Key Takeaways
An anti-Catholic Presbyterian minister followed the Bible to Rome
“…the journey began as a detective story, but soon it became more like a horror story, until it finally ended up as a great romance story — when Christ unveiled his Bride, the Church.”
Scott Hahn was militantly anti-Catholic. He ripped apart his Catholic grandmother's Rosary, distributed anti-Catholic literature to friends, and believed with his seminary buddy Gerry Matatics that the Pope was the Antichrist. His wife Kimberly, daughter and granddaughter of Presbyterian ministers, shared his convictions entirely. Together they entered Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to master Reformed Protestant theology and conquer the world for Christ.
Yet years of relentless Scripture study on covenant, justification, and the sacraments dragged Scott toward conclusions that horrified him. Their decade-long journey split in two: Scott was received into the Catholic Church at Easter 1986; Kimberly held out in anguish until Easter 1990. The book alternates their voices chapter by chapter — his intellectual discovery against her emotional devastation — making it both a theological argument and a marriage survival story.
Replace 'contract' with 'covenant family' and the Bible turns Catholic
“I can have a personal relationship with the neighbor down the street; but that doesn't mean he wants me to move in and share his home.”
Scott's master key was covenant. In seminary, he discovered that biblical covenants weren't legal contracts (as Luther and Calvin taught) but sacred family bonds — an exchange of persons, not property. God's covenant with Adam created a marriage; with Noah, a household; with Abraham, a tribe; with Moses, a nation; with David, a kingdom. Christ's New Covenant created a worldwide family — "catholic" from the Greek katholikos.
This reframed every doctrine. Justification became adoption, not a courtroom verdict. Grace became God's own life shared with his children, not just divine favor. The Eucharist became the flesh-and-blood bond of covenant kinship. When Scott drew this expanding-family pyramid for high-school students, a Catholic student observed: "That looks a lot like the Catholic Church, with the Pope at the top." Scott was shaken — because the student was right.
'Sola fide' appears in Scripture exactly once — to deny it
“This was a traumatic transformation for me to say that on this point I now thought Luther was fundamentally wrong.”
The Reformation's battle cry collapses. Sola fide — justification by faith alone — was the "material principle" of the entire Reformation. Luther staked everything on it. But Scott discovered Paul never actually taught it. James 2:24 explicitly states: "a man is justified by works and not by faith alone." Luther responded by calling James "an epistle of straw" and inserting the word "alone" into his German translation of Romans 3:28 — editing the very Scripture he claimed as sole authority.
Both Hahns came to agree that the Catholic position — justification as becoming a child of God through faith working in love (Ephesians 2:8-10) — was more faithful to Scripture. When Scott shared these findings, he learned that a Westminster Seminary professor was facing a heresy trial for the same view. If sola fide falls, the Reformation loses its foundation.
The Bible never claims to be the Christian's only authority
“Then it occurs to me, Dr. Gerstner, that when it comes right down to it, it must be the Bible and the Church — both or neither!”
A student's question changed everything. In Church history class, an ex-Catholic student asked Scott: "Where does the Bible teach that Scripture alone is our sole authority?" Scott broke into a cold sweat — he'd never considered the question. The standard proof text, 2 Timothy 3:16, says all Scripture is inspired, not that only Scripture is authoritative. Meanwhile, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 commands holding to traditions taught "by word of mouth or by letter."
Top Protestant theologians couldn't help. One admitted sola scriptura was "a theological presupposition, our starting point rather than a proven conclusion." Scott's Calvinist mentor, Dr. Gerstner, conceded that Protestants possess only "a fallible collection of infallible documents" — since fallible Church councils compiled the New Testament canon. Scott used a Constitution analogy: a document without a government to interpret it produces anarchy, which 25,000-plus Protestant denominations confirmed.
Every Christian church opposed contraception until 1930
“The Roman Catholic Church stood alone as the only 'denomination' in all the world with the courage and integrity to teach this most unpopular truth.”
