Can we really evanglize any longer?

[fred_conty]

This has been on my mind for a while and I thought you might give your thoughts on it.

And that is, how can there be evangelization without proselytization?

As I understand it, proselytize means to convert a person from one religion to another.
Evangelize means to convert to a religion.

So how can they be separate? Proselytization will often result thru evangelization.
If a person proclaims the gospel and tries to convert people to some christian religion, then those of other religions may hear this and then change from their religion to a different one. Which results in proselytization by means of evangelization.

But won’t this evangelization be seen as proselytization by others?
For example, a catholic endevor to evangelize catholics who have fallen away, and have joined some other church, will be seen as proselytization.

So aren’t we just playing word games? And if we aren’t, then what is the way around this?

It seems like we should but we can’t because of ecumenical concerns. Which is the third ingrediant to evangelization and proselytization.

It seems like this is all very delicate resulting in one big religious freeze.

What do you think may be a solution or approach to this dilemma?

 

[edwest2]

Here’s a good answer:

catholic.com/magazine/articles/want-to-evangelize

Peace,
Ed

 

[ccmcmg]

This has been on my mind for a while and I thought you might give your thoughts on it.

And that is, how can there be evangelization without proselytization?

As I understand it, proselytize means to convert a person from one religion to another.
Evangelize means to convert to a religion.

So how can they be separate? Proselytization will often result thru evangelization.
If a person proclaims the gospel and tries to convert people to some christian religion, then those of other religions may hear this and then change from their religion to a different one. Which results in proselytization by means of evangelization.

But won’t this evangelization be seen as proselytization by others?
For example, a catholic endevor to evangelize catholics who have fallen away, and have joined some other church, will be seen as proselytization.

So aren’t we just playing word games? And if we aren’t, then what is the way around this?

It seems like we should but we can’t because of ecumenical concerns. Which is the third ingrediant to evangelization and proselytization.

It seems like this is all very delicate resulting in one big religious freeze.

What do you think may be a solution or approach to this dilemma?

I always understood ‘evangelize’ is to share the Word of God, His Love and Joy, His Mercy. Whether or not that leads to conversion to Catholicism, turning away from a sinful life, or whatever, is another thing. If I ‘fail’ at sharing the fullness of the Faith, but share enough to pique their interest, I think that’s evangelizing. I would not necessarily credit myself as converting someone to Catholicism, but I do actively share my Faith. Converting them would be God’s move.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I agree with the poster above and see evangelising as sharing. Whether that results in someone’s conversion is not really up to me.

 

[fred_conty]

To Ed, thanks for the article it was quite good.

To Ccmcmg and Contra Mundum,
This is a different way of explaining evangelization than the one I had in mind.

I was thinking more along the lines of the time when Jesus sent 72 disciples out to preach his word to the whole world. I was thinking more in terms of what St. Paul did in his travels in Greece. In these he explained who Jesus was, somewhat similar to St. Peter on Pentecost.

I saw what you explained as evangelization more along the spiritual side, that is in a group of people reading the bible together and sharing with each other their deeper meaning that they found in the Bible.

Now this type would certainly deepen the faith of those who already have it. But what then do you call it when someone announces to others the goodnews of Jesus Christ?

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

There is nothing wrong with proselytism. If there were, we would have to say that our greatest saints were wrong for their proselytism. The reason why “proselytizing” is disparaged today is that the word has connotations of harassment (such as what the stereotypical Jehovah’s Witnesses do), not that it is wrong to encourage people’s conversion to the faith. The Master himself said to his disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

To Ccmcmg and Contra Mundum,
This is a different way of explaining evangelization than the one I had in mind.

I was thinking more along the lines of the time when Jesus sent 72 disciples out to preach his word to the whole world. I was thinking more in terms of what St. Paul did in his travels in Greece.

I saw what you explained as evangelization more along the spiritual side, that is in a group of people reading the bible together and sharing with each other their deeper meaning that they found in the Bible.

