The Catholic Church is rich in tradition and history. Its practices and beliefs date back to when Christ founded it. It is a living witness to some of the major events, good and bad, the world experienced. Standing for two thousand-plus years, it keeps historical treasures that only a few institutions hold. With that, studying the Church could be overwhelming. To assist you, in this blog post, we will list down the best Catholic Theology Books for beginners. These references provide a comprehensive and simple introduction to Catholicism.
Here are the best Catholic theology books for beginners.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ascension Edition
Let’s start with the basic, the Catechism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an organized presentation of the essential teachings of the Catholic Church regarding faith and morals. Thus, it is the best starting point when studying Catholicism. This edition from the Ascension Press is probably the most visual. Each of the four (4) parts of the Catechism is color coded to guide the readers. It also has easy-to-understand headings and boxes at the beginning of each chapter listing the sources like the Bible, Ecumenical Councils, and the Liturgy. You can also use this as a companion for the “Catechism in a Year” podcast. The best Catholic theology book for beginners!
Theology for Beginners
This book is a classic introduction to theology which is geared toward those new to the Catholic Faith. Covering a wide range of topics such as the Transubstantiation, Incarnation, and the Holy Trinity, this reference explains them in a simple way that even those without a background in theology could grasp. It is arranged with a flow that is easy to follow. Moreover, it is written in an easy-to-understand style and not using jargoned language to break down complicated subjects. Highly recommended!
Catholicism For Dummies
Entertaining! This is how to describe this theology book. Yes, you read it right! It is a theology book written with humor covering all the basics of Catholic theology such as the importance of Sunday Mass, the Seven (7) Sacraments, Heaven, Purgatory, and hell. The book also extends to discussing the Church’s stances on modern social issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraception written in an easy-to-understand and friendly way. Overall, it is a must-have for Catholics and non-Catholics.
Introduction to Christianity (Communio Books)
One of Pope Benedict XVI’s widely read books, it is indeed an introduction to Christianity, a gateway to Catholicism. It discusses the core beliefs of Christians as formulated in its creeds. Pope extracted from the Apostles’ Creed six (6) principles, sharing with the readers his deep insights on these. Additionally, the writing style and language used made this book accessible and relevant to the modern world. It is a profound piece expressed simply making it an easy read. Compelling, smart, and thought-provoking. A serious introduction to Christianity. Five stars!
Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know
One of the best sellers in the Catholic Theology Books category in Amazon, this book simplifies the difficult topics to understand. Christian beliefs like salvation, justification, redemption, and merit are explained in a concise and straight forward manner. In addition, it has easy-to-follow chapters filled with citations for continued study. After reading this, you’ll get the true meaning of salvation and debunking the misunderstandings about it. An exceptional resource. Buy this now!
Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith
Written by the best selling author, and theologian, Dr. Scott Hahn, this book solves mysteries, correct misunderstandings and gives easy responses to common objections about Catholicism. He expounds the how and why of the Faith based on the scriptures, his experiences and even natural science. As usual, despite the jargons surrounding Catholic studies, his writing is clear and concise making it accessible for beginners. Another book that offers compelling reasons to embrace the Catholic faith. Top rated!
Consuming the Word: The New Testament and the Eucharist in the Early Church
Another masterpice by Dr. Scott Hahn, this book discusses the relationship of the New Testament and the Eucharist in the Early Church. It carefully dissects how the Eucharist is understood and practiced by the early Christians providing access to the Early Church Fathers. Once again, Dr. Hahn shows the full context of the bible in this book. It is once again well-written and well-researched that is easy to read. Scholarly writing for the non-scholarly. After reading this, you’ll have a new perspective on the Eucharist. A must read.
Conclusion
There you have the best Catholic Theology Books for beginners! With these collection, you’ll get to know the Catholic Church, its traditions and its beliefs in a deeper sense pushing you to grow more in Faith. You’ll learn how to defend it and utilize its gifts like accessing the Sacraments more often.
Welcome to the world of Catholic theology!