The Essential Catholic Catechism: A Readable, Comprehensive Catechism of the Catholic Faith

by Alan Schreck Ph.D.

Overview

Twenty years ago, Dr. Alan Schreck’s landmark book The Essential Catholic Catechism, was one of the most prominent books in the New Evangelization”publishing boom, through which many Catholics, both converts and cradle Catholics alike, learned the Faith.

TAN is proud to bring this book that has cultivated the hearts and souls of so many back into print. This new edition features an introduction by TAN publisher Conor Gallagher, student and friend of Dr. Schreck at Franciscan University of Steubenville. It is a new edition, but the questions and answers remain for they are perennial ones, that each new generation must ask and answer for themselves.

Who is God? How does the Church help me to know God better? What is the connection between faith and reason, between the spiritual life and “real life?” Does it really matter what I believe, so long as I’m a good person?

These questions and many others are answered simply and with clarity by the bestselling author Dr. Schreck. This book will give you a basic introduction to the Catholic faith that is both theologically sound and readily understandable.

A useful resource for anyone interested in learning more about the basic tenets of the Catholic faith. Keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this catechism also helps readers to understand more fully this important document and its relevance to daily life. An excellent tool for anyone who wants to be able to explain the Catholic faith more clearly. Ideal for religious education instructors, pastors, and RCIA directors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781505113228
Publisher:	TAN Books
Publication date:	05/10/2019
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

ALAN SCHRECK, Ph.D., professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, is the author of numerous books, including Catholic and Christian, The Essential Catholic Catechism, Catholic and Christian for Young Adults and Vatican II: The Crisis and the Promise.

Table of Contents

Foreword 3

Foreword to the First Edition by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn 7

Acknowledgments 9

Abbreviations 10

1 God's Revelation and Our Response: The Catholic Understanding of the Bible, Sacred Tradition, and the Teaching Authority of the Church (Magisterium). 11

2 God, His Creation, and Man's Rebellion: God Reveals His Divine Nature to Us, and Restores Our Relationship With Him When We Fall From Grace. 43

3 God's People of the Old Testament: God's Plan of Salvation as Begun Before the Coming of Jesus Christ; Especially Among the Hebrew People. 71

4 Jesus Christ and the New Covenant: God's Plan of Salvation as Revealed in the Christian Scriptures, Especially the Gospels. 89

5 The Holy Spirit and the Church: How the Third Person of the Trinity Nourishes and Protects the Church, God's People of the New Covenant. 123

6 Christian Prayer and the Liturgy: Part I: The Nature and Types of Prayer including both meditation and contemplative prayer 175

Part II Communal and Liturgical Prayer with a special emphasis on both the Mass and the Lords Prayer (the Our Father) as well as saints and sacramentals 185

Part III The Work of the Holy Spirit including how the Holy Spirit works in the liturgy and imparts spiritual gifts to empower our daily lives 206

7 The Sacraments: A Catholic Perspective on Seven Sources of Grace Available to Us Through the Church-Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick. 215

8 Life in Christ and the Holy Spirit: Essentials of Authentic Christian Living. 263

9 The Ten Commandments: God's Law as It Applies to Christians Today. 303

10 Catholics in the World: How We Are to Demonstrate the Love of Christ in Word and Deed to Those Around Us, and to Play a Part in the Redemption of All Creation. 325

11 Mary: What Catholics Believe About the Mother of Jesus, and How She Touches Our Lives Today. 355

12 The Life of the Age to Come: What Catholics Believe About the Afterlife and the End of the World. 373

Notes 405

Index 429