How does one become an Apologist?

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

I have been wondering abuot this, mainly because I meet (obviously) lots of Non-Catholic people and many non-practicing Catholics.

How does ons go about becoming an Appologetic, or is there an easier way to learn how to speak to these people about Catholocism specifically?

Thanks and Peace in Christ!

 

[PolskiKrol]

Don't you have to be doing somthing wrong before you have to apologise?

Sorry, thats an old stale one i know. Couldnt resist.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Nice.

 

[geocajun]

I engage in apologetics at work by evangelizing everyone I work with
but I do it in such a way that they keep interesting, and come to me with questions.
Apologetics is an art, not a science.

 

[Michelina]

Okay, Coop.

First, you have to acquire a comprehensive and solid knowledge of the Faith.

Second, you have to learn the modes and strategies of argumentation you will encounter.

Third, and most importantly, you need to be an example of what it is to live in Christ.

You seem to be doing very well on the third element!

On the first, you need to study the CCC and know it thoroughly. You can also familiarize yourself with "Catholic Answers" and their resources. This will help you with the second item I mentioned.

Other posters will post other resources but I'll mention Frs. Rumble and Carty's "Radio Replies" as a good place to start learning.

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

Thanks for that.

It does seem like a daunting task, but maybe an important skill to have.

Thanks again!

Peace in Christ.

 

[Maggie893]

Following what Michelina said, these boards are great for understanding people outside of the Faith. I periodically will venture into GA and find a thread that interests me with lots of unbelievers and try to flesh out their real core argument. That helps me see where they are coming from and then, not always immediately I can slowly develop some more knowledge, skill and understandings that will help them move toward faith and around their obstacle.

For instance in a thread on the tsunami's there was a roundabout thought process that God either didn't exist or that He was evil. I kept working through all the logic points I could and trying to keep a single path through it (which isn't always easy!) and finally one person said what I wanted to hear. He said God must be evil because Christians believe that most of the people who died in tsunami were going to hell. When I asked him to substantiate that claim he came back with Matt 7:13 13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

I was impressed that he came back with scripture. I can now understand better why atheists think that either God doesn't exist or is evil so I am working on some dialogue options for future discussions. It also showed me that he and probably most of those that fall into this line of thinking, don't want to strive for heaven, they want it easy. How do we overcome that concept? Another place for me to work out.

So that's just an example of how to learn the modes and strategies of communication that you'll encounter. I have an advantage with protestants in that I was one so that helps me utilize appropriate language that is less likely to confuse the conversation because I know what they are referring to when they use certain words and what we are referring to when using the same words.

As for depth in knowledge of the Church, I am a great believer in reading the writings of the Saints. Start with the Church Doctors. They will give you real life workings of theology to match what you read in the CCC so it becomes liveable, not just for you but for others.

And finally but most important, Pray! I've seen more conversion from prayer than any amount of words.