Apologetics

Surprised by Truth

11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic
Book cover: 'Surprised by Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic'
Author(s): 
Patrick Madrid (ed.)
Grade / Age level: 
Copyright: 
1994
Review: 

These are relatively short (usually about 20 or 30 pages each) autobiographical essays from Catholic converts. The stories cover a numer of converts who are becoming well-known for their vibrant Catholic ministries of various sorts, and so you may have heard the names Marcus Grodi, James Akin, Steve Wood, Tim Staples and Dave Armstrong before). Because of the variety of authors, the reading levels and vocabulary used vary greatly - some are simple and succinct and others more complex - but all are compelling in their own way; all help to shed more light on what it means to be a Catholic and why the Catholic Church is so different from other beliefs. Although primarily intended for adults, the book would make excellent apologetics reading for high schoolers because it provides a wealth of information and "holy ammunition" in intellectual battles with non-Catholics.

Publisher: 
Basilica Press
Series: 
Surprised by Truth
Binding: 
Softcover
Perspective: 
Catholic
Number of pages: 
269 pages
Review Date: 
4-26-01
Reviewed by: 
TitleSort: 
Surprised by Truth

Surprised by Truth 2

15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic
Book cover: 'Surprised by Truth 2: 15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic'
Author(s): 
Patrick Madrid (ed.)
Grade / Age level: 
Copyright: 
2000
Review: 

The sequel to Surprised by Truth provides even more stories of how the grace of God, the witness of others and important conversations about the truth, brought these men and women back to the fullness of the Cahtolic faith.

Publisher: 
Sophia Institute Press
Series: 
Surprised by Truth
Binding: 
Softcover
Perspective: 
Catholic
Number of pages: 
298 pages
Review Date: 
4-26-01
Reviewed by: 
TitleSort: 
Surprised by Truth 2

Peter: Keeper of the Keys

Cover: 'Peter: Keeper of the Keys'
Author(s): 
Steve Ray
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Copyright: 
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: 
TitleSort: 
Peter: Keeper of the Keys