Apologetics vs. Evangelization

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La_Chiara

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What is the difference between apologetics and evangelization? It seems to me that Catholics focus on apologetics (defense of the faith) while Protestants evangelize (try to convert). I know the Pope has called on Catholics to evangelize and Catholics have missionaries. But it seems to me that Catholics approach “evangelization” and “missionary” work in very different ways. Specifically, it seems Catholics use apologetics to defend against attacks and criticism and to defend our beliefs. Catholics do not actively evangelize other Christians or Jews, while some non-Catholic Christians actively target Catholics and Jews for conversion. Even in our missionary work, it seems to me that the Catholic missionaries have conversions to Catholicism as a secondary goal while doing humanitarian service and good works are the primary goals. (For example, Mother Teresa.) Is this difference between Catholics and Protestants related to their differences on “justification by faith” vs. “justification by good works”?
 
It’s hard NOT to engage in apologetics, I live in the Bible Belt South where it seems to be the norm to attact the Catholic Church. Evangelizing means to share the faith with those who do not as yet know about it. it’s hard to share the great beauty and truth of the Catholic faith when one is being attacked with all the usual lies.

I love Apologetics. Here where I live, first you have to dispell the lies (or at least make an honest attempt at it) before any thought can be given to evangelization. For me, they work hand in hand. I just find apologetics to be a more natural thing to engage in. My evangelization comes in HOW I defend the faith. ie: kindness-charity-patience etc…
 
La Chiarra,
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What you describe non-Catholics doing isn't "evangelization."  It's proselytization.  BIG difference and wrong.  

I live in the deep South (Alabama) and have very rarely had anyone say anything about my Catholic faith, although I would dearly LOVE to be approached by one of these rabid anti-Catholics who thinks he/she has all the answers.  Heh, heh, heh...

 Our job, as Catholics, is to share the faith with those with whom we come in contact.  St. Francis once said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words."  Our best work is done by our example and attitude, but it shouldn't always preclude saying the truth if the person needs to hear it and seems receptive.
 
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Scoobyshme:
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What you describe non-Catholics doing isn't "evangelization."  It's proselytization.  BIG difference and wrong.
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So what IS the difference between evangelizing and proselytizing? Why is one okay and one wrong?
 
In common parlance, evangelization consists of spreading the Good News of Christ to those who have never heard it, i.e., to pagans or to those living a pagan lifestyle.

Proselytization, on the other hand, consists of targeting those who are at least minimalisticly Christian, building upon that knowledge base, and persuading them they have an erroneous understanding of Christianity, and pressuring them to subscribe to a different faith community. It is often termed “sheep stealing.”

Many Protestants do consider Catholics Christian at all, but pagan or at least, completely wrong. That is why they consider their efforts toward us evangelization, and not “sheep stealing.”

Catholics, on the other hand, when they speak to other Christians about their faith, should not be trying to convert them to a *new * religion, but to help them see the fullness of the Faith, which is to be found only in the Catholic Church.
 
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Fidelis:
Catholics, on the other hand, when they speak to other Christians about their faith, should not be trying to convert them to a *new *religion, but to help them see the fullness of the Faith, which is to be found only in the Catholic Church.
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Well said…

A good Catholic apologist or evangelizer presents the Truth, then let’s God convert in His time.

Many Protestants, especially reformed denominations seen to out to do it all. They are the bigger challange… something I really enjoy! I wish I could meet with more of “them” as it helps to sharpen by knowledge.

MrS
 
La Chiara:
What is the difference between apologetics and evangelization? It seems to me that Catholics focus on apologetics (defense of the faith) while Protestants evangelize (try to convert). I know the Pope has called on Catholics to evangelize and Catholics have missionaries. But it seems to me that Catholics approach “evangelization” and “missionary” work in very different ways. Specifically, it seems Catholics use apologetics to defend against attacks and criticism and to defend our beliefs. Catholics do not actively evangelize other Christians or Jews, while some non-Catholic Christians actively target Catholics and Jews for conversion. Even in our missionary work, it seems to me that the Catholic missionaries have conversions to Catholicism as a secondary goal while doing humanitarian service and good works are the primary goals. (For example, Mother Teresa.) Is this difference between Catholics and Protestants related to their differences on “justification by faith” vs. “justification by good works”?
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That may be due to the fact that individual Protestant denominations, being much smaller than the Catholic Church in terms of number of adherents, is far more concerned with attracting converts, hence, they are apparently much more aggressive in their proselytization efforts. Another factor is that individual Protestant denominations, being quite diverse and numerous are, individually speaking very rarely the target of attack, theologically and doctrinally speaking, by Catholics, because it is next to impossible for a man to shoot down thousands of birds with a single pistol. Often the reverse is quite more true.