I meant more in terms of sharing my faith with non Christians. People sometimes ask about it and then I share.

I don’t know if I am the type to go and preach like the apostles to be honest. That is a special gift. Plus, preaching is seen as harassment in many countries and I’ve been influenced by such thinking, I admit.

 

[fred_conty]

There is nothing wrong with proselytism. If there were, we would have to say that our greatest saints were wrong for their proselytism. The reason why “proselytizing” is disparaged today is that the word has connotations of harassment (such as what the stereotypical Jehovah’s Witnesses do), not that it is wrong to encourage people’s conversion to the faith. The Master himself said to his disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

I get the feeling that the church rather frowns on this today because of ecumenism. It hurts our relationship with other churchs by taking their members away by actively evangelizing them.

 

[GratefulFred]

Yes, we can. And we should.

To me it matters not whether we think in terms of a proper definition of the word “evangelize” or “proselytize.”

We are called to live our Faith. How we conduct ourselves, how we talk about issues of the day, should be in accordance with our Catholic Faith. We must first walk the walk because talk is cheap especially when our personal walk is quite different.

Presuming we are setting the Catholic example, then when we see an opening or are asked a question, we should be ready to explain our Faith.

We should have simple answers to what makes us Catholic and not just Christian.

Why do we accept the Catholic Church as the one true Church?
Why do we believe that Jesus Christ is indeed present in Holy Communion?
Why do we believe that we can and must confess our sins to a properly ordained priest?

There is much more, of course. But these three are most important, IMO.

 

[fred_conty]

Yes, we can. And we should.

To me it matters not whether we think in terms of a proper definition of the word “evangelize” or “proselytize.”

We are called to live our Faith. How we conduct ourselves, how we talk about issues of the day, should be in accordance with our Catholic Faith. We must first walk the walk because talk is cheap especially when our personal walk is quite different.

Presuming we are setting the Catholic example, then when we see an opening or are asked a question, we should be ready to explain our Faith.

We should have simple answers to what makes us Catholic and not just Christian.

Why do we accept the Catholic Church as the one true Church?
Why do we believe that Jesus Christ is indeed present in Holy Communion?
Why do we believe that we can and must confess our sins to a properly ordained priest?

There is much more, of course. But these three are most important, IMO.

Just being an example of goodness will have its own effect. But I’m thinking more in line of being active and going out and passing out literature door to door about the catholic faith and inviting them. This is what I believe is what a pastor in the parish has heartburn over. In other words, just don’t be active.

And again, I believe it is the idea of being anti-ecumenical, or let them be in their own faith and not start any trouble. I’m just saying it as it seems. You should, you can, but just don’t do it.

And I do believe that there are some non-catholics out there who would and do want to know the church.

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

I get the feeling that the church rather frowns on this today because of ecumenism. It hurts our relationship with other churchs by taking their members away by actively evangelizing them.

Maybe some frown upon evangelization because they don’t believe in Christ or the fate of hell for those who forsake him. Where has the Church ever taught that evangelism is wrong? Were the holy Apostles wrong because they evangelized the Jews and the pagan Greeks? Who cares what Protestants and atheists think?

 

[ccmcmg]

I get the feeling that the church rather frowns on this today because of ecumenism. It hurts our relationship with other churchs by taking their members away by actively evangelizing them.

Ummm, what? When I share the Goodness and Fullness of the Church, after I’ve shared about Jesus Christ, I’m not on a recruitment trip. I’m simply doing what God is telling me to do. If ‘us Catholics’ ‘take away members’ from another church by telling them about our Church, our Faith, HOORAY!! For most, it’s the SAME God (the only God!!), but the true faith. Oh that we could actively evangelize everyone to the One True Church. I don’t put down ANY other faith or church. There is enough Joy and Truth in ours that I don’t have time for that. And about the time that someone, ANYONE, tells me that I can’t share Jesus Christ with someone else, let me tell you that it will be getting mighty loud in here, I don’t care WHO tells me. Granted, I don’t walk into Jewish Temple, or whatever, and be disrespectful, but the day I can’t go door to door (if so called) or on the street, or whatever, will be a day like no other for me…and the other person trying to shut me down.

