Lesson 39 - Defending the Faith

(Lesson 39)

Defending the Faith!

“Always be prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in you…” 1 Peter 3:15

Sooner or later, every Catholic will be called upon to make a defense of the faith. It may happen when a Jehovah’s Witness knocks on the door, or a friend at the office asks if you have been saved. It may be a disgruntled relative with an axe to grind against the Church, or a person who just read a book knocking the Catholic Church. Most of these people do not know what the Church really teaches. They direct their criticism toward the many misconceptions that they have heard and not toward the actual teachings of the Catholicism. As Catholics, we need to be equipped with a few basic answers to some of the most common objections.

The three most common sources of Church criticism are from: people who are skeptical about God in general, other Catholics who either do not know, or do not accept Church teaching, and non-Catholic Christians who want you to leave the Church. We should try to educate all of these people and open up their eyes to the truth in a polite and loving manner. Never engage in arguments or name calling even if you are coming under attack. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, ask the person if you can resume the discussion at a later time. You may need to do some research to find the right answers.

Since it is usually the non-Catholic Christians who aggressively try to get people to leave the faith, this lesson will concentrate on how to respond to their objections. They are taught how to bounce around the pages of the Bible to make a clever (false) case against many Catholic beliefs. Many Catholics are often impressed by their “knowledge” of scripture and are convinced that what they are saying is the truth. Sadly, some people are fooled by this “single verse” approach to scripture and wind up leaving the Church. On the other hand, if you start to challenge what they are saying using scripture yourself, they will quickly move to another topic because they have no authentic explanations. In reality, their knowledge of scripture is very superficial. They are not used to being put to the test and they often “melt down” in the middle of any serious discussion. If they are really sincere, ask them to get together with you when you both have more time. You can bring your Bible and some documentation to help make the case for the Catholic faith. You may wind up bringing a lost sheep back home to Jesus in the Eucharist!

Discussion Points:

· We must be prepared to offer a defense of the Catholic Faith

· We must not engage in arguments and always remain good witnesses

· We should be familiar with the most common objections against the faith and know how to answer them

· No one should ever leave the Catholic Church for any reason

· A good response can be found to every single objection that anyone could raise against Catholicism

· We should be proud of our Catholic faith and never try to hide it

"Dictatorship of Relativism” Homily April 18th, 2005

Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)

How many winds of doctrine we have known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking… The small boat of thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves – thrown from one extreme to the other: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism, and so forth. Every day new sects are created and what Saint Paul says about human trickery comes true, with cunning which tries to draw those into error (cf Eph 4, 14). Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and “swept along by every wind of teaching”, looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today’s standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one’s own ego and one’s own desires.

However, we have a different goal: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. Being an “Adult” means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today’s fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature. It is this friendship which opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth. We must become mature in this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith – only faith – which creates unity and takes form in love. On this theme, Saint Paul offers us some beautiful words - in contrast to the continual ups and downs of those were are like infants, tossed about by the waves: (he says) make truth in love, as the basic formula of Christian existence. In Christ, truth and love coincide. To the extent that we draw near to Christ, in our own life, truth and love merge. Love without truth would be blind; truth without love would be like “a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal” (1 Cor 13,1).

Looking now at the richness of the Gospel reading, I would like to make only two small observations. The Lord addresses to us these wonderful words: “I no longer call you slaves…I have called you friends” (Jn 15,15). So many times we feel like, and it is true, that we are only useless servants. (cf Lk 17,10). And despite this, the Lord calls us friends, he makes us his friends, he gives us his friendship. The Lord defines friendship in a dual way. There are no secrets among friends: Christ tells us all everything he hears from the Father; he gives us his full trust, and with that, also knowledge. He reveals his face and his heart to us. He shows us his tenderness for us, his passionate love that goes to the madness of the cross. He entrusts us, he gives us power to speak in his name: “this is my body…”, “I forgive you…”. He entrusts us with his body, the Church. He entrusts our weak minds and our weak hands with his truth – the mystery of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the mystery of God who “so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” (Jn 3, 16). He made us his friends – and how do we respond?

Defending the Faith!

“Always be prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in you…” 1 Peter 3:15

Opening Prayer:

Prayer to St. Michael:

Saint Michael the Archangel; defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Theme:

Every Catholic needs to be prepared to answer common objections to the faith. No one should ever leave the Catholic Church for any reason. All possible objections to the faith have a rational and biblical response.

Note: Apologetics (Defending the Faith) is a topic that is extremely broad. There are probably hundreds of objections that can be raised by people who are seeking to discredit the Catholic faith. I will briefly discuss what I believe to be five of the most common criticisms. By no means can this lesson be considered comprehensive and I suggest that everyone who is interested read complete books on this topic. Search the Internet for “Catholic apologetics” and you will be led to many great websites! At the end of this lesson, there is an “apologetics cheat sheet”. This sheet contains some scriptural references that support the Catholic position using the Bible. It is divided into sections according to topic. Since there are too many verses to commit to memory, I would highly recommend that you make a copy of these pages and keep them inside your Bible. If someone questions the reasons for your faith, you will be equipped to give a basic defense! Always remember to pray first.

Bible Reading:

1 Peter 3:13-17 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. 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; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong.

Explanation of Bible reading: St. Peter is explaining the need to witness to the faith at any cost. He exhorts us to always be prepared to make a defense for what we believe. He also reminds us not to argue or display arrogance. Everything we do must be consistent with Christian charity. There may come a time when we will be mocked and ridiculed because of our beliefs. Keep in mind that the early Church suffered great and bloody persecutions because of their faith. The least we can do is acknowledge Jesus Christ and defend our beliefs when they are questioned.
The Most Common Objections to the Catholic Faith

1. Catholics do not believe that the Bible is true

What the Catholic Church really teaches:

105 God is the author of Sacred Scripture. "The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit."

126 The life and teaching of Jesus. The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, "whose historicity she unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he lived among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation, until the day when he was taken up."

