Preparing Catholics to Defend the Church

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Greetings Jeff,

Good article, although I personally don’t feel an adult formation group is the answer. This would be, of course, a good start at educating that portion of the Catholic community that follows their faith in a somewhat routine fashion and who often never get too involved in bible study, study of church history, or apologetics; at least not well eough to defend the faith when the door bell rings.

But a thought came to me while I was reading your article. One of the inner-most problems with defending the faith is that their is no singular writting referrence a Catholic can resort to that he can use to dispell the numerous lies, accusations, and misrepresentations of history when am attack is hurled at the church.

I have written two books myself. One is about computer games; I did that one just for fun. Another is a fictional story of a Franciscan brother - the main point of which was a pro-life speech he gives in the final chapter. I am currently studying/reading up for my next book which will probably require 2-4 years of reading and research before I can write it.

The idea that came to mind while reading your article was to get a number of Catholic writers/apologetics together, including anyone on this forum who cares to contribute, and to produce either a book, or a set of books that can be used by any Catholic as a handy referrence tool to debunk the anti-Catholic rhetoric, as well as offering a factual historic outline that will keep church, civic, and heretical events in context. I know this sounds daunting at first, but all good works are. With numerous writers contributing, it might not take as much time to finish as one might think. Also, even if it occupies lets say 2-4 volumes, it would not be too big a work in the sense that many people resort to and/or quote from William A. Jurgens “The Faith of the Early Fathers,” even though they have never read all three volumes.

Also, I live in the suburbs NW of Chicago. I don’t know offhand where Sheboygan is in Wisconsin, but I wouldn’t mind making the drive there to meet you, if you are interested. Let me know what you think.

Thal59
 
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Thal59:
Greetings Jeff,

Good article, although I personally don’t feel an adult formation group is the answer. This would be, of course, a good start at educating that portion of the Catholic community that follows their faith in a somewhat routine fashion and who often never get too involved in bible study, study of church history, or apologetics; at least not well eough to defend the faith when the door bell rings.

But a thought came to me while I was reading your article. One of the inner-most problems with defending the faith is that their is no singular writting referrence a Catholic can resort to that he can use to dispell the numerous lies, accusations, and misrepresentations of history when am attack is hurled at the church.

I have written two books myself. One is about computer games; I did that one just for fun. Another is a fictional story of a Franciscan brother - the main point of which was a pro-life speech he gives in the final chapter. I am currently studying/reading up for my next book which will probably require 2-4 years of reading and research before I can write it.

The idea that came to mind while reading your article was to get a number of Catholic writers/apologetics together, including anyone on this forum who cares to contribute, and to produce either a book, or a set of books that can be used by any Catholic as a handy referrence tool to debunk the anti-Catholic rhetoric, as well as offering a factual historic outline that will keep church, civic, and heretical events in context. I know this sounds daunting at first, but all good works are. With numerous writers contributing, it might not take as much time to finish as one might think. Also, even if it occupies lets say 2-4 volumes, it would not be too big a work in the sense that many people resort to and/or quote from William A. Jurgens “The Faith of the Early Fathers,” even though they have never read all three volumes.

Also, I live in the suburbs NW of Chicago. I don’t know offhand where Sheboygan is in Wisconsin, but I wouldn’t mind making the drive there to meet you, if you are interested. Let me know what you think.

Thal59
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Dude, I’m in. I’d love to brainstorm with you about ideas to present something fresh, because honestly, there’s a thousand good works out there. Everything from entire books devoted to one topic, to “generalist” pocket-sized apologetics tools. Personally, I’m focing on a different apologetical approach entirely–fun with fiction. 😉 But if you want to hook my brain up to others in parallel, I’d be happy to help. I have a few ideas rolling around upstairs…

PM me anytime.

Cheers,
MM
 
Great idea…

Lets brainstorm away!

PM me with your contact info.

Jeff S.
 
A handy reference is a great idea; I’m just beginning to discover what is already out there myself.

