The Ten Best Books to Give a Protestant Interested in Catholicism
When giving a book to a Protestant....
When giving a book about Catholicism to someone who is not Catholic, you must first be willing to make the journey to knowing the fullness of Jesus in His one true Church with them. Don't give them a book explaining theology, Church history, or doctrine and shove them in a corner to that navigate alone. True conversions can only happen in the heart and while books and informational resources can be an important part of that process, the most important part of a true conversion of heart is knowing Christ. Lets bring our Non-Catholic friends to know Jesus through His church by sharing our hearts for Christ with them first.
Books to Give a Protestant Interested in Catholicism
Rome Sweet Home by Kimberly and Scott Hahn
Rome Sweet Home is the story of Scott and Kimberly Hahn's journey from Reformed Presbyterianism to Roman Catholicism. The Catholic perspective in this book is steeped in Scripture and apologetics as well as an emotional story of falling in love with the one true Church God left His people on Earth. This is an excellent book to give to an American Protestant who is interested in Catholicism.
You can purchase Rome Sweet Home by Kimberly and Scott Hahn on the website linked below.
Crossing the Tiber by Stephen Ray
Crossing the Tiber is a beautiful story about a devout Baptist's conversion to the Catholic Church. Within this book he overcomes his hostility to the Catholic Church by a combination of studying the Bible and the writings of the early Church Fathers. Crossing the Tiber is also a testament to the legitimacy and importance of the Eucharist in scripture and the early church. Within this book the author also addresses many points of friction for Protestants considering the Catholic Church, like sola scriptura and sacred tradition.
You can purchase Crossing the Tiber by Stephen Ray with the link below.
Why We're Catholic by Trent Horn
Why We're Catholic is a clear, friendly, helpful, and illuminating accumulation of answers to very common questions that are often posed to Catholics. These answers are suitable to explaining the Catholic faith to any reader no matter their faith background. This book also addresses the joys of pursing a Catholic life and the glory of eternal life waiting for the reader if they chose to pursue it. This is a wonderful book to give to someone of any faith background to help them better understand Catholicism.
You can purchase Why We're Catholic by Trent Horn with the link below.
The Biblical Roots of the Mass by Thomas Nash
The Biblical Roots of the Mass provides the reader with a profoundly insightful testament to the Mass's roots in Sacred Scripture. A critique of the Catholic Church from ill-informed non-members is that the mass is "unbiblical." This work by Thomas Nash expertly dispels that idea and offers an authoritative explanation of salvation history and how it is illuminated in the Mass as it is in the Bible. This is a wonderful book to give someone with a Protestant background who has just started attending Mass and would like to understand it better.
You can purchase The Biblical Roots of the Mass by Thomas Nash with the link below.
The Bible is a Catholic Book by Jimmy Akin
Jimmy Akin throughout his book shows how the Bible cannot exist apart from the Church. He formulates this argument by highlighting its origins, its formulation, the truth it contains, and its preservation by careful preservation over the centuries and in the prayerful study and elucidation of its mysteries, Scripture is inseparable from Catholicism. And even non-Catholics will appreciate the clear and charitable way that Jimmy explains how the early Church gave us the Bible—and how the Church to this day reveres and obeys it.
You can purchase The Bible is a Catholic Book by Jimmy Akin with the link below.
The Protestant's Dilemma by Devin Rose
In his book, Devin Rose dives into nagging questions he had as an Evangelical. He follows the notions of his former protestant beliefs and practices that don't add up to their logical conclusion to places that he never expected them to lead-conclusions no Christians would ever admit to holding. In the Protestant's Dilemma over thirty of those conclusions are examined with strong evidence, compelling logic, and even gentle humor.
You can purchase The Protestant's Dilemma by Devin Rose using the link below.
The Case for Catholicism by Trent Horn
The Case for Catholicism is the most comprehensive and thorough defense of the Catholic faith from a Protestant objection perspective. This book puts forward many answers to arguments from early reformers like Luther and Calvin as well as modern defenders of the Protestant faith life Norm Geisler and R.C. Sproul. In his book Trent Horn meticulously defends the biblical history and nature of Catholic doctrines. Mr. Horn even cites modern Protestant scholars who question reformers assumptions. This is a great book to give ant American Protestants who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.
You can purchase The Case for Catholicism by Trent Horn with the link below.
Something Other Than God - How I Passionately Sought Happiness And Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler
In this book the author Jennifer recounts her journey from being raised happy in an atheist home to finding the truth of Christ in the Catholic faith. Her story walks through her desire for freedom, and the creeping darkness that followed her throughout her life. As her story unfolds she asks unflinching questions about life, death, good, and evil. These questions and their answers led her to Catholicism. This is a story of great faith in the face of hardship. Jennifer's book illuminates God's goodness and is a wonderful book to give to someone who may not believe in God but is questioning that belief.
You can purchase Something Other Than God - How I Passionately Sought Happiness And Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler.
Catholicism - A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron
In his book Bishop Robert Barron answers many common questions about Catholicism by trying to capture the body, heart, and mind of the Catholic faith. The book starts from the foundational beliefs of the faith like Jesus's incarnation, life, and teaching. Bishop Barron then approached defining components of Catholicism. He addresses many parts including sacraments, worship, prayer, Mary. the Saints. salvation, heaven, and hell. This book contains great knowledge complied in a very digestible way.
You can purchase Catholicism - A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron with the link below.
Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott Hahn
In his book, Scott Hahn walks with the reader through the Catholic Church's rites, customers, and traditional prayers. He covers everything form the rosary to the use of Holy Water. As he does this Mr. Hahn presents to the reader a Biblical as well as historical explanation of each custom. This book is very easy to read as each chapter covers a single topic. Scott Hahn also addresses misconceptions and objections regarding each custom. This is a great book to dive into the smallest details of Catholicism and a great read to get familiar with the individual, day-to-day Catholicism in practice.
You can purchase Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott Hahn with the link below.
Thank you for reading about The Ten Best Books to Give a Protestant Interested in Catholicism. If you are walking with someone who is interested in converting to Catholicism, here is a great prayer to pray for their journey.
O blessed apostle, St. Paul, greatest of all converts, who labored unceasingly for the conversion of other souls, inspire me with the ardor of your zeal that I may pray and work for the conversion of my brethren, redeemed in the blood of Christ but not as yet blessed with the full light of his truth.
Mindful of the loving concern of the Divine Shepherd for the salvation of the “other sheep that are not of this fold,” I now beg your intercession to obtain the grace of conversion for (name of family member, friend or others).
May God, the Holy Spirit from whom alone this gift can come, hear my humble prayer and thus enable me to share with others the riches of my heritage of faith through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.