"I’m sorry. I’m really very sorry. I wish I could
convey to you how deeply sorry I truly am."

The speaker was a poker-faced Karl Keating, founder and president of Catholic Answers, an apostolate dedicated to the defense of the Catholic Faith. Addressing a crowd of several hundred in central California, he stepped back and paused for a few moments, letting his introductory words settle in.

"There you have it," he said, moving to the microphone, "a demonstration of what so many people think a Catholic apologist does."

The well-received joke played on the fact that "apologetics" is not a common word in the vocabulary of many Catholics. When introduced to the term, more than a few people wonder if it means apologizing for something. As Keating noted, "Some people think that an apologist is someone who travels the country apologizing for being a Catholic."

The Meaning of Apologetics

"Apologetics" is derived from the Greek root wordapologia. In ancient Greece it referred to a formal defense of a belief, an explanation or argument for one’s philosophy or religion. The word occurs several times in the New Testament, including sections of the Gospels, seeking to persuade unbelievers of the truth claims of the Church, especially the unique nature of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Standing before a tribunal in Jerusalem, the imprisoned Paul states, "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense [apologia] which I now offer to you" (Acts 22:1). In his epistle to the Philippians the Apostle to the Gentiles states that one of his tasks was to make a "defense of the Gospel." Perhaps the best-known appearance of the word in the Bible is in Peter’s first epistle: "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15).

Catholic apologetics is the defense and explanation of the teachings, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic Church. Its goal is to remove objections, shed light on difficult or misunderstood matters, and ultimately help win minds and souls for Jesus Christ. Apologetics is the activity of helping people answer the question: "Why should I be Catholic?" It does so by engaging the mind to reach the heart.

Unfortunately, apologetics has a negative connotation for some Christians, including more than a few Catholics. For these people, Avery Cardinal Dulles notes inA History of Apologetics, "the apologist is regarded as an aggressive, opportunistic person who tries, by fair means or by foul, to argue people into joining the Church." As Cardinal Dulles notes, there have undoubtedly been some bad apologists for the Catholic Faith. Apologists can be unduly argumentative, contentious, mean-spirited, triumphalistic, and arrogant. They can offend unbelievers just as easily as they defend Christian beliefs.

The Dos and Don’ts of Apologetics

However, apologetics should not be dismissed because of misuse or misunderstandings. The value and place of apologetics is best judged by looking to the finest defenders of Catholicism: Paul and Peter, Justin Martyr, Eusebius, Augustine, Aquinas, de Sales, Pascal, Newman, Chesterton, and even Pope John Paul II. These men dealt with pagans, Jews, Muslims, Protestants, agnostics, and atheists, adapting their methods and styles according to their audience while never deviating from the truth.

Most importantly, they are saints first, apologists second. They are men of holiness and prayer. A consistent and vital life of prayer is imperative for the apologist, especially since he is often under attack, verbally, spiritually, and, on occasion, physically. Prayer leads to a deeper knowledge of God and truth. "The closer the apologists grows to God in prayer," writes apologist (and president of Ignatius Press) Mark Brumley inHow Not To Share Your Faith, "the more intense his hatred of error and his desire that all men know the truth; the more intense his desire to use apologetics to help bring people to the truth."

Knowledge of the Faith is necessary, of course, since the Church’s teaching about Jesus Christ, or the Eucharist, or the communion of saints cannot be defended without knowing something of substance about them. There is much to comprehend about the Catholic Church and her teachings, but the most basic study materials should include the Bible and theCatechism of the Catholic Church, augmented by solid works of biblical and theological scholarship. The good news is that publishers such asIgnatius Press,Sophia Institute Press, Our Sunday Visitor and others have been publishing quality works of popular and scholarly apologetics for several decades. Classic texts by John Cardinal Newman, G.K. Chesterton, Ronald Knox, Frank Sheed, and other leading apologists of the nineteenth- and twentieth-century are in print and readily available. Contemporary authors Thomas Howard, Karl Keating, Peter Kreeft, Patrick Madrid, Mark Shea, Rev. Peter Stravinskas, and many others have produced an impressive array of books addressing modern challenges to the Catholic Faith, including fundamentalist Protestantism, secularism, feminism, and relativism.

