CATHOLIC AND CHRISTIAN, by Alan Schreck. St. Anthony Messenger Press (Cincinnati, Ohio, 2004).242 pp.

Reviewed by Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/24/05)

After 20 years, St. Anthony Messenger Press is re-releasing Catholic and Christian by Dr. Alan Schreck, a professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. The book explains several commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs in a way that will inform Catholics and Christians alike. Instead of etching deeper dividing lines, Schreck addresses the issues objectively and inoffensively. An ecumenical gold mine, the book is an excellent choice for Catholics who want to learn more about their faith and for Christians who have questions about what the Church teaches and why.

"It will continue to help people as they’re on their walk of faith," said Schreck of the 20th anniversary edition.

Catholic and Christian attempts to explain some of the key points of disagreement between Catholics and Christians. Starting with salvation and working through the structure of the Church, the leadership of the pope, the sacraments, the saints and the Blessed Mother, Schreck approaches the topics systematically and clearly.

For each topic, he states what the Church teaches and explains why, including many scripture references. He then brings it down to a human level and explains why the teaching is important for Catholics and Christians today.

"We must band together to defend the essential Christian faith that we have received from the Church against the relativism and unbelief that are rampant in the post-Christian West," Schreck writes in the preface.

According to Schreck, the book has helped many people over the last 20 years.

"It has helped Catholics to understand the concepts of faith and Protestants to understand misunderstood categories," he said. "It either helps you remain in the Church or enter the Church."

When the book first came out in 1984, Schreck was addressing the rise of Evangelical and Pentecostal movements that prompted many questions from Catholics. In writing the book, he hoped to give Catholics answers to the basic questions of the faith. Protestants today are asking the same questions of Catholics who, while slightly more prepared, still have to respond, he said.

One of the main reasons for the new edition was a change in publishers when St. Anthony Messenger bought Servant Books. Another change to the book is a new preface that reflects some of what Schreck has learned in the past 20 years.

"We are all on a spiritual journey," he said. "The Lord has been teaching me, and this is an opportunity to share what I’ve learned."

As indicated by book sales, many people are interested in this topic. Schreck has also received e-mails, letters and phone calls thanking him for the book.

"If I hear from one person that the book helped it would have been worth it," he said, adding that the hundreds of responses are overwhelming.

"A writer is sowing seed," he said, referring to the Scripture verse that says one sows, another waters and God gives the growth. "You never know where that seed is going to land. God is using it to help in His field."

"I try to avoid an argumentative style," he said. "I’m just saying here’s the truth, and here’s why" based on Scripture and tradition.

The book is helpful to the ecumenical movement by focusing on what Catholics and Christians have in common. In today’s world, Schreck feels there has been a resurgence in certain areas of anti-Catholicism. These people attack the Church as if everything it says is wrong.

"Where there is openness for people to learn, the book will be helpful," he said.

In the new edition, Schreck made several revisions based on feedback from readers. Nothing has changed in the Church’s teachings, but he clarified some of his explanations. He also tried to emphasize that Catholic beliefs are founded in the Gospel.

Currently, Schreck is working on a book about Vatican II at the 40th anniversary of its close. According to Schreck, many Catholic beliefs are from that council but there remains much confusion about it. The Crisis of Vatican II is scheduled to be released later this year.

Catholic and Christian is available through St. Anthony Messenger Press at 1-800-488-0488 or at catalog.americancatholic.org.