Expressions of the Catholic Faith

by Kevin Orlin Johnson

Book Overview

For many practicing Catholics, the meanings behind the prayers we repeat, the rules we follow, and the rituals we perform have been lost or forgotten since we learned about them in parochial school or catechism class. In EXPRESSIONS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH, renowned scholar and religion columnist Kevin Orlin Johnson answers the most frequently asked questions on Catholic faith, worship, culture, and customs.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345381165
• ISBN13: 9780345381163
• Release Date: September 1994
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 287 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Why do Catholics do that?

I am finding it a little dry reading.

Very informative

I just started reading this book and I can’t seem to put it down. I just love looking up the scriptures.

Must read for the Protestant

When I read this book, it was mostly as a joke. I had decided to read it because I thought the title was humorous. However, I read it seriously, not half-heartedly. This is one of two books (the other being Greg Tobin's "The Wisdom of St. Patrick") that helped to begin and solidify my thought processes toward converting to Catholicism. The author really pulls you in and forces you to look at not just what the Church does, but why it does those things and whether or not that is what we all should be doing. As a protestant reading this, it made me really analyze my protestant roots and question them like I've never questioned them before. This book was really my first step. I fought it all the way, but there are things about both Protestantism and Catholicism that this book makes you realize deep in your soul and heart. Another must read for the Protestant, either with Catholic friends, with an interest in the history and tradition of the Church, or one thinking of converting... This book will take one through an amazing spiritual journey whether you wish to go or not.

Solidified My Decision to Join the Church

During the late 90's, I was investigating a number of Christian faiths. For many years I was bouncing around from Protestant church to Protestant church with no real clue as to what I was looking for. Becoming Catholic never entered my mind. Eventually I ran into a Catholic friend who explained a few of the basics of the Church to me. Intrigued, I began to study on my own and found "Why Do Catholics Do That?" The title seemed straightforward enough, so I picked up the book and read it from cover to cover. It was amazing. Kevin Orlin Johnson's book answered all of my major questions about the Church and most of my minor questions. I had read a number of other books up to that point and none of them gave me answers as honestly or inoffensively as this one. It didn't try to hammer anything down my throat. Instead, it gave me answers in plain English and with no intent to brush me off as "just another Protestant." After reading the book, I decided to enter the RCIA process, where I entered the Church at Easter in 2000. I can honestly say that this book was the decision maker for me. It is written in a way that isn't too "bookish" or intellectual for the casual reader, yet has a good amount of information in it. The writing style used, which has a lot of humor in it, lessened the blows of what some consider "cocky Catholicism." Another reviewer felt that in her original review this book came across as too cocky. I understand what she is talking about. I've met quite a few people with that cocky attitude. That attitude was one of the major things that turned me off from the Church originally. This book to me, however, wasn't too cocky. I enjoyed it. It gave the reader information in a straight manner. I also found nothing anti-Semitic about this book, as another reviewer mentions.With this book, I learned that a number of the things that I was taught as a child about the Catholic Church was mere propaganda or, in most cases, misinformation. A lot of what I thought I knew about the Church was actually a misunderstanding of practices and beliefs. I believe this book, with its simplicity, could easily challenge some of the harder hitting Protestant theories about the Catholic faith. Although it doesn't really go into any major theological arguments, it openly explains why Catholics do the things they do. It's hard to argue with someone when they are straightforward and honest with their beliefs. Perhaps that's what we need a little more of in the world today.

Reversion

I was raised Catholic, and like so many of my generation, I grew up with a very weak foundation in the faith. Although I was raised Catholic and attended CCD throughout my formative years, in time I left the Church and began attending fundamentalist churches. This book was instrumental to my coming back to the Church after fourteen years away, as it was the first time that I actually read anything indepth on what we as Catholics believe and why. I did not buy the book, but rather it was loaned to me by my Mother, but God used this book to bring me back home. I highly recommend it! Although at the time I first read it, some of it was difficult to read, and some of it I did not agree with at all, it planted the seeds of desire to understand the Catholic faith which lead to the desire to return to the Catholic Church. My wife, who was Baptist, also read it and in time became a Catholic. We are both very active in our parish, and it is good to be home! Is it biased; it is a presentation of Catholic beliefs which does not seek to comprimise those beliefs. I don't know that I would call that biased. As to addressing the issues that are often brought up in arguements against the faith, I don't believe that the intent of the book is to answer protestant charges against the faith, but rather simply to present the faith, and in the latter intent, it more than succeeds. There are other books which intend to address the charges against the faith made by protestants and others, and which do a great job, but again, I do not believe that is the intent of this book. It is the Holy Spirit which touches hearts, and indeed this book can be used by the Spirit to touch hearts. I highly recommend this book to Catholics who desire to have a deeper understanding of their faith, and to Catholics who have left the Church, for they might see that the reasons they left were based on misunderstanding, and there are some truly great reasons to come back.

Highly recommended

Yes, I'm Catholic -- always have been. I bought this book while taking a bible study course on the Acts of the Apostles. I wanted to know more about the beginning of the Church. It's been over a year since I read it -- I found it profoundly enlightening, and continue to learn from it. I've read many of the reviews here, and am surprised at the negative accounts. The author has a definite writing style -- he's actually VERY funny -- but I think he is being taken by many to be haughty. Instead, I find him to be a true believer -- he is very secure in his Catholicism -- that's why he wrote the book!Kevin Orlin Johnson has taken VOLUMES of material and gleaned powerful information to show us what makes Catholicism unique. I couldn't help but read much of it out loud to my family, as it was so exciting to examine the history from which our practices developed. I found it humbling and inspiring at the same time. It's one of the best books I've ever read! Even more important, I believe it will move the reader to want to learn more about his/her own faith through Scripture and other publications, whether Catholic or not. It surely motivated me!

Understanding the Catholic Church for dummies

Even though I am a devout Catholic, there are many parts of my faith that I did not really understand. How do we know so much about Mary ? Where did the Rosary come from ? Why do we have the Sign of Peace at Mass ? All these and more are answered by Kevin Johnson in a clear to understand manner. He delivers truth with a purely historical background. The book starts out with the foundation of the Catholic Church and continues on to the devotions, and explanation of almost everything in the Catholic Faith. His concise explanations are very clear for an unbeliever or a believer. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Catholic Church or a Catholic is is trying to better understand their faith.