Kimberly stumbled onto the issue during pro-life work, where birth control kept surfacing. In a seminary ethics course, she expected to dismiss the Catholic position quickly. Instead, she found that before the 1930 Anglican Lambeth Conference, every Protestant denomination agreed with Rome: contraception was wrong. Even Luther, Calvin, and all the Reformers held the same view.
John Kippley's covenantal argument sealed it. Marriage is a covenant, not a contract, and the marital act renews that covenant. Intentionally thwarting its life-giving power was like receiving the Eucharist and spitting it on the ground. Scripture presents children as only and always a blessing (Psalm 127-128), fertility as a gift, and the womb as God's domain. The Hahns threw out their contraceptives and opened themselves to new life — a decision that preceded and accelerated every subsequent theological shift.
Read John 6 literally and the Eucharist stops being a symbol
“I knew Christ wanted me to receive him in faith, not just spiritually in my heart, but physically as well: onto my tongue, down my throat and into my whole body and soul.”
John chapter 6 was Scott's tipping point. While teaching through John's Gospel, he hit Jesus' declaration: "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." The Jews were scandalized; many disciples abandoned Jesus. If they'd simply misunderstood a metaphor, Jesus was morally obligated to clarify. He never did. No Christian denied the Real Presence for over a thousand years.
Scott began slipping into daily Mass at Marquette University. When the priest raised the consecrated Host, Scott whispered: "My Lord and my God. That's really you!" Within weeks he was attending every day, aching to receive. Meanwhile Kimberly watched a eucharistic procession where grown adults knelt as the monstrance passed by and thought: if that's really Jesus, kneeling is the only sane response. If it's not, this is gross idolatry. There was no comfortable middle.
Their greatest sign of unity — communion — became their deepest divide
“I'll release you from your promise, but I want you to know that I've never felt so deeply betrayed — so abandoned — in all my life.”
The Hahns' marriage nearly broke. Scott attended Mass alone for two and a half years. Kimberly lost the joy of her faith for nearly five years straight. She twice walked around the block contemplating whether she could leave. She once told Scott she wished God would give her a fatal illness so the questions would end. When friends gave them a crucifix, her internal response was: "You have my spouse; but don't redecorate my house!"
Neither would sacrifice integrity. Scott refused to force Kimberly's conversion. Kimberly refused to pretend belief she didn't hold. Close friends grew distant; family members went silent. One former friend counseled Kimberly to divorce Scott for "abandoning the faith." Their only shared ground came through pro-life activism, which gave them common purpose while theology tore them apart.
Pray for the willingness before you can pray for the thing itself
“I was the one who had made the cage, and, instead of locking it, the Lord opened the door to set me free.”
Kimberly's father broke through. After years of resistance, her Presbyterian minister father asked if she prayed his daily prayer: "Lord, I'll go wherever you want me to go." She admitted she was terrified — it might mean becoming Catholic. His response cut deep: "Jesus Christ is either Lord of your entire life, or he isn't Lord at all. You don't tell God where you will and won't go."
Thirty days of preparation followed. Kimberly prayed each morning simply for the grace to be willing to pray that prayer. When she finally could, fear gave way to freedom. She began studying eagerly rather than defensively — baptism, justification, the Eucharist fell into place. On Ash Wednesday 1990, driving to Steubenville, she sensed God say: "Why don't you give up yourself?" That evening she called Scott: "It's going to be this Easter."
Don't evaluate Rome as one denomination among many — it claims too much
“…if the Catholic Church was wrong, it was nothing less than diabolical.”
There is no comfortable middle ground. Scott and Gerry Matatics recognized early that the Catholic Church was categorically different from other denominations. The Methodists never claimed to be the one true Church. The Lutherans never claimed an infallible Pope. No Protestant body claimed unbroken apostolic succession to Peter. Rome's claims were so absolute that being merely "a little off" was impossible — it was either divinely preserved or a monstrous deception.
A six-hour debate confirmed the stakes. Scott and Gerry brought their Greek New Testaments and Hebrew Bibles to challenge their Harvard-trained Calvinist mentor, Dr. Gerstner. They hoped to be refuted. Not a single Catholic position fell. Council of Trent texts, they discovered, had been quoted out of context for centuries. Both men left pale, realizing no one could rescue them from the conclusions Scripture was forcing.
