Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic

by Dr. John S. Bergsma

Overview

The Pope, devotion to Mary, confession … just where are these topics in the Bible? Why does the Catholic Church seem to focus on so many things that aren't scriptural? Or so thought former Protestant pastor John Bergsma. Stunned by Scripture is an engaging examination of the things Dr. Bergsma once considered obstacles to ever becoming Catholic himself. Over an eighteen-month spiritual journey, Bergsma was stunned again and again by the biblical support he found for even the stickiest teachings of the Catholic Church. Weaving his personal story into clear explanations of Catholic teachings as found in Scripture, Dr. Bergsma explores key Catholic doctrines, including: The Pope, Devotion to Mary, Confession, The Eucharist, The priesthood, He also refutes Protestant theologies such as belief in the Bible alone and salvation by faith alone.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612783932
Publisher:	Our Sunday Visitor, Publishing Division
Publication date:	02/06/2018
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Dr. John Bergsma is Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He served as a protestant pastor for four years before entering the Catholic Church in 2001 while pursuing a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame specializing in the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Since 2004, his primary work has been teaching Scripture to the theology and catechetics majors of Franciscan University of Steubenville. A frequent guest on Relevant Radio's Drew Mariani Show and Sacred Heart Radio's Son Rise Morning Show, Dr. Bergsma has appeared on EWTN's The Journey Home and Life on the Rock, and he speaks regularly at conferences and parishes nationwide. Dr. Bergsma has numerous academic and popular publications, including the books BibleBasics for Catholics and New Testament Basics for Catholics from Ave Maria Press. He and his wife, Dawn, reside with their eight children in Steubenville, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Book I Never Would Have Written 9

Chapter 1 "John, I Am Your Father!": The Bible and the Papacy 17

Chapter 2 Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary: The Bible and the Blessed Mother 37

Chapter 3 I Have a Confession to Make: The Sacrament of Reconciliation 57

Chapter 4 "Mass" Conversion: The Eucharist, the Bible, and Me 73

Chapter 5 Fathers Know Best: Priesthood in the Bible 91

Chapter 6 The Bible Alone Leaves Me Lonely 113

Chapter 7 Losing Faith in "Faith Alone" 131