A series of not entirely coherent, yet related ruminations, from correspondence about this general topic:
Sophism: a clever and plausible but fallacious argument or form of reasoning, whether or not intended to deceive.
Sophistry: unsound or misleading or specious but clever, plausible, and subtle argument or reasoning.
Many (most?) anti-Catholics are sophists, pure and simple, and sophists ought not be granted the dignity of a public debate. Sure, we can always say that as a result, a few people will become convinced of the Catholic position (and that in itself is, of course, a good thing). But if many more anti-Catholics, after hearing anti-Catholic claptrap presented in debate, attain to a stronger - albeit illusory - self-confidence against the Catholic position and go out and mess up that many more ill-informed Catholics, isn't it a "net loss" in a sense?
The Catholic position is not well-presented at such "debates" (i.e., public, oratorical ones) because it is complex, highly-interrelated, and (in its complexity, spiritual profundity, and inner logic) much more a "thinking man's religion" than Protestantism is. Presenting such an outlook can't very easily be done in a time-limited debate where our opponent is playing the audience like a carnival barker or a dishonest politician. It can be done in a book or a lengthy article, or in a website which deals with all the interrelated topics (or at least links to them), so that the inquirer can learn how they are thoroughly biblical, coherent, and true to history (and development of doctrine is also another huge and crucial, necessary factor not easily summarized or even understood by many).
Again, it has to do with the complexity and interrelatedness of the Catholic position, and the difficulty in promulgating it in sound-bytes, as is the case in so many brands of evangelicalism. Websites are uniquely designed to teach the faith, if this complexity is granted (with the technology of links). I think the only near-equivalent to this in live debate would be a series of debates, one after the other, so that the faith can be seen in its many dimensions and in its marvelous cohesiveness: what I would call a "cumulative apologetic argument."
In a debate about papal infallibility, for instance, it would be necessary to also have debates on apostolic succession, episcopacy, the nature of the Church, indefectibility, the nature of authority, NT teaching on Tradition, development of doctrine, the self-defeating nature of sola Scriptura, etc. I don't think the average Protestant has any hope of understanding papal infallibility (and "problems" like the Honorius case) without some knowledge of these other presuppositional issues.
But we can't say that live debates are more effective than websites (or books) simply by recounting how people were affected, since obviously people are also affected by books and websites as well. God will always bring fruit out of every sincere effort to evangelize (which is why I will never knockanyone personally for publically debating). But that doesn't necessarily mean we take absolutely every opportunity, for there are such things as prudence, timing, a multiplicity of competing opportunities and responsibilities, etc.
In short, then, I think that any number of Catholic apologists could and would win such a debate on content (because our argument is true, and many apologists could convincingly present it), yet "lose" it in terms of impact on the audience, and in terms of the difficulty of persuading even those fair-minded or predisposed to be convinced of our side. We should take before and after surveys of people who attend these "debates" to see whether what I suspect is true or not (and make it a condition of the debate).
If we must debate these sophists and cynically clever men, at least we need to make sure they have to also defend their position and not just run ours down with the standard, garden-variety anti-Catholic gibberish, bolstered with "quasi-facts" and half-truths presented in a warped, distorted fashion. Those who don't know any better will always be taken in by those tactics (which is exactly why anti-Catholics continue to use them, consciously or not).
Most public debate formats will not allow a fair exchange to occur, due to complexity of subject matter, and the stacked deck which requires us to defend complex truths, while the anti-Catholic escapes his responsibility of defending the generally unexamined absurdities and self-contradictions of his own position. Many anti-Catholics are never, ever willing to defend their own view beyond the usual trivial, sloganistic, sarcastic jibes.
Anti-Catholics remind me of some strains of creationists in this regard: excellent at critiquing the flaws in evolutionary theory; not quite so good at presenting a cogent alternative or even articulating their own position. But at least such creationists can easily critique evolution by telling the truth. The anti-Catholic, on the other hand (like certain politicians), has to lie and distort to get his message across. Again, whether or not the lie is deliberate, I do not assert (and I think it is sinful to do so, short of the most compelling, undeniable sort of evidence). The effect is the same, either way
I'm all for serious, in-depth discussion about Catholic historical "difficulties" such as Pope Honorius et al, but with honest, non-intellectually-suicidal historians (including amateur ones) and scholars who don't approach the subject the way a Nazi doctor approaches an unfortunate Jewish prisoner (i.e., as fodder for his own bigotry, and smug superiority syndrome).
I deny that what most professional anti-Catholics do is "debate" in the first place, in the deepest and most authentic sense of the word (as in, e.g., the many famous and substantive medieval disputations). These events are shams and three-ring circuses. One might call them a "one-way refutation" (assuming our proponent is able and worthy), but I do not give these events the dignity of the title "debate." Maybe I am too nitpicky and philosophical, or overly-idealistic, but I feel this very strongly.
As for facing critics head-on, I don't think anyone familiar with my website and published writings would regard me as a person unwilling to do that! :-) I have more debates on my website - on more diverse subjects - than anyone I know. My concern is with the format and the goals we are striving to achieve. I don't deny that anti-Catholics should be dealt with in some fashion (though an argument for that can certainly be made - and from the Bible; see below). I just don't think live "debate" is the way to do it. I am not alone in this opinion. R.C. Sproul (a well-known Reformed Protestant apologist and theologian) feels that way about all Catholic apologists, as far as I can tell, so this is not an unheard-of or extreme point of view at all. We can disagree on method respectfully. I respect Catholic apologists who take on anti-Catholics in public debate even though I think it is inadvisable and counter-productive in the long run.
