Amazing book discovery, "WHY I AM CATHOLIC"

My amazing book discovery, “Why I Am Catholic and You Should Be Too” by Brandon Vogt impressed me so much that I felt compelled to promote this inspiring book. I strongly encourage you to read it. If you decide to read this book out of curiosity, most likely you’ll be as amazed as I was and I sincerely believe you’ll be joyfully surprised. Brandon Vogt is not a professional preacher. He’s a young man with a growing family who discovered something too wonderful to keep to himself and so he wrote about it.

When author Brandon Vogt was a young man in college his Christian beliefs were challenged. Brandon could have settled for the most popular beliefs at the time but instead of losing faith, he began to actively explore Christianity, hoping to learn the truth. Brandon was committed to follow whatever direction his studies would lead him.

Everyone desires truth and many of us are certain we found it. Brandon was not certain. He desired to know the truth. Was God calling him to search for truth? I believe God gives everyone the desire for truth, but too many of us ignore God’s promptings and simply go with the flow. Brandon could not! Brandon admits surprise at where his search led him but the more he read and studied and talked to people, the clearer it became. Brandon found goodness and holiness in the Catholic Church. “Most everyone else moves with the cultural current in whatever direction it flows but Catholicism stands outside the flow.” Brandon Vogt.

Brandon discovered truth and beauty in the Catholic Church. “After reading countless beautiful stories…during my conversion it was easy to conclude, that’s the sort of church I want to belong to. I didn’t want to join a faith with merely nice people. If a religion was truly divine, if it is really being guided by the Son of God, then it must exhibit extraordinary goodness and that’s exactly what I found in the Catholic Church.”

Brandon made so many discoveries in his search for truth. What he learned was overwhelming. I imagine he became more and more excited and inflamed with burning love for God  increasing in intensity as he uncovered each new discovery as he explored the history of Christianity in-depth.

In Part One, Catholicism is True, Brandon gives us solid arguments for the existence of God which leads us to Jesus. Jesus founded His Church recruiting the 12 apostles and disciples by the thousand. Jesus traveled about with His followers teaching love and peace and right living. Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick, and even brought the dead to life. His disciples were eye witnesses to these miracles. They learned from Jesus. Jesus then sent the 12 apostles and many disciples out to wander the world, to share the good news and to build His Church.

Christ intended there to be only one united church. Catholic means united, thus this church, this new church of Christs’ followers was soon called Catholic. “The term ‘Catholic Church’ was first used to describe the community of believers ‘catholic’ meaning universal or all embracing.” Brandon Vogt.

Read this book and learn how the Catholic Church still follows the beliefs Jesus taught (The Word of God) documented by these same apostles and followers of Christ and put together into the New Testament, the Word of God.

Today the Catholic Church can be found in every country, all faithful Catholics following the teachings of Christ, worshiping together and receiving the Sacraments.

Most importantly learn how Jesus instituted Holy Eucharist. After the Reformation, most Christians who separated from Catholicism still believed in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Eucharist and participated in this Sacrament instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper but this is no longer true. When speaking of Holy Eucharist Brandon says, “Again, this is just one of several points in which I came to see the Catholic Church was true, and not just true but in continuity with the early Church and all ancient Christians.”

Part II of the book is titled, “Catholicism is Good.” As I read this chapter I was blown away by Brandon’s discoveries of how good the Catholic Church really is. The facts he presents in part II are indisputable due to bona fide historical documents. Brandon lists and explains many of the contributions the Church has given to mankind. You might find the list of scientific discoveries made by Catholics surprising, including “the big bang theory.” The Catholic Church founded the hospital and university systems. Brandon tells us that “the Catholic Church has fed, healed, and housed more than any institution in history.” And he goes on to say, “Finally, besides science, universities, and formal charity, the Church laid the groundwork for our systems of law.” And guess where this important contribution to our justice system “all men are created equal” came from? This truth wasn’t always believed but it’s pretty much taken for granted now.

Brandon’s chapter "Because of Its Heroic Charity" will move your heart with stories of holy men and women who gave above and beyond, many sacrificing their lives, some dying horrible deaths in the name of Jesus Christ. You won’t want to miss this chapter.

I’ve listed some of the contributions of the Catholic Church, amazing and beneficial contributions to science, hospitals and universities, formal charity and law, and I’ve only covered half of the book so far.

Brandon explores the Catholic Church contribution to the world of art . “And that’s why the Church has safeguarded and promoted beauty for two thousand years. It’s a beautiful religion. When I was in college, trying to decide which religion, if any, to follow, I knew the answer had to be one that was not just true and good but also beautiful. That’s what I found in Catholicism.” Brandon Vogt.

And so, with fire burning in his heart, Brandon wished to share this great find with others. Thus, he collected and organized his findings and put it together into this one easy to read book.

How many of us are courageous enough to go against trendy ideas of our modern culture and do what Brandon did? After many prayers, much study and research, his eyes were opened! Through his book he gives us the opportunity to see what he saw. Why is this so important to Brandon and why should this be important to us? Brandon reminds us that “…our deepest identity is as children of God, everlasting splendor who radiate the divine light.”

Excerpt from Why I Am Catholic and You Should Be Too by Brandon Vogt

“Would God really just leave everything up to each individual to figure out? Despite the vast range of cognitive capabilities, it just didn’t seem like a great plan.

As a senior in college, as I began exploring this strange new system that took a dramatically different view on these questions, I was surprised by what I found. The Catholic Church seemed to suggest, ‘you are not on your own. Our tradition, which stretches back for thousands of years, holds vast treasures of wisdom and insight, which God has revealed through scripture and unpacked through saints, popes, and bishops, and which has been safeguarded and passed down through generations--all for you. Whether you’re the simplest peasant or the most brilliant scholar, here is a proven roadmap to God that has helped countless people find him.’

I found this deeply liberating, even before gauging whether that tradition was actually true. It began to change my mind about religion. As I began examining each of the Church’s beliefs and rules, the sense grew in me that religion was actually helpful and life-giving, rather than stultifying.”