Is it possible to be too defensive about my faith?

[JackVk]

Ever since I started college, I have known that the campus is not necessarily the safest place for one’s Christian faith. I started summer classes roughly around the time I joined CAF. This summer, I went on Kairos and TEC. I go to Mass every morning. Now, I have started to read more and more Catholic apologetics books. I just finished Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths
and The Godless Delusion. This is where I think I’m getting too militant about my faith. I have, in 2 of my 4 classes, admitted that I’ma devout Catholic. Thus far, nobody has challenged me about it. Yet, I always feel like I’m surrounded by people who will challenge me out of the blue.

I feel like the King of the Hill character Dale Gribble, in a sense that I’m obsessed and paranoid with an enemy that I have not faced (yet). Is there such thing as being too defensive?

 

[Eloi]

Yes, a person can get “too defensive.”

I don’t know if you are, in fact, being too defensive or not - I do not know you, or your interactions - but it certainly is good that you want to learn to defend your faith.

Do try to avoid thinking of apologetics as a battle, though. If you do that, you may begin to envision yourself as a great warrior, heroically charging against all things heretical. This is bad; it will shift the focus away from deepening your own understanding of God through discussion with another, to a chess game.

That great lion Mufasa told Simba “being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.” Share your faith; discuss it if you are called to at the moment. But don’t get “in your face” about it.

That’s my advice anyway; God watch over your study and discussions!

 

[DPMartin]

Ever since I started college, I have known that the campus is not necessarily the safest place for one’s Christian faith. I started summer classes roughly around the time I joined CAF. This summer, I went on Kairos and TEC. I go to Mass every morning. Now, I have started to read more and more Catholic apologetics books. I just finished Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths
and The Godless Delusion. This is where I think I’m getting too militant about my faith. I have, in 2 of my 4 classes, admitted that I’ma devout Catholic. Thus far, nobody has challenged me about it. Yet, I always feel like I’m surrounded by people who will challenge me out of the blue.

I feel like the King of the Hill character Dale Gribble, in a sense that I’m obsessed and paranoid with an enemy that I have not faced (yet). Is there such thing as being too defensive?

JackVk

Though this may seem off base please consider

1Pet:3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20: Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21: The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

You can not get out of the ditch by digging the ditch to burry yourselves in. And why should you do so when so many are so eager to do it for you so that you may do their will. But if you seek to dig your own ditch for your own will rather then the will of others, there is no integrity in doing so in the Life that The Lord God has given you. The answers are not in the dust, and water, and gases your flesh is made of, nor any information stored therein. And the life given to that which is not mankind, such as plant and animal, is given to them by God who made them, not mankind, nor the same life they have is given to mankind.

The Lord God Himself teaches how to be in His Presence, which is the Life given to mankind, which requires a relationship with Him who’s Judgements are Merciful and Righteous. And it is only mankind who wrestles with such things. It is God who is the Judge of what is what, which includes you, or anything else in His Kingdom and His creation. For all that is, is His property to do what He Will with according to His Word.

The Church, or members thereof, or authorities thereof, could be incorrect about anything, but they are not incorrect about Jesus Christ is the Son of God from God and sits at the Right Hand of God. Who came to give Life and healing to that which lacks that which is of Him. Not destroy, not condemn, nor blame. It is stupid to blame God (or the world, humane existence, for that matter) when God instructs otherwise, but you can’t be, what He has made you to be, without Him. For He has made you to be, in His Presence, which is only in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

[catholictiger]

Ever since I started college, I have known that the campus is not necessarily the safest place for one’s Christian faith. I started summer classes roughly around the time I joined CAF. This summer, I went on Kairos and TEC. I go to Mass every morning. Now, I have started to read more and more Catholic apologetics books. I just finished Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths
and The Godless Delusion. This is where I think I’m getting too militant about my faith. I have, in 2 of my 4 classes, admitted that I’ma devout Catholic. Thus far, nobody has challenged me about it. Yet, I always feel like I’m surrounded by people who will challenge me out of the blue.

I feel like the King of the Hill character Dale Gribble, in a sense that I’m obsessed and paranoid with an enemy that I have not faced (yet). Is there such thing as being too defensive?

this the way i view it you must be defensive about your faith in a loving way if you start to become violent in defending your faith or you start to yell at people calling them names then you are not loving.

 

[Bookcat]

We need to live and proclaim Christ with joy…and peace and charity…

This will be a great section for you to read (for your lectio divina):

1 Peter chapter 3 verses 13-16

(Make sure you read em all…oh and it can be read “logos” or reason …not just defense )

 

[Aboveallbereal]

Yes, a person can get “too defensive.”

I don’t know if you are, in fact, being too defensive or not - I do not know you, or your interactions - but it certainly is good that you want to learn to defend your faith.

Do try to avoid thinking of apologetics as a battle, though. If you do that, you may begin to envision yourself as a great warrior, heroically charging against all things heretical. This is bad; it will shift the focus away from deepening your own understanding of God through discussion with another, to a chess game.

That great lion Mufasa told Simba “being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.” Share your faith; discuss it if you are called to at the moment. But don’t get “in your face” about it.

