In these days, there is a lot of confusion regarding the teachings of Christianity. Many people have blurred the clear boundaries of the doctrines. Because of this, confusion reigns. I have made a list recommended literature to show clear Christian teaching.
Douay Rheims Bible
The Bible is the backbone of the Christian faith. Every Christian should know this book through and through. The Douay Rheims is the best translation as it has been approved by the Church for centuries. Most editions come with commentary from the Fathers of the Church as was traditionally done in most Bibles.
Catechism of the Council of Trent
This Catechism is indispensible for learning what the Church teaches. The Catechism followed the Council of Trent. In the first millennium of the Church, they had eight glorious ecumenical councils. In the second millennium they had many more, but none stands out as much as the Council of Trent. Trent was in response to a group of doctrinal innovators who emerged in the early 16th Century. These innovators are sometimes called “reformers”. The Council was one of the most successful in the history of the Church. It produced many things including this Catechism. It covers in great detail the Ten Commandments and the Our Father prayer.
Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Ludwig Ott
In this tome, Ott covers the doctrines of the Christian faith. Essentially it is an encyclopedia of what Church doctrine is. The doctrines are backed up by references to scripture, tradition, and ecumenical councils.
The Catholic Controversy by St. Francis de Sales
In the late 16th Century this great Saint produced many tracts countering the claims of Calvinists who had occupied the Chablais region of France over the last two generations. Chablais is the region of France that borders the Calvinist stronghold of Geneva. Over the course of 4 years, St. Francis de Sales was able to use these tracts to convert the entire region back to the Church. A total of 72,000 souls returned to the fold of the Church. These tracts were eventually collected into a book which become known as “The Catholic Controversy”. St. Francis de Sales eventually became Bishop of Geneva. He engaged in two debates with Theodore de Beze who was the top protestant theologian in the world at the time. Although I only have one book listed here, I fully recommend everything he has written.
Sermons of the Cure of Ars by St. John Vianney
St. John Vianney should be used as a standard for every priest. After surviving the diabolical revolution in France, he went on to become the priest in a little village named Ars. Although starting out as an unknown, by the end of his life people came from all over Europe to hear him preach. Many of these sermons survive today in this book. They are good medicine for one who is feeling lukewarm in their faith.
The Case for Jesus by Brant Pitre
It’s probably the best book to go against the popular bestselling apostate Bart Ehrman. Let’s face it, enemies of the faith are reading Ehrman whether we like it or not. This book is the perfect antidote to his poison.
The Islamic Jesus by Mustafa Akyol
This book is a scholarly analysis of Jesus from a Muslim perspective. It’s mildly apologetic but honest with the facts. Akyol tries really hard to find the Muslim Jesus in history but deep down I think he knows that the Muslim Jesus is a myth. For anyone getting deep into Islamic apologetics, this book is mandatory.
History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland by William Cobbett
The best historical refutation of the Protestant Church of England ever written. This book chronicles how the English people had their faith stolen from them by the corrupt and demonic Tudor family.
How the Reformation Happened by Hilaire Belloc
The great 20th century author Hilaire Belloc talks about the “reformation” and the disastrous effects across Europe that still haunt us today.
Letters on the Spanish Inquisition by Joseph de Maistre
People look at the Spanish Inquisition as one of the darkest periods in human history. The truth is the exact opposite. The inquisition was the most civilized court on the European continent at the time. It only has a bad reputation because of lies spread by the English. Maistre tackles those lies.
The Early Papacy: To the Synod of Chalcedon in 451 by Adrian Fortescue
This small work shows the evidence for the Papacy in the earliest centuries of the Christian faith. It was written by Adrian Fortescue who was a giant in the Oxford Movement.
Not By Bread Alone by Robert Sungenis
The best defense of the Catholic Mass written in modern times. Sungenis goes deep into Scripture and Tradition and shows that this was a belief from the earliest times and not a medieval invention.
They Have Uncrowned Him by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
This book is the most outstanding critique of modernism that I’ve ever read. It’s very philosophical and deep. In these times of crisis, we can’t ignore the modernism in our Church. It can only be defeated by extremely sound arguments. This book provides many.
Ecclesiastical History of the English People by Venerable Bede
Venerable Bede shows us what the early Christian community in England looked like. It was a lot different than the religion that the Tudors created.