All Catholics should have some basic knowledge of apologetics since they will all undoubtedly encounter questions and challenges about what they believe. When challenged to explain why and what they believe, Catholics should keep in mind what apologetics can and cannot do.

Apologetics should remove objections or false ideas about Catholicism. For example, when asked why Catholics worship Mary, the apologist should be able to explain that Catholics do not, in fact, worship Mary, but worship God alone, clarifying the nature of "worship" and the role of Mary in the life of her Son and in the Church. Much good can come of simply breaking down stereotypical ideas and misunderstandings that are far more prevalent in American culture than some Catholics appreciate.

Apologetics presents reasoned evidence for Catholic doctrine. Doctrines such as the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Real Presence of the Eucharist cannot be proven through logic or scientific method, but good arguments can be made that they are reasonable and not contrary to logic, even though they transcend the limits of human understanding. A good example of this are the evidences offered by Thomas Aquinas for the existence of God: they logically show that it is more reasonable to believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing Creator and Designer than to believe that the universe is the result of blind chance.

Apologetics should prepare the heart for conversion through an appeal to the intellect. Peter Kreeft writes inFundamentals of the Faith, "Remember that the purpose of apologetics is not just to win the head but to win the heart through the head." The goal of apologetics is never to demonstrate the intelligence and wit of the apologist, but to invite others into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In the case of apologists who deal with anti-Catholic Protestants, the goal is an invitation into the fullness of Christ’s Church. Even in the midst of conflict, focus on conversion; while addressing the head, aim for the heart.

Apologetics cannotdemonstratethe truth of the Catholic Faith.There are limits to apologetics arguments, no matter how sound and good they are. The hypostatic union and transubstantiation cannot be proven in the way that the existence of gravity or the chemical makeup of water can be proven. Put another way, the apologist has to respect both the reachandthe limits of argument and reason while bearing in mind the nature of faith, which is a gift from God.

Likewise, the apologist cannot force, by sheer reason, people to believe. Humans are not calculating machines who crisply process information and then make perfect, understandable decisions. Good apologetics respects the dignity and free will of each person, even when challenging persons to consider serious reasons to believe the claims made by the Catholic Church. Defending the Faith should not be about winning arguments, but presenting truth. As the old saying goes, "Win an argument, lose a convert."

The apologist does not win souls–that is the work of the Holy Spirit.The knowledge of an accomplished apologist can potentially tempt him to lose the humility necessary to clearly understand his work. That work is always dependent on God’s grace. Which is yet another reason that constant prayer and reflection are keys to healthy apologetic activities.

Telling Your Story

One of best apologetic methods is personal testimony. In a recent article inFirst Thingsmagazine titled"The Rebirth of Apologetics"(May 2004), Cardinal Dulles writes, "The apologetics of personal testimony is particularly suited to the genius of Catholicism. In the act of Catholic faith, reliance on testimony goes out indivisibly to Christ and to the Church through which he continues his mission in the world. Such testimony invites us not only to individual conversion but to communion with the whole body of believers." This thought echoes theCatechism of the Catholic Church, which explains that the sacrament of confirmation gives Catholics "the special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross" (CCC 1303).

The new evangelization promoted and articulated by Pope John Paul II emphasizes the importance of ordinary Catholics sharing their testimonies of faith with others. Dry facts and logical arguments may leave many people cold, but few cannot resist the story of a soul transformed and made anew by God’s grace. In this way the exhortation of the first pope can be realized in the life of every Catholic: "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence." No apologies necessary.

Portion of an article originally published inOur Sunday Visitor.

Review Questions on the Article:

1. What do many people mistakenly think an apologist does?

2. What did the word apologia refer to in ancient Greek?

3.What is Catholic Apologetics? What is its goal?

