Catholic for a Reason, edited by Dr. Scott Hahn and Leon J. Suprenant, with the forward by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, will help Catholics and non-Catholics alike develop a better understanding of the Church. Each chapter goes to the heart of its topic, presenting the teachings of the Church in a clear, concise, and insightful way. The teachings on Mary, the Eucharist, Baptism, and Purgatory are explained in light of the relationship of God the Father to us. Catholic for a Reason is bound to become an apologetics classic.

Catholic for a Reason looks at Catholicism with the theme of Scripture and Family. it is a collection of writings by various authors. Scott Hahn examines the Trinity as Family. Jeffrey Cavins writes of reading the Bible as a narrative,an approach which would make reading it more palatable for a novice who might be intimidated by books such as Leviticus, and the story of the family of faith. Curtis Mitch writes of God communicating with his family. Father Pablo Gadenz expounds upon the Church as the family of God. He also writes in a later chapter of the priesthood of Jesus, priests as the spiritual father of his parish and why Catholics call their priests father. Richard White writes about Divine Sonship and Justification from the Catholic perspective. Kimberly Hahn writes about Baptism and compares it to being born again, explaining the Catholic perspective of how it makes one the child of God. Sean Innerest writes about the Liturgy as a Seder Meal(though some of the points may need modified in light of the new translation-and this may have been done in a newer edition of this book, and described its relation to Scripture. Edward Siri described the Eucharist as the true Body of Christ and Scriptural basis for it. Timothy Gray writes of Mary as the mother of the universal Church and Queen of Heaven. He describes her as "gebirah" or queen- mother. Leon Suprenant explains marriage through the context of the Church and Scripture. He gives the definition of marriage, the fact that it is a covenant, and explains its purpose. Kris Grey writes of the ways God has given to heal the family bond we have with God through His forgiveness and Reconciliation. Curtis Martin explains the Catholic position on Purgatory though Scripture and the writings of the Fathers of the Church. I received this book as a First Reads reviewer.I am recommending it to several RCIA candidates. ( )