Topic: Where can I find comparative Christian information?

Date originally posted: November 18, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: Cathy Rusin

Question:   Thank you so much for this wonderful resource! My question is, how can a person learn more about Christian faith in order to find a church/denomination in which to practice? My boyfriend was raised with only limited exposure to the Lutheran church, and he knows little about the differences between and among the many Protestant denominiations and the Catholic church. I'm afraid I cannot help him beyond the fundamentals of my Catholic faith. Can you suggest a comparitive Christianity resource, or do you have any other suggestions as to how to go about his search for faith? Thank you!

Answer: 

You know, when I first read your answer I thought, "good, an easy one"! But once I started looking around I realized that there are few comparative Christian resources that come out of a neutral perspective. (Some may "compare" in order to show why their particular denomination has all the right answers!)

There is a website, www.beliefnet.com which has a lot of information about the religions of the world.

There is a book by Paulist Press, _Protestant Spiritual Traditions_, edited by Frank Senn, which presents essays about 7 Protestant denominations, including the Lutheran, Methodist Presbyterian and Anglican (Episcopal) spiritualities.

There are many books about Catholicism that I could recommend.

But more important than books is real life - I would suggest that your boyfriend head to the local Campus Ministry center and talk with the chaplain (Lutheran, whichever he chooses). They could certainly help him understand it better, and invite him to participate in their worship services.

If he is interested in learning more about Catholicism, besides inviting him to mass with you, I would suggest that he talk with the RCIA coordinator of your local campus ministry center or parish. He can certainly attend sessions to learn about Catholicism without committing himself to becoming Catholic.

It is wonderful that he is interested in learning more about Christianity, and that you are supporting him in this search. Blessings to you both.

And if anybody who may happen to read this would have a suggestion for a resource about comparative Christianity, please email me at crusin@unity.ncsu.edu

Thanks!
Cathy Rusin