How do you do Apologetics on Protestants?

[eikke]

metal1633:

Sometimes they do. But only by the Grace of God. We defend our position and preach to them the gospel. I know. I was once a non-denominational Evangelical.

Non-denominational is an oxymoron.

same here. i was a non-denominational too, and i agree, it’s an oxymoron.

 

[eikke]

The Barrister:

I would suggest there is a better way. Why drive people from the Church?

there are basically two ways, sociologically speaking, by which people convert to a religion. 1) they convert based strictly on the perceived merits of the religion, or their own passionate attachment to it or aversion to the one they’re in. i converted to Orthodoxy pretty much on my own, not really with the help of any Orthodox apologists. this accounts for a small number of converts to any faith, and these are usually your most fanatical converts (like i once was). 2)they convert through friends or filial networks who make the social set-up surrounding them attractive, and doctrines are, at best, a distant second priority. this is far and away the most common reason people convert.

it seems to me, looking at it from a social perspective, while taking into consideration the movements of grace and divine economy, that nothing i do in the course of a discussion is likely to alter a person’s decision for or against God/the Church/etc. their decision is entirely their own. one can defend the Church to the extent that one can make it clear that it’s indeed possible to be intelligent, cultured, and have intellectual and spiritual integrity while belonging to the Church, but one can’t convince anyone of anything beyond that. imo.

 

[Vitus]

Melchior:

You do realize this statement is completely false and based soley on 19th and 20th century higher criticism? This is not a Protestant or Catholic thing it is simply a fact of history. The individual books of the OT were all written over a period of hundreds of years by various authors including, Moses, Daniel, David, Solomon, Isaiah etc. Only liberal “scholars” who believe in already disproven theories think the OT was written years later based on some oral tradition.

Really? I have a hard time believing that Moses himself wrote the Pentatauch that includes his own death. Did all people’s then write in the third person?

BTW, I think The Barrister has some great ideas there.

 

[SMHW]

I have found that it is helpful to establish one’s ‘biblical credentials’ before even admitting that one is Catholic.

Maybe that is cowardly or sneaky but it sometimes works. If I can help a Protestant to use the Bible to prove something we both believe to a third party then he/she is usually much more likely to listen if we disagree. Sometimes I like to discuss how different Protestant groups interpret Scripture differently or that certain ideas, such as the Trinity, are implied but not spelled out in Scripture. Even if the person I am speaking with doesn’t agree with my interpretation of Scripture, they at least have to admit that the Catholic position is not being pulled out of a hole.

At this point, I figure it is up to the Holy Spirit to take over.

 

[Charles]

Hi Curious! You know I was a curious Protestant myself once… .

Anyway, I think the way I usually discuss matters of faith with Protestants is to either start of by explaining why I am no longer willing to accept the idea that the deposit of Faith is located solely in the Bible (which perhaps ironically I can do by relying solely on the Bible! ) or initiate the conversation by limiting myself to scripture as much as possible in order to bring the conversation to whatever the main issue is. The second option is in keeping with St. Paul’s exhortation to be all things to all people in order to win a few (I Corinthians 9 I believe).

Most issues that have come up in my conversations (Eucharist, perpetual virginity of Mary, Sacrament of Reconciliation, etc.) can be discussed solely from the Bible if to do otherwise would create a stumbling block that derails the conversation. Obviously, this is not ideal because I am not working with the entire deposit of faith, but most of the time it works out.

Good luck to you and keep being curious!

 

[eikke]

Vitus:

Really? I have a hard time believing that Moses himself wrote the Pentatauch that includes his own death.

truly, he was an inspired prophet.

 

[chrisg93]

From my personal experience…

Start with an agreement on Pro-life issue to establish a bond. (If they are not Pro-Life then there is a gravely serious problem.)

Show the Protestant the tragegy of their missing the actual Body and Blood Of Jesus in The Eucharist. Easy to document in Scripture.

Show them the terrible consequences of Divorce - Protestant style. Easy to document in Scripture.

Explain to them that Sala Scriptura and Sala Fida (?) are wrong. Easy to document in Scripture.

This should be enough common ground for a more in-depth discussion.

Thanks
Chris G

 

[Theodora]

Curious:

Hey all,

Your friendly neighborhood Protestant here.

I was curious, when Catholics try to use apologetics with Protestants…I’m not talking Orthodox, and I’m not talking any other religion…how do you go about it? I was thinking you must hit some real stumbling blocks because Protestants want everything to be backed up by Scripture. So…you can’t necessarily go with the Catechism or with Tradition or even with the “extra” books you guys have.

So let’s hear it! How do you give answer?

Thankee

Preparation: With common sense. How do you get this? Have a continuous novena going to the Holy Spirit. In other words, every day, and as many times as you can, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and enlightment regarding your own Faith. Pray a lot. Study your Faith thoroughly. Live your Faith. Keep your soul as clean as possible of sin. Make use of the Sacraments often.

Practice: So, when a non-catholic christian tries to convert you to their believes, listen well what they’re saying or asking. If you are questioned about certain aspects of your believes, tell them what you believe. You make sure you’ll ask them also all sorts of questions. Try not to get involved in a lot of Bible quoting. You’re playing in their hands that every article of Faith has to be proven from the Bible. Nevertheless, know the Bible well.

Anectdote: Two young girls were going though the process of RCIA. One is my daughter preparing for confirmation and her best friend entering the Church as a convert. Mutual friend tried to prevent best friend from becoming Catholic. Both got invited to a party. Lo and behold, at the party they were confronted by the Protestant minister of the church their mutual friend attends. Daughter and her best friend told me that they debated this Protestant minister from 10 pm till 6 am the next day. Young girls were novices in the Faith. However, the Holy Sprit must have been with them. They had lots of questions for the minister. As far as they were concerned, many answers were not convincing. Minister also tried to prove things with his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Just elicited more questions from them. Both girls exitedly and confidently were welcomed into the Church on Easter 1997. They’re still practicing Catholics. Convert girlfriend (used to be an self-confessed atheist) has become an enthusiastic apologist.

Re Oral Tradition. I’ll let someone else answer you on this.

Hope I was of any help.