{"id":42723,"date":"2020-01-01T13:22:13","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T17:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/?p=42723"},"modified":"2020-01-01T17:41:12","modified_gmt":"2020-01-01T21:41:12","slug":"pope-francis-condemns-evangelism-absolutely-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2020\/01\/pope-francis-condemns-evangelism-absolutely-not.html","title":{"rendered":"Pope Francis Condemns Evangelism? Absolutely Not!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"\"<\/p>\n

In one address (7-26-14<\/a>), Pope Francis distinguishes apologetics and evangelization from proselytization:<\/p>\n

Dialogue is so important, but to dialogue two things are necessary: one\u2019s identity as a starting point and empathy toward others. If I am not sure of my identity and I go to speak, I end up bartering my faith. You cannot dialogue without starting from your own identity, and empathy, which is a priori not condemning. Every man, every woman has something of their own to give us; every man, every woman has their own story, their own situation and we have to listen to it. Then the prudence of the Holy Spirit will tell us how to respond. Start from your own identity in order to dialogue, but a dialogue is not doing apologetics<\/strong>, although sometimes you must do so<\/strong>, when we are asked questions that require an explanation<\/strong><\/span>. Dialogue is a human thing. It is hearts and souls that dialogue, and this is so important! Do not be afraid to dialogue with anyone. It was said of a saint, joking somewhat \u2014 I do not remember, I think it was St Philip Neri, but I\u2019m not sure \u2014 that he was able to dialogue even with the devil. Why? Because he had that freedom to listen to all people, but starting from his own identity. He was so sure, but being sure of one\u2019s identity does not mean proselytizing. Proselytism is a trap<\/span>, which even Jesus condemns a little, en passant, when he speaks to the Pharisees and the Sadducees: \u201cYou who go around the world to find a proselyte and then you remember that\u2026\u201d. [blue emphases and bolding added]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For those who ridiculously contend that Pope Francis denounces evangelism, because he decries proselytism (as anyone<\/em> should), here is the contrary evidence [just from the years 2013-2014] (search \u201cevangel\u201d in each post):<\/p>\n

\n
1) Morning Meditation (5-8-14)<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
2) General Audience (5-22-13)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
3) Morning Meditation (12-3-13)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
4) Morning Meditation (4-25-13)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
5) Morning Meditation (5-19-14)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
6) Morning Meditation (5-8-13)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Excerpt:<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Building bridges to proclaim the Gospel, \u201cthis was the Paul\u2019s outlook in Athens: build a bridge to their hearts, and then take a step further and proclaim Jesus Christ\u201d. Paul followed the attitude of Jesus, who spoke to everyone, \u201che heard the Samaritan woman\u2026 ate with the Pharisees, with sinners, with publicans, with doctors of the law. Jesus listened to everyone and when he said a word of condemnation, it was at the end, when there was nothing left to do\u201d. But Paul, too, was \u201caware that he must evangelize<\/strong>, not proselytize<\/strong>\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0The Church \u201cdoes not grow by proselytizing, as Benedict XVI has told us, but grows by attracting people, by its witness, and by its preaching\u201d.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
It\u2019s all there, right here: ecumenism, with a simultaneous evangelization, which is not<\/em><\/strong> proselytizing. It\u2019s absolutely false to pretend that in condemning the latter<\/em>, the pope is also condemning the former<\/em>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
\n
\n
7) Morning Meditation (4-17-13) <\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
8) Morning Meditation (4-27-13)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
These examples are quite sufficient. Many further ones can be found in simple searches at the \u201cThe Holy See\u201d<\/a> website.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Related Reading:<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Dialogue: Pope Francis Doesn\u2019t Evangelize?<\/a>\u00a0[4-29-16]<\/p>\n

Is Pope Francis Against Apologetics & Defending the Faith?<\/a>\u00a0[11-26-19]<\/p>\n

Debate: Pope Francis on Doctrine, Truth, & Evangelizing (vs. Dr. Eduardo Echeverria)<\/a>\u00a0[12-16-19]<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Did Pope Francis just say that evangelization is \u201cnonsense\u201d? 8 things to know and share\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0(Jimmy Akin,\u00a0National Catholic Register<\/i>, 10-1-13)<\/p>\n

Pope Francis on \u201cProselytism\u201d<\/a>\u00a0(Jimmy Akin,\u00a0Catholic Answers blog<\/em>, 10-21-13)<\/p>\n

Did Pope Francis just diss apologists? 9 things to know and share<\/a>\u00a0(Jimmy Akin,\u00a0National Catholic Register<\/i>, 3-9-14)<\/p>\n

When Pope Francis rips \u2018proselytism,\u2019 who\u2019s he talking about? He really may not be talking about, or to, Catholics at all<\/a>\u00a0(John L. Allen, Jr.,\u00a0Crux<\/i>, 1-27-15)<\/p>\n

