The One Book You Can Give People

St. Peter urges us to be ready to give reasons for our faith (1 Pet. 3:15), and helping Catholics explain their belief in Church teachings has always been at the core of our mission. But even Catholics who are trained in apologetics can sometimes stumble when confronted with the question, "Why are you Catholic?"

It’s a simple question but not an easy one to answer quickly. It requires an approach that goes beyond arguments from Scripture or history about this or that Catholic teaching. Yet, since the people who ask it often have little or no experience with religion, the answer also needs to begin with simple truths to which everyone can relate. To give a good answer, most of us need help.

No wonder that people so often ask us, “What’s the one book I can give to a friend or family member to help him see the big picture of the Faith?”

Our apologist Trent Horn heard the question so many times that he decided to write that book. Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love hits the shelves this month. “I wanted to write a book that you could give to anyone,” Trent says. “Whether you’re an atheist, a lapsed Catholic, or a practicing Catholic, you can read Why We’re Catholic and learn something from it.”

Trent uses plain language, helpful analogies, and real-life stories throughout. He employs what he calls a “funnel” structure: wide at the top with questions like “Why do we believe in anything?” and “Why do we believe in God?” and then narrowing in focus as he helps the reader understand divine revelation, truths about Christ, and distinctively Catholic doctrines and moral teachings.

Why We’re Catholic is in bookstores and at shop.catholic.com. It is also available at special bulk prices so parishes and ministries can distribute it on a large scale. As Trent says, “I hope every Catholic will read it and then give it away.”