APOLOGETICS: Called to defend, share faith

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Nov. 8, 2007

Apologetics is not a fancy word for saying your sorry.

In relation to the Catholic Church, the term means the theology of defending the faith.

Mark Thomason, diocesan director of catechesis, evangelization and R.C.I.A., said, apologetics is more than standing up for the faith when someone is attacking it. It is having the knowledge to prove the beliefs.

"I think apologetics is becoming much more on people's radar because of the need," he said. "We live in the world and we need to share our faith."

Faith and reason

The Catholic Church, said Thomason, is trying to reaffirm its belief that faith and reason are not opposed to each other. In fact, the two go with one another.

He acknowledged that this concept can be a huge hurdle for many.

"We think of science as reason and faith as belief," he said. "We've all been indoctrinated into scientific mentality where we can dissect it, experiment, prove it - to be able to reason through things. The faith is not unreasonable, so the two are really connected."

Faith and reason, noted Thomason, has been a constant theme of the Catholic Church. That theme in particular was affirmed at Vatican I. He mentioned that Pope Pius IX had some writings on that theme and Pope John Paul II wrote an encyclical on the relationship between Faith and Reason, Fides Et Ratio.

"To be able to defend and prove your faith, we should start with the connection between faith and reason," said Thomason.

If an atheist questions the existence of God, he said, a response of "it's in the Bible" won't work because they don't believe in that holy book. That's why it's important that people study their faith and be equipped with logical answers.

Know audience

When Catholics are questioned about their faith, Thomason said their responses depend on who is doing the asking. Is it a conversation between two Catholics, Catholic to Protestant, Catholic to Jewish, Catholic to Muslim or Catholic to atheist?

"If there is a Protestant who doesn't believe in the real presence in Eucharist, I would use John 6 - a biblical text," said Thomason. "If there is an atheist who doesn't believe that God exists, I wouldn't use the Bible at all. I would use a reasoned argument. You can use Thomas Aquinas' Uncaused Cause, which is his five proofs of God's existence."

He said the responses Catholic faithful provide shouldn't be centered on winning the argument, but rather on sharing the truth. He cited John 8:32 - "The truth will set you free."

Thomason acknowledged that Roman Catholics in the Diocese of Sioux City might not face many atheists or Muslims.

"Most of our chances to share our faith will be with Protestant brothers and sisters. Once again we have a duty and privilege to share our faith - it's not to say we are better than them," he said. "It's a duty of all Catholics to know their faith well enough to be able to share it."

While the number of topics that can be defended through apologetics are numerous Thomason offered some areas in which Catholics are frequently questioned.

Beneficial knowledge

The number of topics that can be addressed is endless, but Thomason highlighted some common themes that would be beneficial for Catholics. He recommended John 6 - the Bread of Life discourse; Matthew 16 - provides insight into the understanding of the papacy; and Luke 1 - essential for understanding Mariology (the study of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

These Gospels relate to the real presence in the Eucharist, belief in the pope and devotion to Mary. All of these topics - added Thomason - are centered on Jesus.

"Why should I know about Mary? Because Mary's relationship to Jesus can help us learn. I don't learn about Mary because of Mary's sake, I learn about her for Christ's sake," he said.

He said Catholics should also know the idea of the primacy of the Gospels.

"All of the Old Testament comes up to the Gospels and all of the New Testament is unpacking the Gospels," said the director of catechesis.

Another essential idea to apologetics, he noted, is that the church has always believed what she believes.

"Often, we have to prove what we believe, but they have to prove that we are wrong. We've always believed in the Eucharist, in saints and believed in the Mass," he said.

Evangelicals may also pose the question, have you been saved?

"Our answer to that should be simple, 'Yes, I've been saved. I am being saved and I hope to be saved," said Thomason. "For us it is a process and for them it is a one-time event. They just jump in the water. We jump in the water, we take lessons and we swim."

He cited some Scripture references such as Romans 8:24 (for in hope we were saved), 1Peter 1:9 (as you attain the goal of your faith, salvation) and Matthew 10:22 (he who endures to the end will be saved).

Sharing faith

While people are called to share their faith by example, Thomason said the faithful sometimes use that as an excuse to not further their own faith formation. Actions are good, but words are often needed to defend and proclaim the faith.

"When you love the faith, you want to know the faith and when you know the faith, you want to share the faith," he said.

One place where Catholics can go to find answers about their faith is catholicanswers.com. Thomason also recommended the San Juan Catholic Seminars, which features several booklets on apologetics.