Writing an apologetics paper; need sources

[TarkanAttila]

Hey guys.

I’m writing an apologetics essay for my Comp II class defending the Catholic Faith. I have narrowed down the topic to defending it so as to speak to atheists. I think the topic will also be on the subject of Church authority (if that is not too narrow a subject).

Why authority? It seems to be the most important keystone in the Church, and in Christianity. After all, if Christ and the Magisterium truly have no authority, Christianity is a lie and we ought to be rid of it. Also, people seem to have the most trouble with authority - namely, who has it. Atheists (and many Protestants for that matter) seem to think the authority to interpret Scripture rests on them, not on the body of theology collected over the past 2000 years by the Church (including history). Not to mention, these days people seem to be very rebellious and anti-authoritarian.

So I have my topic. My audience. My subject. Now I need some sources. (New) Atheist arguments against Catholicism (and authority), Christian arguments for Christianity (and Christ’s authority), and Catholic arguments for Catholicism above all (and the Pope above all, save Christ naturally). Books would be preferable.

I have C.S. Lewis’s “Mere Christianity” under my belt for starters. Any other suggestions?

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

… my dear friend ,

… i don’t have time to show resolutions to all atheistic arguments as they are plenty , but i’ll offer you the resolve of one that has dogged man and the church for millenia and never been answered by any satisfactorily that may help with your work, i’ll quote the argument first then give the answer ,

Problems With Divine Omnipotence

Omnipotence is a part of the concept of deity; God, if he exists, is omnipotent. It is sometimes argued, however, that the concept of omnipotence is paradoxical, logically incoherent, and so that it is logically impossible that there be any being that is omnipotent. This position, if it can be sustained, precludes the existence of God.

The argument that the concept of omnipotence is paradoxical is best introduced by presenting the theist with a dilemma. Any one of a variety of questions—e.g. “Can God create a rock so heavy that he cannot lift it?” or “Can God create a law that binds himself?”—might be posed in order to introduce this dilemma.
For each of these questions, God, if he exists, will either be capable or incapable of performing the feat described. The atheistic argument is that either alternative forces the conclusion that God is not omnipotent. The argument, constructed using the first of the questions above, therefore has the following structure:
The Paradox of Omnipotence

(1) God either can or cannot create a rock that is so heavy that he cannot lift it.
(2) If God can create a rock that is so heavy that he cannot lift it, then God is not omnipotent.
(3) If God cannot create a rock that is so heavy that he cannot lift it, then God is not omnipotent.
Therefore:
(4) God is not omnipotent.
(5) If God exists then he is omnipotent.
Therefore:
(6) God does not exist.
The controversial premises of this argument are the second and the third. Proponents of the argument defend these premises in the following way. If God can create a rock that is so heavy that he cannot lift it, then there is something that he cannot do, namely lift the rock in question. If God cannot create a rock that is so heavy that he cannot lift it, then there is something that he cannot do, namely create such a rock. Either way, then, there is something that God cannot do, and if there is something that he cannot do then he cannot be omnipotent.
One response the paradox of omnipotence is to attempt to dissolve the problem. GB Keene argued that statements such as “God cannot create a stone so heavy that he cannot lift it”, despite their superficial linguistic structure, affirm rather than deny God’s power.
The most common theistic response to the problem, however, rests on the thought that omnipotence is limited by logical possibility. An omnipotent being, it is suggested, is one that can bring about any logically possible state of affairs. The existence of a rock so heavy that God cannot lift it, though, is arguably a logically impossible state of affairs. God’s inability to create such a rock, it is claimed, therefore does not count against his being omnipotent.

… answer : i’ll give a few examples in answer : take a consecrated communion wafer or host , that is god , and put a little rock on it , and you’ll see that god cannot lift it , but if god performs a miracle he can lift it , sounds funny but true ,

… we see in jesus’ life here he was unable to do things being restricted by the laws of physics , but when he wanted he could do anything miraculously , and not be restricted by the laws of physics , it is not unreasonable to assume jesus could not lift heavy rocks but if he wanted he could perform a miracle and lift the heavy rocks ,

… the ultimate answer to this question is : god can create laws and rules if he wants to , and god can choose to be subject to those laws and rules if he wants to , and no matter what god always remains omnipotent ,

… where all have come unstuck on this problem for millenia is not recognising that it is the laws of physics that govern whether god can lift such a rock or not , and as i say god can choose to be subject to the laws of physics if he wants to or not , and always remains omnipotent no matter what ,

there are other arguments in the same vein like can god create a force so powerful he cannot resist it , the answer is of course he can , as said : the ultimate answer to this question is : god can create laws and rules if he wants to , and god can choose to be subject to those laws and rules if he wants to , and no matter what god always remains omnipotent ,

… hope i’ve been helpful dear friend , good luck too ,

… god bless and love you ,

… john …

 

[Defender1]

Hey guys.

I’m writing an apologetics essay for my Comp II class defending the Catholic Faith. I have narrowed down the topic to defending it so as to speak to atheists. I think the topic will also be on the subject of Church authority (if that is not too narrow a subject).

Why authority? It seems to be the most important keystone in the Church, and in Christianity. After all, if Christ and the Magisterium truly have no authority, Christianity is a lie and we ought to be rid of it. Also, people seem to have the most trouble with authority - namely, who has it. Atheists (and many Protestants for that matter) seem to think the authority to interpret Scripture rests on them, not on the body of theology collected over the past 2000 years by the Church (including history). Not to mention, these days people seem to be very rebellious and anti-authoritarian.

So I have my topic. My audience. My subject. Now I need some sources. (New) Atheist arguments against Catholicism (and authority), Christian arguments for Christianity (and Christ’s authority), and Catholic arguments for Catholicism above all (and the Pope above all, save Christ naturally). Books would be preferable.

I have C.S. Lewis’s “Mere Christianity” under my belt for starters. Any other suggestions?

I know of two books by two well known authors in the Catholic EWTN world . Patrick Madrid wrote “The Godless Delusion " a book that directly argues Dawkins"God Delusion” . Another Book that could be read is Scott Hauns " Answering the New Atheism "Another book written directly to counter Dawkins book.These books will be very helpful is arguing Atheism.The Catholic argument has endless books to read.Pick up a cheap pocket guide to Catholic apologetics by Patrick Madrid . There are is also this “Beginning Apologetics” series as well . Its a series that has the subjects of answering Muslims , Defending the Eucharist , Explaining Mary and the RCC , answering Jahova’s Witness and Mormons , Answering Atheists . Your local Catholic book store should have all of them .One book to get is "Ignatius of Antioch " It has 7 letters that this Bishop Ignatius wrote around 110 AD . He was a student of John the Apostles , who was of course a direct student of Jesus . He mentions in his letters the Eucharist in sharing the same belief about it as the Catholic church shares today . He also wrote the first known letter mentioning the Catholic church by name. Also The Didache(teaching of the twelve written around 50-60 AD) is a great book supporting the Roman Catholic church as the church .It has the same practices as we do .It also has the importance of the Eucharist.
Now I have mentioned some detailed books on your request. I happen to have a blog that has more arguments against Atheism . I have a blog on the Pagan historians with Christ recorded in their writings and specific miracles and points supporting them as.well. Many atheists will claim that America was not founded on Christian morals. I have a blog on that subject as well proving their point wrong . I also have a blog dedicated to giving explanation for the Catholic faith while using scripture . It has the subjects of Saint intercession, Purgatory/prayers for the dead , no salvation by faith alone, Pope Peter Deuterocanonical books are scriptural and valid , Mary mother of God etc…Hope I helped in any way .