It was argued that Jesus silenced his critics and engaged them in debate ("no one dared ask him any more questions" - Matthew 22:46). In this instance, our Lord Jesus had asked a single question of the Pharisees (22:41-42). They answered, and He asked a follow-up question (22:43-45). Then they could not answer (22:46). This is hardly an evening-long debate, so I really don't think it applies to the question at hand. We are not likely to "shut up" our anti-Catholic adversaries. They (unlike the Pharisees with God incarnate) will be provided a platform for unlimited sophistry, slander, and lying. We give them a forum by agreeing to debate them that they would otherwise not have.
Furthermore, after we are told that no one asked any more questions, we have recorded Jesus' famous rebukes of the Pharisees, where He calls them blind guides (23:16,24; RSV), blind fools (23:17), hypocrites (23:23,25,27,29), whitewashed tombs . . . full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness (23:27), full of hypocrisy and iniquity (23:28), sons of those who murdered the prophets (23:31), you serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? (23:33).
One might argue, then, that anti-Catholics ought to be rebuked in this way at "debates" (Jesus' rebukes being oral and in a large crowd), since our Lord's words just before He gave this rebuke, have been cited (rightly) as our example. We need to look at all that Jesus and St. Paul said and did in this regard. Of course they argued and disputed - that's beside the point, and who would deny it? My concern is the determination of when such argumentation is futile and vain.
Jesus also said: Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine . . . (Mt 7:6). And: . . . if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town (Mt 10:14). And: . . . not all men can receive this saying, but only those to whom it has been given . . . He who is able to receive this, let him receive it (Mt 19:11-12, concerning celibacy and the indissolubility of marriage; implying to some extent, I think, that argument is futile due to obstinacy and lack of grace in some cases). My point is not that all anti-Catholics are swine (!!!!!). Rather, I am contending that public correction of error is not always an ethical requirement or a prudent thing to do (though I would never argue that it is a bad or wrong thing to do).
After His eucharistic discourse of John 6, we are informed that many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him (6:66). Yet Jesus didn't try to run after them and argue them back into faith. He simply let them go and asked the twelve do you also wish to go away? (6:67). Obviously there are times when argumentation and debate are futile, even harmful. Jesus knew this full well, as He knew everything. Surely, many other similar examples could be cited.
It is said that we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in such debates. We certainly do, but I'm not sure we can claim that He guides all our words in such a situation as a "debate" with an anti-Catholic. One context in which this Spirit-guidance was taught is quite a different one, I think:
E.g., in Matthew 18, the famous passage about disagreements and church discipline, Jesus enjoins reconciliation with someone who wrongs us (18:15). Failing that, we are to go get one or two others as witnesses (18:16), then to take it to the church if need be (18:17). If the person refuses that correction, Jesus tells us to let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector (18:17). Have not anti-Catholics lied about our faith and several of us apologists times without number? Are they not often slanderers?
Who will rebuke them out of concern for their souls, rather than grant them a respectability they don't deserve by these "debates"? I consider anti-Catholics my brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter what they think of me (this is good Catholic theology; in fact, required belief, especially in light of Vatican II). But in certain instances of obstinacy I am told to shun and avoid them, by Jesus and Paul; how, then, could I debate them, in such a circumstance? This is another aspect of this whole thing, having to do with anti-Catholics' refusal to be civil and charitable and conciliatory with so many of us. This is not a "personal" matter of possible over-sensitivity on our part; it is, rather, a matter of deep biblical and ethical principle, and ultimately concern for the souls of our opponents, as I am trying to show.
St. Paul is no different. Many times he advises an avoidance of "vain disputation":
. . . nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith . . . vain discussion . . . (1 Tim 1:4,6)
. . . avoid disputing about words[such as "ex cathedra" or "ordinary magisterium" in non-Catholic crowds?] which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. (2 Tim 2:14)
But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after amonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)
Mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to
the doctrine ye have learned; and avoid them.
(Rom 16:17)
Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. (2 Tim 2:23)
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Tim 6:3-5)
I'm open to another interpretation of all this Scripture, if anyone can show me one. People can legitimately have different opinions on the matter, as it is one of strategy and prudence. I've said many times that I rejoice in any fruit that comes from such events. My main point, however, is that there is such a thing as refraining from a debate (whether real or sophistical and farcical) for legitimate reasons, which I am seeking to demonstrate from Scripture. But then again, perhaps it turns on whether or not a particular anti-Catholic opponent is deemed a "fool" or "slanderer" or what not.
It depends in large part on how one defines "debate" or being "good at it." If by that is meant that a person is able to be quick on his feet and offer both objections and answers; sure, many anti-Catholics are (especially the more educated ones). If, however, one means by being a good debater, being honest with the facts and honestly dealing with one's opponents best shots, most professional anti-Catholics are atrocious. Is there a middle ground here?
Such "debates," in my opinion, even positively hinder an honest dialogue. E.g., a public debater can virtually never concede a point right on the stage. It's almost the nature of the beast that that can never occur, and this does not encourage open-mindedness and willingness to change opinions where warranted. All of us converts know about changing our opinions!
