Prove It! God, Revised Edition

by Amy Welborn

Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, 2010

You are not the only person in the history of the world who has wondered about God.

Quick Version: Yes, you should buy this book.  Mighty good, mighty useful, fun, readable.  And short, and easy to find what you want when you want it.  Plus a good recommended reading list at the end.

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What it is: The Prove It books are an apologetics series for teenagers – think high school student. Prove It! God answers the question “What do I say when my friends tell me they don’t believe in God?”

Kids have often wondered out loud to me why it is that the most challenging religious reflection expected of a sixteen-year-old who can drive, hold a job, design a web page, balance chemical equations, and study Hamlet is constructing a collage about “The Beatitudes in Today’s World.” They’ve wondered why their other texts are so big and solid, while their religion books tend to be flimsy things filled with the reflection question and lots of pictures of birds, meadows, and rainbows. They can’t help but compare and can’t help but wonder what’s being communicated to them about how seriously they’re supposed to take religion after all.

The book covers the gamut — starting with does it even matter what we believe, through all the common objections to God’s existence, and finishing up by making a case for Jesus and the importance of a personal relationship with Him. The tone is conversational, and the examples relate to teen life, but the contents are rock solid.  No flimsy cop-out stuff.

Each chapter looks at a single topic, and gives a realistic apologetics pep talk designed to prepare students for real-life conversations. As Welborn goes through the classic arguments for the existence of God, she points out the limitations of each argument; there’s a very strong emphasis on clear, logical thinking. And although she doesn’t mince words, the tone is never that snarky triumphalism that so easily infects certain apologists. Very down-to-earth and understanding.

Who would benefit: The obvious audience is teens whose friends are asking about God. The book is also written for readers who may have doubts of their own.  You don’t need to be 100% sure about all things theological before you start reading.

Two caveats:

1)  There were a couple places where I thought the book moved a little too quickly. It’s a short, fast-paced book;  a young reader may want some help fleshing out the principles presented. That’s not all bad – if you know a teen who is reading the book, you can read it together and discuss. If you are the teen, you can force some adult you know to turn on the ol’ brain and do something useful.

2)  I’m not sure the chapter on suffering (problem: why do innocent people suffer?) is quite as strong as I’d like. It is good, but I’d like to see something more. I suppose we all would. This book probably won’t hold up as the sole source for someone struggling with that particular question. Still a great chapter though – honest, compassionate, and hitting some really big nails on heads. Or hands, as it were.

Alive.  Jesus, God-made-victim of sin and death, alive. They could not hold Him, they could not win.

Do you see?

Christianity isn’t about rules, no matter what your friend wants to think. It’s not about nice teachings from a nice man. It’s about God coming into this world to re-create His creation, to twist it all back around to its rightful place, turn the world’s expectations upside-down, and give us another chance.

There are also some categories of adults that would really benefit from this book:

• Parents of teenagers. Because it’s such a good insight into the theological world in which your child lives.

• Catechists. If you are teaching teens, this book could be helpful for figuring out how to handle questions in class or lead discussions. If you are teaching younger students, here are some ideas for principles you can incorporate into your class now, so that they aren’t brand spanking new when your students get older. The more you know, the more it will just ooze out in the unlikeliest places. Even little kids think about this stuff.

• Junior Apologists. That is, those of us jumping into the fray for the first time, regardless of our age. This is a great starting point (and there are reading lists to point you to the next stop) if you are trying to figure out how to defend your faith.

• Senior Apologists. See “snarky triumphalism” above. Amy Welborn lays out the basics of how to talk about God and still have friends.   Useful skill.

As I stated before, I don’t think any of your friends who claims to be an atheist is a hard-core unbeliever. Why? Because I’ve no doubt he does, in his heart, assume the existence of meaning and purpose in life, as well as broad absolute moral standards.

How cool would it be if you could help him see the short but necessary path from what he already believes to the joy and peace of a relationship with the living god of love and life?

Can you think of a greater gift that friend could ever offer?

Is it Protestant-friendly? Absolutely. It’s a catholic book, but the contents are suitable for any christian.  I can’t promise there isn’t a single unique-to-catholics sentence anywhere in there, but none come to mind. Might make a nice discussion tool for that awkward silence when you aren’t sure what you have in common with your catholic (protestant) friend. The answer is: All this. Lots of room at that lunch table.

