Apologists losing sight of God

[asteroid]

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the danger of getting so wrapped up in apologetics that it is possible to lose sight of God, or to overstate its importance so that it is blown out of perspective.

Even on this board it’s importance could be said to be overdone. Should “Sacred Scripture” and “Moral Theology” really be seen as a subsection of apologetics? I know they were only put there to simplify the board structure but if Sacred Scripture is reduced to a branch or subsection of apologetics, have we lost touch with the meaning of Scripture a bit? Thankfully, most of the threads in those sections aren’t to do with apologetics.

But the more important question is, is it possible to get so into defending the faith that you lose sight of the faith? What are the danger signs of this? And how can we recognise them in ourselves and protect ourselves from them?

Of course apologetics is important. I am not saying that it isn’t, especially in view of the, in some cases, constant attacks on our faith and the way in which defending the faith (a) informs others, when they have open ears to understanding and (b) informs ourselves about the riches of our faith.

But how easy is it to get so caught up with all this that we start to lose sight of our relationship with Christ?

Has anyone here done that? And how did you get back on track with going full throttle with Jesus as the way and the life, not just the truth?

Hopefully no one here has done it but I confess that at certain times I’ve seen dangers in myself, where defense of the faith has almost started to become a more important part of life than living the faith; where apologetics has almost become more important for me than prayer, where prayer almost starts to take a back seat to doctrinal debate. Horrible warning signs, and at such times it has been necessary to pull back, reassess, and recommit to prayer, devotional reading and generally living the life (which of course can still include apologetics!)

Has anyone here got similar experiences - and I don’t just mean Catholics. I’m certain that Protestants, Muslims and all sorts of people can fall into similar dangers where defending a faith can become more an active priority than living out a faith.

Just a few thoughts.

 

[puzzleannie]

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the danger of getting so wrapped up in apologetics that it is possible to lose sight of God, or to overstate its importance so that it is blown out of perspective.

Learning without virtue is tragedy
The more learned and capable a memer of the Society [Society of Jesus] be, if he has no great fund of virtue and mortification, the more is disunion to be feared and his giving trouble in religion. they say very well that letters and high talents in an unmortified man are like a good sword in the hand of a madman, to the hurt and harm of himself and others. But if learned men are mortified and humble, “not seeking themselves but the things of Jesus Christ,” as St. Paul says (Phil 2:21) then much peace and union will ensue, since their example will be of great benefit to the rest and will draw them to follow their path.
Rodriguez, Praction of perfection and Christian virtue
quoted in Fr Hardon’s prayerbook

 

[LilyM]

Well, we have to balance our apologetics out with other things - prayer, the sacraments, day-to-day life and work, other good works.

That way we’re re-energised and refreshed as well as refocused on the ends of what we do rather than the means.

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

I agree that apologetics is a potential hazard. We should always be more dedicated to feeding off the faith rather than defending it.

Too many apologists come to think of their faith as a game with points to win or lose. There is a great deal of chest-beating built into the whole business … not good for our vanity.

But the benefits of apologetics must be kept in mind. Apologetics (if we are good at it) can only strengthen faith and relieve our doubts. I used to be afraid of apologetics because I did not think I had the knowledge to defend my faith, and worried that with all the impressive attacks against it, I might lose confidence. This fear I have overcome as I see, time and time again, that the attacks on our faith come to nothing in the end. It is more often those who attack the faith that are obliged sooner or later to cut and run.

Also, apologetics is a great tool for evangelization. How do we get to those outside our faith if we are not willing to set the record straight? And how can we do that if we are not informed and courageous Catholics willing to encounter false religions and a secular world?

True, there should be workshops on apologetics, but only after taking workshops on humility … and charity.

I need to get back to those workshops soon.

 

[ssejllenrad]

Well, we have to balance our apologetics out with other things - prayer, the sacraments, day-to-day life and work, other good works.

That way we’re re-energised and refreshed as well as refocused on the ends of what we do rather than the means.

I totally agree…

 

[Black_Knight_MI]

Well, we have to balance our apologetics out with other things - prayer, the sacraments, day-to-day life and work, other good works.

That way we’re re-energised and refreshed as well as refocused on the ends of what we do rather than the means.

Spot on Lily!

I know that it is entirely possible to lose sight of Our Lord if the debates become more important than the image of Christ that we are supposed to shine forth.

However, knowing the faith…catechesis/apologetics is critical to being able to live it out and pass it on to others while carrying out 1st Peter 3:13-17.

Lily is quite right…some folks will burn out unless they refresh themselves in the Lord.

I don’t think that any of the pologists that I am aware of are “losing sight of God” though…
Blackie