Wow. That's all I can say.
After a knock-down, dragout verbal brawl with a fundamentalist coworker one evening -- the words "apostate church" and "whore of Babylon" were gently introduced into the conversation -- I somehow got him to agree to read "By What Authority?"
I'm not sure whether he read it, and it might have gone right in the trash after I shipped it to him. But I'm hoping it's at least sitting on his bookshelf, waiting to be pulled down and read one weekend.
One of the few attempts I have made at nudging someone towards the Church was By What Authority. Whether he read it or not, I'll never know, as we drifted out of touch eventually, but somewhere in his collection, he has it. And if he hasn't read it yet, it is a grenade waiting to explode his universe the second he opens it.
I suggested By What Authority to a cyber friend at a point when they were struggling with faith and couldn't see how Sola Scriptura cold possibly be valid.
As I understand it, that book was in part responsible for the fact that this person, and her husband, entered RCIA on Monday.
Thank You Mark for all you do. I hope you realize how many people your work touches.
That was great. May the Lord be with her!
As an aside, when she thanked Mark and Mark responded by saying "On the contrary, thanks be to God!...", is that a good example of the true lesson behind the "call no man father(/teacher/master)" passage? I'm just wondering if I properly understand that passage/lesson myself.
What a fantastic story! How on earth do you keep from the sin of pride when you get letters like that? 
What a nice feeling that you are able to work for God like that.
Echoing SteveG above: I've recycled a couple of Mark's books. I generally ask for them back so I can hand them out again.
I loaned By What Authority to a friend a while back; we get into amicable and respectful (but spirited!) discussions on religion. She got so mad at you, Mark, that she couldn't finish it.
I did pass on your essay about the Deuterocanon, though. We haven't talked about that one yet.
How on earth do you keep from the sin of pride...
That's easy. I don't.
I've recycled a couple of Mark's books. I generally ask for them back so I can hand them out again.
Nothing says "I love you" like the gift of a shiny *new* copy (autographed) of my book.
Totally cool.
What I noticed is that the "Pauline doctrine on submission" was used to to try to keep her 'in line' and tolerating abuse. Quite bluntly, as long as that sort of thing happens, a lot of women, and men, are going to look at Ephesians V, etc., as evil.
I thought the most interesting part of these commentw was "- whatever decision the Tribunal makes."
How often do you hear that?
God bless her and you for helping bear this fruit.
Good story Mark.
It is worth remembering that only by prayer and self-sacrifice do we facilitate conversions. I have not Mark's gift of apologia; I am not a great orator.
So what can I do? Pray. Love. Sacrifice. Knowing none of it ever goes to waste.
What a wonderful story, and so similar to my own. I also grew up in the Church of Christ, so I know how hard it is to make the journey from there to the Catholic Church...it often includes shunning from friends and family, and a lot of pressure from the congregation. It's a tough break to make...which is why there's even an ex-church of christ forum for exers to get support and help after leaving. There are a handful who have become Catholic (to the surprise of many, lol), and I know at least a couple have read By What Authority, and it has helped them tremendously.
Anyway, let me add my thanks for such a wonderful book, and the wonderful work you do!
Mark - does it make any difference where I order your books from? Do you get a bigger cut if ordered from your website?
Hi Steve
As its before 6 am and Mark is probably asleep, I think I'm on safe ground saying he gets a better cut if your order it from his site rather than from, say , Amazon.
Hope that's helpful
Mark sleeps?
Alleluia. Thanks be to God through the Holy Spirit.
Which book was the one she originally found? Was it By What Authority? or the Scripture book?
...I wanna read what she read...
steve:
I do much better if you order from me than from Amazon.
You can order the book at http://www.mark-shea.com/books.html
By the way, she's referring to By What Authority?
The C.o.C (Church of Christ) isn't a denominaiton. Each church is governed/overseen by elders and deacons elected by the congergation. Thus each being independent of each other they can't be a denominaiton. The catholic church is a denomination because all catholic churches follow one governing body, the vatican & pope, none are independent and thus a denomination.
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