Best Catholic Apologist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jasonmccarley
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Jason, peace be with you! Instead of seeking apologists, go right to the source: “The Catechism of the Catholic Church.” This will give you all of the official teachings of the Church. And you will find the beautifully written Documents of Vatican Council II most informative. They are easier to read than one would expect. A convert to the Church, I found the 80 page “HANDBOOK FOR TODAY’S CATHOLIC (Liguori Publications, 808-325-9521, ext. 060) an excellent overview of what the Church teaches. And, of course, read the “original, Bible,” the Catholic translation, which has many more books in it than other Christian translations.

Seeking Catholic apologists may confuse you. They are “progressive,” “conservative,” “orthodox,” “liberal,” “traditionalist,” “Charismatic,” etc. They deal primarily with theology (i.e., religious theory) so I read them all to understand my fellow Christians. Apologists are defined as, “Somebody who argues to defend or justify a particular doctrine or ideology,” and “One who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something.” This sounds so defensive! If our Catholic faith is from God (as I believe most of it is) who needs to defend it!?

Bottom line: Faith is about you and your personal relationship with God. Joseph Cardinal Suenens (author of A New Pentecost?) wrote that the Church has two dimensions: The Charismatic Dimension (where you’ll find the spirituality of the Church) and the Institutional Dimension which is to SERVE the Charismatic Dimension. Seek the Charismatic first, and the whole true story of the Church, the People of God, the Body of Christ, will unfold before you.

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide you!
 
johndock said:
I am a convert who loves apologetics. Checkout Unabridged Christianity by Father Mario Romero. Top apologists- Scott Hahn, Tim Staples, Patrick Madrid, Jimmy Akin, Steve Ray, John Marignoni, Father Mitch Pacwa, Jeff Cavins, Ken Hensley. Gerry Matatics and Sungenis have a lot of good material but have strayed towards the radtrad bent over the last few years. Www.saintjoe.com www.biblechristiansociety.com Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
It’s really sad to see the use of divisive and demeaning labels such as “radtrad” on this forum. I find one usually resorts to this tactic when they have no legitimate and honest means of offering a counter viewpoint so they attempt to discredit opponents with labels. This is a political tactic that has no place in a forum designed to assist those who are seeking to understand the Catholic faith. Not to mention that the label itself is an oxymoron. How can someone who loves and follows the Traditional Catholic Church be radical? I would suggest that if one truly wants to understand the Catholic faith, they should learn and understand the Traditional Latin Mass. The Latin Mass is a thorough catechesis of the faith. It is anything but radical. Aside from this, the list of apologists mentioned above is a good start. Another excellent resource is ChurchMilitant.TV (previously known as RealCatholic.TV). A veritable wellspring of great Catholic resources. By the way, don’t misunderstand the title ChurchMilitant. They don’t promote a holy war, its just a term used for the Church on earth because we are in a spiritual battle against evil. Church triumphant and Church suffering are the other to aspects of the church.
 
SteveQ said:
Hi, Jason.

I’ve read many books on Catholic apologetics from today’s authors (i.e. Keating, Hahn, Madrid, Johnson, etc.), and though those authors are excellent in their own regard, I think that “Faith of Our Fathers” by James Cardinal Gibbons—Archbishop of Baltimore—is the finest for anyone just starting out in Catholic apologetics or just wanting to know what Catholics really believe. It’s straight-forward, easy to read, uninsulting, and accurate. And after 130 years, the truths it teaches about Catholicism have not changed. There are a few brief mentions of historial issues (European governments) and the Mass in Latin which are no longer pertinent, but the core Catholic beliefs he describes have not changed–not just from 1876 but from the time of the Apostles. Many of today’s author’s have been influences by his work.

Cardinal Gibbons honestly and frankly describes what the Church believes and teaches. His language is very thoughtful, heartfelt, logical, and inclusive of scripture and references. Plus, since Cardinal Gibbons based the content on lectures and discourses with mixed Catholic/Protestant congregations in rural, protestant North Carolina and Virginia, his approach is very accommodating and non-offensive.

If you want to know what the Catholic Church REALLY teaches…AND what Catholics REALLY believe, this is the first book you should pick up. I would feel comfortable lending this book to ANYONE who wants to know more about Catholicism or wants to strengthen or defend their Catholic faith. And it’s available for FREE on Amazon Kindle.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I will hve to make a special effort to get this one.
 
rap1962 said:
It’s really sad to see the use of divisive and demeaning labels such as “radtrad” on this forum. I find one usually resorts to this tactic when they have no legitimate and honest means of offering a counter viewpoint so they attempt to discredit opponents with labels. This is a political tactic that has no place in a forum designed to assist those who are seeking to understand the Catholic faith. Not to mention that the label itself is an oxymoron. How can someone who loves and follows the Traditional Catholic Church be radical? I would suggest that if one truly wants to understand the Catholic faith, they should learn and understand the Traditional Latin Mass. The Latin Mass is a thorough catechesis of the faith. It is anything but radical. Aside from this, the list of apologists mentioned above is a good start. Another excellent resource is ChurchMilitant.TV (previously known as RealCatholic.TV). A veritable wellspring of great Catholic resources. By the way, don’t misunderstand the title ChurchMilitant. They don’t promote a holy war, its just a term used for the Church on earth because we are in a spiritual battle against evil. Church triumphant and Church suffering are the other to aspects of the church.
Click to expand...
In one breath you look down on the previous poster for using the term radtrad… then you suggest ChurchMilitant (whose sole purpose seems to be to look down on Catholics who aren’t as on fire as they are?)? Oxymoron meet ironic?