The Catholic Church on the other hand, is an attractive and highly visible target, owing to its vast size, rich history and worldwide scope. Hence, smaller denominations are inspired to focus their attacks on Catholics and Catholicism than on each other. Catholics therefore, are compelled by the circumstances to engage in more Apologetics to defend the Church.

The most important difference between Apologetics and Evangelism is that the former is the servant of the latter. The true purpose of evangelism is conversion, that of Apologetics is clarification and correction. Apologetics clears up the obstacles to understanding that could impede the success of evangelization.

Gerry 🙂
 
I have seen this anology elsewhere in these forums. The difference between evangelization and apologetics is like the difference between offense and defense. In evangelization, one is actively spreading the faith, while apologetics deals with defending the faith from attacks. I think “apology” in an older sense of the word is defined as a formal defense.

I know it’s not a perfect anaolgy, but I do think it’s illustrative.
 
i never new about apologetics until i moved to texas an found myself in a bible study with baptist. i grew up in puerto rico an there most og the people are catholics so in fact you never encountered a situation where you have to defend your faith. then i moved to the states in new jersey wasn’t so bad there are many catholics up there, but now in texas we are minorities. so the only way to be ready is to read about your faith just in case it come to a situation were you have to defend it. god bless you all. 🙂
 
mayra hart:
i never new about apologetics until i moved to texas an found myself in a bible study with baptist. i grew up in puerto rico an there most og the people are catholics so in fact you never encountered a situation where you have to defend your faith. then i moved to the states in new jersey wasn’t so bad there are many catholics up there, but now in texas we are minorities. so the only way to be ready is to read about your faith just in case it come to a situation were you have to defend it. god bless you all. 🙂
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Apologetics in truth thrives only in places where the situation calls for it. Hence, you might not, or very rarely if ever, encounter a Catholic apologist in places where practicing Catholics are in the great majority.

Gerry 🙂
 
Apologetics can be understood as “arguing to explain”. Evangelization offers many opportunities for this, since potential catechumens not only wish to know what Christianity is all about, but also why Christians believe what they believe.

While evangelization shouldn’t be confined to apologetics, they’re not incompatible with each other.

Check out Peter Kreeft’s “Are Apologetics and Evangelism at Odds?”
 
“As I often say, God said go to all the world and preach the Gospel. By and large, we didn’t, so He brought the world to us. It is no longer sufficient to simply train graduate students in theory and abstract; we must challenge them to reach a world with 140 major religions, many of whom inhabit our shores.”
Dr. Ergun Caner, Dean of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
and convert from Islam (his web site: erguncaner.com)
 
Evangelization and Apologetics are two sides to the same coin.

Evangelization is spreading the good news. Apologetics is answering any objections to it.
 
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Fidelis:
In common parlance, evangelization consists of spreading the Good News of Christ to those who have never heard it, i.e., to pagans or to those living a pagan lifestyle.

Proselytization, on the other hand, consists of targeting those who are at least minimalisticly Christian, building upon that knowledge base, and persuading them they have an erroneous understanding of Christianity, and pressuring them to subscribe to a different faith community. It is often termed “sheep stealing.”

Many Protestants do consider Catholics Christian at all, but pagan or at least, completely wrong. That is why they consider their efforts toward us evangelization, and not “sheep stealing.”

Catholics, on the other hand, when they speak to other Christians about their faith, should not be trying to convert them to a *new * religion, but to help them see the fullness of the Faith, which is to be found only in the Catholic Church.
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So it sounds like no matter which side you’re on, evangelization is when you try to gather the other guys’ sheep and proselytization is when they try to gather yours.

I guess if the sheep aren’t already in a particular herd, then it becomes evangelization v. just plain misleading.

Alan
 
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