Books

The Apostles' Creed, Defend the Faith and other apologetics topics

Reviewed by Michael Daniel

Contents - Apr 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: 'If Christ is not risen, then your faith is in vain' - Peter Westmore John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family to open in July 2001 - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Former Townsville Bishop's admissions on liturgy practices - Bishop Raymond Benjamin Is Townsville the model for Ballarat's priest shortage? - Michael Gilchrist Archbishop Curtiss on implementing the theology 'mandatum' - Archbishop Elden Curtiss US parishioners more outspoken about church "renovations" - Zenit News Service Thomas More Centre Summer School 2001: "Building a Culture of Life" - Michael Daniel How to avoid banal, superficial liturgies - Bishop Kevin Manning Rights of unborn are inalienable - Archbishop Barry J. Hickey Tanzania's Father Winfried makes return visit to Australia - Martin Sheehan Letters: Melbourne RE texts (letter) - Barbara Chigwidden Letters: Sponsorship (letter) - Barry O'Brien Letters: Legal action (letter) - Chris Joseph Letters: Inaccuracy (letter) - Fr Michael Kalka PP Letters: Ambiguities (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: ACU Syllabus (letter) - John Kelly Letters: Stations of the Cross (letter) - Charles Bignold Letters: Good responses (letter) - Hyacinth Morel Letters: Dress code (letter) - Raymond de Souza Review Article: A 'silly book' from ACU professor of theology - Frank Mobbs Books: Keeping The Faith: Making a Difference by Wilson D. Miscamble - Michael Daniel (reviewer) JESUS - Jubilee Edition Video - Johanna O'Farrell (reviewer) Books: 'Contraception: The Hidden Truth' by Christine de Stoop - Katie Forster (reviewer) Books: The Apostles' Creed, Defend the Faith and other apologetics topics - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: 'The Atonement Child' by Francine Rivers - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse, by Roland J. Worth - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Reflection: Giving witness to the Gospel of Life - Rebecca van Rensburg

(Sydney: Lumen Verum Apologetics, 1998 & 2000. Available from Lumen Verum Apologetics, P O Box 150, Mt Lewis, NSW, 2200, or www.lumenverum.org)

In recent years there has been a revival in the art of apologetics, through the republication of works such as Sheehan's Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine. Contrary to popular opinion, apologetics is not about saying sorry for being a Catholic or for Church teachings. It is, instead, the art of giving a clear and logical explanation for the truths of the faith, based upon reason, Scripture, the Fathers and Tradition.

These manuals have been composed by members of Lumen Verum, a group of adults that meets regularly in Sydney, as a basis for their study of apologetics. The first manual, The Apostles' Creed, presents a study on each of the articles of the Apostles' Creed. Defend the Faith analyses mainly faith-based topics in greater depth, particularly those that are points of dispute with Christians of other faith traditions, such as the "The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass", "Sola Scriptura" (the Bible alone), "Statues and Images" and "The Inquisition".

The Family and Human Life examines ethical issues, notably those most under siege in our contemporary secular society, while Law and Life discusses the Ten Commandments, the Seven Sacraments and the Lord's Prayer.

In each chapter, there is an explanation of the Church's teaching and, where necessary, its historical development. Primary source material, such as quotations from Scripture, the Fathers and other Church documents, especially The Catechism of the Catholic Church, are supplied to support the points being made.

This series of manuals would be useful reading for those wishing to deepen their faith, as well as being an invaluable basis for apologetics classes and discussion groups of young adults.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 3 (April 2001), p. 17