Good book.  Highly recommended.

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A couple of FYI’s:

• For those who missed the previews, I received this book as part of The Catholic Company’s blogger reviewer program. Perhaps you were wondering why I seem to have this steady flow of really good books passing through my hands.  That’s how.
• The link at the top is to the most current version The Catholic Company has in stock.  So at this writing (December 1st 2010), there are still a few copies of the original edition on the shelves.  As soon as those are sold, they’ll be replaced with the new revised edition, at the same link.

PS: I bet they want me to tell you the Catholic Company is a great place to get baptism and first communion gifts.  It has come to my attention that there are people who buy gifts *other* than books.  Curiously, my children really like those people.  Go figure.  So if you are one of them, not only are you no doubt more popular than me, you can also find what you need at fine catholic book & gift stores such as our sponsor.  Yay.

I got one of these “Tony Wolf Advent Calendars” from my local catholic bookstore (not on the website – call and ask if they still have them in stock),  though I see you can find them at any number of major retailers.

What it is: A sturdy tri-fold 24-day reusable Advent calendar.  Opens up kind of like a science fair display, so you can set it on your mantle or sideboard or wherever.  I don’t see a place to hang it on a wall, but it does seal closed with velcro, so you can just put it away after supper and pull it out off the bookshelve the next night (closed dimensions are 14″x13″).

The outside front cover images are of the nativity, and the inside covers are cheerful winter scenes.  For each day of the countdown (December 1-24), there is a tiny board book.  It either contains a bible story, a prayer, or a christmas carol.  Each 1 inch book is designed to be hung on your tree after you read it.  Note this is an authentically catholic Advent calendar, and includes 2 Marian prayers in the set.  (So I’m not sure how that’s going to fly with the spouse.  Maybe we’ll eat out that night.)  The other 22 days are completely protestant-friendly.

The books hit many of the highlights of salvation history, from the creation of the world through the nativity.  Includes David & Goliath, Noah, Jacob & Esau, Moses, all that good stuff.  The carols are “Away in a Manger”, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and “We Three Kings”.

Why I like it: First of all, my kids are gonna love it.  The whole thing of 24 miniature books to play school with, all that.   And no candy to fight over.  Then I like the reusable thing, and it folds down compactly, so not much to store from year to year.   (Yes it costs more up front than a cheapo calendar.  But long-term I think you end out ahead.)  As a catechist/christian mom, I like that my kids are getting a refresher of the outline of scripture.  Good stuff.

But the big benefit is An End to the Advent Tree Debate.

First let’s clarify:  There is no way I could ever be organized enough to have a Jesse Tree.  And meanwhile my beloved SuperHusband is desperate, just desperate, to pull the pretend Christmas Tree out the attic as soon as Thanksgiving rolls around.  So now we have a solution.  The tree can come down, and starting December 1 we can add one truly Advent-y decoration to the tree per day.  And then put the Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve.

See?  Marital problems solved by the wonders of modern merchandise.

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[Technical Notes: Yes, it is printed in China.  The irony does not escape me.  Also has an imprimatur and a nihil obstat (from NY, not China).  Note on the back says “not recommended for use by children under 3 years of age”, with which I would agree, given that at least two of my toddlers liked to eat board books.   The text is more for older children, and the board-book quality is really there so that the things last from year to year.  I strongly recommend hanging these up high on the tree, and making holiday-card ornaments for the lower half of your Advent-tree.]

Who Is Jesus Christ? Unlocking the Mystery in the Gospel of Matthew

By Eric Sammons (Our Sunday Visitor, 2010)

This is a top notch, can’t-go-wrong book .   I had a hard time writing a review because everything I had to say sounded so trite and trivial and fluffy, and this book is none of those.  I finally just decided to gush away in a nice neat top-7 list (no biblical allusions intended).  So here you go:

Jen’s Top 7 Reasons You Should Buy This Book

1. It is interesting! When I picked this book for my Catholic Company book review item, I thought it would be boring-but-good-for-you. I was so wrong. Not boring. Not at all. The book is packed with interesting perspectives on Jesus – how he was seen by his contemporaries, how Jesus fits into the Old Testament prophecies of a messiah, and how the Gospel impacts our lives today. Loaded with details, and never slow and belaboring. (But I was right about the good-for-you.)

