The Catholic Controversy: A Defense of the Faith

by Francis de Sales

Book Overview

Between 1594 and 1598, a preacher named Francois converted 72,000 Protestants to the Catholic Faith. These are his words.

One of the most remarkable and well-documented events in Catholic history began when a young priest, St. Francis de Sales, volunteered to re-evangelize the Calvinists of the Chablais.

Finding his preaching forcefully rejected, St. Francis de Sales shrewdly switched tactics and began a written apologetics...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B001JL4PS2
• ISBN13: 9780895553874
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Tan Books
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Physical book is damaged

When I purchased my copy of The Catholic Controversy, the listing said the book was in good condition. But when it arrived it was filled with pencil markings and the spine is broken down enough that a multiple pages came out while I was flipping through it. I spent almost $17 on this book for it to arrive damaged l. Not impressed. Will be returning.

Traditional Catholic Doctrine, Both Deep and Wide

In addition to what is common in all other positive reviews of this compilation of writings by St. Francis, there yet remains at least one other strength of this book that is to be praised. That strength is his cohesion to the traditional Catholic Faith. There are other books that give overviews of the Catholic Faith, but often times their consistency with Scripture and Tradition should be questioned. That is something that one need not worry about with this work. Not only does St. Francis give sound arguments for the Catholic Faith, but he does so with plenty of Scripture, Church Father quotes, and reference to Church Councils. He also shows an understanding and love for Catholicism that is sopping wet with intellectual genius and passion for Christ! He will make a knowledgeable Reformed churchman (that was his intended audience, after all) take a few steps back and rethink his doctrine of the "visible/invisible church distinction" and how God has commanded the Gospel to be preached and succession of church leaders to continue. Not only does he understand Catholic doctrine, but he also understands his opponents, and often quotes from Calvin, Bucer, and other Reformers. Also, his treatment of the Papacy is probably one of the most concise anywhere. So I challenge you to read it, but I warn you, you may find yourself defending Catholic doctrine afterwards, even if you're Protestant when you first read this book!

The Catholic Controversy

Up until the time of St. Francis de Sales, the printing press had been used as a battering ram for reformers of all stripes to destroy christendom. However, with the start of St. Francis de Sales' mission to the French Calvinists that changed dramatically. When people refused to listen to him because of contempt or fear of reprisal, he printed tracts and slipped them under doors or put them up on public squares to bring the Calvinists back to the Faith.The result: nearly 72,000 French whose parents abandoneded the Faith a generation ago were brought back to the Catholic Church. If you read this book (a collection of the tracts St. Francis wrote), you'll see exactly how it happened. The arguments are cogent, simple, easy-to-follow and strike at the heart of whatever matter they address. The arguments against Protestantism in general and Calvinism in particular are relevant and still thorns in the side of the Reformed apologetic several hundred years later. If you're Catholic or Protestant you owe it to yourself to read this collection of tracts!

The Gentle Doctor's Powerful Defense of the Faith

Doctor and Bishop of the Catholic Church, St. Francis de Sales presents one of the most powerful defenses of the Catholic Faith ever to come from the hand of a mortal man. This book was instrumental in my conversion to the Catholic Faith and the reason I chose St. Francis de Sales as my patron saint. In his writings, he is as gentle as a dove and as wise a serpent, in accordance with our Lord's command. Here the truth is presented in a straight-forward and compelling manner, so much so that he converted with these pamphlets (here collected into book form) an entire region which had fallen away from the Catholic Faith into the errors of Calvinism. And when I say he converted the region, I mean virtually all of it, completely reversing the sad situation of a region that had fallen a few decades before into the errors of the protestant revolt. From Purgatory to the Papacy, these pamphlets reminded the people of the forceful clarity and Truth of the holy Catholic Apostolic Faith. May it equally remind us of that today, when it is needed again, as is another "counter reformation" against the revolts we see all around us in the Church!

A Defense of the Faith

St. Francis de Sales endangered his life when he entered the Chablais region in order to defend the faith. During his journey, St. Francis de Sales tied himself to tree limbs with his belt so the wolves could not get to him at night.It is said that when St. Francis de Sales arrived in the area there were only 7 Catholics left. When St. Francis finished, there were about the same number of Calvinists left.Facing death threats and doors shut in his face, St. Francis de Sales wrote several pamphlets defending the faith. For several years he slipped these under doors so the people could read them. This book is a compendium of those pamphlets.St. Francis de Sales uses scripture like no other. His arguments are as persuasive today as they were then. For those looking to understand the biblical basis for Catholic teachings (i.e., purgatory, papal infallibility) this book is a must.I recommend this book to Catholics who are interested in knowing the scriptural and logical reasoning behind the teaching of the Church. I also recommend the book to protestants who have an honest interest in finding out, from a Catholic source, just what that Church teaches. Buy the book.

As Relevant Today as it was 400 Years Ago!

If you ever had any doubts about the truth of the Roman Catholic Faith, read this book. Saint Francis will set you straight!By the way, don't confuse this great work with a similarly-titled book, "The Roman Catholic Controversy" by James R. White. The two are definitely not the same! However, I encourage anyone who has read Dr. White's book to read St. Francis De Salles as well --- then decide which is more accurate.