That’s my advice anyway; God watch over your study and discussions!

I quote Eloi because I think his is wise advice well worth acknowledging and reflecting on.

It is true that those of us in the west live in a society which is , and increasingly is it seems, agggressively anti Christian. Indeed his Holiness the Pope has been at pains to point out the negative impact this has whilst on his tour in the UK…the nest of New atheism. However where Eloi is correct is in advising you not to be overly stressed or confrontational.

Remenber the message of the Church is true. Christ does not lie. The gates of hell itself will not and cannot prevail against The Church. Live well, learn and reflect. Like you I work in an environment where the faith is roundly and woundingly criticised but I learn to live with it and frankly ignore the more risible and far fetched rants. The Church is a straw man in our age. if you react to every insult you will do little else.

 

[JackVk]

Thank you for the answers. Maybe I wasn’t all that clear, but I feel that the honor of Christ’s Church is worth defending. I don’t walk the streets looking for a fight with an atheist; I just want to be able to stand up for Jesus when confronted. People have said good things about me, but I take it in stride, lest I become arrogant.

 

[catholictiger]

Thank you for the answers. Maybe I wasn’t all that clear, but I feel that the honor of Christ’s Church is worth defending. I don’t walk the streets looking for a fight with an atheist; I just want to be able to stand up for Jesus when confronted. People have said good things about me, but I take it in stride, lest I become arrogant.

i think the best thing to remember is to defend you faith in a loving way, if you fell like you can argue and continue to love keep on doing it. But if you fell like you get to a point where you aren’t loving then stop arguing.

i know this is simple advice and you may need more but I fell like its the best advice I can give.

but to continue yes it is worth defending,

also don’t fell like you have to defend every single claim that someone makes about the cahtolic church.

God will send people to defend his church that may be you but sometimes others will defend it.

it seems like you are doing fine i would continue what you are doing

 

[DPMartin]

Thank you for the answers. Maybe I wasn’t all that clear, but I feel that the honor of Christ’s Church is worth defending. I don’t walk the streets looking for a fight with an atheist; I just want to be able to stand up for Jesus when confronted. People have said good things about me, but I take it in stride, lest I become arrogant.

JackVk

You are correct about the desire not to pick fights. It might be wise to consider that the church authorities have written and spoken in defense for the church’s position on any issue that may come to your attention in your walk. And you are correct that it is not about you. It is truly about the godless (those without the Lord’s guidance in His Holy Spirit) receiving that which is of God through His Son Jesus Christ.

Jms:3:2: For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

It is difficult not to offend, matter of fact, it is to easy to offend, one can offend in what is held sacred by another without even knowing he has done so. What I have learned of late, that may of help to you is, if one respects another’s honest work, no matter the difference in belief’s you will not offend so easily. If another sees the Light within you then you give in the Faith that God has given you. And your respect toward another can not be held against you.

Two wrongs don’t make a right, but does two rights make a wrong. Considering one’s right may be in contrary to the other’s right. If both are right, or have right, then what?

Didn’t Jesus while yet on the Cross who had the Right to receive Kingdom , the world, Heaven and earth, forgive and ask God the Father to give Mercy, to that which was against His Right to receive, and be received, or even the fulfillment of His Right to sit on the Throne of David. He who seeks the Mercy of God for the other though he be right or has the right wins. Didn’t Jesus walk away from the grave to receive of the Father, and to be received unto the Father.

 

[doanli]

Ever since I started college, I have known that the campus is not necessarily the safest place for one’s Christian faith. I started summer classes roughly around the time I joined CAF. This summer, I went on Kairos and TEC. I go to Mass every morning. Now, I have started to read more and more Catholic apologetics books. I just finished Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths
and The Godless Delusion. This is where I think I’m getting too militant about my faith. I have, in 2 of my 4 classes, admitted that I’ma devout Catholic. Thus far, nobody has challenged me about it. Yet, I always feel like I’m surrounded by people who will challenge me out of the blue.

I feel like the King of the Hill character Dale Gribble, in a sense that I’m obsessed and paranoid with an enemy that I have not faced (yet). Is there such thing as being too defensive?

I feel the same way, you are not alone.

I also have a fault of getting angry and frustrated with someone who is not Catholic for “not getting it” and I feel overprotective of the Church to where I can view anything, even a little question about some doctrine as an attack.

Don’t know about you, but I know I need to get rid of that attitude. (praying about it.)

 

[illmatic]

As soon as I got to uni I became constantly challenged for my faith. Some of it was brutal, some was convivial and light-hearted, some was serious and mature. I started reading apologetics books, posting on Catholic & Christian forums and reading more about my faith. I can honestly say that these challenges have brought me closer to God.

 

[JackVk]

As soon as I got to uni I became constantly challenged for my faith. Some of it was brutal, some was convivial and light-hearted, some was serious and mature. I started reading apologetics books, posting on Catholic & Christian forums and reading more about my faith. I can honestly say that these challenges have brought me closer to God.

