Where do I start?

[shelly_freak]

One of my new years resolutions is to really work hard on my apologetics. I really don't know much besides the basics. Does anyone know where the best place to start would be? Thanks in advance!
Shelly

[HomeTeamFamily]

im no expert, but id say get a good book or two on apologetics, im sure one of our resident apologists can suggest one.....as well as a bible study and just go to it

id start with the Gospels

[Fiat_Voluntas_Tua]

(If you are in the FBC get involved a lot) If not join a non-Catholic forum with some well informed, experienced apologist...

But remember...the Church's Teaching is what backs the Church's Actions, and the Church's actions are influenced and guided by the Church's Teaching's.

Totus Tuus,
Andrew Joseph

[StColette]

First off pick a certain topic that really interests you and start reading about that topic. Mine was the Virgin Mary. So just pick a topic that you feel really called to learn more about and start reading anything and everything on that topic

[Benedict]

I got sucked into apologetics on a Christian roleplaying board. As the only 'Catholic' (at the time I was attending Mass but I was still 5 years from confirmation), questions about the Catholic faith were thrown my way. Having very little knowledge about distinctive Catholic beliefs, I went to Mary Immaculate Catholic Book Store and bought a couple apologetics books.

Now I would suggest much the same as St. Colette. Pick a topic that interests you (mine was also the Blessed Virgin) and read up. Get a mix of apologetic and non-apologetic works to ensure that your understanding will grow in completeness and practicality (before I was confirmed I could explain and defend almost any Marian doctrine but I had little actual relation to Mother Mary). Besides that, a greater personal understanding and investment in any Catholic belief will breed a better basis for apologetics.

After learning a bit, take it to the masses. Either seek out chances to correct misunderstandings of our faith or wait for God to bring you the opportunity.

Above all, pray.

[franciscanheart]

what jennie said. i jumped right into mine reading everything i could then wrote a tract. im having to go back now and make a whole lot of revisions. definitely just picking a topic though and reading all you can find on it. its awesome and if you pick something YOU like its a lot easier and a WHOLE LOT MORE FUN to do!!

[phatcatholic]

yes, prayer is definitely essential.

when i first started, what i would do is go to a catholic website where alot of different topics were in front of me (i usually went [url="http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZHOME.HTM"][b]here[/b][/url]. the reference section would also be a good choice) and i would look at that list, and then just pray to God and say, "what do u want me to learn today." then i would just try to sit in silence and wait for a push towards a certain topic. then i would just start reading. pretty soon, i'm off to the races, reading all kinds of stuff, and branching off into different directions.

let the holy spirit guide you in your journey, b/c learning about ur faith is a journey. its an awesome one. once you have a rudimentary grasp of a topic, try out ur knowledge. hop on a board and try to defend it. what's awesome is, u'll probably get blown away--but then u'll know what you need to work on. so, you'll go and read more, learn more, and then u'll try that out.

through this cycle of pray--learn--practice, pray--learn--practice, you will become a much more knowledgable catholic. note that prayer is always at the heart of it. it has to be your foundation.

"be tranformed by the renewal of your mind" (Rom 12:2)

pax christi,
phatcatholic

Edited January 4, 2005 by phatcatholic

[franciscanheart]

^^ that too. listen to them theyre good haha im just a cruddy newcomer.

[shelly_freak]

Thanks so much guys! Sounds like I'm gonna be heading to the christian bookstore tomorrow

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='shelly_freak' date='Jan 4 2005, 04:22 PM'] Thanks so much guys! Sounds like I'm gonna be heading to the christian bookstore tomorrow [/quote]
don't forget, u'll be amazed what you can find online

[cmotherofpirl]

[i]Handbook of Christian Apologetics[/i] is on sale at the Catholic Company. It is a basic and neccessary acquisition.

Edited January 4, 2005 by cmotherofpirl

[HomeTeamFamily]

[i]Catholicism and Fundamentalism[/i] is also a very good treatment of "Bible Christians.....

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='VoloHumilisEsse' date='Jan 4 2005, 05:20 PM'] [i]Catholicism and Fundamentalism[/i] is also a very good treatment of "Bible Christians..... [/quote]
yup, that was the first apologetics book i ever owned. actually, it often ends up being the first for many beginning apologists.

[HomeTeamFamily]

sweet

[shelly_freak]

Maybe I'll pick that one up then and see where I go from their

[Benedict]

Out of necessity, mine was the practical Nuts & Bolts by Catholic Answers' newest apologist, Tim Staples.

[shelly_freak]

I just wanna say again that you guys rock! Without you guys I would be lost, I wouldn't even know what apologetics are. Blessings to all!

[cmotherofpirl]

Don't forget [i]Catholicism for Dummies[/i]!

[Neal4Christ]

[quote name='shelly_freak' date='Jan 4 2005, 04:22 PM'] Thanks so much guys! Sounds like I'm gonna be heading to the christian bookstore tomorrow [/quote]
Hehe...I went to our diocese bookstore yesterday and splurged! I read online some, but for me personally, I love to have hard copies of stuff. But there is a ton of info on the web.

[Neal4Christ]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Jan 5 2005, 12:29 PM'] Don't forget [i]Catholicism for Dummies[/i]! [/quote]
This one surprised me. It is a very good resource. Some of my favorites are [i]Catholic and Christian[/i], [i]Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic[/i], [i]Crossing the Tiber[/i], and [i]A Biblical Defense of Catholicism[/i]. There are many other good ones as well.