By Bro. Joven M. Jalbuna
In our society, we see different types of people. In the field of faith, there are thousands of sects already existing, bearing different teachings and doctrines. Yet among those sects, there is only one that is true and bears the truth which is built by Christ; the Roman Catholic Church. That by any dispute, through the grounds of history, evidences, scriptures and tradition, it remains unchallangeable of being the true and the sole Christian Church.
As a member of the true Church, it is our solemn duty to help our lost brethren back to the right path. However, such role is not easy, it requires utmost faith, love, patience & determination on walking them through to the right faith. And to do so, we need to know some basic things on how to approach our lost and nominal Catholics brethren. Upon my study, listening to talks of some experts and evaluating the needs of the people, it is best if we can balance things out; to evangelize with apologetics combined with a pastoral approach.
Pastoral approach is the way which most of our clergy is applying. Which guides the people spiritually, reaching them out with a fatherly care and love, who also gives advices and counselling. And of course, providing the people the most basic and essential grounds of our faith. Whereas, apologetics approach is providing more knowledge and basis of our faith which helps our brethren sthrengthen their faith. If pastoral approach builds the foundation of the faith of the individuals, apologetics is the one enforcing it with the basis of our faith; biblically, historically and philosophically, giving more roots so that when heretics will test it, it will not collapse. It is the most appropriate way also that can be used on educating & correcting our protestant brethren from the false teachings they received.
Pastoral and apologetical approaches combined together is indeed a perfect way to preserve the faith of the individuals. However, living our faith will always surpass all of the talks for through our virtues and good examples, we can encourage others to believe and follow us.
"The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will." --2 Timothy 2:24-26
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