We used this book for my RCIA class and I would not recommend it. As a whole, it does not contradict Catholic teaching, however it is very much on the touchy, feely side of things.

There are a couple of significant problems with the book - one which is understandable and one which is most decidedly not. The former is that in the questions of one of the chapters, the author asks for the arguments for or against the ordination of women to the priesthood. This book was written prior to JPII's apostolic letter indicating that the priesthood is reserved for men only, so it is somewhat understandable that the author would include the question.

The second problem is one that I cannot understand at all. The author does not use A.D. (Anno Domini meaning In the Year of Our Lord) and B.C.(meaning Before Christ), but instead uses the secular denotions of C.E. (Common Era) and B.C.E. (Before Common Era). For those who have never come across these, they are used predominately by non-Christian historians who wish to indicate dates without a referring to Jesus. Why would the author, a Catholic priest, choose a secular dating convention? Perhaps it was the publisher and not the author that committed this sin, but either way the reader still sees it. For this reason alone, I would steer clear of the book.

There is another reason why to avoid the book and that has to do with timing. The book was written over 10 years ago and is no longer up to date with current Church writings and current events.

This book is a great resource for explaining the faith to new RCIA canidates or to Catholics want to develop a further understanding of their faith. This book is very readable and easy to understand which is why it's been around so long. I would give this book to a questioning Catholic WITH the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Both are valuable resources but each used differently. Thankfully, this new edition includes some great new discussion questions.