My point is that anti-Catholic polemicists do not deserve the attention and notoriety. My argument does not hinge on whether one enjoys or is able to do a live debate. I am in the latter category myself (I am very much the writer - which is quite distinct from speaking - and I have virtually no desire to either lecture or debate, though I probably could do it if I really set my mind to it; I did okay in my radio appearances), but that is a different proposition from determining whether such events are helpful, even when undertaken by a skilled Catholic public debater.
Anti-Catholicism - objectively examined - is inherently intellectually dishonest, in my humble opinion. That's behind much of my objection from the get-go. That doesn't mean all anti-Catholics are deliberately being dishonest; only that their position is such, by its very nature. Therefore, by engaging it publically, we give it far more credence than it deserves (like debating some fringe anarchist or radical Communist every political season).
Books and websites are a much better way to go, I think. I've engaged many of these people in writing (White, Webster, Engwer, Ankerberg, Svendsen, Vanezia, DeMar, Phillip Johnson, many lesser-known folks), so I am obviously not objecting to taking them on altogether. One might argue that writing involves the same dilemma, but my point is that live debate entails many propagandistic, "working the crowd" elements (on our opponents' part) which writing does not have.
Also, we can take them on once or twice to fight the error, but not all the time, so as not to give them more of a platform and a respectability than they deserve. I do agree that it is a complex prudential matter, though - one for which much prayer is needed. I am not even advocating all cessation of public debate. I am saying that there are certain people we should not debate in public on certain topics, or at least not all the time. This is not even about "oral vs. written" debates per se. It is how best to proceed with certain anti-Catholic polemicists.
I am not judging any man's soul, only unworthy tactics, and unwillingness to forgive and repent of certain ongoing sins (particularly slander and bearing false witness, and unwillingness to accept any correction, even of demonstrable fact) which are hardly debatable. St. Paul acted no differently. He was much more harsh than I have ever been.
In my opinion, most anti-Catholics have left the field of legitimate, scholarly, apologetic discourse by their slanderous behavior, both towards individuals and towards the Church. One can disagree with Catholicism without the hostility and the distortions. Norman Geisler does it. But he regards us as Christian. It is no coincidence that the approach and "mentality" widely differs according to one's opinions on the Christian or non-Christian status of Catholicism. By debating slanderers and those who commit intellectual suicide by adopting radically self-defeating propositions, we in effect grant them a legitimacy that they in fact do not possess. But I am speaking more in terms of philosophical and scholarly discourse, than strictly biblical categories, now that I think of it. One must mix the two somehow and be consistent: no small task.
Anti-Catholics ought to be rebuked (not debated) by those who are truly concerned for their spiritual welfare. We rebuke, precisely because (far from hating them) we regard these straying sheep as our brothers and sisters in Christ and desire what is best for them (which is what love is, after all).
The same exact standard ought to be applied to Catholic apologists as well. I have problems with some of the rhetoric I see, coming from Catholic apologists. I have a problem with anyone - regardless of position - who attacks people' motives and who cannot engage others in a calm, outwardly-charitable fashion. Recently, I was informed by a Protestant friend that a Catholic was flying off the handle on a Protestant-dominated list. I (mildly) rebuked the Catholic, and the message was forwarded by the Protestant to the list. I was later thanked by both, and the Catholic repented publicly. I think this is a good witness to non-Catholics, but the apologist screwing up has to be humble enough to receive correction. We don't need that sort of nonsense wrecking our purposes and witness.It is irrelevant to me who is the recipient of slander. When I was in the Assemblies of God, I once defended Dave Hunt - of all people - against slander from my own pastor. I was almost "excommunicated" as a result. But I didn't care; it was a matter of principle.
I think that in most instances, the person who frequently engages in slander, refuses correction; refuses to ever repent of it (as is the case with so many anti-Catholics), does not necessarily have hatred and malice (I think, personally, that they often possess self-assumed righteous indignation, and that they think they are on a holy crusade, so that the harshness is justified, because they are RIGHT....). Thus, it would not be so much hatred, as it is spiritual pride, stubbornness, and self-delusion with regard to theological truth. The key is frequency and refusal to repent. But I would not assert hatred as a character trait, because that gets into motives and one's heart, and I don't go there. Many people - again, on all sides - seem to think that the ordinary requirements of courtesy and charity go out the window when they are looking at their computer window, let alone in a public debate scenario . . . I despise this in person and on the screen. Always have and always will . . . .
One must rebuke someone when they are in unrepentant sin, regardless of the consequences. That's what I see Paul and Jesus doing. Jesus didn't keep discussing calmly with the Pharisees forever, in a never-ending attempt to soften them and reach them. He let them have it! Presumably, some woke up after that and repented. And Jesus would have the best possible handle on strategy, knowing everything, and knowing how people would react. How about His rebukes of the seven churches in Revelation? Same thing. Paul didn't mince words with the Galatians or Corinthians, Judaizers, Hymenaeus and Alexander the Coppersmith, even Peter himself.
What if (pick any prominent anti-Catholic) were to be killed tonight, and God judges that he is in mortal sin, due to his unrepentance and lying (speaking purely hypothetically; not assertively)? The man would go to hell at least partially because no one was loving enough to rebuke and correct him (no one he listens to, anyway). With sin, we can't (in effect) adopt the postmodernist "I'm ok, you're ok." I understand that we all want to be liked and popular (I absolutely hate conflict myself, and having my motives trashed), but didn't Jesus say "you will be hated by all for my name's sake"? Sometimes fellow Christians don't treat us very well, either, when we forcefully rebuke them. But that's part of the cross a true Christian bears.
