What Is Aplogetics?

"In the beginning ... God." The first words of the Bible (Gen 1:1) affirm an essential teaching of the Christian faith: Before all else, God is. It's a reality that seems obvious to most Christians, yet many people doubt or deny it.

Challenges are often issued to other articles of the Christian faith as well, such as the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to specifically Catholic beliefs, such as the unique authority of the pope. For this reason, Christians - and Catholic Christians in particular, often find themselves defending their beliefs in conversations with non-believers.

The Greek word for "defense" is apologia. Our English word "apology" is derived from it. In its classical definition, "apology" did not mean an admission of wrong, as the modern English word suggests. Rather, an apology was a defense or justification for a belief. For example, students of philosophy or of the classics are familiar with Plato's Apology: an account of Socrates' defense of his teaching.

In the present context, then, "apologetics" refers to the reasonable defense of the Christian faith. It is one aspect of what our Lord Jesus talked about when he urged us to love God with all our mind (Lk 10:27). Faith is not opposed to reason; in fact, reason, rightly understood, is a support to faith.

The foundations of Christian apologetics were laid by our Lord himself when he presented "many proofs" of his resurrection (Acts 1:3), including his appearance to skeptical, hard-nosed, "doubting" Thomas and the other apostles (Jn 20:24-29). The resulting apostolic proclamation of the gospel included eyewitnesses (legal or scientific) testimony as a central feature (Lk 1:1-4; Acts 2:32).

St. Paul likewise engaged in apologetics, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks of the truth of Christianity. His reasoned style of evangelization is demonstrated in his sermon on the Areopagus, Mars Hill, in philosophy-dominated Athens (Acts 17:22-34) and in his determination to "become all things to all, to save at least some" (1 Cor 9:22). The apostle's approach to sharing and defending his faith should encourage Catholics today to follow his example.

- The NEW Catholic Answer Bible Librosario®

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Beginner Course #2; Lesson #2 - Discussion

In my effort to understand the Mass better, I am taking this online course from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. It is a beginner's course, but what better place to start than at the beginning. As I read and finish a lesson, I will post my answers to the discussion questions here.

All this information came from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. I do not want anyone to think I put this together. I am just reflecting and responding to it.

Beginner's Course No. 2: The Lamb's Supper: The Bible and the Mass
Lesson Two: Given For You: The Old Testament Story of Sacrifice

Discussion Questions

1. What is the first sacrifice recorded in the Bible?

The first sacrifice recorded in the Bible were those of Cain and Able, Adam and Eve's sons (Gen 4:3-4):


In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the soil,
while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock...



2. Who is the first priest mentioned in the Bible?

Melchizedek, king of Salem was the first priest of the "God Most High" (Gen 14:18):


Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:



3. Why did Moses originally ask Pharaoh for permission to leave Egypt?

Since sacrifice was central to the Israelites' worship of God, Moses asked the Pharaoh of Egypt for permission to go into the desert to make a scarifice. Of course, the Pharaoh refused, and scolded Moses and Aaron for asking such a thing (Ex 5:3,8,17):


They replied, "The God of the Hebrews has sent us word. Let us go a three days' journey in the desert, that we may offer sacrifice to the LORD, our God; otherwise he will punish us with pestilence or the sword."

Yet you shall levy upon them the same quota of bricks as they have previously made. Do not reduce it. They are lazy; that is why they are crying, 'Let us go to offer sacrifice to our God.'

Pharaoh answered, "It is just because you are lazy that you keep saying, 'Let us go and offer sacrifice to the LORD.'



4. What did the Ark of the Covenant contain?

The Ark of the Covenant contained signs of God's covenant (Heb 9:4) - the tablets of the 10 Commandments (Ex 40:22), Aaron's priestly staff (Nu 17:25), and some of the manna upon which the Israelites fed in the desert (Ex 16:32-33):


in which were the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant entirely covered with gold. In it were the gold jar containing the manna, the staff of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tablets of the covenant.



5. Where was the Ark housed when Israel became a kingdom?

The Ark was housed in the Temple in Jerusalem when Israel became a kingdom.


6. What are the five basic types of sacrifice prescribed in the Old Testament?


• The Holocaust - an entire animal burnt on the altar as a "sweet smelling oblation to the Lord" (Lev 1:3-17, 6:8-13).


• The Cereal or Grain Offering - milled wheat mixed with oil and incense and usually offered in conjunction with other sacrifices (Lev 2:1-16; 6:14-23; Num 6:14-17; 28:3-6).


• The Peace Offering - an animal sacrifice in which the fatty parts and kidneys are burnt on the altar and the meat is consumed by the offerer and the priests (Lev 3:1-17; 7:11-36).


• The Sin Offering - an animal (young bull, goat, lamb, turtledoves, etc.) offered to atone for sin and purifies the sinner (Lev 4:1-5;13: 6:24-30).


• The Guilt Offering - a ram offered in atonement for desecration or some offense against a neighbor (Lev 5:14-18: 7:1-10).



7. What is the todah sacrifice?

The Todah is a "thank offering". Psalm 40:1-11 is classified as one of the todah.

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Beginner Course #2; Lesson #1 - Discussion

In my effort to understand the Mass better, I am taking this online course from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. It is a beginner's course, but what better place to start than at the beginning. As I read and finish a lesson, I will post my answers to the discussion questions here.

All this information came from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. I do not want anyone to think I put this together. I am just reflecting and responding to it.

Beginner's Course No. 2:
The Lamb's Supper: The Bible and the Mass
Lesson One:
A Biblical Introduction to the Mass

Discussion Questions

What we say and hear in the Mass comes to us from the Bible. Give some examples.

· The Sign of the Cross (Ephesians 1:13; Revelation 7:3; Matthew 28:19)
· Lord, have mercy... (Psalm 51:1; Baruch 3:2; Luke 18:13,38,39)
· Holy, holy, holy... (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
· The Lamb of God... (John 1:29,36)

What we "do" in the Mass, we do because it was done in the Bible. Give some examples.

· Kneel (Psalm 95:6; Acts 21:5)
· Sing Hymns (2 Maccabees 10:7,38; Acts 16:25)
· Gather at the Alter (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 24:4; 2 Samuel 24:25; Revelation 16:7)
· Have incense (Jeremiah 41:5; Revelation 4:8)
· Give the Sign of Peace (1 Samuel 25:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:26)

Why is the Bible alone able to give the Mass its life-transforming power? The Bible is the actual Word of God which gives the Mass its power to deliver what it promises to bring us into communion with the real and living Christ.

Name some of the details about the Last Supper that are similar in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul.

Each report that the Last Supper was during the Jewish Passover, was in close quarters with the Apostles, was the last meal Jesus had with His Apostles, and occurred the evening before His death.

What evidence do we have that the "two-part" structure of the Mass and the use of the Old Testament in the Liturgy comes from Jesus?

>From His example we see that upon His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and explained the Old Testament to them (Luke 24:13-35, 44-48). Then, like at the Last Supper, Jesus sat a table, takes, blesses, breaks and gives the bread to those gathered (Luke 22:14-20). This event alone gives us the evidence for the two-part structure of the Mass - the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist.