Apologetics 101 by Bernz O. Caasi
"DEFEND THE FAITH CLEARLY WITHOUT BEING PREACHY"
- Apologetics is not an isolated practice in the faith.
- As Matthew 28:19 – 20 shows us, defending the faith includes making disciples, baptizing (sacramental life), and teaching (apologetics and catechesis).
- Apologetics is not just about argumentation, it’s really about communion and conversion.
- St. John Paul II, help us remember that the Eucharist should always be our goal in evangelization.
2. Deepen out interior life
- a deep and vibrant prayer life is important in apologetics for it will make our practice and experience not just an intellectual pursuit but as a spiritual journey.
- “You say that you don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and once you have said, 'Lord, I don't know how to pray!' rest assured that you have begun to do so.” (The Way, 90).
3. Deepen out Doctrinal Formation
- it’s necessary for us to remain grounded on the unchanging truths of Scripture and Tradition
- We have books, audiobooks, podcasts, online courses, online shows, and other means we can use to deepen our Catholic formation
-“You say that you don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and once you have said, 'Lord, I don't know how to pray!' rest assured that you have begun to do so.” (The Way, 90).
4. Be guided by a mentor and a spiritual director
- Through this accompaniment and guidance in our “unboxing journey,” we see how the sublime truths of the faith can be lived out in our personal lives and circumstances.
5. Frequent the Sacraments
- Apologetics is not just about defending ideas.
- It’s about contemplating a face.
- It’s about encountering a person (Jesus Christ) and falling in love with him and His family (the saints and the Church).
- lead people to a sacramental and personal communion with our Lord.
- We cannot give what we do not have.
- We need the grace of the Lord’s presence in Confession and Communion so that we can lead others closer to Him.
6. Develop our Virtues
- Our faith invites us to give a holistic testimony of our encounter with Christ.
- As St. Paul VI reminded us in Evangelii Nuntiandi, modern man listens to witnesses than just merely teachers. He listens to teachers because they are
first and foremost witnesses.
7. Listen with the intent to understand rather than with the intent to prove others wrong
- While we hold in high esteem those who can engage in formal organized debates on apologetics, we must remember that evangelization is also based on dialogue and not just on debate.
- In a dialogue, our intention is to listen and accompany the person from where s/he is now until s/he gradually realizes the truth and beauty of our faith.
- This is done through patient, personal relationships built on friendship and confidence.
8. Agree with the other persons as much as you can
- Pope Francis reminds us to focus on people not ideologies, faces not ideas.
- The path of dialogue begins by opening up possibilities of mutual understanding and further meaningful encounter and discussion.
- Beginning on a common ground will help reduce tension and dispel prejudices.
9. Lead the other person to reflection by asking questions
- More often, these ideologies seeped into their consciousness without them being able to analyze their truthfulness - it can be very convenient to just conclude Catholicism is wrong.
- However, when we start asking questions like “How did you come to believe in that?” or “Why do you think that’s true?” we are giving the other person a chance to reflect on his positions
10. Include an imaginary person in the conversation
- Instead of saying, “You’re wrong,” we can dispel the tension by including an imaginary third person in the conversation.
- “What would you tell someone who says____?”
- For example, in explaining why we pray to Mary and the saints, a Catholic might ask in a dialogue: “What would you tell someone who says that Catholics ask the prayers of Mary and the saints just as Protestant would ask their pastors to pray for them? How are they different?”
- By doing this, you and the other person become “partners in dialogue, seeking the truth” rather than just two people trying to win in an argument.
