How much should we know about the church and how well should be able to defend?

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PelagiathePenit

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How well should we be able to answer people’s questions about our faith?
 
Everyone has different gifts. So someone may be more prayerful while another may be more knowledgeable about the Faith, another may be an terrific preacher.

In my opinion the average Catholic should know the basics of their Faith and should be able to explain it well. The Church is in a desperate need to Catechise the average faithful Catholic, not to mention some clergy. For example most laymen and a good amount of clergy do not know that intrinsicly evil acts(such as contraception) are always wrong no matter the situation or circumstance (Veritatis Splendor 67.)
 
We learn about the faith for our own enlightenment. Telling others is important in that we can steer them to truth, but that is secondary.
Education in the faith is extremely important and not to be dismissed.
 
LittleFlower378 said:
Everyone has different gifts. So someone may be more prayerful while another may be more knowledgeable about the Faith, another may be an terrific preacher.

In my opinion the average Catholic should know the basics of their Faith and should be able to explain it well. The Church is in a desperate need to Catechise the average faithful Catholic, not to mention some clergy.** For example most laymen and a good amount of clergy do not know that intrinsicly evil acts(such as contraception) are always wron**g no matter the situation or circumstance (Veritatis Splendor 67.)
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Is that your personal opinion, or do you have real data to back that up???
 
pianistclare said:
Is that your personal opinion, or do you have real data to back that up???
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In my personal experience, I’ve found that a majority of the Catholics who use artificial contraception know that it isn’t allowed, but they simply think that the Church needs to “catch up with the times.” They don’t understand, or rather, do not care to understand, that while modern society changes, the will of God does not.
 
PelagiathePenit said:
How well should we be able to answer people’s questions about our faith?
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Personally, I think one should know about the Church and the Faith enough to be secure enough not to leave because someone says theirs is better.

There are some basic questions non-Catholic Christians are taught to use to try to get the Catholic to leave the Church. Are you saved? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Knowing how to answer those and a few others and knowing why one is Catholic is probably “good enough” for most people.

Peace,
B
 
People should know the teaching of the Church but also the secular reasoning behind our teachings.

It’s not enough anymore to quote the Bible.
 
PelagiathePenit said:
How well should we be able to answer people’s questions about our faith?
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GREAT question:)

The teaching of the Catholic Church is that everyone is CALLED to evangelize. BUT that does not mean that everyone is CALLED to be a TEACHER

1st Cor, 1: 1-12

[1] Now concerning spiritual things, my brethren, I would not have you ignorant. [2] You know that when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led. [3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And no man can say the Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost. [4] Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; [5] And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord;

[6] And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. [7] And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. [8] To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; [9] To another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit; [10] To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches.

[11] But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will. [12] For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body, so also is Christ

So my friend the answer is

One can know TOO LITTLE, but one cannot know TOO MUCH:thumbsup:

As a FYI:

Now retired I have developed a TOTALLY FREE OF ALL COST home study E-Mailed course to TEACH our Catholic Faith well enough to be able to explain and even defend it. Lessons are sent 1 per week

I originally did this as a SUPPLEMENT to RCIA which I co-taught for 3 years; but have had MANY Catholics and Christians over the past 7 years take the course.

Father Hardon used to tell us: “YOU CAN’T SHARE WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE”

I cover TONS of topics, all in depth and STRESS providing the evidence of our Catholic beliefs and practices. I also answer all faith questions.

God Bless you

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF
 
pianistclare said:
We learn about the faith for our own enlightenment. Telling others is important in that we can steer them to truth, but that is secondary.
Education in the faith is extremely important and not to be dismissed.
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Education is important but first must come prayer and contemplation. We can not give what we do not have. Unless we understand our own love and relationship with Christ we can not convey our knowledge.
 
anon98328916 said:
This is a very good question. I always try my best but I do think the Holy Spirit guides us in what we say and how we say it.
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INTERJECT: “offers too” when one is in the State of God’s grace, and you have a very excellent point:)

GBY
 
I think it is very important. As someone else has said we can’t give what we don’t have. I am always bothered when someone asks me a question and I don’t have the answer, especially if it is a very basic Catholic teaching.
 
PelagiathePenit said:
How well should we be able to answer people’s questions about our faith?
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That dear friend is a GREAT question:thumbsup:

Everyone of us is called to Evangelize; READ 1 Cor. Chapter 13 [its a short one]

This chapter explains that while each of us is called to participate, it is NOT necessarily in the same identical manner; there ARE different ministries and charisms.

But NOT everyone is called to be a teacher. THAT SAID though, Fr. Hardon used to teach us that "You can;t share what YOU don’t have"

So the minimum is to know our Catholic faith well enough to be able to live it FULLY, correctly and publicly

Rev. 3:16
But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.

To answer your question

Each of us ought to be sufficiently well informed to either explain our beliefs & practices OR at least be able to direct that person to a SOURCE that CAN do so.

Ideally each of us should be able to explain and even defend ALL of our MAJOR doctrines, beliefs and practices

Towards the accomplishment of that: now retired, I have developed a TOTALLY FREE OF ALL COST, a comprehensive E-Mailed Home Study course, with one lesson E-mailed each week, for anyone interested.

I ma a trained, certified Catholic Catechist with nearly 30 years of teaching experience. I developed the course after 3 years with RCIA, as a supplement to that fine program, where quite often time restrictions do not permit an in-depth sharing of our now 2,000 year old faith & practices.

The goal of the course: BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH is to accomplish precisely what you ask. I STRESS providing the evidence of our Catholic Faith, Beliefs and practices to equip others to be able to effectively evangelize.

The course is now in its 8th year:)

GBY and thanks for asking

Partick
 
I don’t believe in arguing or discussing my religion with any one – even my “kids” –
 
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