Why aren't all Catholics trained in apologetics

[Cpl_Ferro]

I see Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses about, and they can argue their religion to a man. They also seem to be fulfilling what I gather is a scriptural injunction to actually witness to one’s faith, rather than complacently dwelling in it, presumably on Sundays only. Thus, why aren’t all Catholics educated to be apologists, at least on a basic level? Wouldn’t that help the religion expand and reclaim all the ground lost since the Reformation?

 

[AmbroseSJ]

Yes, knowledge of their faith is sadly lacking with the vast majority of Catholics.

It is getting progressively worse too. Now even some of the clergy are barely able to defend their own faith, particularly the younger set. I’m speaking of the US here.

Maybe an informed laity can arrest this downward spiral. They won’t be getting much help from the clergy though.

 

[Fidelis]

I see Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses about, and they can argue their religion to a man. They also seem to be fulfilling what I gather is a scriptural injunction to actually witness to one’s faith, rather than complacently dwelling in it, presumably on Sundays only. Thus, why aren’t all Catholics educated to be apologists, at least on a basic level? Wouldn’t that help the religion expand and reclaim all the ground lost since the Reformation?

I hear you cluckin’, big chicken! I’ve taught a nine week apologetics class in my 2000 member parish for the last few years. It starts out big, but by the end we’re usually left with a 10-12 faithful remnant. These are the ones who have to be leaven for the rest.

If you are not part of the solution, you are implicitly part of the problem. Hit the books, aproach your parish, and start your own classes!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I see Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses about, and they can argue their religion to a man. They also seem to be fulfilling what I gather is a scriptural injunction to actually witness to one’s faith, rather than complacently dwelling in it, presumably on Sundays only. Thus, why aren’t all Catholics educated to be apologists, at least on a basic level? Wouldn’t that help the religion expand and reclaim all the ground lost since the Reformation?

Their too busy! That’s why they can’t come to Adult Faith Formation.

 

[LilyM]

There’s the small matter of numbers as well - roughly 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide. Makes educating them, or even the majority of them, just a tad bit difficult.

 

[paul_c]

I don’t particularly think its necessary for all Catholics to be trained in apologetics. There are many roles to fill in the body of Christ. Some are teachers, some do good works, some evangelize, each according to their interest and skills. Not everyone is cut out to be an apologist.

If people are motivated to become apologist, it is much easier to do nowadays with the internet. All the information is readily available on the computer, there are wonderful chatrooms like this to ask questions and to learn more intensely than most classroom offerings would allow and of course, the internet gives you dozens of places to practice apologetics on line.

By the way, I disagree with the statement that our young priests are undertrained though. In our parish in upstate NY, we have had new priests out of the seminary twice in the last 4 years. They have been very well trained and are in fact, driving increased devotion in our parish.

 

[jean8]

I see Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses about, and they can argue their religion to a man. They also seem to be fulfilling what I gather is a scriptural injunction to actually witness to one’s faith, rather than complacently dwelling in it, presumably on Sundays only. Thus, why aren’t all Catholics educated to be apologists, at least on a basic level? Wouldn’t that help the religion expand and reclaim all the ground lost since the Reformation?

Cpl,
Mormons and JW. have their own Bible written by heretics. Christians have the very word of God. (2Tim.3:16) All scripture is God-breathed. So rest easy.

You may want to do some checking on what these two churches teach. And how they were able to lead so many people astray… Joseph Smith is responsible for the Mormon heresy and Taze Russell for the J.W. You may want to look them up on the net.
It’s good to be informed.

God bless you,
jean8

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

Well, not all Catholics have to be trained in apologetics, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing your part off-line to help your fellow Catholics get their edumacations

It could consist of nothing more than getting a few Catholic Answers tracts and getting permission from your pastor to set them out in the back of your church.

A neighboring parish has procured a number of CDs containing talks from famous Catholic speakers via lighthousecatholicmedia.com/

Good stuff.

 

[jean8]

Well, not all Catholics have to be trained in apologetics, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing your part off-line to help your fellow Catholics get their edumacations

It could consist of nothing more than getting a few Catholic Answers tracts and getting permission from your pastor to set them out in the back of your church.

A neighboring parish has procured a number of CDs containing talks from famous Catholic speakers via lighthousecatholicmedia.com/

Good stuff.

Tim,
Good idea.
What’s this about bad preaching? It just means someone is listening.

God bless,
jean8

 

[Teflon93]

I think there’s some selection bias here. Not all JWs can explain/defend their faith. The ones you encounter and realize are JWs/Mormons are on their missions and have been trained to do what they do. That training is very shallow, as Catholics here have found when getting them off their talking points. They are usually armed with a handful of verses and woefully unable to discuss history, theology, and the whole of Scripture.

My question is a bit different: having the benefit of a written Catechism, why don’t more Catholics simply read it?

 

[paul_c]

I think there’s some selection bias here. Not all JWs can explain/defend their faith. The ones you encounter and realize are JWs/Mormons are on their missions and have been trained to do what they do. That training is very shallow, as Catholics here have found when getting them off their talking points. They are usually armed with a handful of verses and woefully unable to discuss history, theology, and the whole of Scripture.

My question is a bit different: having the benefit of a written Catechism, why don’t more Catholics simply read it?

In fact, why don’t all Catholics attend mass. If they did at least that, they would get some scriptural training (and of course, benefit for the Graces associated with the eucharist.

 

[Teflon93]

In fact, why don’t all Catholics attend mass. If they did at least that, they would get some scriptural training (and of course, benefit for the Graces associated with the eucharist.

Absolutely right!

