New Evangelization

[klm120861]

The New Evangelization is about three things. 1) Firing up the pewsitters. These are the people who have been Baptized, received Confirmation and go to Mass more or less regularly who have the attitude “the lost know we’re here. They’ll come to us. Bless God, we’ll just pray and occupy until Jesus comes.” It’s seige mentality. The world is evil, in here it’s safe.

1. Those who were raised Catholic, but have no clue what the Church teaches. Their last Catechism class was when they were confirmed. These have the attitude, “As long as the church teaches the Bible (Catholic or Protestant), it’s okay. We’ll all just hold hands and sing Kum-Ba-Ya until Jesus comes.” These may or may not still be attending Catholic churches
2. It’s about reaching the lost. The truly lost who are desparate to hear Truth. Not relative Truth, but Truth. 22% of all Americans claim no religious affiliation at all. They are not “okay”. They are currently going to hell.

The New Evangelization exists to keep people out of hell. For that to happen, Catholics have to tell them. They have to know their faith, so that when a door opens, they can plant a seed. Not dump the entire seed bag on the poor unsuspecting person’s head, but plant a seed. The lost need to be reached. They need Jesus and they need the Sacraments.
The Protestants need to be reached. We have a beautiful Church. The only one with consistent teaching from the time of the Apostles. Read the Early Fathers. What they taught (and they were disciples of the apostles) is exactly the same as what is in the Catechism - including issues like abortion. We have the Sacraments. These are the fullest means of worship. The fullest means of communion with God. The only true means of forgiveness. For a Protestant who has never heard of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God will grant them grace according to their ignorance. We are not held accountable for what we don’t know. For former Catholics…we are held accountable for what we do know. Whether we choose to practice it or not, we are still held accountable. We have the Truth. We are obligated, mandated by Jesus Christ himself in the Gospels to tell people. How dare we not?
If any of my dear Protestant brothers and sisters happen to read this, I love you. I was once one of you. I know both sides. Please, I beg you, investigate the Catholic Church. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten you. Let the Lord be your guide. I pray for you daily.
Kris

 

[QuickCat]

Kim: Fully agree the “lost must be evangelized.” The apostle Paul tells that we, as ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ, must preach the “Word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:16-21. Also, many “pew packers” [church members] don’t know the gospel by which one is saved. How would you answer the question: “What must I do to be be saved?” “What is the gospel of salvation?”
Grace and Peace,
QC

 

[Crescentinus]

Sometimes, using Catholic memes is necessary along with living a model Catholic life.

 

[klm120861]

Ah, but the “pew packers” in question probably would never even think to be on CAF. I was referring to the ACE Catholics. (Ash Wednesday, Christmas and Easter). Besides, you would be amazed how many cradle Catholics, by their own admission, who don’t talk about their faith simply because, again by their own admission, they don’t know their faith. These are people who do go to Mass every Sunday, but while they know what the fundamentals of the Sacraments are, they don’t know why it matters. For example, they know the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ, but they don’t know, and therefore can’t explain, is why we re-present the Sacrifice on the altar, while to Protestants it only represents the Sacrifice. The difference is a hyphen. It makes all the difference in the world, but they can’t explain that when asked, because they don’t know. It’s not enough to knoe the what. You also have to know the why. Those who are on CAF either already know, or are looking to know. Therefore, while those on CAF may be looking for additional catechesis, they aren’t in need of evangelization. The purpose of the New Evangelization in regard to the “pew packer” is to light the fire in them so that they begin to learn their faith so when they are asked a question, they can give a catechetically correct answer with confidence.
Kris

 

[QuickCat]

Peter Kreeft has publically stated that, “…many Catholics do not know the gospel…” He was speaking of the gospel by which one is saved. If they don’t know the gospel by which one is saved it is patently obvious that they are not saved. This is true in many churches, both Protestant and Catholic.
QC

 

[QuickCat]

