Holy Ground: Walking with Jesus As a Former Catholic

by Christopher A. Castaldo

Overview

“This is the best book I have read that chronicles such pilgrimages. And it is full of godly commonsense.” —D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School “A refreshing change…[Castaldo] shows respect for the tradition from which he departed” —Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, Baylor University. Author of Return to Rome: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic. “Very important [and] very helpful!” —J.I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College Do you dread conversation at Christmas dinner with your Catholic family? At weddings, funerals, and holidays? Chris Castaldo has wrestled personally with this question and many more. Perhaps you have too. Whether you are a former Roman Catholic or know someone who is, you’ll find helpful answers and encouraging support within these pages. Like: how can Evangelicals and Catholics reach such different conclusions from the same Scripture? When I talk about my faith with my Catholic family, why does someone always get upset? How does my Catholic background still influence my views of God and salvation? And how should I talk with my Catholic friends about Jesus? More than providing historical perspective, theological reflection, and practical lessons, Holy Ground is a dynamic exploration of how to emulate both the grace and truth of the Lord Jesus Christ in relation to the Catholic people you love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310292326
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	09/29/2009
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Chris Castaldo (Ph D) was raised on Long Island, New York, as a Roman Catholic and worked full-time in the Catholic Church for several years. After eight years as pastor of outreach and church planting at College Church (Wheaton, Ill.), followed by three years as Director of the Ministry of Gospel Renewal at Wheaton College, Chris currently serves as Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, IL. He is the author of Holy Ground: Walking with Jesus as a Former Catholic and Talking with Catholics about the Gospel: A Guide for Evangelicals. Chris blogs at www.chriscastaldo.com

Table of Contents

Preface 11

Acknowledgements 15

Prologue: It's Only Life and Death 17

Part 1 Prespectives on Roman Catholicism

1 Understanding Why Catholics Become Evangelical 25

Confronted by Death 26

What Do Catholics Believe? 27

The Fundamental Difference 30

2 Reson One: Full-Time Faith 33

Excursus: Image of God 34

Searching for Purpose 35

The Church's Calling 38

3 A Portrait of Evangelical Faith: Martin Luther 41

Martin Luther 42

Excursus: Sola Scriptura 53

4 Reason Two: Personal Relationship with Jesus 55

The Journey Begins 56

Sactioned Steak 59

Relationship over Rules 61

5 Reason Three: Direct Access to God 63

The Papa 65

Speaking for God 69

Disagreement over the Papacy 70

6 A Portrait of Catholic Faith: Loyola and Contarini 77

Catholic Renewal 78

Colloquy of Regensburg 82

Three Types of Catholics 89

7 Reason Four: Christ-Centered Devotion 91

Beware of Nuda Scriptura 94

The Body of Christ 96

The Great Symphony 98

Religious Dissonance 99

8 Reason Five: Motivated by Grace Instead a Guilt 105

Ex-Catholics Talk about Salvation 108

The Centrality of Grace 114

"It Is Finished!" 119

Part 2 Relating to Roman Catholics

9 How Catholics View Evangelicals 123

Salvation as "Fire Insurance" 124

Excursus: Something Evangelicals Can Learn from Catholics 129

"Chummy Chummy" with God 130

Absence of Unity 131

Superficiality 134

Conclusion 137

10 Traditional, Evangelical, and Cultural Catholics 139

The Traditional Catholic 141

The Evangelical Catholic 144

The Cultural Catholic 149

11 How to Relate to the Catholics with Grace and Truth 159

Family Feud 160

How We ViewCatholics

Red Light 172

Don't Be a Pit Bull 172

Don't Attempt to Debate People into the Kingdom 173

Don't Partake of the Mass

Yellow Light 174

Be Cautious of How You Use Language 174

Recognize Your Familial Position 177

Be Cautious of Emotional Intensity 178

Green Light 178

Engage in Gospel Dialog 178

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing 180

12 Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever 183

Thinking about God 184

The Transfiguation 185

Jesus Comes to Fulfill the Ancient Promises of Israel (Matt. 17:1-3) 186

Jesus and His World Are Supreme over Creation (Matt. 17:4-5) 189

Perosonal Encounter with Jesus (Matt. 17:6-8) 195

Appendix: How the Catholic Church Became What It Is: Trent to Vatican II 199

The Council of Trent (1545-63) 199

Vatican I (1869-70) 202

Vatican II(1962-65) 208

Discussion Questions 221

Index 229

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Very important [and] very helpful!” — J.I. Packer