Vatican II Dei Verbum Part III:

11. Therefore, since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation.

Answer: We do believe that the Bible is true! It was the Catholic Church who determined what writings would be included in the Bible. The objection is often raised that “Catholics do not take the Bible literally”. That is also false. The literal sense of scripture is the most important sense. It relates to finding out exactly what the inspired author was trying to say and what genre of writing was being used. Therefore, if the author was speaking figuratively at a certain point, it needs to be understood figuratively or the interpretation will be wrong.

2. Catholics believe they can “earn” their salvation only by their works
What the Catholic Church really teaches:

2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and friendship can be merited in accordance with God's wisdom. These graces and goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions.

169 Salvation comes from God alone; but because we receive the life of faith through the Church, she is our mother: "We believe the Church as the mother of our new birth, and not in the Church as if she were the author of our salvation." Because she is our mother, she is also our teacher in the faith.

183 Faith is necessary for salvation. The Lord himself affirms: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mk 16:16).

1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them….

1129 The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation….

Answer: The Catholic Church teaches that we are saved by the grace of God. Nowhere does the Catholic Church teach that we can earn our salvation apart from Christ. The Bible tells us that in addition to faith, we must also do the works that Jesus commands in order to attain salvation. We were redeemed by the death of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that we need to have faith, baptism, and good works. He also tells us that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood (Eucharist) or we have no life in us. St. Paul writes that he is working out his salvation with fear and trembling. Is he trying to earn his salvation? Of course not! He is following the teachings of the Lord.

3. Catholics offer Mary, the Saints, pictures, and statues divine worship
What the Catholic Church really teaches:

956 The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."

971 Re: Mary "All generations will call me blessed".. . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.”

2130 …In the Old Testament, God ordained or permitted the making of images that pointed symbolically toward salvation by the incarnate Word: so it was with the bronze serpent, the ark of the covenant, and the cherubim.

2132 The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, "the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype," and "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it." The honor paid to sacred images is a "respectful veneration," not the adoration due to God alone…

Answer: Catholics are forbidden to offer divine worship to anyone other than God. Asking for the intersession of the saints and Mary does not constitute worshipping them as other gods. It is similar to asking another individual to pray for you. We believe these saints are alive in Christ because Jesus told us that he is the God of the Living and not of the dead. Also, we do not worship statues. The statue or picture brings to mind the reality that it represents. Jesus on the crucifix brings to our mind the actual event that took place on Calvary. Pictures of Mary and the saints can be thought of in a similar way to pictures of family members. Although it would be wrong to worship the pictures, it is right show respect for the images. Take this as an example: The Bible is a book made out of paper, but because of the revelation contained in it, we treat the book itself with respect.

4. The Catholic Church approves of superstition and divination

What the Catholic Church really teaches:

2111 Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition.

2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion….

1677 Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church. They prepare men to receive the fruit of the sacraments and sanctify different circumstances of life.

1670 Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church's prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it…. There is scarcely any proper use of material things which cannot be thus directed toward the sanctification of men and the praise of God."

Answer: Many people in today’s society, including many Catholics, practice such things as going to fortunetellers, reading horoscopes, using oiuja boards, and wearing good luck charms. The Church condemns all forms of divination, superstition, and sorcery. These practices are not godly and are in direct opposition to the first commandment. The Church does approve of the use of sacramentals such as rosary beads, holy cards, scapulars, and incense. After a priest blesses an object, it becomes a sacramental. It is a reminder of God’s supernatural gifts and can be used in conjunction with prayer. These are not magical objects or good luck charms. Sometimes, this causes confusion in the minds non-Catholic Christians. The Bible gives many examples of God working through the material world. For example, 2 Kings 13:20-21 tells us that a man was brought back from the dead after making contact with the bones of the prophet Elisha and Acts 19:11-12 tells cures through face cloths that the apostle St. Paul touched.

5. The Pope is elevated to a God-like status because he is said to be infallible

What the Catholic Church really teaches:

890 The mission of the Magisterium is linked to the definitive nature of the covenant established by God with his people in Christ. It is this Magisterium's task to preserve God's people from deviations and defections and to guarantee them the objective possibility of professing the true faith without error. Thus, the pastoral duty of the Magisterium is aimed at seeing to it that the People of God abides in the truth that liberates. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church's shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals.

891 "The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter's successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium," above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine "for belief as being divinely revealed,"and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions "must be adhered to with the obedience of faith." This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

Answer: Catholics obviously do not believe that the Pope is a god. We recognize him as a fellow Christian with a special charism granted to him by virtue of his office. He is treated with special honor and respect because he is the supreme pastor of the Catholic Church. He is not worshipped and he is completely capable of human error and sin. Infallibility does not apply to his personal behavior or his personal opinions. It only applies when he defines doctrines regarding faith and morals in his capacity of confirming the brethren. Although he is not capable of changing the doctrines that were given to the Church from the apostles, he is free to change disciplinary rules if he believes that there is a pastoral need to do so. Jesus himself first granted the office of the papacy to St. Peter (Matt 16:17-19). The power of the “keys to the kingdom” is passed on to all of St. Peters successors for all time. This makes perfect sense given the promise of Christ to guide his Church until he returns again in glory. If the Holy Spirit was capable of preserving the Bible from errors because of a special charism given to its authors, why is it not possible to give the pope a special charism when he teaches regarding faith and morals? The separation from this infallible and God-given leadership has caused non-Catholic Christians to splinter into thousands of different denominations with thousands of varying doctrines.

I recommend searching the Internet for a good Catholic Scriptural Apologetics guide.