Discover Mary through Scripture and she stops being an obstacle
“Instead of seeing Mary as a tremendous obstacle to me, I was beginning to see her as a precious gift from the Lord — one who loved me, cared for me and prayed for me with a mother's heart.”
Mary was the final and fiercest barrier. Kimberly refused to say the Hail Mary, resented Scott praying the Rosary, and felt jealous of a woman who seemed to get more of her husband's devotion than she did. Scott had once ripped apart his grandmother's Rosary; now he prayed it daily. For both, every Marian doctrine felt like an imposition from Catholic culture rather than biblical truth.
Scripture turned the tide. Revelation 12:17 identifies Mary's offspring as "those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus" — making her every believer's spiritual mother. Jesus' command from the cross, "Behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27), extended to all beloved disciples. The Hebrew word for "honor" (kabodah) means "to glorify" — Christ honored his mother perfectly, and Christians imitate Christ. Kimberly finally asked God what he thought about Mary, and the answer she received was: "She's my beloved daughter, my faithful child, my beautiful vessel."
Analysis
Rome Sweet Home occupies a singular niche in Catholic apologetics because it argues from inside the Protestant tradition rather than against it. Scott Hahn doesn't reject his Reformed education — he follows its own hermeneutical principles to their logical terminus in Rome. This makes the book far more destabilizing for serious Protestant readers than a standard Catholic polemic, because it essentially weaponizes sola scriptura against itself.
The dual-narrative structure is the book's greatest literary and rhetorical asset. Scott's arc is primarily intellectual: he chases arguments wherever they lead, even when the conclusions terrify him. Kimberly's arc is volitional and emotional: she must choose to yield before she can study, and must grieve before she can celebrate. Together they represent the two irreducible dimensions of any conversion — head and heart — and the four-year gap between their receptions into the Church captures what most conversion memoirs gloss over: conviction rarely arrives on a synchronized schedule within a marriage.
Theologically, Hahn's strongest contribution is his covenant hermeneutic. By reframing the Bible's grand narrative as God progressively building a family rather than adjudicating a courtroom, he provides a unified interpretive lens under which Catholic sacramentalism appears organic rather than accretive. The New Testament Church isn't a break from Israel but its fulfillment — and that fulfillment looks remarkably Catholic.
The book has real limitations. Every theological issue is presented as a strict binary (Catholic or wrong), underestimating modern Protestant biblical scholarship. Eastern Orthodoxy receives a cursory and uncharitable dismissal. And the narrative sometimes reads as a forensic brief with dramatic staging, with devastating questions arriving at suspiciously convenient moments. Yet its cultural impact is undeniable: The Tape, recorded for thirty-five people, catalyzed a wave of high-profile conversions in the 1990s and created a template — credentialed Protestant discovers Catholic truth through Scripture alone — that dozens of subsequent convert-apologists have replicated. Whether one finds this trajectory compelling or alarming depends entirely on one's priors, which is precisely why the book remains so polarizing three decades later.
Review Summary
Rome Sweet Home receives mixed reviews, with many praising its inspiring conversion story and biblical insights. Critics argue it misrepresents Protestantism and is condescending. Catholic readers often find it strengthens their faith, while some Protestants feel offended. The book is lauded for its accessible explanation of Catholic doctrine and criticized for perceived arrogance. Many appreciate the Hahns' personal journey and biblical approach, while others question their theological conclusions. Overall, it's seen as a powerful but polarizing account of conversion to Catholicism.
People Also Read
Glossary
Sola fide
Justification by faith aloneThe Protestant doctrine, central to the Reformation, that a person is justified before God by faith alone, apart from works. Luther called it 'the article on which the Church stands or falls.' Scott Hahn argues this phrase appears in Scripture only in James 2:24, which explicitly denies it, and that Paul never taught justification apart from faith working in love.