Francis: Evangelize by Example, not Pushing Your Faith on Others<\/a> (Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, Through Catholic Lenses<\/em>, 12-23-19)<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Money Trees Do Not Exist<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0If you have been aided in any way by my work, or think it is valuable and worthwhile, please strongly consider financially supporting it (even $10 \/ month \u2014 a mere 33 cents a day \u2014 would be very helpful). I have been a full-time Catholic apologist since Dec. 2001, and have been writing Christian apologetics since 1981 (see\u00a0my Resume<\/a>).\u00a0My work has been proven (by God\u2019s grace alone) to be fruitful, in terms of changing lives (see the tangible evidences\u00a0from unsolicited \u201ctestimonies\u201d<\/a>).\u00a0I have to pay my bills like all of you: and have a (homeschooling) wife and three children still at home to provide for, and a mortgage to pay.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
My book royalties from\u00a0three bestsellers in the field<\/a>\u00a0(published in 2003-2007) have been decreasing, as has my overall income, making it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.\u00a0 I provide over 2600 free articles here, for the purpose of your edification and education, and have\u00a0written 50 books<\/a>.\u00a0It\u2019ll literally be a struggle to survive financially until Dec. 2020, when both my wife and I will be receiving Social Security. If you cannot contribute, I ask for your prayers (and \u201clikes\u201d and links and shares). Thanks!<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
See my\u00a0information on how to donate<\/a>\u00a0(including 100% tax-deductible donations). It\u2019s very simple to contribute to my apostolate via PayPal, if a tax deduction is not needed (my \u201cbusiness name\u201d there is called \u201cCatholic Used Book Service,\u201d from my old bookselling days 17 or so years ago, but send to my email: apologistdave@gmail.com). Another easy way to send and receive money (with a bank account or a mobile phone) is through\u00a0Zelle<\/a>. Again, just send to my e-mail address.\u00a0May God abundantly bless you.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
***<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
(originally posted on 10-17-16, on Facebook)<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Photo credit:<\/strong> Dave Armstrong with Steve Dawson: founder of<\/span> St. Paul Street Evangelization<\/a> (July 2013). I edited many of the tracts that they pass out.<\/span><\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
***<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In one address (7-26-14), Pope Francis distinguishes apologetics and evangelization from proselytization: Dialogue is so important, but to dialogue two things are necessary: one\u2019s identity as a starting point and empathy toward others. If I am not sure of my identity and I go to speak, I end up bartering my faith. You cannot dialogue […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":42726,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,138],"tags":[2347,4428,4429,2332,329,94,2982,2538,2537,9879,93,2019,9876],"class_list":["post-42723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-catholic-apologetics","category-papacy-infallibility","tag-apologetics","tag-bible-apologetics","tag-biblical-rationale-for-apologetics","tag-catholic-apologetics","tag-christian-apologetics","tag-debate","tag-defense-of-catholicism","tag-defense-of-christianity","tag-defense-of-the-catholic-faith","tag-defense-of-the-faith","tag-dialogue","tag-lay-catholic-apologetics","tag-pope-francis-apologetics"],"yoast_head":"\nPope Francis Condemns Evangelism? Absolutely Not!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pope Francis distinguishes apologetics and evangelism from proselytization. It's absolutely false to pretend that in condemning the latter, the pope is also condemning the former.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2020\/01\/pope-francis-condemns-evangelism-absolutely-not.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Pope Francis Condemns Evangelism? Absolutely Not!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Pope Francis distinguishes apologetics and evangelism from proselytization. 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Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \\\"This Rock\\\" (now called \\\"Catholic Answers Magazine\\\"), \\\"Envoy Magazine\\\" (Patrick Madrid), \\\"The Catholic Answer,\\\" \\\"The Coming Home Journal,\\\" \\\"Gilbert Magazine\\\" (American Chesterton Society), and \\\"The Latin Mass.\\\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \\\"The Michigan Catholic\\\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. Dave\u2019s apologetics and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of \\\"Envoy Magazine.\\\" He served as the staff moderator at the Internet discussion forum for The Coming Home Network, from 2007-2010. Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \\\"Catholic Answers Live\\\" (twice), \\\"Faith and Family Live\\\" (Steve Wood), \\\"Kresta in the Afternoon,\\\" \\\"Son Rise Morning Show,\\\" \\\"Catholic Connection\\\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \\\"The Catholics Next Door.\\\" His large and popular website, \\\"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\\\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \\\"Envoy Magazine.\\\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \\\"index\\\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \\\"Surprised by Truth\\\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \\\"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\\\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \\\"The Catholic Verses\\\" (2004), \\\"The One-Minute Apologist\\\" (2007), \\\"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\\\" (2009), \\\"The Quotable Newman\\\" (editor: 2012), and \\\"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\\\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \\\"The New Catholic Answer Bible\\\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \\\"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\\\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \\\"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\\\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \\\"Quotable Wesley\\\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Pope Francis Condemns Evangelism? Absolutely Not!","description":"Pope Francis distinguishes apologetics and evangelism from proselytization. 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Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \"This Rock\" (now called \"Catholic Answers Magazine\"), \"Envoy Magazine\" (Patrick Madrid), \"The Catholic Answer,\" \"The Coming Home Journal,\" \"Gilbert Magazine\" (American Chesterton Society), and \"The Latin Mass.\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \"The Michigan Catholic\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. Dave\u2019s apologetics and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of \"Envoy Magazine.\" He served as the staff moderator at the Internet discussion forum for The Coming Home Network, from 2007-2010. Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \"Catholic Answers Live\" (twice), \"Faith and Family Live\" (Steve Wood), \"Kresta in the Afternoon,\" \"Son Rise Morning Show,\" \"Catholic Connection\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \"The Catholics Next Door.\" His large and popular website, \"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \"Envoy Magazine.\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \"index\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \"Surprised by Truth\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \"The Catholic Verses\" (2004), \"The One-Minute Apologist\" (2007), \"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\" (2009), \"The Quotable Newman\" (editor: 2012), and \"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \"The New Catholic Answer Bible\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \"Quotable Wesley\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).","sameAs":["https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42723","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2331"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42723"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42723\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42726"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}