2. It is not hard to read. Chapters are short, and within a chapter, ideas flow steadily from one to the next. I found I could pick up and put down at will, as long as I could get about three or four paragraphs read before the next interruption. My test readers (normal people) said they had no difficulty with the reading level, but that it is full of information, so you do need to pay attention. No big technical theology words. Well-written.

3.  It is very well organized. Eric Sammons is like a tour guide for ideas. He takes you all over the place, connecting history, prophecies, new testament passages, church fathers, catholic doctrine, and personal spirituality, and at the end of the chapter you get the sense your trip took you to exactly the right places. It all fit perfectly together, and you aren’t one bit worn out.

4.  It tackles the tough topics. Suffering. Unpopular doctrines. Common apologetic attacks. All the difficulties people have with the catholic faith show up sooner or later. But this isn’t a book about “difficulties with the faith” – it’s a book about Jesus. Just like getting to know your best friend naturally uncovers many puzzling questions (“why does she act that way?” “why is he is asking this of me?”), getting to know Jesus means getting to understand why the universe is how it is.  Very encouraging and helpful for those who are struggling with the faith and want substantial, honest answers.

5.  Did I mention it’s good for you? Each chapter ends with two or three reflection questions that act like prompts for self-examination. Simple stuff you really probably already know, but every now and then you need a little kick in the rear to help you refocus. Emphasis on “the little way” of St. Therese, so very appropriate for us mere mortals.  This would make an excellent book for Advent or Lent, or for a couple or study-group to read together and then use the reflection-questions to generate discussion.

6.  This book is made for ordinary catholics. You do need to have a general knowledge of the scriptures and of the catholic faith, but of the kind you would naturally have gained just by sitting in Mass for a few years. (Preferably: paying attention. At least mostly.) If you are new to studying the faith, the book is loaded with intro’s. You’ll get a feel for the bible, meet the church fathers, and see how the catholic faith really works and why it makes sense.

7.  Smart people will not find it too “easy”. Think of it like the skilled-chef rule of eating — the more you know about cooking, the more you appreciate a well-cooked meal.  Eric Sammons isn’t afraid to delve deep and wander wide in his building of theological and historical connections, and in doing so he’s put together a book full of  solid meaty catholic-y goodness.   Yes, you may well be hungry for more when you put down this book.  But not because you ate poorly — because you ate so well.

Summary: I give it an unqualified “Buy” recommend.

PS: The cover art is really cool.

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Edited to add:

Chris Cash, long-suffering blog-herder at The Catholic Company, reminds me to remind you: Also be sure to check out their great selection of baptism gifts.

I’ll also point out that The Catholic Company is still accepting new reviewers, and they have a long list of great books to review right now.

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Full disclosure: I’ve never even met Eric Sammons. Though I think he might be a member of the Catholic Writers’ Guild, maybe. But I say that because he is from Gaithersburg, and you might think this favorable review is all a big “People from Gaithersburg” plot. Not so. Indeed my first thought on reading his bio was, “Can anything good come from Gaithersburg?” Unfair. I knew many good, sincere, devout persons (of various faiths) during my years in the metro area. I wasn’t one of them, of course. But now I know better, and I assure you I would recommend this book even if Eric were from North Potomac.

 

The Salvation Controversy

by James Akin

Catholic Answers 2001

 

So I used to have this bad habit of making jokes about double predestination (gross violation of my own combox rules, you might notice) . . .  until the other week when a pair of friends called me on it using the highly effective Stony Silence method.  Point taken.  And that was the week that The Salvation Controversy turned up on the Catholic Company’s list of blogger-review product choices.   What with the promised Tiptoe Through The TULIP, how could I say no?

Verdict: Excellent book – highly recommended.  But only if you are the intended audience.  (Otherwise you might be kind of lost and bored – it’s a soteriology book.  And yeah, I had to look up that word too.)  So here’s a synopsis of what is in the book and who is the audience, to help you decide if this is for you.

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Contents: The book is about everything that has to do with what Catholics believe about salvation, and how that stacks up to common protestant views of salvation.  (“Soteriology” is the branch of theology devoted to the doctrine of salvation.  Per the glossary in the back of the book, verbatim.)

The first several chapters lay the groundwork, looking at what the Bible says (and hence, what Catholics believe) about the when’s and how’s of salvation.  Key concept: the word “salvation” refers to more than just a single instant when your eternal fate is sealed.   So when debating “salvation” it is important to make sure you know what kind of salvation you are debating.