Sola scriptura
Scripture alone as authorityThe Protestant principle that the Bible alone—not Church tradition, Popes, or councils—is the Christian's sole and final authority. In the book, Scott Hahn argues this principle is self-refuting: the Bible never claims to be the sole authority, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 commands holding to oral tradition, and 1 Timothy 3:15 calls the Church—not Scripture—'the pillar and foundation of truth.'
Kinship by Covenant
Family bonds through sacred oathsScott Hahn's theological framework and doctoral dissertation concept arguing that biblical covenants are not legal contracts but sacred family bonds—an exchange of persons, not property. Each successive covenant in Scripture (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Christ) progressively expanded God's family, culminating in the Catholic Church as God's worldwide covenant family.
Sola verbum Dei
The Word of God aloneScott Hahn's proposed Catholic alternative to sola scriptura. Rather than limiting God's authoritative Word to Scripture alone, this principle holds that God's Word encompasses Scripture, sacred Tradition (2 Thessalonians 2:15), and the Church's authoritative teaching and preaching (1 Peter 1:25; Matthew 18:17), all working together as complementary channels of divine revelation.
The Tape
Hahn's famous conversion recordingThe informal name for Scott Hahn's 1989 audio-recorded testimony ('Protestant Minister Becomes Catholic'), given to just thirty-five people at a Catholic Answers event in Riverside, California. Distributed by Terry Barber of Saint Joseph Communications, it reached over thirty-five thousand copies within a year and eventually hundreds of thousands, becoming one of the most widely shared Catholic conversion testimonies in America.
The Judas Shuffle
Receive communion then leave immediatelyScott Hahn's irreverent term for the common Catholic practice of receiving the Eucharist and immediately exiting the church without remaining for thanksgiving, fellowship, or even the closing hymn. The name evokes Judas receiving from Jesus at the Last Supper and departing into the night, highlighting the disconnect between professing belief in Christ's Real Presence and treating the sacrament casually.
FAQ
What's "Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism" about?
- Conversion Story: "Rome Sweet Home" is a personal narrative by Scott and Kimberly Hahn detailing their journey from Protestantism to Catholicism.
- Faith Exploration: The book explores their theological struggles and discoveries as they delve deeper into Catholic teachings.
- Marriage Dynamics: It also highlights the impact of their religious journey on their marriage and family life.
- Spiritual Growth: The Hahns share how their conversion led to a deeper understanding and appreciation of their faith.
Why should I read "Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism"?
- Personal Insight: The book offers a deeply personal account of faith transformation, providing insight into the challenges and joys of conversion.
- Theological Exploration: It presents a thorough exploration of Catholic doctrines from a former Protestant perspective, making it valuable for those interested in theological discussions.
- Marriage and Faith: Readers can gain an understanding of how religious beliefs can affect marital relationships and family dynamics.
- Inspirational Journey: The Hahns' story is one of perseverance and faith, which can inspire readers in their own spiritual journeys.
What are the key takeaways of "Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism"?
- Scripture and Tradition: The Hahns emphasize the importance of both Scripture and Church Tradition in understanding Catholicism.
- Covenant Theology: The book highlights the concept of covenant as central to understanding the Catholic faith and its practices.
- Role of Sacraments: The significance of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, is a major theme in their conversion story.
- Unity and Family: The Hahns stress the importance of unity within the Church and the family as a reflection of God's covenant.
How did Scott Hahn's views on Catholicism change throughout "Rome Sweet Home"?
- Initial Opposition: Scott began as a staunch anti-Catholic, convinced that Catholic teachings were unbiblical.
- Theological Study: Through intensive study of Scripture and Catholic theology, he began to see the biblical basis for Catholic doctrines.
- Eucharistic Revelation: A pivotal moment was his realization of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which deeply moved him.
- Final Acceptance: Scott's journey culminated in his acceptance of Catholicism as the true expression of Christian faith.
How did Kimberly Hahn's journey to Catholicism differ from Scott's in "Rome Sweet Home"?
- Initial Resistance: Kimberly was initially resistant to Catholicism, fearing the impact on her marriage and family.
