“IF WE WON’T
TEACH OUR YOUNG HOW TO DEFEND THE CATHOLIC FAITH, THE WORLD WILL TEACH THEM
OTHERWISE!”
The problems that this blog aims to address are:
- Practical Atheism – more and more Catholics are
not living their faith.
- Religious Fundamentalism – constant increase in
Catholic departures.
- Secularism – western culture is slowly destroying
core Filipino values.
(Matthew 9:37) Jesus said…The harvest is abundant but the
labourers are few…
Teach the fullness of Truth through Apologetics so
that:
- A deeper understanding of the faith shall lead to
a more authentic practice.
- Departures shall be replaced by the Defenders who
know deeply our faith.
- Strengthen the Catholic faith to be able to
strengthen Filipino culture.
(1 Timothy 2:4) God…wills everyone to be saved and to come
to knowledge of the truth.
Apologetics is a reasoned
defence (not an attack) of something.
- It answers
not only the WHAT about the Faith, but more importantly, the WHY.
- It does not
only help us to LEARN the Faith, but also to be able to DEFEND it.
- It gives
the reasonableness of Catholic MORALS through the logic of our FAITH.
(1 Peter 3:15) Always be ready to give an explanation to
anyone who asks you…
The traits needed in the
study of Catholic Apologetics are:
- HUMILITY –
one must admit that he cannot know everything.
- COURAGE –
one must not be intimidated when he is questioned.
- PERSEVERANCE
– one must do everything to find out the answers.
- LOVE – one
must pray always for the love of God and neighbour.
(Luke 5:10) Jesus said…Do not be afraid; from now on you
will be catching men.
What are the things that should be kept in mind during
the study?
1.
The Bible was written, collected and approved by the Catholic Church!
2.
The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church gave the Bible to the world!
3.
There is nothing in the Bible that contradicts anything in the Catholic
Faith.
4.
There is nothing in the Catholic Faith that contradicts anything in the
Bible.
(1 Timothy 3:15) The church of the living God [is] the pillar
and foundation of truth.
Why are there wrong interpretations of the Sacred
Scriptures?
1.
The Bible
verses have been taken out of context.
2.
Others
force their own personal interpretations.
3.
There
are some verses that have been neglected.
4.
Their
purpose is to attack the Catholic Church.
(2Peter 1:20) There is no prophecy of scripture that is a
matter of personal interpretation
Apologists: Matthew Pinto
@ http://www.friendlydefenders.com/authors.htm
EVERYONE IS CALLED TO BE A
DISCIPLE OF CHRIST
The Call: “It was not you who
chose me, but I who chose you...” (John 15:16)
(Matthew
19:21) Jesus said, “If you wish to
be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Lk 12:33)
(Matthew
6:20-21) “…store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys…For
where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. (Mk 10:21, Lk
18:22)
The Purpose: “This I command
you: love one another.” (John 15:17)
(Mark
1:17-18) “Jesus said...‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Then
they abandoned their nets and followed him.” (Mt 4:19, Mk 10:28, Lk 5:11)
(Matthew 28:19-20) “Go…make disciples of all nations…teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you….I am with you always...”
The Sacrifice: “We have given
up everything and followed you.” (Mark 10:28)
(Luke 18:29-30) “…there is no one who has
given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the
kingdom of God who will not receive [back] an overabundant return in
this present age and eternal life in the age to come.” (Mt19:29)
The Trials: “…if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:12)
(Luke 9:23-24) “If anyone wishes to come
after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever…loses his life for my sake will save it.”
(Luke 21:17-19) “You will be hated by all because
of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your
perseverance you will secure your lives.” (Mk 13:13)
The Rewards: “What will there
be for us?” (Matthew 19:27)
(John 12:26) “The Father will honour whoever
serves me.” (Mt 6:33, 1 Cor 9:25)
(John 14:2-3) “In my Father’s house there are many
dwelling places…I will come back again and take you to myself, so that
where I am you also may be.” (1Ptr 3:22)
(Revelation 3:5) “The victor will be
dressed in white and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will
acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father...”