SteveQ Thank you for that recommendation! I wasn’t even here for recs and now I’m going to look up the book you suggested. 🙂
 
In my humble opinion the top Catholic Apologists are former Protestants such as Peter Kreeft, Tim Staples, Scott Hahn, Jimmy Akin, and Steven Ray. However, there are some really strong cradle Catholic Apologists such as Patrick Madrid [Read his Surprised By Truth books] and John Martinoni. Add to the list some early Apologists such as Karl Adam and G.K. Chesterton. Read C.S. Lewis. Lastly, throw in *Karl Keating *who seriously challenged fervant anti-Catholic “Bible Thumpers.” Discover more at the ever popular Catholic Answers Live, by far the best religious radio show on earth!
 
If you are talking about current apologist’s, for me it’s Peter Kreeft hands down. Anything that he has written is fantastic. Of course, it’s pretty difficult not to put Benedict XVI at the top spot as well, especially considering his series of books.
 
jasonmccarley said:
Hi, I’m looking for a list of 5-10 of the top Catholic Apologist. I know this is kind of based on opinion but I’m a Non-Catholic Christian considering joining the church, and I would like to get some books written by some of the most prominent, popular, and highly regarded modern catholic apologist. Who should I start with. Who do other catholic apologist regard as the best in their field? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Dave Armstrong is at or near the top of my list where Catholic-Protestant disputes are concerned (though not Catholic-Orthodox disagreements).
 
I have not yet converted, but I have been most influenced by C.S. Lewis, Peter Kreeft, G.K. Chesterton, and Edward Feser.
 
ofgodsandmen said:
In my humble opinion the top Catholic Apologists are former Protestants such as Peter Kreeft, Tim Staples, Scott Hahn, Jimmy Akin, and Steven Ray. However, there are some really strong cradle Catholic Apologists such as Patrick Madrid [Read his Surprised By Truth books] and John Martinoni. Add to the list some early Apologists such as Karl Adam and G.K. Chesterton. Read C.S. Lewis. Lastly, throw in *Karl Keating *who seriously challenged fervant anti-Catholic “Bible Thumpers.” Discover more at the ever popular Catholic Answers Live, by far the best religious radio show on earth!
Click to expand...
Just before I came back to the Church after years away and a long study of the Catholic faith the last book I read was Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity. It is a catechism. And as Kreeft suggest, read THE catechism first then his book. All Catholics should be required under punishment of watching the Marlins play Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity and THE Catechism
 
I’ve read many of the books listed above and all were helpful in my entering the Catholic Church. In addition to those books, I also went to EWTN (audio downloads) and I downloaded many episodes of “The Journey Home” program and I listened to them on my commute to work.
ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=-6892289&T1=journey+home

There is a lot of material on EWTN in the Libraries section.

My favorite book (coming from a Pentecostal position) was “Catholicism and Fundamentalism” by Karl Keating. A close second was Steve Ray’s “Crossing The Tiber.”

God Bless You on your journey - I found mine to be exhilirating and it only keeps getting better.

CSJ
 
sdegutis said:
Jason:

This book. Just click that link to start reading it, it’s been put up for free on that website in its entirety for some reason.

It was written by one of the most gentle and loving and intelligent Saints of all time. I love reading anything he writes, it’s so sweet yet profound.
Click to expand...
I second this - not modern, but timeless.

For those who didn’t follow the link, it is to The Catholic Controversy by Saint Francis de Sales. I would bet that about 99% of the Catholic apologetics points you hear today originated in this work. I only wish someone would update the translation (first published 1886?), as it is at times a chore to read. Well, both a joy and a chore. 😛
 
It’s “Martignoni”.
Also,
www.scripturecatholic.com.
John Salza. Read all of his books.
I have probably purchased 10 copies of
The Biblical Basis For the Catholic Faith, to give to people.
 
tassitus said:
I second this - not modern, but timeless.

For those who didn’t follow the link, it is to The Catholic Controversy by Saint Francis de Sales. I would bet that about 99% of the Catholic apologetics points you hear today originated in this work. I only wish someone would update the translation (first published 1886?), as it is at times a chore to read. Well, both a joy and a chore. 😛
Click to expand...
Thank uyou so much I can not wait to read this.
 
Having just reread my post, let me clarify that the English edition linked to was published in the 1880’s in book form, but of course the original essays were published during St. Francis’ lifetime (Saint Francis de Sales lived from 1567-1622), I assume in French and in pamphlet form.

I have two copies of the book - a nice old hardback that I cherish (Library of St. Francis de Sales - Volume III. Burns & Oates, 1909) and a paperback I picked up for $1 at GoodWill. Wonderful stuff! 👍
 
Jasonmccarley: It would take a lifetime for you to read all of the books (offering various Catholic theologies) recommended to you. The variety of books suggested confirms my premise that Catholic apologists may be classified as “progressive,” “conservative,” “orthodox,” “liberal,” “traditionalist,” “Charismatic,” etc., thinkers. There is obvious diversity amongst the faithful of the Catholic Church, nevertheless, they are all equally Catholic Christians.

Perhaps the time has come for you to define what you meant by BEST apologist. Best in what sense? One person’s best is the other person’s worst, depending on whether they are inclined to be “progressive,” “conservative,” “orthodox,” “liberal,” “traditionalist,” “Charismatic,” etc., in their faith journey.

As a Christian, which of these religious and/or spiritual persuasions would you say that you are more inclined toward? It would help to know, when making recommendations to you on your quest for BEST apologists.
 
I have to go with Dr. Scott Hahn. His program on EWTN “From Genesis to Jesus” is outstandingly excellent. It is on at 9:00pm on Monday nights. As an ex protestant minister Dr. Hahn uses scripture to prove Catholic theology and in the process disproving sola scriptura. His programs are fascinating and very thought provoking.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top