A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics

Here - at your fingertips - is the biblical basis for the key Catholic teachings and customs that non-Catholics wonder about, object to, and preach against. Table of Contents: Introduction I. Apologetics Defending the Faith II. Authority The Church The Papacy Tradition Scripture vs. "Sola Scriptura" (the Bible alone) "Word of God" Does Not Mean "The Bible" Apostolic Succssione III. Doctrines Love One Another There Is Only One God The Holy Spirit is God Jesus Christ is True God The Trinity The Saints: Their Glory, Example, and Intercession Life After Death: Heaven and Hell The Blessed Virgin Mary Original Sin Purgatory Salvation Grace IV. The Sacraments Sacraments in General Baptism Infant Baptism Confession of Sins to a Priest Mortal and Venial Sins The Holy Eucharist The Priesthood (Holy Orders) V. Customs and Practices Call No Man "Father" Necessity of Suffering and the Possibility of Persecution Priestly Celebacy Crucifixes Relics Statues, Graven Images, and the Sin of Idolatry Tithing Vain Repetition Wine and Strong Drink VI. Moral Issues Abortion Divorce and Remarriage Command to Love One Another Homosexuality VII. Non-Catholic Beliefs The Great Apostasy Theory (Mormonism) "Inquisitions" Sabbath or Sunday Worship? (Seventh-Day Adventists) The 144,000 (Jehovah's Witnesses Blood Transfusions (Jehovah's Witnesses) Annihilation of Soul (Various Groups) The Rapture VIII. Miscellaneous Issues Dealing with Temptations The Rosary: Praying Straight from the Bible IX. The Catholic Apologist's Prayer X. Recommended Reading on Apologetics About the Author