Ah, but the “pew packers” in question probably would never even think to be on CAF. I was referring to the ACE Catholics. (Ash Wednesday, Christmas and Easter). Besides, you would be amazed how many cradle Catholics, by their own admission, who don’t talk about their faith simply because, again by their own admission, they don’t know their faith. These are people who do go to Mass every Sunday, but while they know what the fundamentals of the Sacraments are, they don’t know why it matters. For example, they know the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ, but they don’t know, and therefore can’t explain, is why we re-present the Sacrifice on the altar, while to Protestants it only represents the Sacrifice. The difference is a hyphen. It makes all the difference in the world, but they can’t explain that when asked, because they don’t know. It’s not enough to knoe the what. You also have to know the why. Those who are on CAF either already know, or are looking to know. Therefore, while those on CAF may be looking for additional catechesis, they aren’t in need of evangelization. The purpose of the New Evangelization in regard to the “pew packer” is to light the fire in them so that they begin to learn their faith so when they are asked a question, they can give a catechetically correct answer with confidence.
Kris

Kim: A dear friend of mine who teaches religion in the local RCC, when asked, “What is the gospel by which one is saved?” Couldn’t tell me. Recently I saw a Monsignor on a religious program and he was asked the same question, he didn’t know the answer.
QC

 

[klm120861]

The phrase “the gospel by which one is saved” is a very Protestant phrase. If either person was a cradle Catholic, they might not have even properly understood the question. If you were to ask a cradle Catholic about their faith journey, they could describe it to you in great detail, including how over the years their relationship with Christ has grown and deepened as they have matured. If you ask a Protestant to about their faith journey, they will have no clue what you are talking about. Until you explain it to them. It’s a matter of semantics, of language. As a former Protestant, there are still a lot of times when someone will use the “Catholic” language and I have to ask for a translation before I can even answer the question. And I have been a Catholic for 8 years! (Someone needs to put together a Catholic to Protestant dictionary!) For Protestants, the whole salvation issue is one of the “Ah Ha” moment. The moment when you first pray the sinners prayer and are “saved”. For Catholics, it begins at Baptism when original sin is removed and continues throughout life. For Protestants, faiith is that one moment. The moment one is “saved” by the gospel. For Catholics it’s a journey that we freely choose to continue every day. We can also freely choose to walk away at any time. For most of us that’s not an option we would even consider, but for free will to be free will the option has to exist. Otherwise once we’re “saved” we cease to possess free will.
Cradle Catholics, especially those who know their faith know the gospel by which one is saved because they have heard it every Sunday - or every day if they go to daily Mass (safe bet the Monsignor does). They have always believed it. As they grow in maturity it takes on new meaning, but they have always believed it. Therefore, since they have believed the gospel by which one is saved, by that defination, they are saved.
Kris

 

[kkollwitz]

“What is the gospel by which one is saved?” This is a polemical question, to which the asker already has the answer, my guess in this case being:

1 Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 2 by which you are saved, if you hold it fast–unless you believed in vain. 3* For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4* that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures…

 

[Cat_Herder]

Peter Kreeft has publically stated that, “…many Catholics do not know the gospel…” He was speaking of the gospel by which one is saved. If they don’t know the gospel by which one is saved it is patently obvious that they are not saved. This is true in many churches, both Protestant and Catholic.
QC

http://forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?albumid=1087&pictureid=1395

This is a newborn infant. How does he or she receive this knowledge of the “gospel by which one is saved”? If he or she cannot receive it until he or she is a certain age, then are you saying that God wills babies to go to hell? If he or she is righteous automatically, then show us where the Bible says, book chapter and verse, that he or she will lose his or her righteousness and salvation upon hitting a certain age unless he or she gets it back through faith alone.

 

[Cat_Herder]

Peter Kreeft has publically stated that, “…many Catholics do not know the gospel…” He was speaking of the gospel by which one is saved. If they don’t know the gospel by which one is saved it is patently obvious that they are not saved. This is true in many churches, both Protestant and Catholic.
QC

That bold part is wrong. Case in point…

http://forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?albumid=1087&pictureid=13952

This is a newborn infant. It is patently obvious that this infant does not know the gospel by which he or she is saved. So how does he or she receive this knowledge of the “gospel by which one is saved”? If he or she cannot receive it until he or she is a certain age, then are you saying that God wills babies to go to hell? If he or she is righteous automatically, then show us where the Bible says, book chapter and verse, that he or she will lose his or her righteousness and salvation upon hitting a certain age unless he or she gets it back through faith alone.

