Question for my fellow catholic brothers (sisters)

[CrONoS]

I become more and more interested for reading book from catholics theologians. My short but intense reading of Chesterton, gave me the desire to intellectually explore more my own Catholics theology and orthodoxy.

I came across two names; Jacques Maritains and Hans Urs von Balthasar, two theologians from the XXth century, they seems to be respected by Catholics. But I could be also interested by reading Duns Scott, , St Thomas Aquinas, St John Chrysostom (Saint Jean Chrysostome) or work from any church father, or apologetic works from C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, etc..

But I don't know where to begin; is there anyone with any ideas, recommendations?

[Maniac]

The New Testament?

[CrONoS]

Originally posted by Maniac
The New Testament?

..

[Felch]

My dad's a big fan of Chesterton. Lewis is good too, he was always excellent at popularizing the theology.

[Adalbertus]

Don't read Aquinas. IMO he is a very eloquent babbler who looks for meaning in words rather than in facts or ideas. He was a very modest man who created the feast of Corpus Christi to his own and God's honour.

[Ben Kenobi]

Start with Mere Christianity.

C.S. Lewis really is the best. Chesterson is also good.

I'd also go with Scott Hahn, and his book "Rome Sweet Home".

Politically Correct Death by Francis Beckwith is also helpful too.

[Nikolai]

Confessions by Augustin is said to be a good read. Haven't read him myself though. Other than that, I agree with Ben on C.S. Lewis. He's a great read for any Christian, Catholic or schismatic() as myself.

[Ben Kenobi]

Yes, his Confessions is very good!

Thanks for that addition.

[Zkribbler]

As long as we have a Catholic gather, I'd like to ask a question.

A friend of mine commented recently he's been encountering Catholics who say, "I am not a Christian. I am a Catholic."

Has anyone else come across this? If so, what does it mean? Why are Catholics saying they're not Christians??

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm not sure. I've encountered many protestants who say that Catholics are not 'true' Christians.

Catholics are Christians, first and foremost.

[CrONoS]

I'm going to the library right now; to borrow C.S. Lewis "Mere Christiannity".

(I've already read Augustine and Pascal)

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
I'm not sure. I've encountered many protestants who say that Catholics are not 'true' Christians.

Catholics are Christians, first and foremost.

Yeah. It's weird. I have no explanation for this (if it is truely happening.) Thanks, Ben.

[The diplomat]

Originally posted by Maniac
The New Testament?

He can't. It would disprove his Catholic theology.

[Robert]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
I'm not sure. I've encountered many protestants who say that Catholics are not 'true' Christians.

Catholics are Christians, first and foremost.

Messianic Jews are first and foremost christians.
After that all heathen-christians follow, both catholics and non-catholics.

Catholics are no more or less catholics then protestants or orthodox or whatever else there is.

[Nikolai]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
I'm not sure. I've encountered many protestants who say that Catholics are not 'true' Christians.

Catholics are Christians, first and foremost.

Catholisism, like all other Christian denominations, are flawed, as it's made up by flawed humans. No denomination has everything right. But saying Catholics are not Christians? Nonsense. I don't agree with all of your theology, just as you don't agree with me on everything. But you, as I, believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, God's Son, and as long as you have that right, everything else become more or less important details, not decisive for salvation or being "true" Christians. I'd say people saying Catholics aren't Christians have missed some important lessons in Gospel 101. Just as Catholics saying they are not Christians have some lessons to learn too.