The Catholic Church and Conversion

Like Orthodoxy, which is arguably Chesterton's best non-fiction book, this is an exciting book with a dull title. Orthodoxy, however, had a somewhat better subtitle: "The Romance of Faith". In his 1936 autobiography, Chesterton admitted that he thought Orthodoxy was a bad title and had always meant to change it but never got around to it. He makes no such comments on this book. Until now, the only way to get this book was in Collected Works Volume III which collects the so-called and little-known "Catholic" books written after his conversion in 1922. Most have better titles like The Thing, The Well and The Shadows and Where All Roads Lead, but this is the book that knocked me out. I found out about these books through The Apostle of Common Sense, a book and video series that ran on EWTN by Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society. He briefly describes thirteen of G.K.'s non-fiction works (and the Father Brown detective series), and quotes from them. That last was the clencher, as this book seemed overflowing with bon mots and Chestertonian whimsey. Who but GK would list these as the three stages of conversion: 1. Patronizing the Church; 2. Discovering the Church; 3. Running Away from the Church? GK said of his brother Cecil that "we often argued but never quarreled". Like much of GK, this book may provoke some lively arguments. But it's not simply for those interested in Rome and conversion, title to the contrary. What Ignatius has done is given us a quick read (under 150 pages) at a great price (under ten bucks) of some nearly unknown Chesterton. And when GK enters the ring, it's certain to enliven any philosophical discussion.

This old book is still appropriate for today's world and the attacks ongoing against the Church. Very insightful, as are most of Chesterton's writings. It was also able to bring to my attention the story of Nurse Edith Cavell who was murdered by the Germans during World War I. Not an easy read, but well worth the effort.

I have had a sense that I live under a different world view as a cradle Catholic; the outside world that G K Chesterton call topsy turvy looking in. The issues of abortion, same sex marriage and the HHS Mandate peel like thunder to me because of my Catholic outlook. When I did sense my Catholic outrage on the outside world I would cower because I did not want to be labeled a bigot or narrow minded Having read this book I now believe that our Catholic world view is universal and open minded. Chesterton talks of the Catholic Church's universality and the Church militant. He speaks of how, because of the Protestant revolt, how their objections to us are not really the objections that actually exist. Protestantism to him has aspects of Catholic teaching over emphasized on one end over the other. To him we are all Catholic because we as a Catholic Church embrace both sides of the issue. The Church is not a small restricted sect. When we leave a sect we can breath and see that the Catholic view is a breath of fresh air. He speaks of the process that a convert will go through to come to this conclusion from his own conversion experience. He speaks to me because that process is just as applicable for this cradle Catholic as he journeys onto his next step in his spiritual life. He gives me words as to why I am a Roman Catholic. I highly recommend this book. I also recommend one reads Heretics and Orthodoxy before reading this book. I also read his short essay "Upon This Rock" before I read this book. Again, there is an issue in formatting in this version. Sentences do not complete on the same line and leave a blank space jumping to the next line. There is a "T" missing in the word the in one of the pages. This is why I am giving this version four stars instead of five.

The book provides much food for thought. According to Chesterton, Catholicism has a recognized place among the New Religions because of its understanding of the modern world. Protestantism, which was considered normal in the 19th century, is going in various directions, following fads. Protestants, who had just proved that Rome did not believe in the Bible, were excitedly discovering that they did not believe in the Bible themselves. The mark of the Catholic faith is not tradition; it is conversion. To a Catholic, the Church is not his child but his mother. The critic fears not the vices of the Catholic Church but its virtues, confession being one of them. Eventually, as the critic learns about the Church, no Protestant can hold him back from conversion. A person converts to Catholicism in three phases: (1) he tries to be a detached judge of Catholic teaching; (2) he becomes excited to find truth where he did not expect for find it; and (3) he fears and resists conversion to what he previously abhorred. Truth is the trap. One application of Catholic thinking concerns wealth distribution. According to Catholic thinking, wealth is not to be taken away from everybody or given in trust to politicians (as in Socialism). It is to be given to everybody. Chesterton thinks that Guilds are a better social system than Capitalism. Catholic philosophy is a universal philosophy found to fit anywhere with human nature and the nature of things. It is common sense. Some people, especially young people, who abandon Catholicism abandon it not for Protestantism but for paganism. They abandon it for things and not theories. They abandon it for passion and not reason. They want to have their own way. The controversy is no longer between two philosophies, as was the Catholic and the Calvinist, but between philosophers and philanderers.

I am so glad I have a Kindle because now I can read a considerably larger array of G K Chesterton' s books and essays. His writings are hard to find in book stores and public libraries. The Church and Conversion is a book I would have never been able to find without the advent of ebooks. In this book he presents the argument for his conversion to Catholicism in a logical and witty way. There's really no one else that writes in his style. I liked this book, but I've liked all of Chesterton' s books and essays that I've read so far.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Fascinating look at the times of the late 19th to early 20th century and The Church.

A timeless, reason-laden exposition of the difference between the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church verses the many human-created sects brought into being to meet the subjectivistic leanings of this sect or another. Thousands of Denominations, all declining in number, as one denomination breaks into yet another denomination to be relevant. Yes Catholic young leave in their quest for freedom, but certainly not to join a sect. One kid told me that he was a recovering Catholic. After a dozen questions about the Catholic Church, he could answer not one. I responded: "How can you leave what you never were?"

Interesting, well written, some great points, even if you are not a Catholic (or even a Christian). Mostly underscoring the fundamental virtues and universal nature of Catholicism among Christian faiths. Written a long time back but very pertinent to today's world. Helps steel the Catholic believer in this time of our leftist pope. This, too shall pass!

This is a short book, that Catholic converts will find t rings so true. All the half formed thought one had, clearly described,

Simply a must read for cradle Catholics and converts alike. Very readable on all levels and comprehensive in its dealing with the real issues facing Catholicism today.

Unique and colorful writing, The gratitude he has for life itself, He shows that the joys far outweighed the sorrows. He defended the Catholic church long before he was converted to be a catholic. He liked the solid objective truth, that the church was, is and shall be world without end.

As a Catholic convert myself I was looking forward to a good read. Unfortunately I find it a bit highbrow although I do admire GKChesterton and love his snappy sound bites.

A bit difficult with the syntax and language. Not sure it added much to my studies as it's an individual's assertion as to why basically all roads (in the world of religion/christian denominations) eventually lead back to Catholicism. As I'm already Catholic, I don't feel that this book offer any substantial insight from that perspective.