Letters Between a Catholic and an Evangelical

Rating:
Summary: Won't Convert You But Will Educate You
Review: This is an excellent book for understanding the basic differences between Catholic and Evangelical beliefs and the sources and logic behind those beliefs. It is by no means comprehensive but is an in-depth overview. It presents the views of both sides accurately and according to their beliefs. In almost every other book on this subject, the authors from one side or another present and refute what they believe to be the beliefs of the other side and end up refuting beliefs not embraced by the other. That does not occur in this book since each author presents his own beliefs and is given the opportunity to refute misconceptions that the other person holds concerning those beliefs.

I am Catholic and gained a great deal of knowledge and respect for the Evangelical beliefs. It did not convert me. After reading this book twice, I am more firmly committed to the Catholic faith. I also loaned this book to a good friend of mine who is Evangelical. He told me that he also gained a great deal of knowledge and respect for Catholic beliefs but It did not convert him and he feels more firmly committed to his Evangelical faith.

I would have given this 5 stars if it wasn't for the occasional derogatory remarks made by Mr. McCarthy towards the Catholic Church, its beliefs, and its members. It seems difficult for him to say "Catholic Church" and frequently refers to it as simply "Rome" in an attempt to make the Church seem foreign, remote, and not a church.

Try to ignore Mr. McCarthy's anti-Catholic side comments and strive to understand the differences and more importantly the beliefs we hold in common.

Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: WOW! What a book! I love a fair, balanced, charitable debate on doctrine. So many times one reads what "We" have to say about "Them" complete with advice on how to convert them. This book is not like that. Here the Catholic and Evangelical both speak in open dialogue. At times the reader must stretch, as the authors did, to understand other points of view. At times one can feel the tension dripping through the pages of text, but both men stay on target as much as they are able. This book took great discipline to produce and is a gift to both Catholics and Evangelicals. One word of advice needs to be given to Catholic readers. While the Catholic position can be offered with a certain amount of clarity, evangelical theology is not as easy to articulate. Some evangelical denominations might lean more toward the Catholic point of view on certain issues (like eternal security). All in all this was one of those books I just could not put down until it was finished. It was better than TV.