tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5745814378416915364.post7643739119724468624..comments2023-12-23T00:19:35.005-08:00Comments on ADAM'S ALE: WHY WON'T GOD SAVE CHICKS WITH AMPUTATIONS WHO DO GOOD WORKS?Fr. Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13201561855047420853noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5745814378416915364.post-80607425994149779592007-07-30T05:32:00.000-07:002007-07-30T05:32:00.000-07:00The strongest base of Catholic apologetics is not ...The strongest base of Catholic apologetics is not necessarily knowledge or ferocious defense, but sacramental grace from strong prayer - regular or daily Mass, Adoration, the Hours, reading Sacred Scripture, and bearing a humble spirit of listening first to God (contemplation), then to others, then to self. (So, uh, do as I say, not as I do.) The moment I let my guard down and start slacking, <I>I'm</I> the one who needs evangelizing and clarity and/or it becomes my horn being tooted, not God's. <BR/><BR/>"Remain in Me.." If the base is strong and constant, if we prepare for and allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to prevail in us, it is just as Jesus said, "Don't worry about what you will say, it will be given you." If the base is weak, then the other side of that coin is visible, "Even the little that you have will be taken away."<BR/><BR/>I spent a month, once (or perhaps many times) learning some parts of this hard truth in endless round arguments with one or more intense (nearly anti-Catholic) Protestant. It was exhausting for all. They at least have some portion of Christ, whereas atheists have nothing but Greenpeace (if that), and that has become my worry. But I, too, don't go looking for debate. It's not my nature or goal. It's just simply duty, sometimes.<BR/><BR/>Indeed, Uncle Jim, I've been handed tracts from JWs, Mormons and Muslims. Bring it on! Uh, Catholicism tracts, I mean. Yes. But perhaps we do have them.. how often do we see prayer cards to be taken after Mass.. we can order our own and leave them here and there. God is forever tilling the ground..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5745814378416915364.post-51874856618518815052007-07-27T06:10:00.000-07:002007-07-27T06:10:00.000-07:00Yeah, what Adoro said. I will talk to you if you c...Yeah, what Adoro said. <BR/>I will talk to you if you come to my doorstep with the Watchtower, or if I pass you and hear you say "Yeah, Catholics worship statues" but I'm not trolling around atheist or pro-abortion boards looking to pick a fight, and I don't think most of them are trolling my board looking for a fight, either.<BR/>I'm not "afraid" of them - I just don't think that's the best way to evangelize, at least not for me personally.<BR/>I do, however, salute people who manage to do that. <BR/>(A Catholic Life is a pro at this.)Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15840370708098022422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5745814378416915364.post-68553638813968697592007-07-25T17:51:00.000-07:002007-07-25T17:51:00.000-07:00Well said, Father, you apologist, you! I've actua...Well said, Father, you apologist, you! <BR/><BR/>I've actually read a lot of people who state that they were a part of an anti-Catholic faith, one that loved to use Jack Chick tracts, and it seemed they spent no time learning about Jesus, but rather, learning about how to tear down another faith. <BR/><BR/>Many of these people leave these 'churches", and while they don't necessarily become Catholic, they do seek at least authentic religion; one that focuses more on their own relatinship and journey to the Lord as opposed to tearing down others. <BR/><BR/>It's not magic; they dont' cease being anti-Catholic but we certain tend to fall off their radar screen for a time if they aren't confronted with us in any way. <BR/><BR/>WC ~ I think you're right about a lot of bloggers avoiding heterodoxy, but there's a reason for that. For myself, I'm not a debator and I am not goign to go out and seek a debate. It's not my area. I don't blog in order to debate others; I blog in order to share my faith. There is a huge difference. <BR/><BR/>Some people have the temperment for aggressive apologetics. Others of us do not. Sometimes debate comes to our doorsteps, and thus we must answer, and it so happens that other regular readers naturally chime in. I, for one, will let them. Why restate what someone else has stated more clearly and with more knowledge? <BR/><BR/>And why seek out an argument with someone who is up front about the fact that they dissent from Church teaching? <BR/><BR/>Most of us are willing to discuss the faith, but those of us without the debate-mindset are more likely to refer the dissenter or opponent or what-have-you to solid resources versus our own position and summary. <BR/><BR/>Even though I am beginnign to study theology in ernest, I will never be an apologist, not really. We all get bees in our bonnets sometimes, and we all have our pet subjects, but that's not to say we want to go out and seek debate on an issue that in our minds, is settled. <BR/><BR/>Personally, I haven't seen a ton of heterdox/dissenters, or Christain denominations visiting me; so it seems it's not just the faithful Catholic bloggers who tend to avoid debate. <BR/><BR/>Some people live for it; most of us do not fall into that category, whether we are faithful to the magesterium and the eternal teachings of the Church or not.Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5745814378416915364.post-34957688785384296882007-07-25T17:39:00.000-07:002007-07-25T17:39:00.000-07:00Hi Fr. V, I have noticed that catholic bloggers, p...Hi Fr. V, <BR/><BR/>I have noticed that catholic bloggers, particularly conservative ones, sometimes seem terrified of unorthodox, heterodox, sites et cetera. <BR/><BR/>In my daily missal's examination of conscience, either compiled or written by Opus Dei, it has a couple self examination points like "Have I read anything that might corrupt my conscience" and that sort of thing. <BR/><BR/>And then it seems like so many catholics want to call in the cavalry when life calls for apologetics or actual christian witness.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, you didn't systematically take on the chick tracks here. But it was nice to see a padre encourage people to take them on, and then if one has questions to take them to their pastors, blog pastors, or elsewhere. I think that is a much healthier attitude than playing ostrich.<BR/><BR/>PS One such witnessing opportunity is <A HREF="http://johnhh.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">John Haynes</A>. He is battling prostrate cancer and raised a catholic family as an Anglican. He's ready to cross the Tiber now but for some reason his RCIA director is a bit slow about it. Anyway, he is a bit feisty but his heart is in the right place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5745814378416915364.post-74879061025436654122007-07-25T15:46:00.000-07:002007-07-25T15:46:00.000-07:00so...why don't we have a tract printer?why do the ...so...<BR/>why don't we have a tract printer?<BR/>why do the 'chicks' of the world do such a good [their view] job that they actually steal souls?<BR/>where are our booklets!?!?!?<BR/><BR/>hey, there adoro - still looking for a writing job ... here it is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5745814378416915364.post-42472138339852324712007-07-25T14:24:00.000-07:002007-07-25T14:24:00.000-07:00The father of all lies is Satan. So Chick publica...The father of all lies is Satan. So Chick publications are full of lies--half-truths and emotional manipulations--hmmm, sound like Satan's friends.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, The Father of all truth is God. All love comes from God.<BR/><BR/>The most disturbing thing I find is that when presented with truths those who purport these lies, say things like, "no, that's not what you believe--this is what you believe." They do not want to hear truth--they like the lies. They are full of hate. <BR/><BR/>Satan knows the truth of God in his mind--he will not love God in his heart??? I don't get it?? Once you know God, how can you choose the lie over truth, the hate over love??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com