 

[Cat_Herder]

Kim: Fully agree the “lost must be evangelized.” The apostle Paul tells that we, as ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ, must preach the “Word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:16-21. Also, many “pew packers” [church members] don’t know the gospel by which one is saved. How would you answer the question: “What must I do to be be saved?” “What is the gospel of salvation?”
Grace and Peace,
QC

You shouldn’t be asking what someone must DO to be saved. You cannot DO anything to be saved. Jesus already did everything that was necessary. Salvation is an unmerited gift and requiring the sinner to DO anything is wrong. This is why babies are baptized–precisely because they cannot do anything to earn it. But as for adults, they need to have baptism made available to them and they must repent (Acts 2). Hence the New Evangelization.

Sanctifying grace, the salvation that one receives at baptism, imparts the Holy Spirit, Who gives spiritual gifts including faith. Faith is not something one can come up with on their own. But faith does have to be nourished as it can be lost. Hence the New Evangelization.

 

[QuickCat]

You shouldn’t be asking what someone must DO to be saved. You cannot DO anything to be saved. Jesus already did everything that was necessary. Salvation is an unmerited gift and requiring the sinner to DO anything is wrong. This is why babies are baptized–precisely because they cannot do anything to earn it. But as for adults, they need to have baptism made available to them and they must repent (Acts 2). Hence the New Evangelization.

Sanctifying grace, the salvation that one receives at baptism, imparts the Holy Spirit, Who gives spiritual gifts including faith. Faith is not something one can come up with on their own. But faith does have to be nourished as it can be lost. Hence the New Evangelization.

You are right, the Lord Jesus Christ did it all The ONLY thing a lost person can do is BELIEVE the gospel by which one is saved.

Ac 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Ac 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

1Co 15:1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
¶ 1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures

The very moment we hear and believe the gospel by which one is saved the following occurs:

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
QC

 

[Cat_Herder]

You are right, the Lord Jesus Christ did it all The ONLY thing a lost person can do is BELIEVE the gospel by which one is saved.

Then why are you interpreting those Scriptures to mean “believe or else?” Doesn’t that mean that someone earns their salvation by having a correct belief system?

 

[Emerite]

Dear Quick Cat,

In response to my “working on it to be saved,” the Bible, at James 2: 14-17, states “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? … So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” I believe that I am not saved by faith alone, and my “works” include observing the Ten Commandments (not ten suggestions) and the Beatitudes. I look forward in hopeful confidence, with joy and peace, to my reception into heaven, but cannot be infallibly certain. I don’t believe that another minister, rabbi or priest has the authority to declare that I am saved, this one is for God.

I read Romans 4: 4, 5 and did not find the word “saved.” I do agree, however, that God credits faith with “righteousness.”

In talking about the happenings at the second coming of Christ and the end of the age, Matthew 24:13 states “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” We are all redeemed by Christ’s death on the cross – Christians, Muslims and Jews, but our individual appropriation of what Jesus Christ provided is contingent on our response.

1Corinthians 15:1-4 states “Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.” It states “being saved,” meaning in the process of salvation. And to me “holds fast” implies that one lives according to biblical teachings.

2 Corinthians 5:10 states “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” Does this look like a possible final judgment to you?

And 2 Corinthians, 5:16-21, states “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” I reiterate that we are all redeemed (i.e. “saved”) by Christ’s death on the cross, but our “salvation” is contingent on our response to Christ’s redemption. That is living righteously until death by observing Christ’s commandments. Otherwise, why would we need the Commandments, if they don’t count?

I do not believe that anyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ, yet is dishonest, a philanderer, thief, an alcoholic, etc., would have a straight ticket to heaven. But one who has faith and lives by the Ten Commandments, will be greatly favored by God. But then, one who has true faith in God should be living in accord with the teachings of Jesus Christ, right?

