The Spirit of Catholicism

by Karl Adam, Justin McCann (Translation)

2016 Reprint of 1929 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Adam is best known for his 1924 work, "The Spirit of Catholicism." It has been widely translated, and is still in print today. In it Adam attempts to communicate with the laity about the Catholic faith and the Church's role as the keeper of the faith. For many on the outside, Catholicism, according to Adam, a daunting and somewhat foreign confused mass of conflicting forces that has somehow survived the tests of time. Catholicism is simultaneously new yet quite old; holy yet corrupt; hierarchical yet personal; dogmatic yet utilitarian, and so on. How can someone outside the Church get a good grasp on the essence of Catholicism when it is so vast and seemingly complex? Those attempting to grasp the very heart and spirit of Catholicism should read Karl Adam's book, which is a most elegant and concise exploration of the faith and an attempt to address these ambiguities. What are the fundamental attributes of the Catholic Church? What is the source from which it has drawn vigor and life through its two thousand years of life on earth? What are the secret sources of its incredible vitality in the world today? The author answers these and many other questions about the nature and structure of the Church. He examines the essential nature of the Catholic Church from the basic premise that it was expressly founded by Christ, traces its historical development and analyzes its actual functioning through the ages.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian, Faith

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1924

About the author

Karl Borromäus Adam was a German Catholic theologian of the early 20th century.

Adam was born in Bavaria in 1876. He attended the Philosophical and Theological Seminary at Regensburg and was ordained in 1900. Adam spent the next two years doing parish work. Adam received his doctorate at the University of Munich in 1904.

In 1915, he became a professor of theology in Munich. Two years later, he accepted a chair in moral theology at Strasbourg and in 1919 he went to teach dogmatic theology at the University of Tübingen. He retired from that post in 1949.

Adam wrote extensively on theology. His books include: Tertullian's Concept of the Church, Eucharistic Teaching of St. Augustine, Christ Our Brother, The Son of God, The Spirit of Catholicism, Roots of the Reformation and One And Holy.

Adam is best known for his 1924 work, The Spirit of Catholicism. It has been widely translated, and is still in print today. In The Spirit Of Catholicism, Adam communicates with the laity about the Catholic faith and the Church's role as the keeper of the faith.

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had recently read Roots of the Reformation by Fr. Karl Adam who was a German Catholic theologian. I had heard many good things about this book and found it very insightful and an excellent read. Thus I moved on to another book of his The Spirit Of Catholicism.

This was unbelievably good with a unique viewpoint. As a general canvas of the Church and her doctrines while it has some apologetic tone to it, mostly it has a theological viewpoint that looks at the Church on a deeper level. It was one of those books I was tempted to highlight every page. If I hadn't read the ebook version I could have saved myself time by just dipping the book in highlighter yellow. I just so enjoyed how he wrote on the papacy and it's connection to love or how the Church is permeated with Christ and united to him. Just such a rich book with much to reflect on.

If you want an ebook version of this book you can find it on my blog http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtje...

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tour de force. I can see why this is on so many lists of Catholic books to read. This reads like a standard, although not of beliefs like the Catechism, but as the title plainly says, of the spirit of Catholicism, that is, how and why to live as a disciple of Christ. It is not a quick or "fun" read, but I got it from the library three times so I could digest it in my own time. This is a book I should buy.

Recommended by James Schall in Another Sort of Learning, Bibliography.

Included in the "Catholicism Explained/Theology" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.

Listed by Patrick Madrid in the Reading Plan of Search and Rescue in Phase 3 (Advanced). ("superb book for explaining the mystique of Catholicism")

