Ecumenical Apologetics and Catechesis

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Michael16

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I’m having to develop apologetic skills and ideas; I hoping I have the right ideas.

The basic principles:
  1. I respect your position; but I’ll teach according to my conscience.
  2. Know and study the Word deeply. Find doctrinal commonalities and charitably explain the differences.
  3. Whatever’s taught in common; leave alone. Teach what’s true when errors come up.
  4. Do not regard non Catholic Christians as the enemy; they’re errant and I’ll catechized Christians and potential allies against hell.
  5. Remember: The Church is the Church and do not compromise. All other churches are separated communities of Christians outside of the Church.
 
Mtatum1958 said:
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Michael16:
Whatever’s taught in common; leave alone
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OK, but the common areas of belief can also be a means to develop a relationship and springboard into discussing differences.
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I think he just means not to dig deep into those areas to find quibbling disagreements, but to let them stand as points of commonality.
 
Mtatum1958 said:
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Michael16:
Whatever’s taught in common; leave alone
Click to expand...
OK, but the common areas of belief can also be a means to develop a relationship and springboard into discussing differences.
Click to expand...
Yes, and I think you must start this process by seeking to understand how the person thinks, what he believes, and why he believes it. Begin with the Socratic method.
 
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Micahel16, if you are planning to use these ideas on your extended family, tread carefully if at all.
I 100% agree that you are in charge of your family’s faith journey. I would not explain to them any further.
 
the very fact that he engages in a dialogue of this sort is proof of his consideration and esteem for others, his understanding and his kindness. He detests bigotry and prejudice, malicious and indiscriminate hostility, and empty, boastful speech.

If, in our desire to respect a man’s freedom and dignity, his conversion to the true faith is not the immediate object of our dialogue with him, we nevertheless try to help him and to dispose him for a fuller sharing of ideas and convictions.

Our dialogue, therefore, presupposes that there exists in us a state of mind which we wish to communicate and to foster in those around us. It is the state of mind which characterizes the man who realizes the seriousness of the apostolic mission and who sees his own salvation as inseparable from the salvation of others. His constant endeavor is to get everyone talking about the message which it has been given to him to communicate.
St Paul VI. Ecclesiam Suam 79-80
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Thank you, Irishmom2. I have to admit, I can’t go too deep with my parents; since they don’t like Catholic doctrine. My mom says why can’t we just believe and my dad gets angry. But, I have to save my sons from hell and I’ll have to enter the lists for them. It’s my fervent hope that I can dialogue with them civilly; but it is up to me.

My mom suggested to me that I teach my sons from a Protestant Bible and I said I’ll teach from mine. I can’t teach what will violate my conscience to do so. I have to teach the truth.
 
That’s basically what I’ll try to do: Get inside the other person’s head by examining his/her belief system. That’s the reason why I researched comparative religion: Understanding the other person.
 
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