The Faith of Our Fathers

by James Gibbons

Explains the basic tenets of the Catholic Faith and why we hold them. Delves into the historical background of virtually everything people find hard to understand about our Religion, such as priestly celibacy, sacred images, the Church and the Bible, the primacy of Peter, Communion under one kind, invocation of the Saints, etc. First published in 1876, when there was much anti-Catholic sentiment in the U.S., it sold 1.4 million copies in 40 years and has been reprinted many times since.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Church History, Faith, Christian

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1876

About the author

An American prelate, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore from 1877 until his death. In 1886 he became the second man from the United States to be made a cardinal.

Reviews

[Abigail Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The introduction from the author begins with this: “MY DEAR READER:- Perhaps this is the first time in your life that you have handled a book in which the doctrines of the Catholic Church are expounded by one of her own sons. You have, no doubt, heard and read many things regarding our Church; but has not your information come from teachers justly liable to suspicion?…”

I feel this is so true. So many Protestants, myself included, think we know what the Catholic Church teaches. But how many of us have actually sat down and learned from a Catholic who really knows what the Church teaches?

This book was written to explain Catholic teachings, and is very straight forward. I have enjoyed learning from James Gibbons.

This book was published in the 1800’s and you can get it free from Project Gutenberg.

You can read my conversion story here: www.teawithabbey.com/Grace

[Diane Kennicker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book explaining some issues about the Catholic faith. The book was written around the late 1800's so some references are dated. It would be interesting to know the author's take on what the Catholic faith has become because of Vatican II.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I had heard it referenced a number of times while watching different shows on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). For many, the book was instrumental in explaining core doctrines of the Catholic faith in plain language, and subsequently brought about their conversion to “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Some of the book’s references are dated — it was originally published in 1876 — but its explanations of the Catholic faith are insightful. Although written for Protestants who want to know more about Catholicism, the book can be another tool for Catholics who want to know more about how to defend their faith.

[Alasdair Ekpenyong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool Catholic apologetic tract from the 9th archbishop of Baltimore.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great apologetic for the Catholic faith from the late 19th century. A few things are a little dated, but it still holds true and is worth the read. The index in the back is a great resource to easily find whatever issue you're struggling with.

[Alfonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

a pretty clear explanation of things. a dockworker, for example, could read this a in few lunch breaks and come away with a thing or two...

[Jay D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good apologetic introduction to Catholicism.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Catholic apologetic. I am not convinced yet but I appreciate hearing his perspective.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good arguments for Catholicism, with a smattering of bad ones. Some of his quotes from the Church Fathers are a bit misrepresented. At the very least I can see how this book would serve as a good initial argument to Protestants looking for further reading, and to Catholics wanting basic answers to the arguments they hear from Protestants.

I think it was funny that they called the Orthodox "schismatic" when the Catholics are the ones that decided papal supremacy was a "revealed implication" of papal primacy. Therein lies my largest (perhaps only, at the root of it all) issue with Catholicism. I have yet to find an argument for doctrinal development that holds up, though I see the logic in its development.

[Briar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I read an older version. Not sure if there were updates. However, much of the churches terrible positions have not changed. If you want a book that lays out much of the differences between the Catholic church and other varieties of Christianity, this book is a good starting point. It is aimed at the non-Catholic Christians and tries to reason with them. Little mention outside of the Abrahamic traditions.

If you're a Catholic trying to convince a friend of a different tradition, this will not help.

[Missy Funderburk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was essential during my conversion to Catholicism. It answered every question I could think of in a logical, easy to understand, well supported manner. Even if you think you don't want to be Catholic, this explains why Catholics do what they do. Simple understanding of others builds so many bridges. A must read for all Christians!

[James Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book summarizing the Catholic faith in a manner that is easy to understand, easy to read, and provides great context. Cardinal Gibbons truly wrote a wonderful work that those uninformed about the Catholic faith can pick up, and clearly understand the teachings of the Church. I would highly recommend any Protestant to read this book to get a better understanding of the true Faith.

[Vincent]

Yap

[sch]

2024. Recommended by a friend.

[Zach de Walsingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and refreshing look into the scene of late 19th century Roman Catholicism in the United States - only reservation is some quibbles with the Americanism he showed on Church-State relations.

[Noah Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book that addresses concerns for every Protestant wanting to understand the Catholic viewpoint and biblical basis for Catholic teaching.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

[NOTE: This review is of 'Gibbons's 'Curing Atheism,' for which Goodreads doesn't have a listing.]

AN AMERICAN CARDINAL LOOKS AT UNBELIEF, INFIDELITY, AND ATHEISM

James Gibbons (1834-1921) was an American Catholic Cardinal (the second American to be elevated to the cardinalate); he also wrote other books such as 'The Faith of Our Fathers: A Plain Exposition and Vindication of the Church Founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ,' 'Our Christian Heritage,' etc. This book was originally published under the title, "Causes and Cure of Unbelief."

