Book Reviews and More: 20 Answers The Church - Trent Horn - 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers

20 Answers The Church
20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers
Trent Horn
Catholic Answers Press
ISBN 9781683570394
eISBN 9781683570417
ASIN B075B6QLDL

To date there are 26 books in the 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers. The original 20, and over the last year there are been 2 more sets of three released. Of the 26 books I gave 5/5tars to 22 of them and the other 4 received 4/5. To say that this is a great series would be an understatement. And among the bets are the 9 by Trent Horn. I honestly believe that the world would be changed if every Catholic read a few of these books, and it would be transformed if Catholics read them all. These books are written in a question and answer style. Much like the catechisms of old.

I spent the better part of 20 years in University. My last degree was a Religious Studies Degree with a focus on Roman Catholic Thought. I would have loved to have had this series and specifically this book as a resource for a number of courses and many essays. What I love most about Horn's writing is how engaging and accessible it is. When you combine this book with Horn's 20 Answers the Bible, You have a keen understanding and a focus on what is Central to Christian history and Catholic tradition. I once had a university professor state: 'Even without the Gospels, Christianity could have been established and be in the form we experience it today from the writings of Paul.' I would say the same of the 20 Answers Series. If I catholic were only to read a book or 2 a year I would recommend this one and Horn's book on the Bible. If they are up for more of a challenge, I would call them out to read this whole series.

The Questions answered in this volume are:
1. What is the Church?
2. Is the Catholic Church the same as the church of the Bible or the church of the early Christians?
3. Why don't Catholics rely on the Bible alone?
4. Don't all Christians belong to one invisible church? Why do I need to join a specific church?
5. Why must Catholics go to church every Sunday?
6. Does Christ's Church need a pope?
7. What is papal infallibility?
8. Is the Church infallible?
9. What is the difference between a dogma, a doctrine, and a discipline?
10. What is an ecumenical council?
11. Did the Catholic Church emerge from paganism in the fourth century?
12. Did the Catholic Church begin in the eleventh century after the "Great Schism"?
13. Did the Church become corrupt during the Middle Ages, thus necessitating the Protestant Reformation?
14. How can the Church be called holy, given its past crimes?
15. How can you trust the Catholic Church after its cover-up of the sex abuse scandal?
16. Why can't married men be priests?
17. Why can't women be priests?
18. What does the statement "there is no salvation outside the Church" mean?
19. What are the Church Militant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Triumphant?
20. How can I join or help someone join the Catholic Church?

In the introduction Horn states:

"It's not just certain Protestants who think the Church is not an essential element of the Christian life. According to Georgetown University, one-quarter of Catholics attend Mass only a few times a year (such as Christmas and Easter), and one-third rarely or never attend Catholic services at all. If Caleb and others like him are correct, then this shouldn't bother us, because church attendance is a helpful but nonetheless optional part of the Faith."

And to be honest a few years ago I would have been one of that 25%. As my church attendance became less and less, my desire became less. Now If I miss even when I am sick, I find it affects my whole week. I actually prefer when I make it to mass more than once a week. Even if it is hard with my work schedule. I know the benefit. From the introduction Horn says:

"In this booklet, we will answer the most common questions people ask about the Church and show how God's plan to gather his family into one covenant finds its fulfillment in Christ's Church."

This book is a great introduction to church History and some key tenants of the Catholic faith. Now to be honest there is much in this book, in todays politically correct, almost anything goes era that many would take issue with. The question is do they take issues because they have researched, studies and disagree or because the views brought forward challenge them and they conscience.

Many people even in the church today might read a book like this and dismiss it with a wave of the hand. Many others will not even be willing to pick it up. But I can guarantee that if you read this book with an open mind and heart you will be challenged and come away with a closer relationship to God through your life in the Church.

This is a terrific book in an incredible series. I cannot stress the importance of giving this book a read and consider reading the whole series. I highly recommended it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!

Note 2: Currently this series of books is being offered at a 60% discount so get it while you can. That is right you can get all 23 physical books or all 23 eBooks for just $39.95! If you want a way to go deeper this year give this series a try!

#20AnswersChallenge

20 Answers: Relics & Sacramentals - Shaun McAfee

20 Answers: The Communion of Saints - Karlo Broussard

20 Answers Eastern Catholicism - Father Daniel Dozier

20 Answers Anti-Catholic Myths - Jimmy Akin

20 Answers The End Times - Jimmy Akin

20 Answers The Rosary - Tom Nash

20 Answers Seasons & Feasts – Michelle Arnold

20 Answers New Age - Michelle Arnold

20 Answers Catholic Social Teaching – Mark Brumley

20 Answers Prayer – Hugh Barbour O. Praem and Sebastian Walshe O. Praem

20 Answers Faith & Reason – Christopher Kaczor

20 Answers The New Testament – Jimmy Akin

20 Answers Protestantism – Jimmy Akin

20 Answers Marriage & Sex – Todd Aglialoro

20 Answers The Early Church – Jim Blackburn

20 Answers The Old Testament – Jimmy Akin

20 Answers Judaism – Michelle Arnold

20 Answers The Sacraments – Father Mike Driscoll

20 Answers St Thomas Aquinas - Dr. Kevin Vost

...

Other Books from Catholic Answers:
Hard Sayings: A Catholic Approach to Answering Bible Difficulties - Trent Horn
A Daily Defense: Apologetics Lessons for Every Day - Jimmy Akin
The Apostasy That Wasn't: The Extraordinary Story of the Unbreakable Early Church - Rod Bennett
Answering Atheism - How to Make the Case for God with Logic and Charity - Trent Horn
Persuasive Pro Life: How to Talk About Our Culture's Toughest Issue - Trent Horn and Fr Frank Pavone
The Protestant's Dilemma: How the Reformation's Shocking Consequences Point to the Truth of Catholicism - Devin Rose
Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines - Tim Staples
Handed Down: The Catholic Faith of the Early Christians - James L. Papandrea
Demons, Deliverance, Discernment: Separating Fact from Fiction about the Spirit World - Fr. Mike Driscoll
Navigating the Tiber: How to Help Your Friends and Family Journey Toward the Catholic Faith - Devin Rose
100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura - Dave Armstrong
The Drama of Salvation: How God Rescues You from Your Sins and Brings You to Eternal Life - Jimmy Akin
The Truth is Out There (Brendan and Erc in Exile Book 1 - Brother Amadeus and Amadeus
...Memorize the Reasons! Defending the Faith with the Catholic Art of Memory - Kevin Vost
Marching Orders: A Tactical Plan for Converting the World to Christ - Dan McGuire
The Fathers Know Best - Jimmy Akin
Why We're Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love - Trent Horn
The Old Evangelization: How to Spread the Faith Like Jesus Did - Eric Sammons
What the Saints Never Said - Trent Horn
...

Monday, 2 April 2018

20 Answers The Church - Trent Horn - 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers

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