The very notion of a "debate" with a sophist, is, in my mind (as in that of Socrates/Plato) is no debate at all. I hasten to add that this doesn't mean I disparage anyone who does it or deny that fruit takes place. Quite the contrary. But I would contend: everything works together for good, we know, yet it doesn't follow from that that it is good (or, more accurately, prudential) to do everything that produces such good as a "secondary" effect. This is simply an opinion on apologetic tactics and strategy. I think principles do come into play in the discussion at some point, but I believe it is nevertheless (clearly) a prudential matter, not an absolute ethical question of right and wrong.
Concerning such "debates" when they do occur, the good part is that non-Catholics hear the truth in a way and to an extent many of them may never have previously. I love that aspect, but even so I think the negatives outweigh the positives, for the reasons I have presented here and elsewhere.
Two other Catholic apologists wrote:
I agree that, when speaking to them, we have to speak the truth in love . . . I remain dubious that it does more good than harm to provide [such men] with a platform in which [they] can use [their] perverted intellectual gifts to throw more mud than a Catholic can wipe off in an hour's time.This gets right to one of my original points. Debate - rightly understood - is not about slandering one's opponent and "throwing mud" but about biblical/Christian truth and logic and education and mutual understanding. We ought not to reduce discussion on the most important things in life down to the level of the silly, idiotic political or pop culture "debates" that vainly seek to pass for intelligent, informed discourse.But who have you debated that DOES NOT try to throw as much mud on your face that you can't wipe off in an hour's time? That is the sole objective of your opponent in a debate.
We in effect do this by agreeing to allow our opponents to engage in these unworthy tactics - to give them a forum and "legitimacy," even though we may not engage in the questionable tactics. We are enablers and co-dependents in a sense (to use psychological lingo for a moment). Or to use more biblical language, we help to make our anti-Catholic friends "stumble."
I've heard several true debates/discussion where this farcical mutual monologue and playing the crowd like an unscrupulous Madison Avenue ad man did not take place. I think of, e.g., Rod Rosenbladt or Harold O.J. Brown on the Protestant side. I think Norman Geisler could do it, or R.C. Sproul, if he were willing. But then again, these men are not anti-Catholic (excepting Sproul, who is the most sophisticated and respectable type imaginable), which supports my long-held opinion that anti-Catholics are scarcely capable of true debate - their position being ludicrous and self-defeating from the outset, and their ethics - sadly - often not much better.
So part of our disagreement is concerning the very definition of "debate." I deny that these farces are worthy of the name. Whatever good might be accomplished is another issue, but they are not debates, because our opponents are propagandists and sophists, not serious debaters or even what I would describe as "amateur philosophers/thinkers" of the Socratic/Thomistic model. This is a factor which even goes beyond the "complexity of Catholicism" vs. the "sound-byte and sloganistic nature of pop-Protestantism" sub-strain of my overall argument.
I have dealt with the issue of the superiority
of written debates over oral, but others seem to dismiss that based on
the fruit which apparently occurs during "successful" Catholic vs. anti-Catholic
public debates, and biblical examples of oral debate. I don't think that
is as simple as it may seem at first.
Of course Jesus and Paul debated, and oratorically
(it being a much more oral society with neither widespread literacy nor
the printing press) but they did not always, and they urged us to
refrain from such discussions once they possessed particular characteristics.
We are commanded not to engage in "stupid controversies" or to interact
with fools and slanderers.
God will always bring good fruit when one of his servants is willing to proclaim his truth and fight error. This does NOT, however, prove that we must always engage everyone at all times, whenever opportunity presents itself. We are not pragmatists (a strain of thought endemic in American religion, as it is the only native American philosophy). Jimmy Swaggart could preach in Upper Slobovia and win some converts. There would be good fruit. People would hear the gospel (at least the truncated Protestant "mere" version of it). Does that mean he should? In that case, it is his own sin and hypocrisy which disqualifies him. Here I say it is that of most anti-Catholics which disqualify them from intelligent debate in a public forum.
In other words, there are principles which should not be violated in an attempt to succeed strategically and tactically, in terms of the worthy goals and motives of evangelism and the apologetics which is its "handmaiden." One could argue that. e.g., the Church shouldn't have censured and excommunicated Henry VIII, because "opportunities" were lost for reaching England.
Indeed, there is a lot of truth and force to this. It had to have been an excruciating, heart-rending decision for the Church of that time. Yet the Church held firm on principle and moral truth, knowing that souls - sadly - would be affected. There was no choice. Holy Mother Church would not compromise on the notion of the indissolubility of marriage. It could not. Whether a king or a pauper was involved was irrelevant. That souls were thus adversely affected is a tragic result of a fallen world, but could not have been avoided in this instance.
It is argued that we ought to engage anti-Catholics in debate, regardless of their manifest faults and slanders, because it is an opportunity for evangelism, and that this settles the issue. I don't buy that rationale, because I think it ignores the place of prudence, overall, long-term evangelistic strategy, the injunctions to not engage in "foolish disputations" and (in some respects) the best intentions for our opponents' souls. Let me elaborate on the latter aspect.
If we grant for the sake of argument that these men are committing ongoing, serious sins (which most of us would readily grant, I believe), then I think there is a consideration of what place we Catholic apologists play in perpetuating or "enabling" (in effect sanctioning) such sins. If we continue to debate them, we are (whether we intend to or not) granting them a respectability and legitimacy which they do not possess - not only intellectually but also ethically and morally?