→ These chapters are essential.  Jimmy Akin is notoriously meticulous in how he examines a topic a builds arguments.  If you jump ahead to the the really gory stuff – indulgences, predestination, faith-versus-works – without reading the front chapters, you will be lost.  Maybe without realizing. Gotta read those laying-the-groundwork chapters.  (If you are a catechist, you should read those chapters just for an “Aha!” about what it is Catholic believe about salvation.)

After these preliminaries, there are chapters tackling all the hot topics:

-Penance

-Indulgences

-Predestination (per Calvinism)

-Faith versus Works

-The Joint Statement between Lutherans and Catholics on salvation

And then it ends there.  This is a handbook; no great thesis being pushed, just a thorough explanation of the issues at hand.  In addition to the glossary, there is an index to all the scriptural citations, and a topical index.

The Reading Level: Jimmy Akin writes very clearly, and in ordinary language.  Nothing at all like some horrid paper you had to read for an upper-level elective.  BUT, he uses big words where necessary.  I had to look up maybe four big words (I lost my list – I was keeping one for you) towards the beginning of the book, mostly ones I more or less knew what they meant, but wanted to make certain.  There’s a glossary at the back of the book to help you keep your vocabulary straight.

The arguments are not difficult, but they are very precise, and laid out very carefully.  Which means you need to pay attention and follow them step-by-step, both within and across chapters.  At times this requires patience.  Definitely not a three-quick-bullet-points approach to apologetics.

Pre-requisites: First, you need to have a basic understanding of the christian faith – that Jesus died to save us from our sins so we could live with Him forever in Heaven, all that. In no way is this an “introduction to Christianity” book.  Just not.

Secondly, you need to be familiar with at least the broad lines of debate between protestants and catholics.  Jimmy Akin is essentially walking into the midst of the argument, holding up his hands and saying, “Ho now guys, let’s get our terms straight, and then see how much we really disagree after all”.  If you haven’t been immersed in these topics already, I think you might get lost.

And finally, you will want to be knowledgeable of the Bible.  All arguments revolve around the study of scripture, and I expect you’d get exhausted if you had to go read all the citations for the first time.  You should be at that point where when you read, “It says in Romans 2:6 . . .”, you can at least nod and have a rough idea of what Romans is all about, even though how many of us go around thinking, ‘Oh yeah, 2:6 . . . oooh . . .”.  Maybe you need to go back and re-read, but the epistles should not be new material for you.  (The word “epistle” should not be new to you.)

→  FYI Catholic Answers and the Enjoy Institute are both excellent sources for entry-level materials if you are just wading into the world of apologetics for the first time.  Come back to this book later.

Would a Protestant Hate This Book? Mmn, I’m not sure.  I was tempted to ask some friends to test-read for me, but in the end I didn’t.  As apologists go – apologists are notoriously snarky and triumphant – Jimmy Akin is the picture of charity.  He does indulge in the periodic “Catholics are just using the words of scripture” observation, which is of course very encouraging for Catholics, but if you were a sensitive non-catholic, that could rub the wrong way.  (Unless you happened to agree with the catholic position on the particular point in question.)

To the best of my knowledge, Akin is very careful to state protestant beliefs accurately, and never to argue against a straw man.  If anyone finds otherwise, I would like to hear about it.  (Obviously in a short book he isn’t going to address every possible position on the various controversies. But my impression is that he builds fair arguments.)

→ Which makes sense, since one of his goals is to demonstrate that the catholic position is not necessarily an impossible leap for assorted protestants.  So if you are a non-catholic trying to figure out “Is my position on salvation consistent with catholic teaching?”, this is the manual to assist you. [Good news: the odds are in your favor.]

Conclusion: This boy is not leaving my shelf.  Immensely useful if you are ready to tackle the material.  Clear, concise, well-explained, and covering material that was new to me.  Due for a periodic re-read, because there’s no way I mastered everything on the first read-through.

(→  Luckily I lost my original copy for a while and had to buy a second, so I do have a loaner available for my handful of real-life friends who fit the target audience.)

Not a beginner book, but if you are looking for a very approachable take on advanced-intermediate, this one is superb.  I give it a firm ‘buy’ recommend if this is the topic you want to study.