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Apologetics\u00a0is disliked usually because\u00a0of personal inability, or observing others doing it badly.<\/p>\n
A Catholic wrote on the Coming Home Network [\u201cCHNI\u201d] discussion board where I moderate [a job I had from 2007-2010], that apologetics was \u201cuseless\u201d and that it consisted of \u201cpeople arguing their little points always taken out of context.\u201d She proclaimed loudly that she had \u201cno use for apologetics\u201d and that \u201carguing little points settles nothing and only further polarizes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, as you can imagine, that didn\u2019t sit well with me, so I had a bit to say about it!:<\/p>\n
* * * * *<\/p>\n
Most people (at least those who are here) see the self-evident value of apologetics. When someone blasts apologetics altogether, then I must speak up and show the unreasonableness of this position, especially in a forum where so many people are here in the first place because of the apologetics constantly exhibited on The Journey Home<\/em>\u00a0and in written conversion testimonies and the largely apologetic writings that CHNI sells precisely in order to help new and prospective converts. CHNI is essentially an apologetic enterprise (which was a big reason, I think, why I was hired).<\/p>\nCHNI is also quite \u201cpastoral\u201d and a support system on a basic human level of understanding and empathy, but apologetics works hand in hand with that. It has to, because people who are considering converting ask tons of questions (usually quite good ones) and some sort of answer has to be provided, and there is your apologetics.<\/p>\n
You can tell a person what Catholics believe, which is catechesis, but as soon as they ask, \u201cwhy do you believe that?\u201d or \u201chow can that belief be squared with the Bible?\u201d and so forth, then you are in the realm of apologetics, whether you want to be or not, and whether you personally \u201clike\u201d apologetics or not. It won\u2019t be sufficient to merely say, \u201cbelieve it and take it on faith and don\u2019t ask questions. Shut down your mind, because this is a faith question, not a rational consideration.\u201d That does no one any good. That\u2019s no better than being in a mind-control cult.<\/p>\n
St. Paul certainly liked apologetics, since he is often described as \u201carguing\u201d and \u201creasoning\u201d with and \u201cpersuading\u201d and \u201cdialoguing\u201d with both Jews and Greeks, and we see him most definitely doing apologetics (in a very clever and useful way) at Mars Hill in Athens (Acts 17).<\/p>\n
A major reason people who don\u2019t like apologetics do so, in my opinion, from long observation, is either because they are no good at it themselves<\/em> (some people frown upon what they are unable to do) or because they observe other people doing it badly<\/em>, and they throw the baby out with the bathwater. It\u2019s a very common emotional response to many things: the equation of a thing with its corruption or poorly understood manifestations of same.<\/p>\nAnd so apologetics is often equated with useless quarreling and wrangling (because many indeed who claim the mantle of \u201capologetics\u201d on the Internet unfortunately too often do little more than that), which approach is indeed condemned repeatedly by St. Paul.<\/p>\n
But that isn\u2019t what apologetics is, anymore than a calm, constructive father-to-son or mother-to-daughter discussion is to be equated with a family spat or true quarrel, filled with accusations and insults and yelling and (as the case may be) cussing.<\/p>\n
Another, less hostile person wrote: \u201cI think authors\/apologists tend to lose credibility when they are constantly criticizing other denominations. It sort of goes against the teachings of Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not at all (as to the latter assertion). I fully agree that folks should emphasize a positive, proactive message, but on the other hand, the Bible is filled with denunciations of false teaching. Jesus\u2019 most \u201cnegative\u201d utterances were directed against the Pharisees. He even called them \u201cvipers\u201d and \u201cwhitewashed tombs\u201d and \u201cthe blind leading the blind.\u201d St. Paul goes on and on about various errors and names people like \u201cAlexander the Coppersmith\u201d who had opposed him. I could give innumerable examples. He is constantly correcting false teaching, and states, for example:<\/p>\n
\n2 Timothy 4:3-4<\/strong> (RSV) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to truth and wander into myths.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nSt. Peter opposed false teachings as soon as he started preaching after Pentecost. He opposed Ananias and Sapphira, accused them of lying to the Holy Spirit, and in fact they were both judged and struck dead by God (Acts 5:2-11). This is arguably the first \u201canathema.\u201d He rebuked Simon for trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-24): what is now known as \u201csimony\u201d. The Apostle John is thought to be often opposing the Gnostics in his Gospel (as many commentaries note).<\/p>\n
The Church Fathers continued this practice. They were always opposing false doctrines and heresies and sects. St. Augustine, the greatest father of all, wrote tons against the Donatists and Manichaeans (his own former group) and the Pelagians. Athanasius wrote against the Arians, etc., etc. They condemned the errors and then appealed to the Catholic Church as the truth because its doctrines had been passed down and preserved without corruption.<\/p>\n