Furthermore, I have uploaded some of my 1996 discussions with Svendsen on White's sola Scriptura list. I informed Eric of that by e-mail and he never responded. I guess I'm in his personal doghouse too. So you can't fault me for not trying. I happen to believe that people ought to be able to get along despite religious or intellectual differences. It's tough to be in this world with that sort of NT idealism, I do confess.
Another apologist wrote:
When we confront these perpetrators, we lessen their influence. One of the best ways to do that is in a public forum, as Jesus and Paul did. Jesus didn't stop in the middle of a debate with the Pharisees and say, "Oh, wait a minute guys, I want to go home and write this all down so that there is no misunderstanding about what I am saying." God forbid. There is a certain dynamic that occurs when the devil is confronted face-to-face. It you play your cards right, it can be the most convincing form of communication there is.My desire is to acknowledge the best points outlined above. There is good fruit which occurs in these encounters, despite all. Again, I submit that there may be a middle ground where some Catholic apologists can debate if they wish, and therefore reach some Protestants who wouldn't otherwise likely be reached (though the latter assumption itself is debatable, I think). At the same time, they can apply ethical pressure on our anti-Catholic brothers in Christ and uphold the other principles I have been emphasizing.
We ought to have more solidarity with our fellow
Catholic apologists, and stand together for principle, not allowing
our opponents to divide us on strategic and ethical matters. We should
stand as a unified "bloc": "either you drop the lies and personal attacks,
or not a one of us will engage you in public, thus granting you a legitimacy
you don't deserve." My point of view acknowledges anti-Catholic polemicists
as brothers in Christ who should be corrected and rebuked, not "dissed"
or "damned" or "demonized" as a lost cause. It acknowledges good fruits
from "debates" while at the same time not underplaying principle and NT
ethics or real sins and faults (notably, slander and misrepresentation:
lying).
If anti-Catholics are indeed fellow Christians,
it follows that Matthew 18 applies in their case (the procedure of rebuking
a sinner and confronting his sin). It is equally as charitable to rebuke
anti-Catholics out of concern for their souls as it is to be nicey-nicey
and to engage them in cordial discussion over tea and crumpets. We need
to point out their wicked hypocrisy. This is the outline of my case for
either ceasing to debate anti-Catholics, or to do so (if one must, or for
related worthy ends) on principled conditions, where all parties win, and
ethics is as prominent in the scheme of things as theological truth and
evangelistic opportunity are. I don't have to deny the good results of
anti-Catholics hearing corrections of their misunderstandings, but I also
don't have to deny that most prominent anti-Catholics are sophists and
slanderers, or that they are, in effect, being given a "go-ahead" to continue
slandering Catholics, by our willingness to continue to debate them with
no conditions attached.
In so doing, we "wink" at this continued hypocrisy simply because - as has been argued - some of us have been hypocrites, too. To which I say: "very well then, rebuke the Catholics for it too, rather than minimize the anti-Catholics' hypocrisy!"). Any hypocrisy is wicked; that we Catholics also have some hypocrisy (which is no news to me) is not a reason to explain away anti-Catholics' prodigious commissions of this egregious sin (one which our Lord seemed to particularly hate Himself). And I want to reiterate again that this is not (and should not be) a "personal" or emotional thing. This is a matter of ethical principle, and concern for souls.
I do think, though, that anti-Catholics often have a legitimate gripe when they object to our own sweeping characterizations of them, such as (famously) a description of a well-known anti-Catholic figure in the pages of the prominent Catholic apologetics journal This Rock as a "cocky fundamentalist." Now this may in fact be true. But is it good to speak in those terms (and I have done it myself; I don't exempt myself from this at all)? None of us would stand for such a characterization of us. I know how I feel when I am lied about. If we assume for a moment that something or other may not be true of our opponent, then such judgments are indeed grave unjust and objectively (if not intentionally) lies on our part. This is love: "charity believes all things."
Even if it were true, it is not constructive to trumpet such things in public. It seems that we Catholic apologists too often conclud that certain anti-Catholics are beyond all hope of redemption, whether soteriologically or intellectually and ethically. We mustn't forget what Paul and Peter were like before God's graces transformed them. Imagine, e.g., this hypothetical scenario:
[Anti-Catholic Mr. X] has confessed to murdering (for the sake of Christian truth and the cause of the Reformation) zealous Catholic apologists such as Scott Hahn and Karl Keating, yet recently he has - amazingly - claimed that he had a blinding vision on his motorcycle on the road to Rome, whereby he was thrown violently into the Tiber River and was suddenly convinced of the error of his ways, thus espousing the Catholic faith.This was the Apostle Paul, of course (who wasn't a Christian at all - even more spectacular of a transformation). If we can accept his remarkable conversion, can we not hope beyond hope for such a radical change in anti-Catholics, who are at least baptized, trinitarian Christians, and who have not killed anyone? This is not an exaggeration; I think it is a very apt biblical analogy (or possibility, more accurately).
If we simply rant and rave in "put-down" mode about anti-Catholics, we sink to their level of unsavory rhetoric, do we not? And that merely reinforces their own true shortcomings, whatever they may be (I agree, they are many, and seemingly manifest), because they can sit there and say, "man, all these Catholic apologists give me a hard time about my rhetoric against them, but look at THIS!" Someone has to rise above this tendency; take the moral high ground. It reminds me so much of the negative campaigning of politics. I think there is a way to do pungent, between-the-eyes criticism, but it must follow the model of Newman vs. Kingsley (fact- and principle-based), not Clinton vs. Gingrich (rumor-, rhetorically-, and propaganda-based).
