This work analyzes how the three key elements of a democratic society—freedom, equality, and fraternity—have been misconstrued by intellectuals and policy makers who do not respect the limitations of the human condition. Their lack of common sense has resulted in social and cultural problems rather than solutions to them. By contrast, the social teachings of the Catholic Church mesh nicely with the demands of human nature, and as such they offer the right remedy to our cultural crisis. Freedom defined as radical individualism has eclipsed the understanding that real rights are tethered to responsibilities. Equality defined as radical egalitarianism yields little in the way of equality and much in the way of state-sponsored social discord. And fraternity without the foundation of familial bonds and religious communities leaves people isolated and disoriented. Catholic teaching offers much wisdom to remedy our insufficient understanding of the elements needed for a free and flourishing society. Its common sense is greatly needed to help modern Americans rediscover the true meaning of their highest ideals.

Bishop John McCarthy's book, "Off the Cuff & Over the Collar: Common Sense Catholicism" is an enticing concoction of "Tuesdays with Morrie" blended with "Catholicism 101," topped with an added twist of Irish wit and decades of experience as a Roman Catholic priest. In over fifty bite-sized pieces, McCarthy clearly defines the Church's position and as always, openly voices his opinions- including where they begin to diverge from recent years' public stance of the Vatican. He addresses a variety of topics such as the infallibility of the Pope, abortion, divorce, saints, sacraments, bullying and teasing, nuns, Jews and Protestants. McCarthy tackles the shortage of priests, celibacy, homosexuality, birth control, the role of women in the Church, death and dying, and even heaven and hell, skillfully balancing the serious nature of these issues with his relaxed conversational tone and humor. Bishop John McCarthy speaks from the depth of his heart and faith, reaching out not only to currently practicing Catholics, but also to the millions of fallen away Catholics- the hurt, the disenfranchised, the indifferent, the divorced, the homosexual, the questioning agnostic, the liberals and the conservatives- even the self-professed "recovered Catholics." McCarthy fully embraces the wonderful Apostolic Church that was envisioned in Vatican II, and stands ready to ""throw open those magnificent doors to the heart of the Catholic Church, and invite you in with love and joy."" Bishop McCarthy is buoyantly optimistic that the Church- though she moves slowly and deliberately- is ready for change, especially under the leadership of the Pope Francis, to whom this book is dedicated. The new pope's immediate focus on simplification and service suggest indeed, a very common sense Catholicism. All profits from this book will benefit one of Bishop McCarthy's favorite charities: Saint Louise House... "empowering women with children to overcome homelessness." Sister Sharon Groetsch, D.C., says: "Bishop McCarthy's book is a wonderful response to a pressing need for ordinary Catholics (and the "Catholic-curious") to bring simple, direct insights to the lay-public. Moreover, it's fun The Bishop's style is conversational, clear, and well-laced with Irish humor. This is a quick and easy read, and a perfect pairing with your morning coffee." Rabbi Alan R. Freedman, Temple Beth Shalom, says: "In an age when religion is increasingly coming under attack, John McCarthy has come forth with a book that is a resounding treatise on the virtues of a life of faith . While addressed to a primarily Catholic audience, Bishop McCarthy provides observations and lessons on life that apply to all people of faith. His lifelong concern for all people is reflected in every page, "particularly in his consistent admonition to avoid bringing pain to others." There is a life lesson on every page of this book, and I encourage anyone seeking to live a better and more meaningful life to share in its words. The good Bishop has done it again " Rev. Larry Covington, Pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church, says: "Required reading for all current and former Catholics, and especially for seminarians and anyone engaged in the ministry Here lies no pontification of a prelate long ensconced in a purple silk bureaucracy, but practical words for the common Joe. McCarthy's common sense observations reflect his life as a provocative and sometimes controversial church leader who is, above all, a man who takes the task of being a good shepherd to heart."

Evangelicals in nineteenth-century America had a headquarters at Princeton. Charles Hodge never expected that a former student of Princeton and his own replacement during his hiatus in Europe, John W. Nevin, would lead the German Reformed Church's seminary in a new, and in his mind, destructive direction. The two, along with their institutions, would clash over philosophy and religion, producing some of the best historical theology ever written in the United States. The clash was broad, influencing everything from hermeneutics to liturgy, but at its core was the philosophical antagonism of Princeton's Scottish common-sense perspective and the German speculative method employed by Mercersburg. Both Princeton and Mercersburg were the cautious and critical beneficiaries of a century of European Protestant science, philosophy, and theology, and they were intent on adapting that legacy to the American religious context. For Princeton, much of the new European thought was suspect. In contrast, Mercersburg embraced a great deal of what the Continent offered.Princeton followed a conservative path, never straying far from the foundation established by Locke. They enshrined an evangelical perspective that would become a bedrock for conservative Protestants to this day. In contrast, Nevin and the Mercersburg school were swayed by the advances in theological science made by Germany's mediating school of theology. They embraced a churchy idealism called evangelical catholicism and emphatically warned that the direction of Princeton and with it Protestant American religion and politics, would grow increasingly subjective, thus divided and absorbed with individual salvation. They cautioned against the spirit of the growing evangelical bias toward personal religion as it led to sectarian disunity and they warned evangelicals not to confuse numerical success with spiritual success. In contrast, Princeton was alarmed at the direction of European philosophy and theology and they resisted Mercersburg with what today continues to be the fundamental teachings of evangelical theology. Princeton's appeal was in its common-sense philosophical moorings, which drew rapidly industrializing America into its arms. Mercersburg countered with a philosophically defended, churchly idealism based on a speculative philosophy that effectively critiqued what many to this day find divisive and dangerous about America's current Religious Right.

As arguably the most influential voice in American Catholicism, the vision that Scott Hahn offers in his works, read by millions of Catholics throughout the world, is one of the most formative in American Catholicism. His numerous books and public speaking engagements are shaping the American Catholic Church in a uniquely powerful manner. This work demonstrates that the Catholic vision that Hahn claims to be providing his audience is, in fact, always quite different from the one he actually presents. What he coins as Catholic faithfulness is instead a straightforward and damning Catholic fundamentalism. As this vision is delivered to millions of the faithful who look to Hahn as a trustworthy guide to an authentic life of Catholic faith, American Pope acts as a critical analysis of his work.

Anti-Catholicism forms part of the dynamics to Northern Ireland's conflict and is critical to the self-defining identity of certain Protestants. However, anti-Catholicism is as much a sociology process as a theological dispute. It was given a Scriptural underpinning in the history of Protestant-Catholic relations in Ireland, and wider British-Irish relations, in order to reinforce social divisions between the religious communities and to offer a deterministic belief system to justify them. The book examines the socio-economic and political processes that have led to theology being used in social closure and stratification between the seventeenth century and the present day.