Very new apologist

[jennypekny]

Hi there. I just want to say that I think this is an awesome resource. I would love to know more about my faith so I can defend it to people who try to challenge me. I feel like there is a sea of knowledge out there. I want to dive in, but don’t really know where to start. I have 2 small children to care for so my time is limited. I’m also not a very good/quick reader, although I have tried to begin books on apologetics, but I can never seem to follow through with reading them. My husband is miles ahead of me on this and he is very helpful, but I want to do something for myself. Any ideas?

 

[Stylite]

jennypekny,

If you can’t get through a book, try reading the short tracts on www.Catholic.com. Also, the Beginning Apologetics series is nice and easy to get into. I think Catholic Answers sells it.

God Bless,
Stylite

 

[theMutant]

You might also try listening to tapes. Catholic Answers has excellent ones as does St. Joseph Communications (saintjoe.com). If you feel up to it, just browse through the forums and find a topic you want to chime in on. You say that your time is limited though so be careful, otherwise you’ll end up like me. (addicted to Catholic Answers Forums)

 

[Matt16_18]

I want to dive in, but don’t really know where to start.

This forum is a good place to start. Try responding to a question in a thread that interests you. Look up what the Church teaches to support your response. When you do that for a thousand or so posts, you will see that you have actually learned a lot about apologetics.

So dive into the pool - and pray for the Holy Spirit to help you swim!

 

[Southernrich]

jennypekny:

I would love to know more about my faith so I can defend it to people who try to challenge me.

I have tried to begin books on apologetics,

There’s a difference between wanting to know more about the faith and being an apologist.

I wouldn’t suggest to anyone that they engage in apologetics unless they are well grounded in the faith.

I hope you have the Catechism. It’s invaluable in knowing our faith. Do you read the Bible? Read it daily (the NT - the OT can wait) and tie what you read to the Catechism. Be sure you know all the fundamental teachings of the Church for the good of your own faith.

In Apologetics, you must know the Scriptures! It’s what Protestants, Evangelicals, and Fundamentalists rely on. They consider the Catechism no more valid than the Qu’ran.

Read Karl Keating’s book on Fundamentalism. You find few Protestants who want to argue about the faith, but lots and lots of Fundies do. Keating has several chapters regarding engaging in apologetics.

Don’t go to the anti-catholic forums until you really know what you’re doing. Those places are snakepits. (from personal experience)

 

[jennypekny]

Thank you for all your responses. I appreciate it. I do have a Catechism book and I will try the suggestions you have given. Thanks so much.

Jenny

 

[theMutant]

Southernrich:

Don’t go to the anti-catholic forums until you really know what you’re doing. Those places are snakepits. (from personal experience)

I didn’t think I hissed!

 

[Stylite]

Southernrich:

There’s a difference between wanting to know more about the faith and being an apologist.

I wouldn’t suggest to anyone that they engage in apologetics unless they are well grounded in the faith.
…
Don’t go to the anti-catholic forums until you really know what you’re doing. Those places are snakepits. (from personal experience)

Southernrich,

Good points. However, there are different levels of apologetics. Being able to give a solid answer to a co-worker or family member without engaging in debate is something most people can do with a little work. Something like getting into a “study” with the Jehovah’s Witnesses is a bit harder and requires much more study (and patience ).

-Stylite

 

[Southernrich]

Stylite:

Something like getting into a “study” with the Jehovah’s Witnesses is a bit harder and requires much more study (and patience ).

-Stylite

You are quite right. But, calling a discussion with a JW “a bit harder” is like saying that whipping up a nine course dinner with wines for 30 is “a bit harder” than making yourself a sandwich!

And patience? Hahaha! How about like that of a Saint!

 

[Charles]

Good for you Jenny! All of the suggestions here are good. Also be thinking about what it is you want to get out of the knowledge you will be gaining. Your first priority is probably the education of your children, and instructing them will be a bit different than spending a couple hours in the parlor with your friendly neighborhood fundementalist!

The catechism is an excellent resource, but I don’t recommend you read it cover to cover for your first book (I think everyone should read the whole thing at least once, but not for your first foray). I have found Karl Keating’s books to be very readable (Catholicism and Fundementalism and The Usual Suspects), as well as books by Scott Hahn.

Whatever you do, make sure it is a part of a good prayer life. I wish you all the best, enjoy yourself!!

 

[gomer_tree]

This will echo some thoughts, but I would highly recommend starting with Chacon & Burnham’s “Beginning Apologetics” series. It is relatively brief, and gives the highlights on all the important topics.

Then, I would move to Keating’s “Catholicism & Fundamentalism.” By the time you are done with both, you will have hit most of the main defenses. Sure, you won’t have them all memorized, but if it does nothing else it will probably make a lot of light bulbs go on and make you feel more grounded.

One thing I did while I went through those a few years ago was that I would look up every Bible reference. Another good thing to do is to get the larger Catechism that has the cross references in the back so you can see if any Catechism paragraphs refer to the text in question. This will take a little longer, but it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the locations of all the hard-hitting Bible verses and Catechism texts. By the time you’re done with all that, you’ll then have a good idea of where you need to go for more information on specific topics of interest.