Classics from Frank Sheed, Catholic Apologist

 

Four Classics from Frank Sheed

 


 
Frank Sheed and his wife Maisie are two of the great apologists of the Twentieth Century. Raised as a protestant, he shocked his parent by converting to the Catholic faith. He argued in Hyde Park in London taking on all comers. He wrote numerous books on the Catholic faith that are well worth reading.





To Know Christ Jesus: I read this in my twenties and still love the book. He writes a loving, respectful biography of Christ, based on the Gospels. A wonderful read.






Theology and Sanity: Mr. Sheed argues that the best modern term for sin is ‘insanity.’ The insane either see something that is not there or fail to see something that is there. For they see an attraction in sin, a joy which quickly fades and is, in fact, not joy at all. Or they fail to see the presence of God in the simple joys of their life. So, Mr. Sheed argues, the necessity of faith. He says,

In order to be, we need do nothing. But in order to be super-naturally, we must do something. God’s presence, we have seen, is by no invitation of ours: but His indwelling is by invitation. There is a sense in which we may say of an earthly visitor, that no one can enter our home unless we invite him. He can enter our house without our invitation, but not our home. God’s indwelling means God making Himself at home in us, and depends upon our invitation. When we are infants, the sponsor extends the invitation to Him on our behalf, when we reach the use of reason we confirm the invitation. We can withdraw it at any time, and so lose God’s indwelling and be left only with His presence.  Frank Sheed. Theology and Sanity (pp. 515-516). Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle Edition.

  Theology for Beginners: A great introduction to Catholic faith. Mr. Sheed makes the profound comprehensible:

Our intellect is given a new access to truth by Faith: now it can accept God as the supreme source of truth, Whose word is final. The will receives two virtues. One is Hope, by which it desires God in the certainty that He is attainable. The other is Charity, by which it loves God. These three are called the Theological Virtues, because their object is God, they relate the soul directly and rightly to Him.  Frank Sheed. Theology for Beginners (p. 170). Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle Edition.

 
I recommend all three and would include A Map of Life, a terrific introduction into the life of grace.