What do Catholics believe—and what reasons does a bishop give to readers who doubt his Church?

In The Faith of Our Fathers, James Gibbons answers the honest questions and old suspicions he encounters as a Catholic bishop in North Carolina. Writing for ordinary readers, he begins with a central question: what kind of Church does Jesus establish? His reply builds a case for Catholic belief through Scripture and early Christian writers.

Gibbons moves from the Church’s authority and Peter’s role to the relationship between Scripture and tradition. He then explores sacraments, saints, purgatory, and Catholic loyalty in a free republic. His tone stays calm and courteous, but his purpose is clear: this is a defense of his faith, not a neutral survey of Christianity.

이 책에서 발견할 것들

• A Church with lasting authority Follow Gibbons’s argument for a visible Church, recognized through the four marks of the creed.
• Scripture beside tradition Explore why Gibbons treats the Bible and inherited teaching as belonging together.
• Difficult terms made clear Examine what Gibbons means by infallibility, tradition, and the real presence.
• Worship under close examination Consider his explanations of sacraments, purgatory, prayers to saints, and religious images.
• Faith in a free republic Discover how Gibbons answers fears about Catholic allegiance and argues for loyal American citizenship.

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가톨릭 신자들이 무엇을 왜 믿는지 궁금한 독자에게 어울리는 책이에요. 성경과 초기 교부들의 글, 역사에 근거한 논증을 좋아하는 사람에게도 좋아요.