“How very important it is that conservative Evangelical and Roman Catholic laypeople should relate to each other with respectful insight on a basis of real mutual understanding. And how very helpful Castaldo’s book is as a means to this end.” — J.I. Packer

“A superb treatment and guide for understanding, appreciating, and sharing Jesus with Catholic people. I will commend it broadly.” — Lon Allison

“This is a sensitive, well-written, and helpful treatment of how to discuss one’s Evangelical faith with Roman Catholics. They should not be offended because it is a friendly, understanding, and loving presentation. It lacks the polemical sharp edge found in many overzealous converts from Catholicism. Nonetheless, it states clearly why Chris Castaldo chose Evangelicalism over the Catholic faith in which he was reared.” — Norm Geisler

“Even those with no Catholic background will appreciate Chris Castaldo’s wit and wisdom as he tiptoes through the landmines in Holy Ground.” — Collin Hansen, Author

“If you’ve had enough of Evangelical writers who make a straw man of the Roman Catholic Church and then proceed to knock it down, Holy Ground is for you. As a Catholic-turned-Evangelical, Chris Castaldo is perfectly positioned to offer honest critique of his former church home and to help Evangelicals see their own shortcomings as well. Written from an insider’s perspective, this book dismantles stereotypes on both sides of the Tiber. Anyone trying to bridge the worlds of Evangelicalism and Catholicism will benefit from the wisdom Castaldo brings to the conversation.” — Bryan M. Litfin, Author

“Chris Castaldo is eminently qualified to address this topic, knows both Catholics and Evangelicals well, has a sense of humor, writes clearly, and displays a deep knowledge of the events and doctrinal differences surrounding the Reformation and the rupture it caused in the church. May this balanced treatment provide needed understanding for Catholics and Protestants alike.” — Ralph E. Mackenzie, Director

“A refreshing change…[Castaldo] shows respect for the tradition from which he departed” — Francis J. Beckwith, Professor

“I teach a seminary course on Roman Catholic theology and have been looking for a simple, practical, popular-level book for my students to read so they can understand two issues: what is it like for Catholics to become Evangelical followers of Jesus Christ, and how can these former Catholics live and share the good news with their Catholic relatives and friends? Chris Castaldo’s Holy Ground is the book for which I have been searching!” — Gregg R. Allison, Professor

“In a culture in which theological disagreements are treated as no different from matters of taste, Chris Castaldo’s Holy Ground is a refreshing change. He is a former Catholic turned Evangelical Protestant who shows respect for the tradition from which he departed while at the same time not shying away from the doctrinal issues over which Catholics and Protestants are in serious disagreement. He has a knack for clearly and charitably explaining to Evangelicals the diverse factions within Catholicism and how each thinks about its commitment to Scripture, church, and walking with Christ. Although one may find oneself disagreeing with how Pastor Castaldo conveys or presents a particular doctrine or historical event, as I did on more than one occasion while reading this book, one cannot help but be impressed by his efforts to sincerely and graciously assess the issues that continue to divide, as well as unite, Protestants and Catholics.” — Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Psychology

Editorial Reviews

Castaldo (pastor of outreach & church planting, College Church) writes as a former Roman Catholic who has converted to evangelical Protestantism. He places himself in the "positive identity" camp now—that is, among those who cooperate warily with Catholics in some matters while remaining critical of Catholic polity and doctrine. While some readers may be uncomfortable with Castaldo's evangelism, mild and centrist as it is, his book importantly addresses the mutual ignorance many Christian denominations have of each other, especially at the lay level. VERDICT A useful, if not unbiased, survey of the differences between Catholicism and conservative Christianity.

Library Journal