My two favs: Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic

Catholicism and Fundamentalism

Another one I haven’t read yet but am considering:
What Catholics Really Believe-Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith

And of course there’s always the CCC. If that’s too lengthy though, you could try:
Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church

I heard that the Vatican just approved a shortened version of the Catechism, too, but maybe someone else has info on this?
 
How about a web site with printable pamphlets for each issue?
I was recently at a good friend anbd ex-bosses’ house who is Baptist and marvels at me for being a ‘Catholic that actually believes’.
While talking, his daughter yelled from her room “Dad! Where is that bible verse about there being no purgatory? I’m emailing the Catholic I’m saving!”
He blushed, and I yelled back the verse and a few others that she might read before sending…
When I got home I researched more about the issue here and on other sites… a central place would be nice.
Sorry for the run-on reply.
Be Blessed,
CS
 
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Thal59:
The idea that came to mind while reading your article was to get a number of Catholic writers/apologetics together, including anyone on this forum who cares to contribute, and to produce either a book, or a set of books that can be used by any Catholic as a handy referrence tool to debunk the anti-Catholic rhetoric, as well as offering a factual historic outline that will keep church, civic, and heretical events in context.
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Neat idea. Have you ever read “Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma”? It provides some of that.
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Thal59:
I know this sounds daunting at first, but all good works are. With numerous writers contributing, it might not take as much time to finish as one might think. Also, even if it occupies lets say 2-4 volumes,
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I think this will require volumes of supporting material. But perhaps that can be provided on a CD.

I think it will also need some high-ranking clergy as sponsors in order for it to gain widest acceptance and usefulness.

Personally, I think it would be valuable to develop it online and improve it according to feedback to make sure as many concerns are addressed as possible. This forum provides an immense wealth of such concerns and replies that could serve to be a major contribution. There are other sites that are trying to do just this, but the key to a valuable resource will be to make it as concise and clear as possible without excluding any necessary information.

hurst
 
Everything sounds great.

I will start a thread in the “Catholic Living” - “Popular Media” category shortly as I don’t think the apologetics forum would be a good place to start. It will be titled “The Great Adventure.”

Thal59
 
Church Militant:
Did anyone think to look HERE at the Bible study outlines that John Martignoni has put together and which are printable? Between The Bible Christian Society and San Juan Catholic Seminars it is hard to go wrong.
Pax vobiscum,
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I am sure these links are quite beneficial. But what we are trying to do is basically to make a compilation of material into one or more volumes so people will not have to search all over creation for a viable source of information regarding numerous topics.

Thal59
 
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Thal59:
I am sure these links are quite beneficial. But what we are trying to do is basically to make a compilation of material into one or more volumes so people will not have to search all over creation for a viable source of information regarding numerous topics.

Thal59
Click to expand...
Then that is all the more reason to look carefully at the sources I just gave you. San Juan Catholic Seminars series of apologetics booklets will be hard pressed to find a better resources that one can keep readily to hand.
Look at their materials…you will not find more info in one small series for as little $$$.

John Martignoni’s Bible Christian Society material is all there in one place. If ya can’t answer it from those two then I think there’s something wrong with the question. 😃
Pax vobiscum,
 
Church Militant:
Did anyone think to look HERE at the Bible study outlines that John Martignoni has put together and which are printable? Between The Bible Christian Society and San Juan Catholic Seminars it is hard to go wrong.
Pax vobiscum,
Click to expand...
I just checked out the biblechristiansociety and looked at a couple of pamphlets. Unfortunately, they are just brief outlines with room to make notes. The Q&A were interesting but only generic answers as one might find on these forums. I think we need something more thorough yet concise and easier to navigate.

The other site has booklets that cost money, so I was not able to see what content they actually contained, beyond a table of contents and intro.

Thanks for the links.

hurst
 
try “Catholic answeres”'s, “Catholic Servival Guide” or some name close to that. Its a collection of A LOT of apologoetics tracks put into one VERY useful book. Worth every penny. Close to what you’re looking for.
 
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