You know, they have brought me closer as well

 

[John_of_Woking]

Ever since I started college, I have known that the campus is not necessarily the safest place for one’s Christian faith. I started summer classes roughly around the time I joined CAF. This summer, I went on Kairos and TEC. I go to Mass every morning. Now, I have started to read more and more Catholic apologetics books. I just finished Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths
and The Godless Delusion. This is where I think I’m getting too militant about my faith. I have, in 2 of my 4 classes, admitted that I’ma devout Catholic. Thus far, nobody has challenged me about it. Yet, I always feel like I’m surrounded by people who will challenge me out of the blue.

I feel like the King of the Hill character Dale Gribble, in a sense that I’m obsessed and paranoid with an enemy that I have not faced (yet). Is there such thing as being too defensive?

Hmmm Its a fine balance but it seems like you are actually full of the virtue of courage. I wish I had more of it! I would just be calm and peaceful and pray for the opportunity to win souls for Christ whilst praying for humility at all times. Well done and Praise be to God for God’s work in your life:thumbsup:

 

[rick43235]

This is where I think I’m getting too militant about my faith. I have, in 2 of my 4 classes, admitted that I’ma devout Catholic. Thus far, nobody has challenged me about it. Yet, I always feel like I’m surrounded by people who will challenge me out of the blue.

Although not a believer myself, I respect those who stand up for what they believe. That said, don’t get so carried away that you are seeing anti-Catholics everywhere you look. In reality most people, especially on a university campus, couldn’t care less about your religious beliefs.

 

[mark_a]

Ever since I started college, I have known that the campus is not necessarily the safest place for one’s Christian faith. I started summer classes roughly around the time I joined CAF. This summer, I went on Kairos and TEC. I go to Mass every morning. Now, I have started to read more and more Catholic apologetics books. I just finished Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths
and The Godless Delusion. This is where I think I’m getting too militant about my faith. I have, in 2 of my 4 classes, admitted that I’ma devout Catholic. Thus far, nobody has challenged me about it. Yet, I always feel like I’m surrounded by people who will challenge me out of the blue.

I feel like the King of the Hill character Dale Gribble, in a sense that I’m obsessed and paranoid with an enemy that I have not faced (yet). Is there such thing as being too defensive?

Part of the problem you face, I believe, is that most non-Catholic Christians presume to know the teachings of the Church and attack accordingly. You on the other hand, might feel the need to be able to refute OSAS, SS, TULIP, polygamy, consubstantiation, oneness pentacostalism, watchtower society, ordinances, anabaptism, nestorianism, Muhammedism, holy rollerism. . . . .

It can be very intimidating.

Anyway, I heard on Catholic radio one day that agents for the treasury department learn to detect counterfeit money by studying genuine currency and knowing it so well that they can detect counterfeit money almost instantaniously. The comparison was that Catholics need to study their own faith so they’ll know a rat when they smell one.

So keep up the good work of studying your Catholic faith.

 

[JackVk]

Part of the problem you face, I believe, is that most non-Catholic Christians presume to know the teachings of the Church and attack accordingly. You on the other hand, might feel the need to be able to refute OSAS, SS, TULIP, polygamy, consubstantiation, oneness pentacostalism, watchtower society, ordinances, anabaptism, nestorianism, Muhammedism, holy rollerism. . . . .

It can be very intimidating.

Anyway, I heard on Cathoic radio one day that agents for the treasury department learn to detect counterfeit money by studying genuine currency and never counterfeit money. The comparison was that Catholics need to study their own faith so they’ll know a rat when the smell one.

What’s TULIP?

 

[mark_a]

What’s TULIP?

Some kind of reformed (counterfeit) theology.

 

[JackVk]

G.K. Chesterton speaks for me:
“A soldier doesn’t fight because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

 

[Crimsonflyboy]

Defend the faith without coming off as defensive. Don’t get angry with people who attack the faith, instead calmly tell them the truth about the faith. If you have the faith then you will know how wonderful the Catholic Church is and if someone says otherwise you will just know they are wrong. Instead use these situations as opportunities to evangalize and spread the faith. College is tough, stick in there. God bless.

 

[DPMartin]

If one does not walk on sacred ground, one can not offend. For what is truly Holy, is the Presence of God. Hence “Holy” Spirit. Was not St. Steven accused of desecrating what held as sacred? And if one walks with the Lord, then just how offensive is one in His Presence considering all that is within one’s self that is not of God. In the growth of this, does one know and understand His Grace to allow us to be with Him.

Let the Pope and Cardinals and Bishops answer for Church doctrine, of which there are many writings available. Even pro and con. Surly you don’t answer for a President’s decisions, or a King’s or a Dictator’s decisions. But to answer for one’s own Faith that God has given, the Lord shall surly given Wisdom for.

Again, Peter’s advice

1Pet:3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a **reason of the hope that is in you **with meekness and fear:

Therefore one need not be defensive.

Defense is merely an exercise, but to answer for, is merely to reveal the reason for your Faith, which requires no defense. No one can take the Lord your God away from you. Defense is aggressive and hostile, the Presence of Lord our God is Holy. Hence “with meekness and fear:”