The more and more I think about this topic, the less and less I think I know what the question in the OP is asking.
I’m an Orthodox Christian with some dear Catholic friends and I come from a Protestant family (see, we can get along!). In my interactions day-to-day, I know that there are some things that are part and parcel with the fullness of the Christian life, but I constantly have to check myself for Pharisee-ism when I seek preserve the faith God gave us.
It’s about balancing charity with truth, and personally, I would rather (try to) be loving than an argument winner with all the right theology. I’ve gone both routes and the former has called my heart back to Christ every time. The saints would agree: St. Isaac the Syrian was a Nestorian and he is venerated by Orthodox and Eastern Catholics alike because of his obvious holy wisdom and love for God.
To some, too much charity can be seen as a lack of the truth – can there be such a thing?
I understand that some people are turned off by sentimentality they see in areas like ecumenical relations – I can only take so much myself in other areas of life – but some can have an extreme reaction to this in the negative that can be harmful to soul, and, personally, very tiring.
Hello DoxRox, thank you for your post.
To some, too much charity can be seen as a lack of the truth – can there be such a thing?
Of course there is no such thing as, “too much charity”…I think the problem is with the different definitions of what is, “Christian charity”.
The “charity” that you describe does exist in Catholicism and it reminds me of something that Saint Benedict is attributed to saying, which is, “Preach the Gospel often and use words when necessary”.
In this environment, an internet forum, all we have is words and some are better with words than others are.
Some people like to use words to defend their Catholic faith and many of the Doctors of the Church have used many…many words to defend Catholicism… and to address heresies…
A Catholic Apologist is someone who uses words to defend and explain their Catholic faith.
I’m certain that there are some Catholics here at CAF, who would accuse Doctors of the Church, Saints and notable Catholic Apologists of being “un-charitable”, if they were to read posts of their quotes here, using an assumed identity.
If you don’t believe me, I could post some quotes here, as if they were mine and show you what I mean…Of course, if I were to do that, I would have to follow-up with a post listing the person who was actually quoted.
I have always been tempted to do that when ever someone had accused me or someone else here of being “uncharitable”, when what was written, is essentially the same thing that was said or written by an apologist or came from another credible Catholic source…
I have read some strong opinions on the main page here at Catholic Answers that would draw all sorts of criticism of people here, simply because the author might be considered to direct in their approach, but I don’t see comments here on the forums from Catholics, responding to what an apologist wrote on the home page.
Am I wrong?
Peace
