UPDATE & "Too early for apologetics?"

[ConflictedBoy]

OK here’s my update. I know I havent been on here in a while, and I apologise for that. School ended TOUGH, I got the flu, I had no sleep, still managed to finish off the semester with As =) and by the grace of God, got done, EVERYTHING i was supposed to get done, including finishing off the season of the orchestra I play in (i play violin) to boot. =) I just remember three weeks ago, praying for mercy from my flu etc, all the while holding my Rosary tight.

Now, I am devoting this summer to regaining my health (ive had some issues the past few months), getting better at my tennis, preparing for advanced science courses i will be taking this Fall, and of course chillin with friends. =)

But a CENTRAL aspect to my summer plans will the study of basic Catholic principles, history, doctrine, scriptural support, etc etc. I am currently reading (and am more than halfway through) Rome Sweet Home, by Scott & Kimberly Hahn. An insightful piece, very useful for those who are just beginning in their walk towards Christ’s true church.

**People: I have pretty much come to regard my conversion to the Catholic Church as an obligation, tho a thoroughly exciting one at that. I am hoping God will give me the courage to tell my parents soon, because until then it would be very hard to attend mass, and to be honest, I long for it. Pray that my family willl understand. I am fairly certain once its out in the open, someone is going to challenge me, just as many did with Scott Hahn when he converted. Pray that I will have the wisdom, to use my academic strangths to compile the right arguments, rebuttals of assertiveness yet reinforcing the love of Christ we must have towards all whom against, we defend our faith. Thank you =)

The next part of this post is a relatively quick question. You see, I have been studying a lot of information regarding Catholic topics and issues. And Already feel quite compelled to venture into apologetics, with any and all i can dialogue with. I already sent a message to an anti-Catholic commentator on youtube, saying that I wish to discuss a few things (he made a video ardently opposed to Humanae Vitae) Question is…it is absurd for one who is not yet a Roman Catholic, and one who has only considered himself Catholic-in-Heart for two months at the most, to be getting into apologetics?

I am sure you have heard of the term “Catholic Intellectual Tradition”, right? Well I feel compelled, to become the best Catholic Intellectual i could possibly be. Or should i WALK before i RUN? Let me know your thought, brothers and sisters in the faith. Thank you, and pray for me, but abouve all… pray that God’s will will be done. =)

 

[Ruben]

…is it is absurd for one who is not yet a Roman Catholic, and one who has only considered himself Catholic-in-Heart for two months at the most, to be getting into apologetics?

I think it is most certainly a grace for you to desire this. Everyone has different gifts in the spirit. I am sure God wants you to use yours.

Some other reflection I would offer is something Fulton Sheen once told some priests during a retreat he was giving, and I believe it applies to us all. It is that “the world is ready to reject every argument, except one, Holiness. The world longs for holiness, and I pray that you deny them not”. I think these words apply to lay faithful as well. He also said “the act of giving a sermon is the art of making the priest. The priest then becomes the sermon.” Again, I believe this would apply as much to our own lay evangelization. We lead others to the truth more by how we live than what we say. The effectiveness of our own testimony will be as successful in as far as we are configured to Christ, especially through the Liturgy and sacraments.

May God bless your witness.

 

[phoage]

A point to consider. As you are no doubt aware, many people, some well meaning, will come up with very valid sounding reasons that you are making an incorrect decision. Apologetics will give you the information to show that they are wrong, at least in your case.

A tried and true method the military uses to train young NCOs is to have them train a class on a skill they are weak in. This requires them to study and get proficient on their own. Your proposed study of apologetics is like unto that.

Good luck.

 

[Catholic1954]

Get your hands on a good CATHOLIC bible and the official “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, read them cover to cover, and go for it!