How to Be an Apologist

[landon13]

Hello,

I know many of the arguments for the Catholic Church and have studied a lot about apologetics for Catholics but I was wondering, how does one become an apologist? Is it just a bunch of debating with non-Catholics? Is it a bunch of studying Scripture cover-to-cover multiple times and pretty much learning the Catechism by heart? What is it? How does one become a Catholic apologist like Jimmy Akin, Peter Kreeft, Karl Keating, or Tim Staples? (Sorry to all of the Catholic apologists that I have forgotten, these were the first that popped into my head)

Thank you so much!

-Landon

 

[Bradys_Dad]

I’m not an apologist but I would assume an apologist needs both training and experience. Apologists would have likely graduated with a theology/philosophy degree or have some seminary schooling. I’ve heard this isn’t a requirement, but this would help. I believe Patrick Madrid started an apologists training program that you could look into. Outside training, you probably need some experience through debates, public teaching, writings, etc. This experience is probably what separates amateur apologists from the professionals. Dont forget prayer and the Holy Spirit.

 

[LegoGE1947]

I’m not an apologist but I would assume an apologist needs both training and experience. Apologists would have likely graduated with a theology/philosophy degree or have some seminary schooling. I’ve heard this isn’t a requirement, but this would help. I believe Patrick Madrid started an apologists training program that you could look into. Outside training, you probably need some experience through debates, public teaching, writings, etc. This experience is probably what separates amateur apologists from the professionals. Dont forget prayer and the Holy Spirit.

I would assume another thing would be “don’t apologize for being Catholic!”

 

[ahs]

If you are looking to the big names as an example to mirror, then you will need to study like they did. Those are folks with Masters Degrees (or higher) in Theology (maybe not all, but most). That in itself doesn’t “make” them apologists…but it goes to show the extent of study of Scriptures they have received.

More on the practical level though, ANY one can be an apologist to some degree or another. And what that requires is 2 things: 1) study of the Faith (Scripture, Catechism, ECF’s, history) and 2) knowing how NOT to be an apologist.

I think the desire to share the Faith as you learn it is a given (otherwise you’d not be asking this question). So focusing on what NOT to do will help you to know what TO DO. The most helpful book in this area for me was one titled, “How NOT to Share Your Faith” by Mark Brumley.

Another great one that taught me how to re-frame the social arguments was “How to Defend the Faith Without Raising Your Voice” by Austen Ivereigh.

 

[DavidFilmer]

The main thing you would need to do is to write a successful book (or several books). Not all apologists have educational credentials (Karl Keating was a lawyer, and, AFAIK, he has never had any formal theological training).

There are successful lay Catholic apologists without educational credentials, but I don’t know of any without a few good books under their belts.

 

[Michael_Allen]

I would say the best apologists are those like Blessed Teresa, St. Francis, John Wesley, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu who live the faith of loving God and others. Actions always speak louder than words, IMO. Though when it came to words C.S.Lewis was a master of them and used his gift to gently bring many to faith.

Just a different slant on things.