40 Questions About Roman Catholicism

by Gregg Allison

Overview

Straightforward answers about Roman Catholicism for a Protestant audience

The Roman Catholic faith is one of the world's most widespread religious traditions, yet the unique aspects of Roman Catholicism elicit perennial questions from adherents and outsiders alike. Such questions tend to fall into three major categories: historical backgrounds, theological matters, and personal relationships. Using Catholic Church documents and the writings of Catholic scholars, Baptist systematic theologian Gregg Allison distills the teachings of Catholicism around forty common questions about Catholic foundations, beliefs, and practices. The accessible question-and-answer format guides readers to the issues that concern them, including:
• Where do Roman Catholic and Protestant beliefs differ?
• What happens during a Roman Catholic Mass?
• How does Roman Catholicism understand the biblical teaching about Mary?
• Who are the saints and what is their role?
• How can my Roman Catholic loved ones and I talk about the gospel?

40 Questions About Roman Catholicism explores theology and practice, doctrine and liturgy, sacraments and Mariology, contributions and scandals, and many other things, clarifying both real and perceived differences and similarities with other Christian traditions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825447167
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	09/28/2021
Series:	40 Questions
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	1,056,817
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Gregg R. Allison (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Allison teaches annually on Roman Catholicism for the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network and regularly teaches seminary courses and church seminars on Catholic theology and practice. His other works include Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Abbreviations 11

Part 1 Historical and Foundational Questions

Section A Historical Questions

1 Why Is It Called the Roman Catholic Church? 15

2 What Are Some Significant Events Prior to the Reformation? 21

3 What Led to the Division between Catholicism and Protestantism? 29

4 How Did Vatican Council II Influence Roman Catholicism? 37

Section B Foundational Questions

5 How Do Catholics Understand the Interdependence between Nature and Grace? 47

6 How Does Protestantism Assess This Nature-Grace interdependence? 51

7 How Do Catholics Understand the Interconnection of Christ and the Church? 57

8 How Does Protestantism Assess This Christ-Church Interconnection? 63

9 What Beliefs Do Catholicism and Protestantism Share in Common? 69

10 Where Do Catholic and Protestant Beliefs Differ? 75

Part 2 Theological Questions

Section A Questions about Revelation and Authority

11 How Does the Catholic Church View Biblical Authority? 85

12 What Is Tradition in the Roman Catholic Church? 95

13 What Is the Catholic Magisterium, and How Does It Exercise Authority? 103

14 What Does the Catholic Church Believe about the Infallibility of the Pope? 111

Section B Questions about the Church

15 Why Does the Catholic Church Believe It Is the Only Church of Christ? 119

16 What Happens during a Roman Catholic Church Mass? 129

17 How Does a Person Become a Member of the Roman Catholic Church? 137

Section C Questions about the Seven Sacraments

18 What Is a Sacrament, and Why Are the Sacraments Central to Catholicism? 143

19 Why Do Catholics Celebrate Seven Sacraments and Protestants Only Two? 151

20 What Is the Sacrament of Baptism? 159

21 What Is the Sacrament of the Eucharist? 167

22 What Is the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation? 175

23 What Is the Sacrament of Holy Orders? 183

24 What Are the Sacraments of Confirmation, Anointing the Sick, and Matrimony? 191

Section D Questions about Salvation

25 What Is the Process of Salvation according to Catholic Theology? 199

26 What Is the Catholic View of justification? 207

27 Did Catholicism and Protestantism Come to Agreement about Justification? 215

28 What Is the Catholic View of Regeneration and Sanctification? 225

29 What Is the Catholic View of Perseverance and Assurance of Salvation? 229

30 What Is the Catholic View of the Role of Good Works and Merit? 235

31 What Is the Role of Purgatory in the Catholic View of Salvation? 243

Section E Questions about Mary and the Saints

32 How Does Catholicism Understand the Biblical Teaching about Mary? 251

33 What Are the Immaculate Conception and Bodily Assumption of Mary? 261

34 Who Are the Saints, and What Is Their Role? 269

Part 3 Contemporary and Personal Questions

Section A Questions about the State of the Roman Catholic Church Today

35 What Are the Major Challenges Facing the Catholic Church Today? 279

36 What Contributions Have the Last Three Popes Made to the Church? 287

Section B Personal Questions about Roman Catholic Friends and Family Members

37 Why Are Some Leaving Protestant Churches and Joining Catholic Churches? 297

38 What Is the Rationale behind Some of the Practices of My Catholic Friends? 305

39 What Are Some Common Misconceptions That Catholics Have of Protestants? 313

40 How Can I Talk with My Catholic Loved Ones about the Gospel? 321

Select Bibliography 327

Scripture Index 329

Editorial Reviews

This book is long overdue. Deftly providing perspective from Scripture and the history of Christian thought, Gregg Allison answers 40 critical questions about Roman Catholic teaching and practice. This outstanding volume will equip you to lovingly and accurately engage with your Catholic friends and loved ones over issues that we all hold so dear.

Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church, Naperville, IL - Chris Castaldo