The Protestant's Dilemma: How the Reformation's Shocking Consequences Point to the Truth of Catholicism

Im not much of a book reviewer, but here goes. I am new to the Catholic faith, so I still have a few lingering unanswered questions that were covered logically in his book. The chapters are laid out in good sequence, building precept upon precept, but I believe one could use this as a point of reference for anyone who might have questions or quick lookup if your engaged in a little friendly discussion with your Protestant friends. I had already come to the conclusion that willingness to submit to authority is really the issue, and he illustrated that truth over and over spelling out the consequences of continual challenge and ongoing reformation. Written in everyday language, it should be a fairly easy read for most folks. Particularly useful to me were the chapters on the Saints, Purgatory, and baptism.

As a Catholic, I had a decent understanding of the material presented in here. With Protestant friends, we would often get into discussions about the divisions between the Church & Protestantism, and I found myself without words. I picked up this book to help with that, and to share the truth of the Church with these friends. Easy to read & digest this book. Well written and well researched by the author. Gave me clearer words to expose the flaws in Protestantism (in general...which was one challenge since my friends all had different Christian beliefs) & has helped to plant some seeds with my friends. Recommend!

A really good book that makes some very persuasive points. I agree with most all of them. I definitely recommend the book to everyone. However, I'm an Orthodox Christian, and I place much more blame on the Roman Catholic church than does Rose. We can also look at Roman Catholicism as the cause of of the Reformation. The Western innovations in doctrine allowed real abuses by the Western church. These doctrines are not discussed in Rose's book: the doctrine of divine simplicity, created and uncreated grace, the requirement for temporal punishment of sins, emphasizing a human concept of legalistic justice rather than divine mercy, the belief in the development of doctrine, and the establishment of the supremacy of the pontiff rather than merely primacy. Why just stop at the theological doctrines of the Reformation? Why not look upon the Reform movement as a legitimate but misguided reaction against real secular abuses and real theological error in the roman church? The real problem with the Reformation is that it did not expunge the theological innovations and errors created by the Western church. In a real sense, the Reformation was and is a movement created by errors in Roman Catholic practices.

If you are a Protestant willing to have your faith challenged, then read "The Protestant's Dilemma" by Devin Rose. This should be a book that every Protestant read. At the very least, it helps explain to us Protestants why Catholics believe in certain doctrines the way they do even if they seem a bit strange to us. At best, it helps a Protestant better understand why he/she may be drawing closer to the ancient beliefs and traditions of the Catholic faith such as myself. In my early years of the Christian faith I was a right-wing fundamentalist Evangelical Christian that was taught that Catholics and their Church are apostates and heretics. I read a lot of anti-Catholic propaganda that led me to believe that the Popes are corrupt and Catholicism is really just a powerful and wealthy cult. As I have grown in my faith and come to know Jesus more, not only have I left fundamentalism, but I have actually begun to understand and in some ways embrace many of the doctrines, traditions, and teachings of the Catholic faith. While this book helped clear up many misunderstandings and misgivings I had with the Catholic faith (i.e. the apocrypha/deuterocanonical books, purgatory, praying for and seeking prayer from the saints, and apostolic authority), I still have issue with a couple of key Catholic doctrines, such as: transubstantiation of the Eucharist and Marian theology. Aside from these two issues, I come just short of fully identifying with the Catholic faith. Very well written and laid out, humbly explained, and uncritical to those of other faith traditions, I highly recommend this book to those Protestants who have enough balls to have their faith challenged and for those who desire to seek and understand more about our Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ and their rich history.

As a former Evangelical Protestant I was eager to read this book. Some of the things Devin talks about in his book I had already learned as a born again Catholic. The chapters are short and bite sized. The book focuses on authority. Catholics and Protestants can debate on Mary, the saints, or purgatory, but without first establishing authority it's for naught. Each chapter takes you by the hand and walks you through the infallible authority of the Church compared to the fallible authority of Protestants. A great book for Catholic apologetics. Also, a great book to give to any non-Catholic. Devin Rose uses a non-bias approach. He does not slam Protestants. With 139 foot notes his book is well researched. The book is rich with Scripture to back up the Catholic position, and gives insight to Protestants reading this book that all denominations go back no further than the Reformation. *Spoiler* There really is a dilemma!

Direct and to the point. This is an easy read, making it a valuable use of your time. Do not harden your heart..

Arrived in excellent condition and on time. Purchase for personal library and often gift to people seeking ANSWERS to SPECIFIC Questions about the Faith.

For anyone with questions about their faith this is an invaluable resource. It's not a difficult read but is a comprehensive treatment of It's subject.

This book written by a former Evangelical Protestant approaches the differences in a unique and interesting manner. It is a very good resource for those who have recently become Catholic and wish to pass on to non Catholic friends a book which will address the questions that many Protestants ask. It deserves a wide readership and is a good tool for the new evangelisation.

El libro trae una serie de preguntas que genuinamente hacen pensar a la persona con la que se está hablando y la invitan a considerar que tal vez podría existir otra manera de ver el rol de la Iglesia.

This is a very easy to read book. It's information packed but not boring. I very much liked the layout of the book. Also a great book to keep as a resource.

Very informative book, cleared many doubts. I recommend this book to all confused Catholics.