Catholic Apologetics and Evangelization

[Theologian in Training]

Wow! I am surprised at the amount of votes and replies. Initially, I had given up on this poll and wrote something else, however, given the amount of replies and the fact that you have put some effort into this poll I will see about putting it in an appendix or mentioning it in some part of my thesis.

I am pretty much done with the thesis except for the fact that I opened my big mouth and mentioned to my professor, during the presentation, that I would be more than willing to create a pastoral plan for apologetics. Also, the presentation was so well-received, and I introduced them to so many resources, that my prof wants me to give a copy of my bibliography.

I will let whomever want to read it to do so after I get the draft back and put the finishing touches on it, as it were. I could give you a copy of the draft, but I am not sure how much of that will be changed after I submit it.

BTW, just to clarify, I am aware that the question is difficult to answer, even from a Catholic point of view. However, that was the whole point of the poll, since most of those that don't understand our veneration of Mary view it as worship and the accusation will be more along the lines of worshipping Mary more than anything else. In fact, that exact thing happened to me when I began my voyage into apologetics.

Also, I am very pleased with everyone's honesty and humility in answering this poll. I am actually pleased that somebody admitted to not liking apologetics and some admitted to not knowing how to answer such an accusation. This is not a judgment on anyone, rather, it is trying to get an idea, even vaguely, of how well the average Catholic can answer such an accusation.

Thanks again for the replies

God Bless

Edited November 29, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[journeyman]

Nothing like being late . . . I got hung up on properly - equating it with "convincingly" . . . unlike some of the other respondents, but not all of them, I've seen some pretty hard heads, and I'm not sure anything other than a personal visitation would convince them of anything . . . that comes down to "I think I know the theory, but I'm not sure I can explain it"

BA, JD - but under 2 years a Catholic

[Theologian in Training]

Ok, given my time constraints I did not read the entirety of this thread, however, I have read most of it now, and want to clarify a few things. First of all, defining terms, though important to developing a response, is not important with regard to the question. I am simply doing this: A Protestant or non-Catholic comes up to you and says why do you have that Rosary, are your worshipping Mary? You would obviously say "No" and then either admit ignorance by stating that you are not entirely clear on why you are doing what you are doing, or give some type of response, or give a systematic almost "apologetical" response. Either way, your response is what I am looking for.

I will make it even simpler, would you know how to respond to the accusation that you are worshipping Mary? Would you be aware of some relevant Scriptural passages, perhaps some Fathers or Saints of the Church? Maybe, if they are a former Catholic, some relevant Magisterial teachings?

All I am trying to guage is, as a Catholic sitting in the pew each and every Sunday, would you know how to respond. Granted, I understand, and have seen, that a lot of you are better educated than the "average Catholic," however, your responses are still relevant because it indicates, at least to me, that primarily those that are younger, though that is not across the board, are the ones ready and willing to defend their faith, and who have a response when asked to "make an account of the hope within you."

I am curious though, for those that have answered, how did you learn your response? Did someone teach you? Did you research it yourself? Did it come to you in prayer or, as can sometimes happen a "vision" of some kind?

My thesis is on Catholic Apologetics and Evangelization and though I spend a lot of time on the "practical" aspects of both, I am also doing this type of research to get a better understanding of how to create a pastoral plan for a parish setting, with specific emphasis on where I believe an apologetical program can be of benefit: CCD, RCIA, and the pulpit.

I have countless resources: Friendly Defenders, Catholic Answer Bible, Youth Bible, Apologetical Flash Cards for the older crowds, tracts, pamphlets, etc. But now I need to see how to best implement them in a program and where they would benefit the most.

I realize that was a lengthy reply and I apologize.

Thanks again to all who have contributed.

God Bless

[missionseeker]

I was taught and I read it.

I know that sounds kind of well, confusing or something, but, I really love engaging in arguments (discussions, whatever you want to call them) with my peers about religion and Faith.

I don't go up to people and start arguements or anything but, I do let it be known that I am Catholic (which, as I said, is an extreme rarity, here) and that tends to raise questions or, sometimes, accusations.

I was taught how to defend the Fatih by my mum and family friends, one of whom has a Ph.D. in Liturgy.
I read about it anywhere I can as I love to read and intend to major in Theology and [i]maybe[/i] study to become a Canon lawyer.

HS senior

[Theologian in Training]

Alright, you guys are probably going to kill me, but if you would be so kind, could you tell me if any of the books that you acquired in order to learn apologetics were from your local Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon, etc.?

Forgot to add internet to that mix.

Thanks

God Bless

Edited November 29, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[philothea]

[quote name='Theologian in Training' date='Nov 29 2005, 12:00 AM']Alright, you guys are probably going to kill me, but if you would be so kind, could you tell me if any of the books that you acquired in order to learn apologetics were from your local Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon, etc.?
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[/quote]
Nice to see you around!

How specific do you need? I could give a rough percentage.