We can't pull someone out of the stinking caldron of raucous slander and calumny if we ourselves engage in the same sort of rhetoric, or come so close to it that it is almost a distinction without a difference. I am not immune from this, either, but I know I do make a conscious effort at all times (especially when I am writing, where you can re-read and edit) not to judge someone's heart, no matter how much it may be tempting or seemingly-justifiable to launch into such forays of speculation.
A Catholic apologist wrote:
Now, many Protestants are quite decent folks, and still many may already have the humility, temperament, and disposition to have the Catholic faith explained to them from the horse's mouth, so to speak, and not from those who seek to caricature the Church's teachings.Yes (us converts know that from our own personal histories), but in a disproportionately anti-Catholic crowd, this would not characterize the Protestants. Only a few would fall into this category, in my opinion. As in political debates, very few of the "hard-liners" on either side are persuaded to change their opinion; only the undecideds may be swayed one way or the other. Furthermore, I am not convinced that the general public, let alone its anti-Catholic or even ecumenical Protestant sub-group, is able to make crucial distinctions to the extent of determining when ethics are being breached. People are no longer trained to think critically or logically, or in accordance with moral absolutes and non-negotiable principles.
That is proven by the Clinton scandals alone, and the fact that this scoundrel won re-election, was not removed from office, and continues to enjoy a 60% approval rating. People are extremely gullible; they are sheep, and it is clear that they can be brainwashed and propagandized by these sorts of events (as well as by the vapid, insulting assumptions of ad and marketing professionals). The public even accepts nonchalantly partial-birth infanticide. Yeah, sure, 80% say they oppose it, yet they vote for the people who allow it to continue. Moral schizophrenia. They think Al Gore is a good debater, for Pete's sake! That reality would seem to me to support the contention that unscrupulous sophists and propagandists are more successful in the public arena than charitable and honest truth-tellers. I categorically deny the contention, in terms of general observation, that the average audience today is able to discern properly where it concerns the Catholic vs. anti-Catholic discussion.
A fellow apologist and critic of my views stated:
I don't think you can presume that they [i.e., crowds at such "debates"] cannot thinkI certainly can do that. We are in a population suffused with moral and logical relativism and wishy-washy, liberal-type thinking, with a disastrous (and often radical) educational system, and the overwhelming, never-before-seen negative overall influence of the various media and ad campaigners on behavior. Steve Wood often points this out. He is right. It is self-evident. Protestantism, sad to say, often contributes to these negative influences. It is often liberal, compromised, pragmatic, narcissistic, hedonistic, soaked in warped ecclesiology and hermeneutics, and sloganistic and simplistic, just like the culture at large. Add to all this the predictable demographic of your average anti-Catholic and you largely have an audience of gullible and prejudiced sheep, I am convinced.
critically or logically. You give up on them without even trying.
God will always bring good out of every situation. That is not a reason to debate every Tom, Dick, and Harry, simply for that reason alone, for such a rationale is pure pragmatism, not a Christian worldview. We can't do all things at all times; we must exercise prudence and wisdom. This seems self-evident to me. Jeremiah preached for 60 years and got hardly any results. Jimmy Swaggart has preached for 30-odd years and gotten plenty of results (so have Mormon's and Jehovah's Witnesses and many anti-Catholics). So do we say that these folks ought to continue to do so, while Jeremiah should have ceased, because he was "unsuccessful"?
And such unbiblical reasoning continues to neglect the fact that we are commanded to avoid slanderers, and the ill effects on many that anti-Catholics (given a public platform) will cause. So, say 40% (let's say that is 400) of the audience goes away more anti-Catholic, more confirmed in their errors, and more zealous to persuade Catholics out of their Church; and say 10 people come away convinced of Catholicism. Sure, we rejoice for them, yet if 40 times their number take a downward slide spiritually, is this really a tactical gain for our side (or for the Kingdom, period)? We can rejoice in the one or ten conversions all we like (and we should, and I do), but we have to be realistic about the negative effects which also occur.
That's why I have suggested a before-and-after survey at these "debates" to determine exactly what results were achieved. If such surveys repeatedly indicated an overwhelming victory for our side, I would happily concede the point and seriously re-examine my position. If indeed we are "successful" at these events then we ought to be able to prove it with some objective, measurable, verifiable criteria. Two or three letters from converts will not do. Even then, it wouldn't be the end of the question at hand, because if anti-Catholics continue to be slanderers, we are commanded to avoid them (and by extension, not grant them notoriety and a public forum and a legitimacy they are not entitled to).
It doesn't prove that we must do these debates, because 1 or 10 people become convinced. They are free agents; if they are able to be convinced at such an event, then they will also have the gumption to seek truth out on their own, on the Internet, through books (even EWTN these days), or via an informed Catholic friend or family member whom God puts in their life, or tragedy, or what not. Everyone chooses to either pursue or squash truth. God is bigger than all our efforts, no matter how noble and good in intention. If we start thinking we control the grand scheme of things, we are in trouble, and we minimize God's sovereignty. This is the temptation of the apologist, as we apologists all well know, I'm sure.
If in fact, our anti-Catholic opponent in a public debate convinces far more percentage-wise for his cause (let's assume for the sake of argument and dramatic exaggeration that they are ultimately damned), do we continue to say that this is a net gain? I don't see how we can. And it is difficult to know what occurs at these farcical events, short of a comprehensive survey. That would bring objectivity into this, rather than the anecdotal evidence of a few wonderful letters, concerning which we all rejoice.