- Gradual Acceptance: Her journey was more gradual, involving deep personal reflection and study of Catholic teachings.
- Emotional Struggle: She experienced significant emotional turmoil, feeling torn between her Protestant upbringing and the truths she was discovering.
- Eventual Conversion: Kimberly's conversion was marked by a profound sense of peace and unity with her husband and faith.
What role does covenant theology play in "Rome Sweet Home"?
- Central Theme: Covenant theology is a central theme, framing the Hahns' understanding of Catholicism as a continuation of biblical covenants.
- Family and Faith: The concept of covenant is used to explain the familial nature of the Church and its sacraments.
- Theological Shift: Scott's study of covenant theology led to a shift in his understanding of justification and the sacraments.
- Unity in Diversity: The covenant is presented as a unifying principle that brings together diverse elements of faith and practice.
What are the best quotes from "Rome Sweet Home" and what do they mean?
- "The only story even more dramatic than conversion to Christ’s Church is the initial conversion to Christ himself." This highlights the profound nature of both personal faith and joining the Catholic Church.
- "The Church is his handiwork." This emphasizes the belief that the Catholic Church is divinely established and maintained.
- "He wants us in covenant with himself." This reflects the central theme of covenant theology as a means of understanding the relationship between God and believers.
- "The Eucharist doesn’t make you want to sing, what would?" This quote underscores the deep spiritual significance of the Eucharist in Catholic worship.
How does "Rome Sweet Home" address the challenges of a mixed marriage?
- Initial Struggles: The book candidly discusses the strain on Scott and Kimberly's marriage due to differing religious beliefs.
- Communication and Respect: It emphasizes the importance of open communication and mutual respect in navigating religious differences.
- Shared Faith Journey: Over time, their shared journey towards Catholicism helped to heal and strengthen their marriage.
- Spiritual Unity: The book concludes with their spiritual unity as a Catholic family, highlighting the transformative power of faith.
What impact did "Rome Sweet Home" have on the Hahns' family life?
- Family Unity: The conversion brought a new sense of unity and purpose to their family life.
- Faith Practices: It led to the incorporation of Catholic practices and sacraments into their daily family routine.
- Children's Faith: The Hahns' children were raised in the Catholic faith, participating in sacraments and church activities.
- Community Involvement: Their conversion also led to active involvement in their local Catholic community and broader Church initiatives.
How does "Rome Sweet Home" explore the role of Mary in Catholicism?
- Initial Misunderstanding: Both Scott and Kimberly initially struggled with Catholic teachings on Mary, viewing them as unbiblical.
- Theological Clarification: Through study and prayer, they came to understand Mary's role as the Mother of God and her place in salvation history.
- Personal Devotion: The book describes their growing personal devotion to Mary and the impact of Marian prayers like the Rosary.
- Spiritual Motherhood: They came to see Mary as a spiritual mother, interceding for believers and guiding them to Christ.
What advice does "Rome Sweet Home" offer to Catholics and non-Catholics?
- For Catholics: The Hahns encourage Catholics to deepen their understanding of their faith through Scripture, the Catechism, and active participation in the sacraments.
- For Non-Catholics: They invite non-Catholics to explore Catholic teachings with an open mind, emphasizing the Church's biblical foundations.
- Unity and Dialogue: The book advocates for respectful dialogue and unity among Christians, regardless of denominational differences.
- Personal Holiness: Both Catholics and non-Catholics are called to pursue personal holiness and a deeper relationship with Christ.
How does "Rome Sweet Home" address the concept of authority in the Church?
- Scriptural Basis: The Hahns explore the scriptural basis for the Church's authority, particularly in relation to the Pope and Church councils.
- Sola Scriptura Challenge: Scott's journey involved questioning the Protestant principle of sola scriptura and recognizing the role of Tradition.
- Church as Family: The Church is presented as a family with a divinely established structure of authority for teaching and guiding believers.
- Infallibility and Unity: The book discusses the importance of the Church's infallibility in maintaining doctrinal unity and truth.
About the Author
Other books by Scott Hahn
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