The Council of Trent (like all ecumenical councils) was largely devoted to correcting errors (that is, criticizing others). It had to do this, because it was condemning the falsehoods that Protestantism had brought in. The Council of Ephesus in 431 condemned Nestorianism; Chalcedon in 451 took on Monophysitism, etc. The Council of Nicaea anathematized Arianism.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s always been this way and always will be. A large part of the task of an apologist like myself is to correct errors as well as defend the truth (in fact, this is largely part of my specifically delegated task as a staff member of CHNI; I\u2019m a sort of \u201cdoctrinal watchdog\u201d). They are really two sides of the same coin. One tries to do it in as nice and non-personal way as possible, but many people are bound to be offended when they are told that they are wrong, by the standard of the Church and the Bible and apostolic tradition, etc.<\/p>\n
But aren\u2019t we \u201cjudging others\u201d when we say they\u2019re wrong? Is that not a lack of love (so the objection goes)? No we\u2019re not \u201cjudging\u201d in that bad sense of the word (i.e., hypocritically or uncharitably condemning), if in fact they are in error. To correct someone and set them back on the right path is, in fact, quite a loving thing to do (as every loving, concerned parent who disciplines their child understands full well).<\/p>\n
Of course we are to exercise Christian, unconditional love. Part of that love is to rebuke someone in love, for their good, not to harm or belittle them. Love is not always touchy-feely, warm fuzzies, peaches and cream. It\u2019s not just us, personally, who are right, but the Church, which is larger than we are.<\/p>\n
I do agree, though, that there are a not insignificant number of apologists (real or imagined) who have a problem with tone (though the problem is often overstated or exaggerated). With the Internet, many people call themselves \u201capologists\u201d but have insufficient background to do so, and give others a bad name (I had been a Catholic over six years, and published in books and several magazines and had even written my first book before I ever had a website at all).<\/p>\n
Believe me, I know of this problem, because I often have to receive a brunt of criticism because of baggage people have, in reacting to others doing apologetics in a poor way, setting a bad example (one becomes a sort of scapegoat, I suppose). So I\u2019m quite aware of it, and I have advised folks many times to tone it down, when I thought they were doing apologetics badly.<\/p>\n
And others have told me to \u201ctone it down\u201d, too, when the occasion warranted it, as I am not perfect, and with the large volume of words that I write and number of people and different belief-systems I interact with, it is very difficult to be perfect in tone, charity, and speech (thus I have issued many public apologies when I thought I blew it). Who ever does a perfect job? We all fall often in matters of control of the tongue.<\/p>\n
But, that said, one can know if he has enough patience and knowledge, by and large, to deal with \u201cdifficult\u201d individuals in such debate, and those who differ, or whether to wisely refrain from doing so.<\/p>\n
Anyway, I want to emphasize that both things are important, and are harmonious with each other:<\/p>\n
\n1) We need to exercise the love of Christ and express ourselves gently and charitably.<\/p>\n
and:<\/p>\n
2) At times, we need to correct doctrinal or ethical error (bishops and priests and teachers and catechists and apologists all the more so), and do it in the spirit of #1. This is not contrary to #1 at all, and in fact, is an aspect<\/em> of it, as error never did anyone any good. If we can\u2019t do #2 with the spirit of #1, then we shouldn\u2019t do it at all<\/em>, in many cases, and should ask someone more charitable to do it, so as to avoid hypocrisy and possibly scandal.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nI was asked if everyone is \u201ccalled to be an apologist.\u201d Obviously not all are called to apologetics as a vocation or occupation, as I have been. I think, though, that in some way every Christian should at least have a rudimentary understanding of why they believe what they believe, in order to bear witness to others if asked. That can be obtained by reading just one or two good apologetic books. This is the bare minimum, in my opinion. Reading a book or two or hearing some lectures or attending one apologetic conference certainly won\u2019t put anyone out.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, not everyone can become an expert on everything. That\u2019s why people specialize and become theology professors or priests or nuns or catechists or lay apologists (or a church musician or eucharistic minister, etc.). Different parts of the Body . . .: that\u2019s how God designed it, \u201ceach with his own gift.\u201d Whatever gift God gives us, we ought to put to good use: whether we are in the medical profession or an engineer or janitor or baker or waitress; whatever it is: whether exalted in this world or looked down upon.<\/p>\n