If God could use Balaam's ass, I'm sure he could use (and does use) an unsavory anti-Catholic character for the salvation of souls. Does that mean we continue to debate such a one till the cows come home, no matter how he acts, no matter how much he lies and slanders and acts hypocritically and arrogantly? No . . . .
The same apologist argued:
I would also like to remind everyone that the Catholic Apologist is not there to be treated "with respect and dignity". Sure, one would expect that, among Christians, we would hope that would be the case, but that's a fringe benefit.I agree in a broad sense; but even this is a more complex matter than I think many realize. Personally, I am well-acquainted with being treated like dirt for the gospel's sake (or pro-life's sake); mostly from fellow Christians (in my Protestant period, primarily). Anyone who has tried to be a missionary (or a pastor, though I think they are much more respected, and certainly supported financially infinitely more) like I have will understand this very well. I won't bore you with all the horror stories I could bring to bear. So this is not something which I would "demand" in any evangelistic encounter. This is no novel concept to me.
On the other hand, I already gave the example of Paul appealing to Caesar and the pagan Roman justice system when he was slandered. We are merely holding our opponents to their own ostensible standards of conduct if indeed we are of a mind to point out the moral correctness of such treatment (i.e., for principle's sake, not personal dignity and suchlike). Cardinal Newman publically made mincemeat of Kingsley when the latter accused him of special pleading and equivocation (in effect, sheer dishonesty). Should he (and St. Paul) have just "taken" the abuse? Not every situation is a "turn the other cheek" scenario. Prudence requires that we treat each situation on its own, exercising discernment and taking into account all of the biblical evidence, conscience, possible result, and so forth.
This is Christianity 0101 ("you will be hated by all for My name's sake"). One would hope fellow Christians wouldn't act like pagan and heathen, but there you go (some of the wonderful fruit of the "Reformation"). That doesn't mean that we are required to repeatedly debate slanderers and sophists, knowing full well what will occur beforehand. The same Lord told us to "shake the dust off our feet" and not to "cast your pearls before swine." Many Catholic apologists seem to give one side of the biblical material along these lines and largely ignore or at least minimize the other strain, whereas I am straightforwardly dealing with both and trying to present a view which incorporates both harmoniously (as we are all duty-bound to do, it seems to me).
The case of our Lord Jesus' "non-resistance" (quite a unique one, we would all agree) is clearly not the standard for all times and all places. Like I said, St. Paul didn't act this way when he was taken prisoner. St. Peter was let out of prison by an angel. It wasn't his time to die yet (eventually it was, for both he and Paul). Jesus escaped death many times (from Herod, hostile crowds, Pharisees) before His time came to die. The Hebrew children survived the fiery furnace. Cardinal Newman didn't sit back and take the outrageous public slander of his character. St. Francis de Sales defended the notion of standing up for one's own honor and reputation, in certain circumstances. Others are called to be martyrs (St. Thomas More, St. Ignatius, St. Joan of Arc, St. Edith Stein, etc.). This is no novel concept, that not all are called to martyrdom, whether literal or "white."
Obviously this is not an absolute. It's not a matter of demanding respect, like a petulant adolescent. It is, in effect, a pastoral (or in a sense, prophetic) consideration. It is about ethical principle and calling all sides to the biblical standard of conduct (which they supposedly agree upon); about not enabling our anti-Catholic brothers in Christ (which they are) to stumble and be allowed a free reign to lie and slander, thus endangering their own souls as well as that of their audience. I don't regard anti-Catholics as inveterate enemies of Christ. I view them as a self-deluded, errant, straying brothers who have a zeal without knowledge. We are all a mixed bag, aren't we? Such is the result of the Fall. Paul wrote Romans 8, but he also wrote Romans 7.
It would be entirely different with an ecumenical Protestant. That doesn't involve lying and misrepresentation and unworthy rhetorical tactics. That is merely an honest and respectful difference of opinion. Why don't we debate those folks instead of the fools, slanderers, and sophists? Arguably, we would reach many more people at a debate like that, because they would be of much more open mind from the outset.
Another Catholic apologist wrote:
Taking slander is part of the business. Its the "movie" that we are in, and I hope we can act our part and not give up, for that's exactly what they want us to do when they slander us.This entirely misses the point (at least my point), if I do say so. I dealt with this above, but in a nutshell: it is not personal slander and an affront to my (or anyone else's) "dignity" that I am talking about, but rather, slander (and sophistry) as the modus operandi of a fellow Christian, which we support and encourage by giving this person a forum to continue doing it. That is arguably making him stumble (in biblical language) or offering an occasion of sin (in Catholic moral theological terms) or enabling (in psychological / AA lingo). Romans 14:13,19.
Nor are we called to seek slander (since we know it will happen with many anti-Catholics, judging from their writings) or to be "evangelistic masochists." In any event, my concern is far more for anti-Catholics and for their duped fan clubs than for myself or my fellow apologists. They endanger their own souls and that of others. We are blessed by being persecuted (Mt 5:11-12). Big difference. Huge difference in likely end results, failing a change of direction (Rev 21:8).
