Apologetics DVD | love2learn.net

Common Ground

What Catholics and Protestants Can Learn from Each Other

Subject(s):

Apologetics

Miscellaneous Religion Materials

Grade / Age level:

High School

Adults

Resource Type:

DVD

2006

Review:

This DVD presents an engaging dialogue (Question and Answer format) between a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister. Produced by a Protestant Church, it primarily consists of common Protestant Questions/Objections about the Catholic Faith that are answered by the priest.

The priest's responses are succinct, respectful and quite insightful. Not only are they theologically solid, but they present creative and helpful ways of explaining authentic doctrine to others. The atmosphere of the dialogue is strikingly honest and open - including personal stories and anecdotes that helpfully connect ideas to reality.

I found that it took me a long time to get through this DVD not because it was boring, but because (given that I don't have enough time to watch it in one sitting), I kept finding myself starting a little earlier in the DVD than where I had previously finished, so that I could hear the explanations one more time. This is great stuff - a beautiful illustration of ecumenical dialogue AND a rather succint explanation of Catholic doctrine - particularly for anyone wanting to learn more about their faith.

Topics include: Salvation, the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, the Saints, Confession, Religious Images, prayer and the importance of charitable dialogue.

Publisher:

Kensington Community Church

Review Date:

3-3-2008

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

TitleSort:

Common Ground

No Price Too High and A Dinner with Alex Jones

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

2001

Review:

Alex Jones is a former Pentecostal preacher who converted to the Catholic faith, along with his family and his congregation, in 2001. This presentation is a talk he gave a few months before he was formally received into the Church, in which he first publicly told the story of his conversion. It was his study of the Early Church Fathers, in particular, that brought him into the Church. It is followed by a dinner table conversation, including questions from guests - both Catholic and Protestant. Hosted by Steve Ray.

Alex is a powerful and moving (and often funny!) speaker and it's exciting and inspiring to see this larger-than-life character on fire for the Faith. The flip side is that converting to the Faith cost him a great deal - especially among his friends and colleagues. This is a powerful witness, particularly for us cradle Catholics who might have a tendency to take the Faith for granted at times.

My older children (ages 12 and 14) and I really enjoyed his talk. Conversion stories are so exciting and hopeful - a great place to see the hand of God at work in our world today.

Publisher:

St. Joseph Communications

Perspective:

Catholic

Additional notes:

DVD 2 hours, 20 minutes

Review Date:

5-15-2007

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

TitleSort:

No Price Too High and A Dinner with Alex Jones

What Catholics Really Believe

Author(s):

Dr. Ray Guarendi

Rev. Kevin Fete

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

2002

Review:

This is a DVD apologetics series produced in 13 half-hour segments. Dr. Ray Guarendi and Rev. Kevin Fete discuss major issues of Catholic belief which are often misunderstood by Protestants and others - with an emphasis on support for Catholic belief from Scripture and from the Early Church Fathers. It's a lively discussion (Dr. Ray often breaks into "devil's advocate" mode!) with substantial but very accessible content. Basic topics covered are the following: Jesus, the Bible, Scripture and Tradition, Eucharist (2 episodes), Baptism, Morality, Confession, Mary (2 episodes), St. Peter, Papacy and Purgatory.

This is a quality production with numerous quotes from the discussion shown on the screen (makes it a lot easier to follow!).

My older children have really enjoyed watching the series. We just watched and discussed two episodes with the teen catechism discussion group that I lead. They found it informative and engaging - definitely the sort of thing that makes you want to dig deeper and learn even more. It's quite a good starting point for studying and discussing different topics relating to apologetics for both teens and adults. It could also be used as a "spine" to tie together a substantial religion course that included readings from Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

A detailed study guide is available for free online.

Click here to watch a segment of this series online.

Publisher:

Nineveh's Crossing

Binding:

Other

Perspective:

Catholic

Additional notes:

13 - 1/2 hour episodes on DVD

Review Date:

5-31-2007

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

TitleSort:

What Catholics Really Believe

Why Be Catholic?

Author(s):

Dr. Ray Guarendi

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

2006

Review:

Many people are familiar with Dr. Ray Guarendi - psychologist, father of 10 and expert on family discipline. You may not know that he has a number of apologetics materials available as well.

Dr. Ray, a revert to the Catholic Church after 10 years in Protestantism, explains, in an engaging and often humorous way, the big things that brought him back. There is a particular emphasis on the need for a religious "system" to be logically and morally consistent. He touches on the Early Church, the Eucharist, Contraception, the problem with personal interpretations of Scripture and much more.

This talk was filmed at a men's conference and might be particularly nice for busy homeschool dads who often don't have time to keep up with the spiritual reading and study that goes on at home during the day. Our entire family enjoyed this talk and I'm sure we'll return to it many times.

Watch a sample portion here
Also, there's a study guide available online.

The DVD also includes his classic talk (half-hour in length) "Catholic Dads Aren't Wimps" - an insightful look at the importance of discipline within the family and some very practical tips for making this happen. This is an abbreviated version of his 95 minute "comedy stand-up routine on parenting" titled "You're a Better Parent Than You think" (also produced by Nineveh's Crossing).

Publisher:

Nineveh's Crossing

Additional notes:

90 minute DVD plus 2 audio CDs

Two audio CDs are included in this package - one for each of the talks (great for taking in the car).

Review Date:

5-1-2007

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

TitleSort:

Why Be Catholic?

Peter: Keeper of the Keys

Author(s):

Steve Ray

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

2003

Review:

This is a fascinating travel/apologetics documentary focusing on the story of Saint Peter as related in the New Testament. Apologist Steve Ray travels to Rome and many sites in the Holy Land to tell Peter's story. He provides fascinating details of the connections between particular places and important events in Peter's life.

This would make a great supplement to a Bible study, an apologetics lesson on the Papacy, a geography unit on the Middle East or simply an important part of Church history. Our teen discussion group watched this together just after reading the chapter in Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazareth on Peter's Confession and the story of the Transfiguration. The DVD tied into these themes very nicely.

We very much enjoyed the professional quality of this video that is packed with theological and geographical insights, connections with Old Testament History and a nice visual perspective to well-known Bible stories. The format is engaging and the visuals help make the particulars of the story quite memorable.

I would suggest that this is best for high school and adult viewers, but some younger viewers might enjoy it after a parental preview.

Publisher:

Ignatius Press

Series:

The Footprints of God

Review Date:

4-17-2008

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

TitleSort:

Peter: Keeper of the Keys