Is it useful/valid/productive to say to “brainy” Protestants in effect…
“If you disagree with the Catholic Eucharist and the authority of the Catholic Church then you disagree with the two greatest theologians in the history of the world, St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas in addition to the Church Fathers.”
I guess my question implies that St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas especially were given the Gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding. Does the Church have a position on the Gifts and these two specifically? What do you think of the argument?
Depending on the Protestant I can see nothing wrong with citing Augustine and Aquinas. However, these two are not the only Doctors and Fathers you could cite. If the person in question is a woman you might want to cite St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Teresa of Avila or St. Therese of Lisieux. In any case, it couldn’t hurt to make the point that the Catholic Church has many, many people filled with wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
The best modern person to cite is G. K. Chesterton. His writings had a profound effect on such people as C. S. Lewis (High Anglican) and Fulton Sheen, besides many others. Many of his writings, including his greatest books: Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man, can be found online at: G. K. Chesterton’s Works on the Web. GKC also wrote a book about Aquinas which is very readable as well as the best biography of Aquinas ever written, according to experts on the great Saint and Doctor of the Church. It is also online at the website linked above.
I think the thing that helps me the most is remembering how I thought before my conversion. I had my own ideas about God and I liked to think I was right. It was simple human pride, not much else. No one wants to be wrong, least of all when it comes to matters of one’s beliefs.
Although most folks agree that entering into debate with someone about their beliefs with an opening argument isn’t profitable, sometimes, that is just what is needed provided that a person remain charitable and generous. As for intellectualising and such, stick to what you know best, not what you think will impress. Then all that you say will come naturally. Trust Jesus - He said that when the time comes, what you need to say will come from the Father and not from yourselves.
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