Simply reading the Catechism without going to Mass would be like claiming to understand football by reading playbooks.

 

[Fidelis]

In fact, why don’t all Catholics attend mass. If they did at least that, they would get some scriptural training (and of course, benefit for the Graces associated with the eucharist.

Well, I don’t know about Scriptural training just from attending, but at least they would hear the Scripture readings *proclaimed *once a week.

 

[puzzleannie]

I see Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses about, and they can argue their religion to a man. They also seem to be fulfilling what I gather is a scriptural injunction to actually witness to one’s faith, rather than complacently dwelling in it, presumably on Sundays only. Thus, why aren’t all Catholics educated to be apologists, at least on a basic level? Wouldn’t that help the religion expand and reclaim all the ground lost since the Reformation?

because Catholic adults in general stay away from anything resembling adult education in the faith once they are confirmed. The education is there for the taking here and in many other venues, but they don’t take advantage of it. If I knew the reason why I would be responsible for the biggest revolution the Church has ever seen.

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

Tim,
Good idea.
What’s this about bad preaching? It just means someone is listening.

God bless,
jean8

Well, it is a quote from one of my brother’s (who is currently in the college seminary) classmates who is a former Protestant. It is a response to those who insist on by-the-book liturgies, as if that were the only thing that mattered, while in fact priests who are likely to commit such liturgical abuses usually deliver hollow or heterodoxical homilies. Such homilies fail to enlighten or inspire the congregants or even explain the readings. Many Portestants, despite that the lack a valid Eucharist, manage to develop a relatively mature spirituality because of the skill of their pastors in preaching. Does this make sense?

 

[ziapueblo]

I agree that we do not have to be trained apologists. However, we must all have at least a basic understanding of our faith. Every Catholic should be able to explain and defend the Sacraments.

I am often on the Eastern Catholic Forum and they may argue, and would agree, that the Latin-Rite is not properly catechized compared to the Eastern-Rites. May be that’s just a U.S. thing Does anyone have a take on this?

God bless,
ZP

 

[Teflon93]

Many Portestants, despite that the lack a valid Eucharist, manage to develop a relatively mature spirituality because of the skill of their pastors in preaching. Does this make sense?

I think that’s pure “grass is greener” stuff.

Our Protestant friends believe a hodgepodge of contradictory nonsense. Those of the Calvinist strain come closest to consistency, but of course do so at the expense of humanity and the clear teaching of Christ in the Beatitudes and elsewhere.

When my wife and I discuss spiritual matters with them, the shallowness of their knowledge and application is obvious. They are religious—they go to services at least once a week and are active in their particular communities. They strive to live Christian lives. But a well thought out spirituality they lack.

Having attended their services and listened to their pastors, most of whom are quite charismatic, we were underwhelmed. My wife’s term for it is “baby stuff” because the spiritual gruel is thin indeed.

We are fortunate because both of our priests are very hard-hitting homilists—we walk away with a meaty portion of theology each Mass despite it being brief, to the point, and intended to educate and edify rather than entertain.

Our friends are becoming more Catholic as a result and are certainly much more open to the Church than before we converted. This is not because my wife and I are all that knowledgeable or all that persuasive in conversation but rather because those subsisting on weak tea hunger naturally for something more nourishing.

That and they’re sick of the endless schism because the youth minister and pastor don’t get along.

 

[Teflon93]

I agree that we do not have to be trained apologists. However, we must all have at least a basic understanding of our faith. Every Catholic should be able to explain and defend the Sacraments.

I am often on the Eastern Catholic Forum and they may argue, and would agree, that the Latin-Rite is not properly catechized compared to the Eastern-Rites. May be that’s just a U.S. thing Does anyone have a take on this?

God bless,
ZP

I have only a small sample of personal acquaintances of the Eastern Catholic persuasion and thought at first that their catechesis was better, only to find that their formal education was sound—they simply don’t agree with much of it!

This certainly may not be typical of Eastern Catholics—these were urban yuppie types. Such things may go with the territory there.

I would hope that if our son has the benefit of education through Christian Brothers as my interlocutors did that he will not be so cavalier about the teachings of the faith imparted to him.

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

I think that’s pure “grass is greener” stuff.

Our Protestant friends believe a hodgepodge of contradictory nonsense. Those of the Calvinist strain come closest to consistency, but of course do so at the expense of humanity and the clear teaching of Christ in the Beatitudes and elsewhere.

When my wife and I discuss spiritual matters with them, the shallowness of their knowledge and application is obvious. They are religious—they go to services at least once a week and are active in their particular communities. They strive to live Christian lives. But a well thought out spirituality they lack.

Having attended their services and listened to their pastors, most of whom are quite charismatic, we were underwhelmed. My wife’s term for it is “baby stuff” because the spiritual gruel is thin indeed.

We are fortunate because both of our priests are very hard-hitting homilists—we walk away with a meaty portion of theology each Mass despite it being brief, to the point, and intended to educate and edify rather than entertain.

Our friends are becoming more Catholic as a result and are certainly much more open to the Church than before we converted. This is not because my wife and I are all that knowledgeable or all that persuasive in conversation but rather because those subsisting on weak tea hunger naturally for something more nourishing.

That and they’re sick of the endless schism because the youth minister and pastor don’t get along.

Well, I am only going on what my brother told me, based on what he had heard in turn from his former Protestant classmate.

 

[Teflon93]

Well, I am only going on what my brother told me, based on what he had heard in turn from his former Protestant classmate.

I hear you—as always, the question is how representative the sample is of the population as a whole. My hypothesis is that Protestants are more likely to read the Bible and less likely to understand Christianity.