"Apologetics" is getting me into trouble

[Aslieas]

I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m begging the question here, but I’ve had a bit of a problem with apologetics because of the word “apologetics.”

The head of my previous parish’s religious education department was so confused about the word that she refused my offer to start a class there. She kept saying, “but what are you apologizing for? We shouldn’t be apologizing for anything we should be teaching others about Catholicism!” In the end I was allowed to begin teaching a new class, but I had to use words very different from “apologetics” to get there.

I’m finding it difficult to guide people around the word “apologetics,” because many of them assume that it means the same thing as saying “we’re sorry we believe what we do.”

Can anyone help me out? I just need some way to explain it that will go down easily. I am the sort of person that gets frustrated over misunderstandings of terms, and I am looking for a better way to explain this so I don’t lose my patience anymore.

 

[ConallCernach]

People would probably have the same difficulty getting over the word “apologetics” as they would getting over the word “masticate” which means “to chew”. If you want to attach people you could use statements or questions.

“Learn how to discuss Catholicism” etc.

Hope this helps,

Pax,

Conall

 

[PhilotheaZ]

The word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word meaning “defend.” And that’s exactly what apologetics is — defense of the faith.

So to me it seems that the word “apologize” is the one that doesn’t make sense, because when you apologize for something, you should NOT be defending your actions!

 

[Aslieas]

It does help a little bit, but I wish I could address things like this with parish officers directly. The parish I left has no apologetics being taught whatsoever. They have a full compliment of Sunday school for the children, and religious education for those working toward a sacrament, but nothing that shows how to defend the faith. Nothing that will give them reasons for the beliefs they are taught.
I can’t refer anyone to sources other than myself without using the word “apologetics,” because they would have to search for “apologists” or “apologetic” literature.

 

[Aslieas]

The word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word meaning “defend.” And that’s exactly what apologetics is — defense of the faith.

So to me it seems that the word “apologize” is the one that doesn’t make sense, because when you apologize for something, you should NOT be defending your actions!

Thanks! That’s a big, BIG help to me. At least somebody has to care for the root of the word.

 

[survive]

Try “controversy”, the older term, or if that still gives the wrong impression, try “evidence and debate” or “systematic demonstration”.

 

[Aslieas]

It has occurred to me that perhaps I have gone about bringing up the subject the wrong way, too. Aside from confusion of terms, that could have something to do with it, right?

So, how do you tactfully tell someone that their parish needs to shape up and start teaching this?

 

[ATL_Granny]

It has occurred to me that perhaps I have gone about bringing up the subject the wrong way, too. Aside from confusion of terms, that could have something to do with it, right?

So, how do you tactfully tell someone that their parish needs to shape up and start teaching this?

Our church just calls it “Adult Ed”! Actually, we also have a great little group that gets together which goes by the name of “Coffee House Apologetics.” Most people come out of curiosity and stay because it’s interesting.

 

[srferdave]

"The word “apologetics” is derived from an ancient Greek word, “apologia,” which means: an apology. As everyone knows, the current meaning of the word, “apology,” is to say you’re sorry for something. To, in essence, “fess up” for being wrong about something.

In ancient times, however, the word “apology” referred to the case a lawyer would make on behalf of his client. And it is this ancient meaning which we find being applied t o the word “apologetics.” Apologetics is about building the case for something the way a lawyer would build a case for his client. In other words, apologetics is about making a reasoned explanation or defense on behalf of someone or something. " - John Martignoni (from his most recent newsletter)

If you would like to sign up for his newsletters go to www.biblechristiansociety.com

I love his CD’s and newsletters. I’ve learned a lot about apologetics from him.

 

[Numinous]

So, how do you tactfully tell someone that their parish needs to shape up and start teaching this?

Stand up at the beginning of Mass when all the coffee and doughnuts announcements are made and make a scene. Call everyone to task. Don’t let people just slip by. Erect a dam in their watercourse way!

 

[e61iuser]

In the Philippines we have an organization called “Defensores Fidei”, which can easily be understood as the defense of the faith. It sounds stronger that way, not the namby-pamby way “apologetics” sounds like with its modern connotations.

I’m not saying that “apologetics” is a weak word. It just comes across that way using modern parlance, and people who don’t understand you right off the bat nowadays tend to dismiss your position offhand. You have to talk with their language in order for them to understand, not force your understanding of the language or else from the beginning you’ve lost them.

Personally I refer to apologetics as “Catholic Intellectual Aikido”. Aikido is often translated as “the Way of unifying (with) life energy” or as “the Way of harmonious spirit.” I think it fits nicely.

