
Review: The most accurate thing that can be said about Ott's effort is that this book is a veritable compendium of Catholic theology. Ott gives significant attention to dogmas which are considered de fide, those matters that Catholics must believe. Good examples of these things in the book are the divinity of Christ, the Trinity etc. However, Ott does not ignore other doctrine which is not de fide but must command the religious assent of all Catholics. The treatment of these subjects is equally comprehensive. If you are considering doing any scholarly work in the field of Catholic doctrine, this book is a must. If you are teaching Catholic doctrine to others, this resource is valuable as a tool for checking to make sure that your teaching is orthodox. Ott does not stop at providing scriptural citations for Catholic doctrine. His most impressive effort is citation to Church history and texts from early fathers which clearly support the doctrine. The next step would be to get ahold of those source documents. This book is comprehensive. The casual reader should probably not expect to be able to glide through its pages from front to back. I tried it and never quite made it through. However, it is one of the best resources I have in my home library. A serious student of Christian apologetics and Catholic apologetics in particular must buy this book.
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Summary: A truly wonderful reference---not a bit out-of-date.
Review: This book is a wonderfully precise and concise summary of the Church's dogmatic theology, and with due respect to a previous reviewer, it is not a bit out-of-date. It is not intended to be an expanded or detailed discussion of theological problems, so of course it is recommended that people also read the works of orthodox theologians such as Hans Urs von Balthazaar, Henri de Lubac, and (especially) John Paul II; and they should also examine the beautiful teachings of Vatican II. Nevertheless, the dogmas summarized in the _Fundamentals_ are timeless. What makes this volume so valuable is its precision and clarity: one can easily look up a particular doctrine of the Church and see what status it has---that is, how formally it has been defined by the Church. Moreover, for every point of doctrine it states with exact precision which opinions are consonant with Church teaching, which are tolerated, and which are contrary. These are things that are beyond the scope of, say, the new Universal Catechism. However, all well-informed Catholics ought to know them. The _Fundamentals_ is highly recommended, and I urge all Catholics who want to know their faith well to get the book along with the new Universal Catechism.
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