Perhaps it is worthwhile at this point to clarify the definition of "slander." For me, it is character attack, lying about someone (especially knowingly or recklessly and publically), insulting their intelligence and sincerity, claiming to know their inner motivations, spreading unconfirmed rumors, and suchlike. Fr. John A. Hardon (who received me into the Church) defines it as follows in his Modern Catholic Dictionary:
Detraction. Essentially slander is verbal defamation of a person's character, although it may be either spoken or written. It also implies suffering or positive harm done to the victim of slander. In popular language calumny is a form of slander. (Etym. Latin 'scandalum,' stumbling block, offense).Kittel describes the Greek "katalaleo" as:
has such senses as 'to importune with speeches,' 'to prattle,' 'to blurt out,' 'to accuse,' and 'to calumniate.' In the LXX it is used for hostile speech, especially slander . . . In the NT the main stress is on the malicious nature of the speech; and the importance of resisting this vice, which is a violation of the law (Jas 4:11) and contrary to the new life in God (1 Pet 2:1-3), may be seen from its high placing in lists of vices or its being made the subject of special exhortation (2 Cor 12:20; Jas 4:11). Its frequent occurrence in the apostolic fathers shows how seriously it is taken in the early church, but also how rampant it is.[see also 1 Peter 2:12, 3:16, Rom 1:30]
Thayer defines this word and its cognates as:
to speak against one, to criminate, to traduce . . . defamation, evil-speaking . . . a defamer, evil speaker. (Strong's words #2635-2637)Another NT word for "slanderer" is "diabolos" (Strong's word #1228) translated as "slanderers" at 1 Tim 3:11, and "false accusers" at 2 Tim 3:3 and Titus 2:3. Elsewhere it is rendered "devil," since Satan is known as a slanderer or accuser. I would assume that a transgression used to describe a leading character of the devil is indeed a serious one and not to be taken lightly.
W.E. Vine defines "diabolos" at 1 Tim 3:11 as:
. . . those who are given to finding fault with the demeanour and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos and criticisms in the church.Another word sometimes translated "slander" or "evil speaking" is "blasphemeo" (blasphemy; Strong's word #987). Paul uses this in Rom 3:8 about his views being "slanderously reported" (KJV). It is translated "reviled" (Mt 27:39), "railed on" (Mk 15:29, Lk 23:39), "evil spoken of" (Rom 14:16, 1 Cor 10:30, 1 Pet 4:14, 2 Pet 2:2), "defamed" (1 Cor 4:13), "speak evil of" (Titus 3:2, 2 Pet 2:10,12, Jude 8,10), and "speaking evil" (1 Pet 4:4). The cognate "blaspheemia" appears in the KJV as "evil speaking" (Eph 4:31), "railings" (1 Tim 6:4), "railing accusation" (Jude 9; also, "blaspheemos" at 2 Pet 2:11).
Finally, the largest dictionary I have defines "slander" as:
any false and insulting statement / law: an oral statement which without due cause has the result, or is intended to have the result, of bringing its subject into disrepute (cf. LIBEL).[the same dictionary applies the same legal definition to "libel" with regard to written statements or photographs, so I suppose this is the more accurate term for many anti-Catholics, apart from the legal aspect, if it is ever used in such a fashion]
"Defame":
To attack the good reputation of someone.We are told to apply sanctions and pressure upon sinners for their redemption. Remember the Corinthian guy? Paul told them to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved . . . (1 Cor 5:5). Later the great Apostle in effect granted him an indulgence (2 Cor 2:5-7). In v. 6 he mentions a punishment by the majority. This is social pressure; it is the stigma of the community. It is a group application of the "rebuke procedure" of Matthew 18. And it is what we must do with anti-Catholics, for the sake of their souls. Far from being petty or small or vengeful (God forbid), I think it is profoundly loving!
I have never been opposed to debates per se (as everyone who has visited my website must surely know), but rather, what I feel is the perversion of debates by engaging those who corrupt the very concept of what a debate should be all about.
It might be argued that publically debating anti-Catholics serves a pedagogical purpose. That is one of the main reasons I engage anti-Catholics on my website. This is a valid point as far as it goes, EXCEPT that I don't think it negates the ethical obligation to not cause a brother to stumble (whether he is by himself or at a baseball Stadium). The anti-Catholic is not to be used as a pawn if this entails enabling his ongoing sin. This is one of my central points. And - unless I am greatly mistaken - I think it is unimpeachable Catholic moral theology.
Look at Henry VIII! The Church could have said, "well, we'll wink at his sin so we can continue to positively effect England with Catholic truth." But it did not - could not - do so, because moral principle and right and wrong must be upheld no matter what the consequences. The Protestants did just the opposite in the case of the bigamy of Phillip of Hesse. Luther and his ilk counseled a lie because a greater cause was at stake than just this guy's adultery, etc.
I know, grand examples; probably excessive rhetoric, but the point is that if indeed our anti-Catholic opponents are committing various sins in the very act of debating us, and if we are playing any part in causing or enabling that, we MUST refrain from this, no matter what the consequences. To not do so (assuming my conclusions, just stated) is to adopt pragmatism or utilitarianism or situation ethics, as opposed to absolute Catholic or biblical ethics.
If I am told that "one person being affected by a public debate is enough to justify it," I reply that we cannot sin or cause another to sin in order to bring this about. On the other hand, if we do the right thing, there will be numbers; that just isn't the ultimate criteria we use to judge evangelistic "success." We proclaim the truth - come whatever may. Sometimes we will get results (Elijah); sometimes we won't (Jeremiah).
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Revised version uploaded by Dave Armstrong on 27 November 2000. Copyright 2000 by Dave Armstrong. All rights reserved.