 

[bruce0224]

**Apologists **are authors, writers, editors of scientific logs or academic journals, and leaders known for taking on the points in arguments, conflicts or positions that are either placed under popular scrutinies or viewed under persecutory examinations. The term comes from the Greek word apologia (απολογία), meaning a speaking in defence.

The term Apologist applies especially to early Christian writers (c 120-220) who took on the task of recommending their faith to outsiders.

 

[LilyM]

I would simply call it ‘evangelisation’ or more simply ‘education in the faith’. I mean one becomes an apologist simply by educating themselves in the faith, and one practices apologetics by educating others in the faith. And certainly the end aim of apologetics is to increase understanding and hopefully convert people - ie evangelise!

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I hope it doesn’t seem like I’m begging the question here, but I’ve had a bit of a problem with apologetics because of the word “apologetics.”

The head of my previous parish’s religious education department was so confused about the word that she refused my offer to start a class there. She kept saying, “but what are you apologizing for? We shouldn’t be apologizing for anything we should be teaching others about Catholicism!” In the end I was allowed to begin teaching a new class, but I had to use words very different from “apologetics” to get there.

I’m finding it difficult to guide people around the word “apologetics,” because many of them assume that it means the same thing as saying “we’re sorry we believe what we do.”

Can anyone help me out? I just need some way to explain it that will go down easily. I am the sort of person that gets frustrated over misunderstandings of terms, and I am looking for a better way to explain this so I don’t lose my patience anymore.

To give a logia apo something, is to give a reasoned account of it, & so, by extension, a reasoned defence of, or justification for, it.​

To apologise, is to account for something, when one is in the wrong.

 

[Aslieas]

I don’t know if I have the right personality to pull off “causing a scene.”.
But I’ve gotten a lot of helpful answers from all of you, thank you so much!

 

[AmbroseSJ]

I don’t know if I have the right personality to pull off “causing a scene.”.
But I’ve gotten a lot of helpful answers from all of you, thank you so much!

Your parish should have a Pastoral Council. This is exactly the type of item that could be placed on their agenda. Find out who in your parish is on the Council, and discuss this with them.

I was a member of our Parish Council, and brought this topic up. The pastor used it during the following lent for series of talks.

Another thing: Stick with your word apologetics. Don’t confuse it with Adult Education or Evangelization etc. Why? Because in apologetics you must ALSO understand where your opponent is coming from. It doesn’t do much good to understand Transubstantiation, if you don’t understand what it is about that word that Protestants find offensive.

To correctly explain your faith to non-Catholics, you have to already have a grasp of what their “issues” with Catholicism are, or you are both talking at cross purposes.

 

[Aslieas]

Another thing: Stick with your word apologetics. Don’t confuse it with Adult Education or Evangelization etc. Why? Because in apologetics you must ALSO understand where your opponent is coming from. It doesn’t do much good to understand Transubstantiation, if you don’t understand what it is about that word that Protestants find offensive.

I had some similar thoughts as you on this. I think I am just going to have to be flexible with this one. (And a lot more patient! Pray for me, please.) I think now that bringing up the issue is going to have to go differently for whomever I am speaking with, but I think in every situation I will eventually bring up “apologetics,” as such. That way I won’t simply be talking about Adult Education or Evangelization, but since those two things are involved I could involve those terms. For example, I could suggest that the Adult Education and the Evangelization classes could do with something more expansive, and suggest that Apologetics would be a good way to broaden the scope, and hone the edges.

I appreciate every response that I have gotten on this thread, as I see each one as useful at least in one situation or another.

 

[losh14]

I’m finding it difficult to guide people around the word “apologetics,” because many of them assume that it means the same thing as saying “we’re sorry we believe what we do.”

Language education has certainly suffered in our society. Recall the well-known example of the university professor who was fired for using “niggardly” in a speech. Yes, the word dates back at least to the time of Shakespeare, but it was not used in any sort of racial jibe. Yet uneducated persons took offense and the man lost his job over it.

Latin roots have survived deeply in the Catholic language and we know that a psalter doesn’t go with a pepper shaker, seminarians aren’t “half” of anything, and soteriology isn’t sooty. Perhaps introduce it as Apologetics, ie, Defense of the Faith.

 

[Aslieas]

Latin roots have survived deeply in the Catholic language and we know that a psalter doesn’t go with a pepper shaker, seminarians aren’t “half” of anything, and soteriology isn’t sooty.

I needed that sort of laugh, thanks!:whackadoo: