Moving Past Apologetics

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Moving Past Apologetics † 08/07/20 (Fri) 13:03:26 b0bb36 No.842736

How does a Christian move past the "dunking on atheists/non-Christians" phase of knowing about Christianity and move toward actually living out a Christian life?

That seems to be my biggest issue. A sense of intellectual "pride" knowing that I am defending God from His detractors and blasphemers, without actually living a decently Christian life.

If my question is unclear, let me know. Catholics most welcome, other Christians welcome as well (as long as you aren't militant Protestant).

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MC 08/07/20 (Fri) 13:24:09 158aac No.842737

Humility and forgiveness. Always practice those in every aspect of your life.

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† 08/07/20 (Fri) 16:40:16 058dea No.842740

Read St. Isaac of Nineveh and become orthodox. He left the quarrels of the middle eastern bishops for the ascetic life of the desert. His ascetical homilies are for everyone.

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† 08/07/20 (Fri) 17:16:29 4a8d13 No.842742

Grab a Bible, read it and do what it says. I don't study apologetics at all, but I'm fairly confident I can hold my own in a debate simply because God had revealed more to me that I have wondered about.

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† 08/07/20 (Fri) 17:55:18 3770dc No.842745

>>842736

Remind yourself that even Jesus didn't overstay his welcome and instructed us to do the same. "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." - Matthew 10:4

You'll probably get to witness many results of bad decisions in the coming days. Just fear God and take refuge in him, as it all unfolds. Pray that they might all learn from hitting rock bottom. It certainly won't be any clever arguments that help them. They're just about beyond hope and something like this is their last chance.

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† 08/07/20 (Fri) 22:52:29 da26be No.842749

>>842736

>How does a Christian move past the "dunking on atheists/non-Christians" phase of knowing about Christianity and move toward actually living out a Christian life?

Never really wanted to dunk on anyone, but I did want to share, and the atheist (and God haters) slapped me down pretty good. You have to realize, all you can do is pray for them as Grace is a gift from God. Some of them really have to hit bottom before they'll find Grace. OTOH, it is against Church teaching to associate with heretics and atheist. Most Catholics don't know about that one.

Others will be impressed by a good example. I've messed up my life so I'll never be a good example, but my research advisor in Grad school was a very good Catholic and since meeting him and looking up to him, I wanted to be like him.

>That seems to be my biggest issue. A sense of intellectual "pride" knowing that I am defending God from His detractors and blasphemers, without actually living a decently Christian life.

Well, you're required to defend the faith; that's why the Bishop gives you a symbolic (or real) blow to the cheek at the sacrament of confirmation; to remind you to defend the faith.

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† 08/09/20 (Sun) 06:44:41 c1f81b No.842830

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>>842736

Living out your faith. I feel for ya. I was stuck in the dunking on atheists phase for the longest time, but after a while I realized it didn't matter if I didn't live it out. I'd honestly suggest reading books like The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis (which is good fuel for prayer life), After Virtue by Alasdir MacIntyre (which isn't really theological per se, but it does stress the importance of attaining virtue and how it lines up perfectly with our quest for God), St Augustine's Confessions, St. Theresa of Avila's Interior Castle, The Summa Theologica (not the metaphysical parts so much (although you can read them), but the parts about the Sacraments, the beliefs and ethical practices as Catholics and the importance of it in a more theological light), the Catechism of the Catholic Church (see the previous note) and a Bible (Douay-Rheims or Catholic RSV is fine. You need to read this and pray it everyday because it is the Word of God and being well-versed in Scripture (and Scriptural exegesis by any Doctor of the Church or generally any orthodox Catholic) can help correct errors you have along with those of others ). Also, look up G.E.M. Anscombe. She's a 20th century British Catholic moral (for the most part) philosopher who focuses on virtue ethics and definitely a good read if you want to grow as a Catholic, although not necessary. Saint Therese de Lisieux and Saint Edith Stein are also good spiritual reads. There's nothing wrong with trying to correct the errors of atheists and others who don't understand the faith, but you have to do it in the right mindset of wanting to correct them for their own sake rather than to own the "atheists and Protestants and heretics epic style". I've come to understand that sort of mindset can only come about when you live out your faith in practice, not in theory (although you need to at least be familiar with some theory to live it out in the first place). You should defend the faith but for the right reasons; that's why it's important to live a truly Catholic life. You have to worry about the salvation of your soul before those of others and work with God to merge your will into His. It's good that God has given you this insight anon.

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† 08/09/20 (Sun) 06:54:01 c1f81b No.842831

>>842830

Also, pray a daily devotion like the rosary (you can just do daily readings from the Bible, but do something that forces you to pray everyday for at least 15-30 minutes first thing when you wake up) and make sure to go to Mass on a regular basis to receive the Body and Blood of Christ (It doesn't have to be every day, but at least every week). Also, go to Confession often and be completely honest and completely contrite about your sins: mortal or venial. Just as importantly, avoid the occasion of sin, especially mortal ones. Even if you do fail in regards to things like giving in to sexual temptation and lust, always remember that despite our sinful nature, Christ still loves us and start over right then and there and confess your sins ASAP. God helps those who put their faith in Him. He will deliver you from your sins if you put your faith in Him and actively do everything in your power to live the life pleasing to Him.

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