40 Questions About Roman Catholicism Paperback – 28 Sept. 2021

What is Roman Catholicism (RC)? As Evangelicals, it seems easy to answer this question, especially when one knows the main aspects of the Reformation. However, since RC is an institution of old, that at the same time reclaims for itself to be "idem" (always the same) and shows so many changes, that answer is at least tricky. This book sheds light on what RC is, its historical development, its current state, and how, as Evangelicals, we have to engage with it. This book is comprehensive yet readable, respectful yet sincere.

Is Roman Catholicism Christian? Such a question is repugnant to many evangelicals in this era of undiscerning pluralism. But how well do you really know Roman Catholicism and what it teaches?In his previous book, "Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment" (2014), evangelical theologian, Gregg Allison, posited that the Roman Catholic church operates according to two basic constructs:1. The nature-grace interdependence which claims the concrete conference of divine grace through nature (e.g., priests (blessings, transubstantiation of eucharist, absolution of sins), water (baptism), oil (confirmation, last rites) laying of hands (ordination), etc.).2. The Christ-Church interconnection, whereby the Catholic church presents itself as the prolongation of the incarnation of Christ.In this new, outstanding book, published as part of Kregal Academic's "40 Questions" series, Allison examines most of the major Roman Catholic doctrines and how they align within the nature-grace and Christ-Church constructs. The Catholic view on a particular doctrine is presented quite objectively followed by a Protestant/Biblical response. Most importantly, Kreeft examines the opposing views on justification (infusion of sacramental grace and meritorious obedience vs. imputation of Christ's perfect righteousness) and salvation (by sacramental grace and merit vs. by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone). Merit was unabashedly taught as a component of Catholicism's salvation system back when I was a young Catholic parochial school student, but the term has fallen into disfavor because of its blatant anti-Gospel connotations and replaced with such phrases as "cooperating with grace" and "maintaining friendship with God," but Allison accurately identifies merit as the bottom line of RC soteriology.I wish there was much more historical context in this book, but I realize Allison is writing from a theologian's perspective rather than a historian's. Allison's tone is irenic almost to a fault, which comports with his view that confrontational evangelism is not effective. This is definitely not a breezy read, folks, but it's well worth the effort. Praise God for a book such as this in 2021 when ecumenism with Rome is rampant within big tent evangelicalism. Much thanks to Dr. Allison and Kregal Academic Publishing. I've reviewed over 120 books on Roman Catholicism over the last six years and this one is easily one of the top 5.