My friend Quick Cat, I will continue to pray for you, and may God bless.

 

[QuickCat]

That bold part is wrong. Case in point…

http://forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?albumid=1087&pictureid=13952

This is a newborn infant. It is patently obvious that this infant does not know the gospel by which he or she is saved. So how does he or she receive this knowledge of the “gospel by which one is saved”? If he or she cannot receive it until he or she is a certain age, then are you saying that God wills babies to go to hell? If he or she is righteous automatically, then show us where the Bible says, book chapter and verse, that he or she will lose his or her righteousness and salvation upon hitting a certain age unless he or she gets it back through faith alone.

Cat: What a sweet baby! God in His absolute righteousness and justice will take care of the baby who dies. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, paid the full penalty for all sin. I will leave that baby in the hands of God and know with absolute certainty that God will do what is right. King David knew that he would see his baby again 2 Sam. 12:23.

I am so sorry that you have such a problem with the Biblical term: "…the gospel…by which you are S-A-V-E-D… 1 Cor 15:1-4. This is the gospel of the grace of God that Paul preached - Very Biblical!
QC

 

[Emerite]

Quick Cat,

My bible says, at 1 Corinthians 15: 1-3, “Now I’m reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you … Through it you are also ’being’ saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,…” [Emphasis added].

I believe there’s a difference to “being” saved and “saved.” It’s like saying “I’m being married in November”(still single, but in the process of getting married) vs. I was married in November (actually married).

God bless.

 

[iloveangels]

I hadn’t thought to go further than asking for a definition but the responses I got raised a few more questions:

1. It was said that this time the laity are to be involved in the new evangelization. In the past, they have not been. Why do you think it has been this way? What is going to be done to mobilize the laity? It’s been 50 years since Vatican II which released a document on the role of the laity. (I have not read this but I understand the idea was to give the laity a bigger role in the church. If that attempt has failed - which is what you have to conclude if the purpose of the new evangelism is trying to get the laity involved - what makes anyone think this is going to be any more effective?

Catholics are over-clericalized in the United States and Europe. We don’t want to study and know it for ourselves. It’s easier to have experts and nod and murmur at them, and feel pious. It’s also very bad, because we never have to account for our faith, and consequently many people don’t know the Gospel, having focused on their feelings instead.

1. What exactly is being done to get the laity involved? Are we just going to get more programs designed by bureaucrats and theologians with no real on the street experience?

The overall answer is “not much.” Yes, there are one or two more classes at the diocesan level now in general Catholicism. But it’s going to have to be more than this. This is nearly nothing.

1. What’s included in the gospel? I used to be an Evangelical. In college we took our copies of the Four Spiritual Laws and went over them with anyone who would sit still long enough. What do we say to the people we evangelize? Got to church next Sunday? Start praying the rosary? Ii understand the gospel according to Catholicism but I don’t have a clue of how to share it with someone.

Invite them back to Mass. Speak to them of the Gospel, the Good News of Christ. Live your faith so that people can’t miss it.

1. If anyone here would like to chime in with what they are doing, I would appreciate it.

I’d appreciate hearing about it too.

The emphasis on what is “new”, is the Church calling on all Catholics to use this Year of Faith as an opportunity to renew his or her faith so THEN we can share it with the world.

Many of the programs designed in many parishes in my area, including my own parish, are designed for the person in the pew. The idea behind this is that as we develop and grow in our ongoing call to conversion, we will be stronger in sharing our faith with others.

For example, we are having a four week course on the documents of Vatican II and we gave our parishoners a “homework” assignment today at Mass. They were to reflect on the following question: What will enhance your faith experience at __________? (parish name). They will come back and there will be sheets where they can write their answers next week. These will be collected and tallied by our evangelization committee

Correct. The New Evangelization is primarily targeted at Catholics. We’re not going to turn anyone away of course, and so evangelization of non-Catholics is ongoing, but that’s the “old evangelization.” The New Evangelization is designed to stem the rupture that’s occurring right now among baptized Catholics.

