The Papacy: What the Pope Does and Why It Matters

by Stephen K. Ray, Dennis K Walters

Overview

The Papacy explains that without the Pope's divinely guided leadership, the Church would suffer the contradictions and the divisions that many Christian groups know firsthand. The teaching passed down from the apostles would be subject to arbitrary, relative, and numerous interpretations; holiness would be only a distant ideal; and the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church founded by Jesus would break apart.

In describing the Pope's important and singular role as leader and teacher, the book addresses common misconceptions and objections to the papacy. It also explains how the papacy developed and how the Pope is elected.

The authors present some great Popes in history, showing the qualities and the accomplishments that made them great. They demonstrate that the Pope is important not only for Catholics, but also for non-Catholic Christians and even non-Christians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781642290561
Publisher:	Ignatius Press
Publication date:	01/04/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	170
Sales rank:	770,608
File size:	180 KB

About the Author

Stephen K. Ray was raised in a devout and loving Baptist family. His father was a deacon and Bible teacher, and Stephen was very involved in the Baptist Church as a teacher of Biblical studies. After an in-depth study of the writings of the Church Fathers, both Steve and his wife Janet converted to the Catholic Church. He is the host of the popular, award-winning film series on salvation history, The Footprints of God. Steve is also the author of the best-selling books Crossing the Tiber, and St. John's Gospel.

Dennis Walters, Ph.D., is a deacon in the Catholic Church. His doctorate is in Literature from Michigan State University, and he holds a master's in Pastoral Studies from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He is the author of the study questions for the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible series.

Table of Contents

1 The Papacy and You 7

2 The Pope as Leader 21

3 The Pope as Teacher 47

4 The Pope as Gift to the Church and the World 69

5 The Selection of the Pope 95

6 The Pope as Brother to Others 103

7 Ten Common Attacks on the Papacy 119

8 The Pope and Your Catholic Life 129

Appendix 1 Chronological List of the Popes 137

Appendix 2 A Short Glossary 143

Appendix 3 Recommended Citations of Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church 147

Appendix 4 Where to Learn More 149

Subject Index 151

Scripture Index 163

Editorial Reviews

"This is a clearly written, easy-to-read explanation and defense of the papacy. I would recommend any Catholic, or even anyone interested in this much misunderstood part of the Catholic faith, to pick up a copy."
— Trent Horn, Author, The Case for Catholicism

"This book offers an easy-to-digest, clear introduction to all things papal. From Peter to Francis, from Matthew's Gospel to Revelation, and from the first century to the twenty-first, it shows why the papacy has an indispensable role in salvation history."
— Karl Keating, Founder, Catholic Answers; Author, Catholicism and Fundamentalism

"The authors deftly untangle knotty misconceptions and make the case that Christianity will thrive in the present age only if we recover the unity that Christ intended the Petrine ministry to protect and cultivate."
— Al Kresta, Catholic Radio Host, Kresta in the Afternoon

"With their usual boundless enthusiasm, Steve Ray and Dennis Walters provide a fascinating and easy-to-read look at the papacy—one of the key aspects of Christ’s Church and one of the most crucial institutions in world history."
— Jimmy Akin, Author, The Fathers Know Best

From the Publisher