I meant more in terms of sharing my faith with non Christians. People sometimes ask about it and then I share.

I don’t know if I am the type to go and preach like the apostles to be honest. That is a special gift. Plus, preaching is seen as harassment in many countries and I’ve been influenced by such thinking, I admit.

I bet each Apostle and Disciple preached the Truth of Jesus Christ and Christianity to his or her strengths. I personally don’t ‘preach’, but share, and never to an unwilling audience. Bless you for all that you do!! But don’t be afraid to do more…He is with us!

To Ed, thanks for the article it was quite good.

To Ccmcmg and Contra Mundum,
This is a different way of explaining evangelization than the one I had in mind.

I was thinking more along the lines of the time when Jesus sent 72 disciples out to preach his word to the whole world. I was thinking more in terms of what St. Paul did in his travels in Greece. In these he explained who Jesus was, somewhat similar to St. Peter on Pentecost.

I saw what you explained as evangelization more along the spiritual side, that is in a group of people reading the bible together and sharing with each other their deeper meaning that they found in the Bible.

Now this type would certainly deepen the faith of those who already have it. But what then do you call it when someone announces to others the goodnews of Jesus Christ?

I call it evangelizing. I do not mean reading the Bible together (which might be fine). I’m talking about people I might meet on the street, or in a used bookstore, or on a plane. These are not ‘spiritual’ settings at all. They are daily life settings. I don’t spend all day, all week, all month, planning or speaking of Christ (oh, I wish I could…I should). It’s not an organized moment for me, right now. It’s when the Spirit tells me to. And when God tells me to tell someone about Him, I do my best to listen and put aside my own comfort.

My uncle is a missionary. He is non-denominational, but it’s more organized evangelizing. He went to foreign countries, and taught about Jesus Christ…in many places it should have had him killed. Thank you Father for protecting him! But number one was always about living the life of Christ, then sharing the Word and Love with them when it was time. My grandfather was just a simple farmer, yet he evangelized by example daily. Every new person he met, without fail, he would ask if they had a church to go to, and invite them to his. Then he lived as God wanted him to. These two men are two of the Godliest men I’ve ever known, yet taught others about God in different ways. I’m trying to learn from both of them. I’m honored to learn from both of them. <3:heaven:

 

[GratefulFred]

Just being an example of goodness will have its own effect. But I’m thinking more in line of being active and going out and passing out literature door to door about the catholic faith and inviting them. This is what I believe is what a pastor in the parish has heartburn over. In other words, just don’t be active.

And again, I believe it is the idea of being anti-ecumenical, or let them be in their own faith and not start any trouble. I’m just saying it as it seems. You should, you can, but just don’t do it.

And I do believe that there are some non-catholics out there who would and do want to know the church.

I too have wondered just how we should organize to spread the Word. It is one thing to initiate a conversation one on one that may or may not bring that one closer to Christ. It is quite another to reach out to the millions in America. EWTN seems to be the best effort. Yet I see about 20 people a year received into the Church on Holy Saturday at our parish. But weekly attendance at Mass seems to be declining.

Directing a parish with its many ministries is a full time job and then some. Our dioceses also operates a number of social ministries parishes cannot perform themselves. A sustained out reach program would take considerable more time, effort and money. It would be a rare pastor to initiate a program without the OK from his Bishop. I can imagine the blow back from other Christian churches if they saw their attendance and money decline.

Our diocese has a “Welcome Home” program going for several years trying to get back fallen away Catholics. Not sure of the results.

Most of us do not want to be disturbed out of our comfort level. We are too busy working to provide for our families and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Our limited sense of Love and Freedom is to let others do as they please as long as it does not interfere with our personal lives. Hence we have seen a decline in moral standards across society.

To reach out in an organized way we need leadership. Pope Francis seems to be wanting to approach it all from a different basis. We shall see.