A theologian renowned for his powerful storytelling abilities and his original thinking offers this comprehensive survey of Catholic doctrines and beliefs, synthesizing them into a cohesive and clear narrative that is accessible to a lay audience. Questions such as "How did the Church arrive at its teachings, and how, through every chapter of its history, did it grapple with alternatives and choose its path? "are examined and answered. The origins and tenets of Christian belief are discussed, and the development of Christian and Catholic doctrine is explored. Weaving together history, scriptural studies, and systematic theology, this primer unites disparate elements of Catholic belief, dogma, and practice into an organic whole.