Rome Sweet Home by Kimberly Hahn Summary

Rome Sweet Home by Kimberly Hahn and Scott Hahn chronicles their conversion journey from Reformed Presbyterianism to Roman Catholicism. The book narrates both perspectives separately, detailing how Scott, a theology professor and pastor, converted in 1986 after questioning Protestant doctrines like sola fide, while Kimberly initially resisted before entering the Catholic Church in 1990. Their story explores theological discoveries, marital challenges, and reconciling Bible-believing Christianity with Catholic tradition.

Rome Sweet Home is ideal for Protestants questioning their faith, Catholics seeking to understand conversion experiences, and anyone interested in theological apologetics. The book particularly resonates with Bible-believing Christians exploring Catholicism, married couples navigating religious differences, and readers interested in Reformed theology versus Catholic doctrine. It's also valuable for those curious about how intellectual honesty and scriptural study can lead to unexpected faith transformations.

Rome Sweet Home is worth reading for its honest portrayal of intellectual and spiritual struggle during religious conversion. Readers praise the book as a "page-turner" that demonstrates the Hahns' moral courage and theological depth. The dual narrative structure provides unique insight into how the same journey affected both spouses differently, particularly Kimberly's four-year resistance and eventual acceptance. However, some critics note Scott's characterizations of Protestantism may oversimplify his former tradition.

Scott Hahn's conversion began when he questioned the Protestant doctrine of sola fide (faith alone), which led him to systematically examine Catholic teachings and discover they aligned with Scripture. He converted in 1986 while serving as a Presbyterian pastor. Kimberly initially resisted, struggling particularly with Marian devotion and the fear of leaving her Presbyterian upbringing. She converted four years later in 1990 after overcoming theological objections and recognizing the Catholic Church's scriptural foundations.

Covenant theology became central to Scott Hahn's conversion and understanding of Catholicism. He developed a family covenant framework viewing the Church as an extended family with God as Father and Mary as Mother, with believers as brothers and sisters in Christ. This analogical structure helped both Hahns understand Catholic hierarchical structure, sacraments, and the communion of saints through biblical family relationships. The theology also influenced Kimberly's eventual acceptance of Marian devotion as maternal spiritual leadership.

The four years between Scott's 1986 conversion and Kimberly's 1990 entrance into the Catholic Church created tremendous marital stress. They attended separate churches, creating spiritual division in their household despite their deep love for each other. Scott gains praise in Rome Sweet Home for telling a "patient story" of respecting Kimberly's journey without forcing conversion. Kimberly describes experiencing "darkness and isolation" at being separated from her husband's spiritual leadership, yet their mutual commitment ultimately prevailed.

Rome Sweet Home examines key Protestant-Catholic theological divides including sola fide (faith alone), sola scriptura (Scripture alone), the role of Church authority, contraception, and Marian devotion. The Hahns detail how Scott discovered Catholic positions on these doctrines predated Protestant Reformation objections and aligned with early Church fathers. Kimberly's journey focused particularly on accepting Catholic teachings about contraception and Mary's intercessory role. The book emphasizes that Catholic doctrine emerges from Scripture rather than contradicting it.

Rome Sweet Home receives criticism for Scott Hahn's characterizations of Protestantism, with some reviewers noting his "pot-shots and constant misrepresentations" of his former tradition. Critics argue that for someone claiming to be a former Calvinist, his presentation of Protestant positions can be "almost infuriating" in its oversimplification. A theological review found that the Hahns sometimes apply biblical concepts analogically "in a way that contradicts the limitations Scripture itself places on those concepts". However, reviewers still appreciate their intellectual and moral honesty.

Kimberly Hahn struggled significantly with Marian devotion, viewing it as potentially idolatrous from her Protestant background. Her acceptance came through Scott's covenant theology framework, which positioned Mary as a spiritual mother within the family of God. A nun helped her overcome objections to the rosary's "vain repetitions" by explaining that mothers love hearing their children say "I love you" repeatedly. This maternal analogy, combined with studying early Church fathers' teachings, ultimately convinced Kimberly that Marian devotion honors rather than competes with Christ.

Rome Sweet Home stands out because it presents dual perspectives from both husband and wife experiencing the same conversion journey differently. Unlike typical conversion narratives, the book honestly portrays marital conflict, with Kimberly's four-year resistance creating genuine dramatic tension. The Hahns' intellectual credentials—both holding theology master's degrees—provide scholarly depth while maintaining accessibility. Additionally, Scott's position as an anti-Catholic Reformed pastor makes his conversion particularly compelling, as he "fought his conversion every step of the way".

Scott and Kimberly Hahn are prominent Catholic apologists, speakers, and authors who married in 1979. Scott is a theology professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville and founder of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Kimberly earned her Master of Arts in Theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is known for her work on marriage, femininity, and Catholic education. They raised six children through homeschooling and have become influential voices helping Protestants understand Catholic faith. Kimberly also served on Steubenville City Council starting in 2015.

Rome Sweet Home helps Protestants understand Catholicism by demonstrating how Catholic doctrine emerges from rigorous biblical study rather than contradicting Scripture. The Hahns explain Catholic teachings through the lens of former Protestants who initially opposed them, making complex theological concepts accessible. Their emphasis on covenant theology and Church fathers provides Protestants with familiar frameworks for understanding unfamiliar practices. The book particularly addresses common Protestant objections to Catholic distinctives like papal authority, sacraments, Mary, and the communion of saints through scriptural analysis.