[David Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s difficult to improve on George Orwell’s review of this book, but I’ll give my own particular impressions. Most religious apologia I’ve read either focus on bland summaries of ritual and doctrine, or spend most of their time inveighing against the evils of the modern world. Not so Carl Adam; he very much wants non-Catholic readers to come away understanding why the Church is so awesome. In a word, the Catholic Church is RICH. Rich in material goods, of course: magnificent cathedrals glittering with stained glass, armies of statues, jeweled reliquaries, grottoes, shrines, priestly vestments, organs, carillons, land, and even its own sovereign mini state. Rich, too, in wisdom: the Church numbers among its great thinkers Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, and Newman, not to mention William F. Buckley Junior. Finally, and most importantly, the Church is fabulously wealthy in the works of salvation. All of its shareholders (which is to say, its confirmed members) have access, spiritually speaking, to the deeds and holiness of its saints and martyrs, as well as the infallible religious authority of the apostolic succession, unbroken – if occasionally bifurcated – since Peter’s day. Who wouldn’t want to be part of such a magnificent edifice? I mean, apart from women (mostly). And LGBTQ people. And devout adherents of non-Christian faiths. And George Orwell.

[Jed Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent explanation and exploration of the Catholic faith. Adam is charitable to other faiths without capitulating in matters of doctrine. Very highly recommended.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an easy read but worth the effort. Although the language is sometimes difficult, when read slowly and prayerfully it brought great insight. I took a lot of notes and quotes. Biggest takeaway: how connected Christians are to each other and to Jesus Christ...through Baptism, the Communion of Saints, as members of the Body of Christ.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super good read. It moves through grasping a view of Catholic Christianity. It helps the reader to see Catholicity from within, as one should view stained glass windows. I'll be re-reading this soon. A classic for understanding Catholic Christianity.

[Augusta37 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for apologetics.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is dated now.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile discussion of Catholic faith. It explains what the Church is, and who Catholics are. Great for Catholics looking to grow in the faith and for Protestants wanting to understand Catholics.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not a light read, but so worth every page. It made me inspired and proud to be a Catholic!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspired and deeply inspiring exegesis of the "heart and mind" of the Roman Catholic faith. Written simply but with great scholarship, and with an almost lyrical touch, Father Adam's essays unravel the governing ideas that make Roman Catholicism such a vaster, richer universe of faith when compared to Protestant Christianity. Father Adam reminds us that, in essence, Catholicism is founded by God Incarnate and that God-made-Man has called on redeemed humanity, the entire community of His fellow humans, His Church on Earth, His Communion of Saints in Heaven, to participate in perfecting His New Creation: "It was not His will to sanctify a countless multitude of solitary souls, but a corporate kingdom of saints, a Kingdom of God." As Father Adam writes, "there remains a human strand in the divine robe of our salvation." I cannot do justice to the marvelous exposition of the Roman Faith contained in Father Adam's essays. I can only say I wish I had known about and read this book much earlier in my life. Although it was published nearly a century ago, this book will still echo profoundly in the hearts and minds of faithful Catholics today.

[Charles Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a split review. The book is very good and you'll learn a lot. But now I find out that Karl Adam was a supporter of the Nazis and the anti-Jewish laws. He must have been conflicted because on one hand he said (not in the book) that Jews needed to be treated with respect but at the same time Germany needed to cleanse itself of people with the wrong blood. I don't believe that anyone can be a good Catholic or Christian and be a Nazi..or a communist for that matter. So if you want to read it you will learn something. As for Adam? I hope there's a place in Hell for him and his Nazi pals.

[Matthew Palagyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for anyone curious for a comprehensive assessment about the Catholic faith,

how it compares to other denominations,
how it shares identities with Protestantism,
what it thinks of itself,
it's own understanding of its imperfections,
and why "Catholic"

some beautiful writing mostly
some parts I dozed through as well.

Great discussion piece. Highly recommend

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent summary of the Catholic faith is about, it’s hows and whys. Originally delivered as lectures in 1923 to a mixed Protestant and Catholic audience, it is a tour de force. Written in plain language, it is accessible to almost anyone. Only loses one star for me because there are moments where he gets a little hyperbolic or triumphalist.

[Leonardo]

Citado en Jesús, el buen Pastor de la historia humana pág.359

[Vic Holguin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great "eye opening" read. Shed alot of light on great topics.

[K. P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for understanding the Church!

[Davis Haguma]

Excellent

[Christopher Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job of explicating the Catholic Church and it's teachings.