Question 55: I am interested in the study of Catholic apologetics. How would you recommend I begin?

Answer: Apologetics is the science concerned with the defense of the Catholic religion. Its aim is to prove from reason the Divine authority of the Catholic Church. Advancing a series of connected truths, it concludes that the one and only guide of faith on earth is the Catholic Church, Holy and Infallible. It leads unbelievers to the doors of the House of God and welcomes them. Within, they hear the Catholic Doctrine, Christ's message to them interpreted by His living representative.

    The beginner will note that the words "Apologetics" and "Apology" though derived from the same Greek root, have come to have very different meanings. "Apology" as commonly used, may signify nothing more than an excuse, or an appeal for forgiveness, whereas "Apologetics" always denotes a scientific proof or defense of religious truth. "Catholic Apologetics," therefore, is not a mere appeal for acceptance of Catholicism or a plea for its toleration but a solid demonstration that it is the one and only true religion.

    One of the objects of apologetics is to persuade a person to look further into the foundations for Catholicism. It is not enough just to know the foundations for Catholic belief, it is important that you are able to explain these foundations in a concise, logical manner, that will make sense to the listener. Remember, the goal is to win the arguer, not the argument. 

I would suggest the following list of topics:

1. How do we know there is a God?

2. The Catholic Church and the Bible.

3. Sacred Tradition.

4. The True Church of Jesus Christ.

5. The Primacy of Peter.

6. Salvation.

7. The Sacraments.

8. The Holy Eucharist.

9. The Sacrifice of the Mass.

10. The Communion of Saints.

11. Mary the Mother of Jesus.

12. Eschatology: The Four Last Things.

Each of these topics will be broken down into many sub-topics.  For example under topic 10 would be:

What is a Saint?

What is the Role of the Saints?

The Intercession of the Saints.

The Canonization of the Saints.

Images and relics of the Saints.

Praying to the Saints.

    The overall goal will be to be able to explain Catholic doctrine in a logical, concise manner. You may or may not have a Bible available when you explain Catholic doctrine. It will be very helpful if you learn to memorize the appropriate Scripture passages to support your ideas. Don't be afraid of marking up your Bible. Finally, when you study, pray first.