He wrote in the Preface, "Christians have always possessed... as large a measure of science and philosophy as infidels. Infidelity depends on other causes. What these causes are I propose now to make the object of my inquiry. I cannot hope to bring to light all the real causes of infidelity... But it is easy for any one who has had an opportunity of closely observing believers and unbelievers, and of studying their history, to recognize the principal and ordinary causes of infidelity." (Pg. v)

He states, "The understanding does not act alone; it is in great measure under the dominion of the will, which directs it and fixes its attention on those objects which are pleasing to itself. The truth of this main point of psychology... will become more evident as we proceed." (Pg. 20)

He asserts, "we recognize the close affinity between Protestantism and Rationalism, and that we consider the latter to be not only the natural, but the legitimate offspring of the former. In our eyes Rationalism is... the child of Protestantism." (Pg. 93-94) He adds, "Is it not evident that Protestantism announced itself to Europe, not as the emancipator of reason and science, as some pretend, but as the inauguration of a veritable barbarism?" (Pg. 107)

He contends, "When Luther revolted against the authority of the Pope... he declared that... each Christian is the judge of religious truth, that he is independent of all external authority, and that the Bible is the sole guide... Luther had no suspicion of the lengths to which the principle he proclaimed would be carried; and it must be admitted that most Protestant sects recognize its value only so far as it affects the authority of the Pope: they are ready to accept any authority provided it is not the authority of the Pope." (Pg. 111)

He observes, "among French infidels of the eighteenth century [philosophy] was entirely null. Who in the present day would dream of taking Helvetius, D'Holbach, Lametrie, and other thinkers of the same school, inheritors of Condillac's sensualism, for philosophers? What philosopher would consent to speak seriously of the pretended philosophy of Voltaire and J.J. Rousseau? They were writers of genius, I admit, but strangers alike to philosophy and to all science properly so-called. They were men of letters, but neither philosophers or scholars." (Pg. 120-121)

He states that Spinoza "professes the most brutal and repulsive materialistic Pantheism." (Pg. 133) Whereas "Hegel has founded ... a sophistry infinitely more dangerous that that of Gorgias and the other Greek sophists whom Socrates and Plato opposed. He has ruined innumerable minds." (Pg. 243)

A product of a much-earlier era, this polemical study is still of interest to some conservative Catholics (which is why it has been reprinted in several modern editions).

[Jacob Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much info, a great overview of a wide range of topics in defense of the one true Church, the Catholic Church.

[Galicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Archbishop gives a detailed description of the creed of the Catholic Church. It is addressed perhaps more to the Christians not in communion with the Catholic Church and apologetic in parts but good reading for Catholics as well.

Chapter 19 - Grace-The Sacraments-Original Sin-Baptism-Its Necessity-Its Effects-Manner of Baptizing

Baptism is clearly explained. Its purpose is to remove the original sin incurred by Adam which brought with it death to all mankind. It is not a sacrament to join Christian faith as some sects claim that it should be given in at a later age when the individual understands and makes the choice. The Church teaches early baptism is most appropriate and it was so practiced by the earliest Church.


Most chapters are clear and make the teachings of the Church easy to understand. There are however some I wish were clearer. Chapter 27 “Indulgences” is one such. It’s apparent that it’s a much misunderstood tenet of the Catholic Church because a change in the meaning of the term which occurred from what it signified originally as “remission, forgiveness, or favor” to what is now viewed as “unlawful gratification” which a prejudiced person who hears it as a license to sin. We are told that what constitutes indulgence is:

1. A penance or temporal punishment in proportion of the offence that is imposed on the transgressor
2. The penitent is contrite for his offence.
3. The Apostle remits the penalty accordingly.
4. The Apostle can relax the penance that is imparted in the name of Jesus Christ.

What is not clear are such terms as a 40 day indulgence or whether plenary indulgence is what it suggests. How are we to measure time in eternity--beyond space and time--in earthly terms of time?

[Colleen A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apologetic work from the early 1900s which shows how many of the same “hot topics” are still issues of contention with Protestantism and “the world”.
I.e. Mary, sacraments, papacy, role of tradition, priesthood, marriage and divorce etc.
It’s also interesting to read from the perspective of 100 years ago and compare to where we are today.

[Elizabeth Mcnally · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic, easy to read catechism.

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are two groups of people who will find this book compelling.

The first is Roman Catholics.

The second is people who have no grounding in the history of the church and the world surrounding the church, or do not understand how to properly interpret Scripture, or do not understand formal logic, or do not understand the ways that God has worked in history in his people, before and after Christ.

There are some ludicrous statements here, such as denying the pope ever supported the death penalty for heretics, or that the Church of England sold indulgences during the archbishopric of John Whitgift, the most fiercely Calvinistic Archbishop of Canterbury in the history of the church of England. His misrepresentations of the quotations of the early church fathers are sneaky, and the charges of "but they have issues too!" to excuse Roman abuses are embarrassing.

There are honest apologies for Roman Catholic practice and doctrine. This isn't one of them.