Evangelization vs. Apologetics

A commenter makes a good point about evangelization and apologetics and recommends the apologetics books by Scott and Kimberly Hahn. She makes a good point and I need to clarify myself a bit.

I distinguish between evangelization and apologetics.  Evangelization is any activity intended to lead others into the faith. I see apologetics as a subset of evangelization. Apologetics addresses the pure rational side of human beings attempting to use reason logic and evidence in support of a religious position.  As I've said before there is a place for apologetics in evangelization. I believe though that it should be used sparingly and defensively.  When we are attacked unfairly, apologetics should be responding by identifying what we do believe, why we do and the scriptural basis for it. There is a time and place for apologetics and properly done, it should be conducted on a voluntary basis according to agreed rules.  It should never be mistaken for evangelization.

Apologetics often fails when the target person fails to grasp the apologetic’s rational arguments. After all, anybody who can’t listen to reason must be “stupid.” Apologetics has a habit of becoming hateful, uncharitable and often turns inwards and is used against fellow Catholics.  That's the part I object to.

Some of the best evangelization efforts are stories of witness, like that of the Hahn's.  As the commenter notes, the stories of a "faith journey" can be very compelling. They are most compelling and effective when they are told to someone in similar circumstances. That’s why Alcoholics Anonymous and other such organizations are so effective. When I was active in bereavement ministry, I could be effective because I had a story to tell similar to those I was trying to reach. And, I became active because of those who had gone before me who had shared their experience with me, helping me when I really needed help.

Conversion stories don’t do a lot for me because I never converted. I simply can’t resonate with that experience at all. I don’t comprehend “born again” or “accepting Jesus as my personal savior.” I was Catholic before I knew what that meant. I was born into a Catholic environment and Catholicism permeated the atmosphere. I breathed the air—and I was doomed to be Catholic for the rest of my life. I never had a bad catechis experience. My religious training in grade school, high school and home was excellent and all shortcomings in my religious education are the result of my own lack of diligence. I never rebelled against the religion itself—even if I didn’t keep the commandments. (There’s a difference between frequent personal sin and outright rejection of the faith that’s often confused.)

I’m always intrigued not by what a person says about their religion, but by how they live their lives under the influence of their religion. I really can’t tell you much about Mother Theresa’s insights into the Real presence or Jimmy Carter’s thoughts on Sola Scriptura, but both people have made a tremendous impact on me by living a life informed by their faith. They are models in that respect.  I want some of that.—whatever they have.  That is powerful evangelization.  That’s why the lives of the saints mean so much to me.  What was it that made San Francisco Solano stay with the shipwrecked slaves instead of saving himself like everybody else? Why did St. Peter Claver minister to African slaves when nobody else could see the evil in slavery? What teachings of Christ led Father Damien to care for lepers?

Why can’t those same things act in my own life to improve this world?

Comments

[Steve Bogner]

I know what you mean about lacking a conversion experience, born-again and all that. Though I strayed from the church for a while, there never was a big 'conversion' event.

My wife's family is Evangelical Protestant, and 'born-again' is a big deal for them. Intellectually, I can understand it; emotionally it just doesn't ring a bell.

As far as improving the world.... being a good father and husband goes a long, long way. Our actions today will have an impact for years in the way our kids act in the world. And you never know - there may be some time in the future when God will call you to go down with the ship.

[Unapologetic Catholic]

I have to remind my self that being a good father and husband is a tremendous accomplishment--some days it's completion seems further away than others.

Alas, my opportunities of going down with
the ship are now remote. I have finshed my career in the Coast Guard and been around my share of sinking ships, including my own. I have survived intact and am very glad to find another way to serve the Lord.