Sunday 22 December 2019

20 Answers Conversion - Shaun McAfee - 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers

20 Answers Conversion
20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers
Shaun McAfee
Catholic Answers Press
ISBN 9781683571346
eISBN 9781683571360
eISBN 9781683571353
ASIN B07SVJYNQ1


Over the last few years I have read 30 of the books in the 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers. And I have also read most of the books by Shaun McAfee. And most by both are excellent reads. My favorites by Shaun is Reform Yourself! How to Pray, Find Peace, and Grow in Faith with the Saints of the Counter-Reformation, but this book is a very close second. I love the idea that Shaun presents that we are all in the process of conversion. It does not matter if we were born and raise Catholic or were a ‘Convert’ latter in life, we are all in process. In fact, the introduction of this volume begins with these words:

“Conversion is for everyone. 

Conversion is the master theme of the entire Bible and the enduring message in salvation history. Every prophecy, every proverb, psalm, chronicle, law, commandment, parable, beatitude, and moral insight is proclaimed for the purpose of conversion: of the soul, of the heart, and of the mind.”

Shaun also states:

“Christianity is about conversion because our faith is something that is grown, our hope is something continual, and our love is something that is worked unto perfection.”

And the introduction concludes with:

“Many of the answers in this small book are directed at those who are new to the Catholic Church or are moving towards fuller communion with it. But conversion doesn’t end with that communion. It’s a lifelong duty even for “cradle Catholics”: our work of participation in God’s saving grace. Conversion is for everyone because its fruits of faith, hope, and love are for everyone.”

As such it is an incredible read for all Catholics. The 20 Questions answered in this volume are:

1. What is conversion?
2. What is the process of entering the Catholic Church?
3. What exactly am I required to do and believe as a Catholic?
4. What challenges do new converts face?
5. How do I choose a parish?
6. What are some pitfalls that new converts should watch out for?
7. Catholics have a lot of customs and traditions. What are some important ones I need to know?
8. What are the liturgy and the liturgical calendar?
9. Do I have to pray to Mary and the saints?
10. Do Catholics still believe in purgatory?
11. Do Catholics have to pray for the dead?
12. How can I understand the Catholic hierarchy and all the different kinds of clergy and religious?
13. Is it true that we don’t have to accept certain Catholic moral teachings if we don’t agree with them?
14. Are there any Catholic teachings that I can choose to believe or not to believe?
15. What if I don’t understand something the Church says I have to believe?
16. How do I handle reports of sexual abuse scandals in the Church?
17. I’ve heard that the pope is changing a lot of Church teachings. Is this true?
18. Does the Catholic Church tell me how I have to vote?
19. What can I do if my spouse or family isn’t Catholic?
20. Okay, I’m Catholic. How do I discern what God has in store for me next?

As you can see Shaun attacks some hard questions. Being Catholic and voting, the sexual abuse crisis, and the question of accepting the church’s teaching. Shaun has written an excellent volume. It is a book all Catholic would benefit from reading.

Many of the books in the 20 Answers series I have read more than once. This is one I will enjoy returning to from time to time as a reminder. When I was involved with Campus Ministries, specifically Campus Crusade for Christ, they have a series of ‘How To’ booklets, by your second or third year in the ministry you had them memorized and could use them in random evangelization. The 20 Answers Books remind me of them. They are great tools, for growing your own faith, deepening your knowledge and to provide you with sills to be able to answer friend, family and coworkers on many topics. It is a great series, and this is one of the best in the series. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!


Books by Shaun McAfee:
Reform Yourself! How to Pray, Find Peace, and Grow in Faith with the Saints of the Counter-Reformation
Filling Our Father's House: What Converts Can Teach Us About Evangelization
St. Robert Bellarmine

Social Media Magisterium: A No-Nonsense Guide to the Proper Use of Media
I'm Catholic. Now What?
20 Answers Conversion - Catholic Answers
Epic Saints: Wild, Wonderful, and Weird Stories of God's Heroes 
...

Contributed to:
Surprised By Life: 10 Converts Explain How Catholic Teachings On Life Led Them To The Church

Inseparable: Five Perspectives on Sex, Life, and Love in Defense of Humanae Vitae 
...

20 Answers Series:
20 Answers Abortion - Trent Horn
20 Answers Angels & Demons - Fr. Mike Driscoll
20 Answers Atheism - Matt Fradd
20 Answers Death & Judgement - Trent Horn
20 Answers Divorce & Remarriage - Jim Blackburn
20 Answers End of Life - Jason Negri
20 Answers Faith & Science - Trent Horn
20 Answers God - Trent Horn
20 Answers Islam - Andrew Blezad
20 Answers Jehovah's Witnesses - Trent Horn
20 Answers Mary - Tim Staples
20 Answers Miracles - Karlo Broussard
20 Answers Mormonism - Trent Horn
20 Answers Salvation - Jimmy Akin
20 Answers Scripture and Tradition - Jim Blackburn
20 Answers The Bible - Trent Horn
20 Answers The Eucharist - Trent Horn
20 Answers The Papacy - Jim Blackburn
20 Answers The Real Jesus - Trent Horn

20 Answers The Church - Trent Horn
20 Answers Witchcraft & the Occult - Michelle Arnold
20 Answers Apparitions & Revelations - Michael O'Neill
20 Answers Bible Prophecy - Jimmy Akin
20 Answers Homosexuality - Jim Blackburn
20 Answers The Reformation - Steve Weidenkopf
20 Answers The Sacraments - Fr. Mike Driscoll

20 Answers Bible Difficulties - Jimmy Akin  
20 Answers The Reformation - Steve Weidenkopf
20 Answers Bioethics - Stacy A. Trasancos
20 Answers Conversion - Shaun McAfee
20 Answers Faith and Works - Jimmy Akin
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
...  


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
...

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