And I say the work of the mother and housewife is the most important work of all in this world; I always contend that what my wife does as a homeschooling mom is more important than what I do. All work is honorable and no one should feel any shame, but all should use their God-given abilities as best they can.<\/p>\n
St. Paul changed his method according to his hearers (1 Cor 9:19-23). Hence on Mars Hill in Athens: the intellectual center of the world at that time, he spoke in a way we don\u2019t see him speak anywhere else. He quotes pagan Greek poets and philosophers, talks about Greek idols, and makes an analogical philosophical argument.<\/p>\n
In approaching issues of basic apologetics, we all have to accept the word of scholars at some point. A few books read along these lines will help our faith and our confidence in the objective facts of Christianity, and aid us in gaining more confidence. But everyone who seeks to do apologetics should be thoroughly prepared. I always tell people not to get too zealous without adequately studying up first.<\/p>\n
Having a desire to get to the place of what might be called \u201capologetic confidence\u201d is already three-quarters of the battle. So many people care little about the things of God and theology, let alone about sharing it with anyone else in a cogent fashion. If someone has the desire, they\u2019ll get there in due course. All they have to do is read on some basic topics. And there is plenty online that can be read for free now. All of Chesterton\u2019s apologetic books are available, etc.<\/p>\n
Someone recounted their experience in sparring with an atheist professor: \u201cI posted links for said [NT documentary] evidence, [but] I was laughed to scorn since I could not provide it myself. He claimed there was more evidence to the contrary, including archaeological.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one is required to know everything on the spot. Most people are not Bible scholars or professional apologists. Providing a link is no more laughable than a scholar recommending a book in a footnote. This atheist was acting like an arrogant ass, in my opinion. He needs to be challenged to produce this \u201cevidence\u201d he refers to, by all means. Most of these types of guys know very little about the Bible. I\u2019ve always marveled at this.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll be debating some professor of philosophy, and he fancies himself an expert on Scripture. But now he is on my<\/em> turf, the area I\u2019ve studied for over 30 years now, and it doesn\u2019t go well for him when I point out some basic things that he is ignorant of (I have many such debates on my site. I\u2019m not exaggerating at all).<\/p>\nKnowledge and scholarly attainment in one area doesn\u2019t automatically transfer into another. It\u2019s not that I have all the answers, at all (I certainly don\u2019t): in these cases it is so often the sheer ignorance of the atheist in biblical and theological matters that makes them easy to refute. I have many papers about this. I\u2019ve seen it again and again.<\/p>\n
They think they know so much about the Bible and Christianity, but almost invariably it turns out that they really don\u2019t, and it is only bluster to intimidate the Christian, and intellectual arrogance. And if you dare to critique their \u201cdeconversion\u201d stories, as I have, to show that the reasons why they forsook Christianity fall short, to say the least, they go spastic. One such case was John Loftus, who runs the blog, Debunking Christianity<\/em>, and has a book out that is selling decently for its type.<\/p>\nThese same supposedly oh-so-smart people will deny, for example, that Jesus ever existed: a perfectly ridiculous thing to believe. Mainly, I\u2019m trying to get across that we Christians (of whatever stripe) need not be so intimidated by these folks. They can be effectively answered more easily than is thought.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
(originally 1-27-08)<\/p>\n
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\u00a0 Apologetics\u00a0is disliked usually because\u00a0of personal inability, or observing others doing it badly. A Catholic wrote on the Coming Home Network [\u201cCHNI\u201d] discussion board where I moderate [a job I had from 2007-2010], that apologetics was \u201cuseless\u201d and that it consisted of \u201cpeople arguing their little points always taken out of context.\u201d She proclaimed loudly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":15090,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[2347,258,2332,94,2538,2537,93,2540,2539,1706,2019,345],"class_list":["post-4993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-catholic-apologetics","tag-apologetics","tag-atheism","tag-catholic-apologetics","tag-debate","tag-defense-of-christianity","tag-defense-of-the-catholic-faith","tag-dialogue","tag-discussion-ethics","tag-internet-discourse","tag-internet-ethics","tag-lay-catholic-apologetics","tag-secularism"],"yoast_head":"\n
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defending Christianity since 1981, and Catholicism in particular since 1991 (full-time since December 2001). 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. 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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\/4993","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=4993"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4993\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15090"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}