4. Why do apologists sometimes elicit a negative image?

5. Why is a consistent life of prayer imperative for the apologist?

6. Why is a consistent life of prayer imperative for the apologist?

7. What are the basic study materials of an apologist?

8. Why should all Catholics have basic knowledge of the apologetics?

9. What are six things apologetics can and cannot do?

10. What does the “new evangelization” emphasized by Pope John Paul II stress the importance of sharing personal testimonies of faith?

Recommended Works of Catholic Apologetics:

  • Catholicism and Fundamentalismby Karl Keating
  • What Catholics Really Believeby Karl Keating
  • Controversies: High-Level Catholic Apologeticsby Karl Keating
  • Evangelical Is Not Enoughby Thomas Howard
  • Lead, Kindly Light: My Journey to Romeby Thomas Howard
  • Theology and Sanityby Frank Sheed
  • The Fundamentals of the Faithby Peter Kreeft
  • Orthodoxyby G.K. Chesterton
  • The Belief of Catholicsby Ronald Knox
  • How Not To Share Your Faith: The Seven Deadly Sins of Catholic Apologetics and Evangelizationby Mark Brumley
  • Handbook of Christian Apologeticsby Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli, S.J.
  • Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholicby David Currie
  • Upon This Rockby Stephen K. Ray

QUESTIONS ON THE ARTICLE

  1. What do many people mistakenly think an apologist does? Apologizes for something
  1. What did the word apologia refer to in ancient Greek? In ancient Greek it referred to a formal defense of a belief, an explanation or argument for one’s philosophy or religion.
  1. What is Catholic Apologetics? What is its goal? Catholic apologetics is the defense and explanation of the teachings, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic Church. Its goal is to remove objections, shed light on difficult or misunderstood matters, and ultimately help win minds and souls for Jesus Christ.
  1. Why do apologists sometimes elicit a negative image? Avery Cardinal Dulles notes inA History of Apologetics, "the apologist is regarded as an aggressive, opportunistic person who tries, by fair means or by foul, to argue people into joining the Church."
  1. What thingscan be learned from the greatest defenders of Catholicism? These men dealt with pagans, Jews, Muslims, Protestants, agnostics, and atheists, adapting their methods and styles according to their audience while never deviating from the truth. Most importantly, they are saints first, apologists second. They are men of holiness and prayer.
  1. Why is a consistent life of prayer imperative for the apologist? A consistent and vital life of prayer is imperative for the apologist, especially since he is often under attack, verbally, spiritually, and, on occasion, physically. Prayer leads to a deeper knowledge of God and truth. "The closer the apologists grows to God in prayer," writes apologist Mark Brumley inHow Not To Share Your Faith, "the more intense his hatred of error and his desire that all men know the truth; the more intense his desire to use apologetics to help bring people to the truth."
  1. What are the basic study materials of an apologist? These should include the Bible, the Catechism, augmented by solid works of biblical and theological scholarship.
  1. Why should all Catholics have basic knowledge of the apologetics? All Catholics should have some basic knowledge of apologetics since they will all undoubtedly encounter questions and challenges about what they believe.
  1. What are six things apologetics can and cannot do?

(a) Apologetics should remove objections of false ideas about Catholicism – e.g., why Catholics worship Mary

(b) Apologetics presents reasoned evidence for Catholic doctrine – doctrines cannot be proven through logic or scientific method, but good arguments can be made that are reasonable and not contrary to logic, tho they transcend the limits of human understanding.

(c) Apologetics should prepare the heart for conversion through an appeal to the intellect – it means to not just win the head but also the heart through the head

(d) Apologetics cannot demonstrate the truth of the Catholic faith – we must respect both the reach and limits of argument and reason while bearing in mind the nature of faith, which is a gift from God

(e) Likewise, the apologist cannot force, by sheer reason, people to believe – defending Faith should not be about winning arguments, but preserving truth.

(f) The apologist does not win souls – that is the work of the Holy Spirit. The work is always dependent on God’s grace.

  1. What does the “new evangelization” emphasized by Pope John Paul II stress the importance of sharing personal testimonies of faith? Dry facts and logical arguments may leave many people cold, but few cannot resist the story of a soul transformed and made anew by God’s grace.