Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God

Rating:
Summary: Canadian reviewer missed the boat - Share this far and wide
Review: Unfortunately, our Canadian rewiewing friend did not appear to read the chapter on justification (or if he did, he failed to absorb its message). If he had, he would have learned that he is misinterpreting the passages he cites as opposing Catholic teaching because he is ignoring the all-important *CONTEXT*. Namely, that Paul was writing to Judaizers who thought they could save themselves through doing the "works of the [Mosaic] Law" apart from Christ. Paul is NOT speaking about works done in and through the grace of Christ (see 1 Cor.15:10), which are very much necessary if we hope to receive our heavenly reward (see Gal.6:8-10, Rom.2:6-11 or Matt 25).
Ironically, our Canadian friend has unwittingly helped to prove the authors' goals in writing this book: 1)we need to work hard to educate Catholics about their own faith, many of whom sadly perpetuate misunderstandings such as this one, and, 2)non-Catholics need to hear the fullness of historic Christianity and receive God's sacraments in the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, which is the Roman Catholic Church.
I have heard personal testimonies of how this book has helped bring ex-Catholics back to the fold. It is a treasure!