Theology

The Church’s own summary of what she believes. Every other book on this shelf points back to it.

The whole Catechism in about 600 short questions and answers, good for a weekly session.

Plain-spoken and illustrated: the Catechism in questions and answers, easy to hand out on the first night.

Each chapter opens with the story of an American saint or witness, then teaches the doctrine.

A short, clear walk through the Trinity, creation, grace, and redemption. Written by a street-corner preacher who had to be clear.

Sheed’s fuller follow-up: why knowing God with the mind changes how we see everything.

Short chapters giving the reasons behind the faith, written for skeptics and seekers.

The companion book to Bishop Barron’s film series, full of art and the saints.

Essays that are academically sound and still readable for the general reader.

The future Benedict XVI on the Apostles’ Creed, line by line.

A recent, elegant introduction to the faith that skeptics will respect.

An 1876 book by Cardinal Gibbons that explains Catholic teaching to Protestant neighbors.

A one-volume handbook of doctrine. Dense, but precise, with each teaching’s degree of certainty.

Covers the basics with no assumed knowledge. Dip in wherever you like.

A complete summary of Catholic belief, built on the Catechism and written in plain language.

The Catechism in question-and-answer form, written for OCIA and adult faith formation.

A complete, traditional course of instruction, long given to converts.

About 150 readable pages: an invitation to faith from a theologian and deacon.

St. Thomas’s philosophy made accessible.

The essential passages of the Summa Theologiae, with notes.

Short portraits of the early Church Fathers, with their own words, a timeline, and an index.

The whole Catechism in 365 short episodes. Pairs naturally with the OCIA year.

Long-form conversations about the Catholic faith, hosted by Matt Fradd.

Weekly homilies and conversations from Bishop Robert Barron.

Four Dominican friars bringing Scripture and tradition to today’s questions.

Lectures from Dominican scholars given at universities.

Commentaries on faith, culture, and film, and sermons.

A free film series on the basic Christian story, made to be watched with a small group.

A full year of parish initiation lectures, recorded. Recommended on Reddit as “very good lectures.”

A filmed course covering the whole faith, built for group viewing.

A Catholic streaming library of courses, films, audio, and e-books.

Bishop Barron’s documentary tour of the faith, filmed across the world.

Courses and community for lay Catholics who want to go deeper.

A free self-paced course meant to supplement, not replace, your parish program.

A text-only RCIA course, recommended on Reddit for reading at your own pace.

Short videos and courses on the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, from Dominican friars and professors.

Online courses from a Catholic university for catechists and lifelong learners.

A short tract on the basics of Catholicism that you can read in one sitting.

The old Catholic Encyclopedia, the Church Fathers, and the Summa, all free online.

Papal documents, Council texts, and the Catechism, straight from the source.