Introduction to Catholicism?

Question

This question is to other Catholics who might be of assistance. My boyfriend of 2 years is agnostic. He has no education of even the most fundamental Christian teachings let alone the more complex Catholic beliefs. He recently told me that he feels a void and really wants to learn about Catholicism. While he intends to go to mass with me and I will teach him the best I can, I was also wanting to buy him a good "introductory" book. I dont want anything too heavy that would confuse him. Perhaps a true life conversion story, or an uplifting encouragement of faith. So while I intend to scout out the books stores on my own any easy to ready suggestions would be appreciated. He seems very interested and said he knows that my faith is the most important thing in my life, so he wants to know it as well.

God bless and Merry Christmas! :)

I am aware of RCIA and the options of talking to a priest, but he and I both enjoy reading and I thought it'd be a nice belated Christmas gift. You know reading encouraging words ofen inspires oneself to become more active in their inspiration.

Answer 1

Catholicism is not really something you can learn about just with books. It also takes conversation. It takes mind and heart.

If your boyfriend is interested learning about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.

He and you can go and ask any questions you want.

This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.

There is no obligation to become a Catholic.

Some books to recommend:
+ The Bible
+ Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
+ Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
+ Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel
+ Crossing The Threshold of Hope by Pope John Paul II
+ Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 2

Do please ignore the horribly erroneous and heavily biased anti-Catholic links your first answerer (obviously not a Catholic) felt compelled to share ... this happens a lot here whenever a question contains the word "Catholic".

Believe it or not there's a "Catholicism for Dummies" book, and it's actually quite good as an introductory source. Fr. John Trigilio, who co-hosts "Web of Faith" on EWTN, also co-authored the book. It would be a good place to start, and if your boyfriend is interested in learning more after he reads it he could then talk to someone in your parish office about attending RCIA classes (many who do so aren't necessarily there to convert, although that's the usual route for it, but to just learn more about the faith).

The Amazon link for the book is below.

Answer 3

Dear NoWity,

This is a great question and you show a lot of common sense in asking it.
I want to be honest with you - I am not Catholic, but I am a retired chaplain who has worked with a lot of Roman Catholic chaplains.
My recommendation is this: Take your boyfriend to your priest and set up educational appointments. Priests are trained and most likely experienced in this. Educating your boyfriend will take a considerable amount of time - most certainly months. Also, your priest has books for this, and from what I observed, will assign readings which will be discussed at the next appointment.

You sound like a very intelligent lady, and I wish you well in this.

Merry Christmas,

"Ranger"

Answer 4

I'm always happy to recommend Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. But the Baltimore Catechism is a more direct look at the Catholic faith in particular.

Answer 5

Like Michelle C., I would recommend C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity as a starting point, since it makes sense for your boy friend to learn about Christianity in general before he zeroes in on a denomination, even if he has already chosen one.

Answer 6

They verify with the meant "fake gospel of works" that we Catholics supposedly persist with. they have an inclination to be "sola scriptura" fundamentalists who pontificate a pretend "faith on my own" gospel. in factor of reality that NEITHER of those posistions are interior the Bible, and in fact, the two are taught against by skill of the Bible, Itself. Scripture is the preeminent generally taking place of reality for Catholics, yet we additionally seem to Holy custom (an occasion of which will nicely be cutting-edge in Matthew 23:2-3, wherein Jesus makes use of the term "Moses' seat, no longer chanced on everywhere interior the previous testomony yet area only of sacred custom interior the Mishna, which teaches a sort of "coaching succession" from Moses on down). As for salvation by skill of "faith on my own," there are a number of verses to tutor that this would not artwork. those verses incorporate Romans 2:thirteen, one million Corinthians 3:8-9, Galatieans 5:6, Philippians 2:12-thirteen, one million Thessalonians one million:3, James 2:14, 17, and James 2:22-26. If works have no longer something in any admire to do with salvation, then it quite is amazingly unusual that for the duration of fairly much each passage handling judgement and God's determination of no count if a guy or woman is stored or misplaced, works are mentioned using fact the foremost determinants, yet faith isn't. Matthew 7:19 "each tree that would not undergo sturdy fruit is decrease down and thrown into the hearth."

Answer 7

Go to the source. You both might learn something.

Romans 10:17 Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of Christ.

How about a quality New International Bible with study helps?

"Know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Grace and peace to you.

Answer 8

The Church itself is more than willing to give instruction, whether to potential converts or to potential spouses who wish to be married in the Catholic Church. Talk to your priest.

Answer 9

Ok, a long time ago a woman was created out of man's rib, and then she gave him an apple that made the whole human race evil. 2000 years ago a rabbi went around saying what a good idea it would be for everyone to be nice to each other for a change, but they nailed him to a tree. Then he came back to life a few days later, not like a zombie who wants to eat your brain, but basically good as new. This was because he turned out to be God. Now you have to telepathically tell this guy you will follow his teachings or else he won't be nice to you, in fact he'll torture you forever after you die. If you do this and go to church every Sunday and give them some money, then after you die you won't be tortured

I think that about covers it.

Answer 10

Why not something that is generic, yet Christian?How about this:
"The Case for Christ" Lee Stroble
"Evidence that Demands a Verdict" Josh McDowell