Apologetics "Boot Camp"

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Hi all -

First time posting here and I am a bit new to the site, having come over from Catholic Start Pages…

I could not find it anywhere in the forums so I thought it would be good that we develop a “boot camp”. The practical apologetics reading list that they have posted on catholic.com is quite comprehensive but it sure would take a long time to read through and assimilate all that information.

Then there is that “Beginning Apologetics” series from Messrs Chacon and Burnham, which strikes me as a “Cliff Notes” version.

What do you all think? My thinking is something along the lines of the “book club” that I saw in one of the other forums but utilizing the “Beginning Apologetics” series.

Looking for ideas that focus on (a.) training and equipping folks with the doctrinal pieces of the faith; and, (b.) a virtual group atmosphere.

Thoughts?

S
 
sm1367 said:
Hi all -

First time posting here and I am a bit new to the site, having come over from Catholic Start Pages…

I could not find it anywhere in the forums so I thought it would be good that we develop a “boot camp”. The practical apologetics reading list that they have posted on catholic.com is quite comprehensive but it sure would take a long time to read through and assimilate all that information.

Then there is that “Beginning Apologetics” series from Messrs Chacon and Burnham, which strikes me as a “Cliff Notes” version.

What do you all think? My thinking is something along the lines of the “book club” that I saw in one of the other forums but utilizing the “Beginning Apologetics” series.

Looking for ideas that focus on (a.) training and equipping folks with the doctrinal pieces of the faith; and, (b.) a virtual group atmosphere.

Thoughts?

S
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Do we begin with the Catechism? I also liked Catholicism and Fundamentalism, though it has been a while since I read it. I have also read a lot of Scott Hahn, though some here say he appears to be moving outside the Churches teachings.

I got my biggest push from another forum called CARM, which has since gotten very rude. Debating with smart and strong people who aren’t Catholic forces you to do research. Doing this on the internet gives you all the time you need to think and research and prepares you for face to face encounters.
 
Good Idea!

I collect various books on apologetics, but I’m not well organized in thought. If a “book club” of some sort could get organized, I’d be able to be a better “structured” apologist.

I think it should go by topic as the Cathechim lays it out for us:

EXAMPLE:
  1. God’s Revelation…(His existence, Scripture and Tradition, faith)
 
catholic1seeks said:
Good Idea!

I collect various books on apologetics, but I’m not well organized in thought. If a “book club” of some sort could get organized, I’d be able to be a better “structured” apologist.

I think it should go by topic as the Cathechim lays it out for us:

EXAMPLE:
  1. God’s Revelation…(His existence, Scripture and Tradition, faith)
Click to expand...
I have not read one thing beyond the Catechism itself on a topic like this. I have never really engaged an atheist or agnostic only Non-Catholic Christians so discussing His existence was a non-issue.

With regards to Scripture and Tradition I have read One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic by Kenneth Whitehead.

I also went through all the free books by Father Oscar Lukefahr of the Catholic Home Study Service. Some of those deal with the Catechism and a study of the creed and handle topics like those above.

If you can add anything to the reading list i would like to read more myself.****
 
If you have all of the Beginning Apologetics series and have studied them with a highlighter in hand you’ll pretty quickly discover that it is not as rudimentary as one might think. I know…I have them all and they are invaluable.

Study those and you’ll have good responses to probably 98.9% of what you’ll encounter, and the remaining bit will be nothing more but polemics and propaganda without substance.

John Martignoni’s stuff is GREAT. Cannot go wrong there! One great thing about that is that you can download those MP3 Bible studies and give them to people with whom you talk and possibly open a serious door.

The free courses from the Catholic Home Study Service is also invaluable for learning the faith. Again, there are no losers in this series.
 
Hi folks -

Very much appreciating the (name removed by moderator)uts so far and I do welcome them to continue!

I think there may be a consensus building around the “Beginning Apologetics” materials with others as complementary materials to dig deeper into a particular point or issue.

Question - what type of forum should we have? What would this look like? Would we have some sort of Q&A exercise within a discussion forum? Should we have a someone pick a topic from a reading assignment and pose a question for the group to “debate” or respond to? At what intervals (weekly, monthly, etc.)?

Keep it coming - this is great (name removed by moderator)ut!
 
Weekly is great, but that will depend upon your group.

I suggest a format with a new topic every week or so, (again, depending on the topic and just how involved it is).

It would be my thinking that to begin with a study of why we reject the error of Sola Scriptura and showing how it is the essential fundamental error of the Reformation and their modern stepchildren from whence most all of the other errors devolve. Once this is clear, it makes the examination of most all of the rest of both our Catholic beliefs and theirs much easier to deal with.

You can always make it known that people can bring up attacks they have heard or questions they have been asked and make that the topic for that week in order to keep it timely and relevant.
 
I’m all for it!

The apologetics webpage that SM cited would be a great place to start, methinks. Granted, it would take a long time to go through the articles at once a week.

But don’t mind me. I’m way low today.

It also occurs to me that non-Catholics would probably participate. Do we want to keep them off? If so, is there a way to do it?

I apologize if I sound uncharitable; I don’t mean to at all. I just feel too crummy to be able to check myself for tact.

God bless us all,

Ruthie
 
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