Review: Bad Shepherds

Today the Church is faced with an issue, not all too uncommon or unique to its history, but one that has weighed heavily on the hearts of many faithful. Author Rod Bennett, a Southern Baptist convert, has delivered a masterful work in “Bad Shepherds” that hits to the heart of the issues many Catholics are facing today.

Flooded with media reports of scandals, abuse cover-ups at the highest levels, and ‘controversial’ statements (many taken out of context) by the pope, many have become disheartened. However, Rod Bennett encourages us to not only take heart, but to stand steadfast just as the faithful (few at times) have done before us.

Unlike many other narratives of Church history, scandals, and blunders, “Bad Shepherds” focuses on how the laity held strong in spite of some of the most turbulent times in Church history. The problems facing the Church today is nothing unique to history, it’s just more ‘promoted’ by today’s media.

“The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10)

Satan wants you to believe the end of the Church is near. He wants to steal your hope, your confidence, and your faithfulness. He wants to kill your desire to be true to the Lord and to live according to Church teachings and the Lord’s will for your life. He wants to destroy your faith, your future, and destroy your confidence in the Church.

His efforts to destroy that Church are not new. They have been around since the beginning of time. He even had multiple failed attempts at destroying Jesus. He tempted Jesus to sin, yet failed. He used one of Jesus’ faithful 12 to turn against him and to have him killed. Yet, that failed when Jesus rose from the dead three days later. He tried destroying the Church through Arianism, yet failed. He used Barbarian Bishops, but failed. He resorted to clerical collapses and Protestant Reformations, all failed. For every Judas Iscariot, Arius, and Eusebius, there is a Peter, John, Athanasius, and you!

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

It was the regular, ordinary Catholic – with no collar or ordination – that has kept the foundation of the Church solid despite the rocky top throughout history. Rod Bennett does a superb job highlighting how the laity have held strong to the faith, at times with very few leaders remaining faithful, and have kept the faith. They did overcome evil with good. They remained true to their prayers, their acts of charity, their lives being humbled under the hand of God, and therefore the Church still stands.

“I tell you that you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Satan thought he had victory when Jesus died, but He rose again. Satan thought he had victory when Arianism almost caused the collapse of the Church, but Jesus’ faithful rose to the calling. Satan thought he had victory when Martin Luther posted his manifesto and the Protestant Reformation took place, but the foundation of the Church would not shake. The foundation, despite unlimited attempts by Satan throughout history – beginning with Judas – will never crumble. The foundation is Jesus Christ. Just as he has always done, he uses you and me to maintain that foundation.

“Bad Shepherds” encourages the faithful, challenges the laity to action and obedience, and ushers a path of hope for those discouraged and disheartened.