The target audience of the new evangelization is also different. The new evangelization is geared towards newly evangelizing those Catholics who have fallen away, especially those countries that were formerly Catholic but are now drifitng into secularism. Indeed, it really starts with ourselves.

See Paragraph 5 of the Lineamenta of the current Synod. It gives a pretty extensive definition. Of course, the more official definition will likely come in the forthcoming Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortaion on the New Evangelization. That will be a year or two down the road, though.

Correct.

That’s because a) most Catholics don’t know Scripture and it’s painfully obvious to anyone who listens to us, and b) Catholics don’t live like the Scriptures even exist a good proportion of the time. Don’t yell at Protestants for this. These things are OUR fault.

 

[klm120861]

I suppose it depends on your individual parish. We have ongoing adult faith formation, Bible studies, RCIA of course, as well as a lot of other opportunities. We have links to our Facebook and YouTube sites which have even more. All of this can be accessed from our website: www.sttimothymesa.org. On the website you can also read the bulletin and listen to the homilies. (Fr. Charlie’s from Oct. 13 on the New Evangelization is especially good.)

For me, personally, I write a blog on the Catechism explaining simply what the Church believes and why. I began with the Nicene Creed and am now on Liturgy and the Sacraments and will begin posting on Baptism this week. That’s found at www.explorefaith.blog.com The blogs are also broken up into a daily Q & A format that is posted every day to our Facebook page.

Also, don’t forget, this is also evangelization. You never know who stumbles on this site, or one of these pages and finds something that plants a seed.

Maybe nothing we are doing would translate to your parishes, but then again, maybe they would. You never know, you may have a bunch of adults that want to learn more about their faith, they just need someone to teach them. And maybe you have a bunch of people who would love to teach, but know they don’t work well with children. I don’t. I can’t seem to be able to put things into language kids understand. But I’m good with adults. So I am part of the teaching team for adult formation.

Our job, as lay people, is to plant seeds. Results are up to God. Even if your idea seems like a harebrained scheme, run it past your pastor. You might be surprised…
Kris

 

[Cat_Herder]

Cat: What a sweet baby! God in His absolute righteousness and justice will take care of the baby who dies. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, paid the full penalty for all sin. I will leave that baby in the hands of God and know with absolute certainty that God will do what is right. King David knew that he would see his baby again 2 Sam. 12:23.

So you say the baby is saved, without having to believe the gospel by which one is saved. Now you need to show us, book chapter and verse, where the Bible says that salvation is lost at a certain age.

Your whole definition of evangelization hinges on this. If babies are saved by imputed justification and salvation is once for all, you are wasting your time “evangelizing” this baby because you have already said the baby is saved and can never lose it. Yet the Bible puts a strong emphasis on evangelization. So either the Bible is wrong or you are–indeed, everything you claim about evangelization is wrong, from the purpose to the definition.

 

[PJM]

=garysibio;9910617]Can someone please explain to me what exactly the “new evangelization” is keeping in mind that, although I live near a seminary, I do not have a degree from it. What makes it different from the “old evangelization”? Why did we need to come up with something new?

SURE

It was caused by a PROFOUND lack of True Faith; right understanding and miminal practice of our Faith throughout the WORLD, but notably in Once “Christin Countries” like Eurpoe and the USA.

The desired goal is for ALL to learn What we believe; How and WHY we believe it; then practice it FULLY and share ot with others.

The “newness” is primarily to those LACKING full and complete Faith and understanding. The methods are not completely new; just beter utilized, and the MESSAGE is 2.000 years YOUNG!

There are at least as many in “name ONLY” catholics [LOOK at Pelosie, Reed, and our VP for example] as there are Informed, and fully practicing Catholics.

**I’ve read that perhaps as many as 90% of Catholics use contraceptives: mortal SIN:shrug:

Abortions and divorce by “self proclaimed catholics” mirror the numbers [as a percent] of non-catholics. THIS IS WHY the “New evangualzation” is essential and necessary. In the past few national Elections over 50% of self claimed Catholics supported PRO-Choice [kill the bay] candidates. Another Mortal sin!**

That explains the urgency and the need.