Why Is That in Tradition? (T10)

Rating:
Summary: An excellent tool
Review: Patrick Madrid has cobbled together a really helpful tool for evangelization. In this pocket-sized guide, you will find essential material to make the case for Sacred Tradition, that body of divinely-revealed doctrines besides the Sacred Scriptures which was passed on to the Apostles by Jesus and transmitted to their successors up to the present day.

By using earliest Christian testimony from historical sources, Madrid proves that peculiar Catholic doctrines and customs were believed and practiced already at the very beginning of Christianity--e.g. purgatory, praying to saints, perpetual virginity of Mary, keeping Sunday instead of Saturday, Christmas, using statues, venerating relics, etc. Madrid shows that these things were NOT "medieval inventions" or "superstitions" that were "added" to the historic faith. Rather, they were part and parcel of the faith as it has come down to us from the Apostles and our Lord Himself.

Doctrines like Infant Baptism, the authority of Apostolic Tradition, the Papacy, praying to saints, prohibition of contraception, etc., are eloquently explained and defended, especially by using historical sources to prove they are as old as Christianity itself.

If you are looking for BIBLICAL proof for these beliefs and customs, you will find that in Madrid's earlier book, "Where is that In the Bible?", which, however, I don't think is as good as this one here, "Why is that in Tradition?". This book I find to be excellent and very useful. It is a good look-up reference when debating, and it also makes a nice gift for a non-Catholic friend. Clear, succinct explanations plus historical Christian quotes make this an all-round gem proving the authenticity of Apostolic Tradition.

Rating:
Summary: Apologetics about Catholic Tradition
Review: We can't have enough good books explaining the reasons for our Catholic beliefs and worship. Patrick Madrid once again does an immense service to the Church in this regard. A companion volume, also published by Our Sunday Visitor, would be David Lang's "Why Matter Matters: Philosophical and Scriptural Reflections on the Sacraments", wherein many Scriptural arguments for Catholic rites (i.e., the Sacraments) are furnished. This book also has a great Preface by Dr. Peter Kreeft.