10% free from the book rack at a missionary school's chapel
15% from the religious book store at a the same chapel
30% direct ordered from the publisher (TAN, mostly)
5% from Barnes & Noble
40% from Amazon

There are also a number of books I downloaded free online.

[photosynthesis]

I voted yes

as far as my education goes i will have a B.A. in 18 days (lots of stuff to do in those 18 days though!)

i am Catholic, but I never got sound catechesis.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='philothea' date='Nov 29 2005, 02:09 AM']Nice to see you around!

How specific do you need?  I could give a rough percentage.

10% free from the book rack at a missionary school's chapel
15% from the religious book store at a the same chapel
30% direct ordered from the publisher (TAN, mostly)
5% from Barnes & Noble
40% from Amazon

There are also a number of books I downloaded free online.
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[/quote]

That's perfect. I added another, I guess chapter, on the influence of apologetics in the culture today and how it has lent itself to easier accessibility and has become geared for the "common Catholic" as opposed to clergy or theologians. i call it Evangelizing Apologetics: Apologetics Today

BTW, we need to get more people to vote, I want to at least get 100 votes so that I can be consistent, to some degree, with regard to this poll.

God Bless

Edited November 29, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[missionseeker]

Maybe............

And mine would be all either borrowed from the guy with Ph.D. or ordered off the internet( but I couldn't tell you where) because there are no book stores here.

Um. I took a class on Church History (from the same guy who also has a degree-not sure what level- on medievial Christianity or something or other) and at the end of the class we were given a subscribtion to This Rock magazine.

I read Mary Beth Somebody's(eek)
We're on a Mission from God which has a little bit about that in it.

Some of the Catechism

I really cannot remeber what all else I've read. And do you want just the stuff that has to do with Mary or anything apologetical?

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='missionseeker' date='Nov 29 2005, 02:17 AM']Maybe............

And mine would be all either borrowed from the guy with Ph.D. or ordered off the internet( but I couldn't tell you where) because there are no book stores here.

Um. I took a class on Church History (from the same guy who also has a degree-not sure what level- on medievial Christianity or something or other) and at the end of the class we were given a subscribtion to This Rock magazine. 

I read Mary Beth Somebody's(eek)
We're on a Mission from God which has a little bit about that in it.

Some of the Catechism

I really cannot remeber what all else I've read. And do you want just the stuff that has to do with Mary or anything apologetical?
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[/quote]

Any apologetics. Like I said, I added another chapter to demonstrate the influence of apologetics on the culture and want to show how the easy accessibility of certain apologetical books has made the practice of apologetics more widespread than it was before, as well to demonstrate that this was probably helpful in your ability to answer the question this poll began with.

Thanks

God Bless

Edited November 29, 2005 by Theologian in Training

[missionseeker]

It's Mary Beth Bonnacci



I do a lot of searching apologetic articles online but I don't normaly download books.

I've read

Know Him In the Breaking Of The Bread by Father Francis Randall

I know there are more I just can't remeber them. If I do , I'll post.

[Theologian in Training]

Last question....promise.

Of those articles you discovered online, how many of them were found based on the comprehensive list of links phatcatholic created?

Thanks and Good Night

God Bless

[missionseeker]

none.

The computer I use was a very slow and my mom didn't have/want to take time to unistall the last anti virus stuff and install the new and I never could get to that page. Recently, though the computer had a total break down and Mom decided it was time to fix it so I may be able to now, I haven't checked.

[N/A Gone]

St. Peter told us to provide a defense for what we believe. I think that the main reason for bad protestant-catholic relations is the inability for the common catholic to explain a doctrine in language that they can understand. In my experience in ecumenical dialogue with protestants I find that being able to understand a belief and "translate" it is a great tool

[Era Might]

I could defend the assertion "Catholics do not worship Mary" if a Catholic framework were presupposed. Some Protestants, for example, believe that praying to anyone except God is an inherent act of worship. I cannot defend the assertion in that context, because the assertion would be false.

So I would say that I can defend why Catholics do not believe prayer and veneration is necessarily an act of worship.

But I've actively examined the question over the years. I think a more realistic poll would have to gauge a real parish. Not all Catholics read apologetics and stuff, but they of course know they don't worship Our Lady.

Edited November 29, 2005 by Era Might

[missionseeker]

The Story of a Soul
St Therese of Lisiuex

[Theologian in Training]

While I appreciate all the responses to this poll, I, unfortunately, cannot use it, because it would not be accurate enough.

Thank you all for contributing and allowing this poll to flourish. I only wish more people voted.

Thanks again

God Bless

[phatcatholic]

[Theologian in Training]

Handed in the first draft tonight.

[phatcatholic]

sorry you couldn't use the poll bro, i feel like we all kinda let you down

make sure you tell us how they responded to your first draft. i would definitely like to read it as soon as it is finished. maybe "thedude" will host it for you online over at catholicfiles.com