Many people seem to have no knowledge on what APOLOGETICS is all about. Some may have know it, but they seem not to care. Others may simply view this term as unacceptable because it is no longer "applicable" to this day. A would-be apologist should prepare answers for a different questions to be raised by non-catholics and even Catholics, not just on doctrinal matters but also simple and practical ones.
To begin with, let us define what is apologetics:
"Apologetics" is derived from the Greek root word apologia. In ancient Greece it referred to a formal defense of a belief, an explanation or argument for one’s philosophy or religion.
"Apologetics" is derived from the Greek root word apologia. In ancient Greece it referred to a formal defense of a belief, an explanation or argument for one’s philosophy or religion.
In our situation, CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS is the right term.
Catholic apologetics is the defense and explanation of the teachings, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic Church. Its goal is to remove objections, shed light on difficult or misunderstood matters, and ultimately help win minds and souls for Jesus Christ. Apologetics is the activity of helping people answer the question: "Why should I be Catholic?" It does so by engaging the mind to reach the heart.
For more information on the BASIC of APOLOGETICS, visit the PAGE : ALL ABOUT APOLOGETICS or Griff Ruby's "THE NEED FOR CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS"
What if someone asks you:
Does the Church supports that kind of approach in dealing with non-Catholics?
Catholic apologetics is the defense and explanation of the teachings, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic Church. Its goal is to remove objections, shed light on difficult or misunderstood matters, and ultimately help win minds and souls for Jesus Christ. Apologetics is the activity of helping people answer the question: "Why should I be Catholic?" It does so by engaging the mind to reach the heart.
For more information on the BASIC of APOLOGETICS, visit the PAGE : ALL ABOUT APOLOGETICS or Griff Ruby's "THE NEED FOR CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS"
What if someone asks you:
Does the Church supports that kind of approach in dealing with non-Catholics?
In order to convince them, show them the documents of the Church regarding APOLOGETICS. Here are some:
Second Vatican Council on it's DECREE ON THE APOSTOLATE OF THE LAITY, paragraph 6 reads:
Since, in our own times, new problems are arising and very serious errors are circulating which tend to undermine the foundations of religion, the moral order, and human society itself, this sacred synod earnestly exhorts laymen-each according to his own gifts of intelligence and learning-to be more diligent in doing what they can to explain, defend, and properly apply Christian principles to the problems of our era in accordance with the mind of the Church.
Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, paragraph 222 reads:
…We need not apologize for apologetic catechesis. Since its birth, Christianity has been subjected to attacks from which it has had to defend itself. Jesus had to answer early Christian errors, and charged his disciples to protect the faithful from them while keeping pure the Deposit of Faith. Apologetics has always been part of the pastoral and theological tradition of the Church. We must today be willing and able to defend our teachings in public fora, and we need to equip the faithful so that they can defend their Faith. Parish priests must encourage and support the training of lay Catholic Faith Defenders.
The Code of Canon Law, (canon 229, paragraph 1) states that:
"Lay people have the duty and the right to acquire the knowledge of Christian teaching which is appropriate to each one’s capacity and condition, so that they may be able to live according to this teaching, to proclaim it and if necessary to defend it, and may be capable of playing their part in the exercise of the apostolate"
The General Directory for Catechesis, paragraph 110
"presenting the Christian message in such a way as to prepare those who are to proclaim the Gospel to be capable of "giving reasons for their hope" (1 Pt. 3:15) in cultures often pagan or post-Christians--- effective apologetics to assist the faith-culture dialogue is indispensable today"
