Apologetics

The field of apologetics was much neglected after Vatican II.  The Church opted to pursue ecumenism and a language of reapproachment with “our separated brethren” in the Protestant confessions.  There has been much fruit in this regard; however, unfortunate side-effects have included a religious relativism and a toleration for religious notions and values in stark contrast to traditional teachings.  It should also be said that certain anti-Catholics took this opportunity to attack with impunity our doctrines and to prey upon weak-minded believers.

The rediscovery of Apologetics has largely happened, not because priests and bishops became worried, but rather because of converts, particularly ministers, from the Protestant churches.  They brought with them a defensive style of argumentation and put it to use in teaching and defending the Catholic faith.

Often they discovered that the caricatures of Catholicism which they had formerly attacked, were false strawman arguments, which the Church either did not believe or which had to be properly nuanced.  When opposition was real, it was discovered by honest inquirers, that the Catholic Church was right.

I have thought that confirmation programs would run better if our young people were taught to proclaim their faith against offensive or loaded questions.  This way they could truly show themselves to be SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST. 

It is important for Catholics to know what we believe.  It is also important that we know WHY we believe the things we do.  Anti-Catholic groups will use proof-texts from the Bible to insure quick victories in bewitching weak Catholics.  Instead of giving the Church the benefit of the doubt, or seeking out a Catholic teacher or priest for counsel, the bigots urge them to immediately sever their ties to their pastors and parishes.

I hope to record here material old and new used to defend the faith.  It may be more useful for Catholics than those who hate the Church, given that the truly bigoted are often intellectually dishonest and difficult to move from their entrenched positions.  I may also include debates conducted by friends over the past few years.

It is my hope that the face of modern apologetics will also reflect something of charity.

As a postscript, it should be said that some of the debate material here was originally part of my old Gehenna site that parodied with images of fire and devils a peculiar anti-Catholic fundamentalist mindset and approach to others.  Thus, the argumentation, at times, may seem a bit “over-the-top” and  even offensive.  PLEASE know that nothing is meant to insult non-Catholics or to utterly dismiss the personal and inspiring faith in Jesus of Protestant Christians who want to live in peace with their Catholic brethren.    

  

This page has the following sub pages.

• Anti-Catholicism
• Hot Off the Web: Devilish Advice
• Debates
• The INQUISITION & the Church