by Patrick Morris

The question of Islam is on everyone's mind lately, especially in the apologetics world. Now, more than ever, we as Catholics are being called to engage Islam and to, "always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you." In light of this reality, many Catholic apostolates have taken on the task of drawing up answers to the claims of Islam so as to better inform their readers of the differences between Islam and the Catholic Faith. One such "answer to Islam" was released last year by Catholic Answers in a piece titled, Islam - A Catholic Answers Special Report. Written in question and answer format, the first part of the booklet covers the basics of Islam while the second part gives a Christian appraisal of Islam. Most of the material in these sections is fairly benign and agreeable. However, it is in the third section, "Sharing the Gospel with Muslims," that one finds "answers" that are not fully Catholic.

The following question is posed to the author(s):

I am sharing the gospel with a Muslim friend who is being talked to by some Evangelicals. Now he is not sure whether he should be Catholic or Protestant. What should I do?

Easy enough. You simply do your homework and calmly and charitably demonstrate the errors of the Protestant position, right? Apparently not. Here, rather, is the "answer" given by the author(s):

This is a common situation in this country since there are so many Protestants here. Fortunately, the solution is simple: Tell your Muslim friend that he should follow the truth as he sees it. If he thinks that Protestantism is true, then he should become a Protestant. If he thinks that Catholicism is true then he should become a Catholic.

I can't help but sense a bit of the diabolical in such a statement. It puzzles me that a reputable Catholic Apologetics apostolate would give such a vague "in the spirit of Vatican II" kind of answer. We're talking Heaven or Hell here. Would we simply encourage a lapsed Catholic to follow Protestantism because he "thinks" it's true , and leave it at that? Of course not. Why then is it suddenly an appropriate way to "share the gospel" with a Muslim?

What is Catholic Answers' justification for such an approach? Here it is in their own words:

Taking this approach not only corresponds with proper evangelism and faith in God, it also is likely to be more attractive to your friend than what his evangelical friends are doing, for many of them will try to put pressure on him to become Evangelical, and he will not appreciate that. (emphasis theirs).

"Proper Evangelism?" No . "Proper evangelism" requires us to speak the truth no matter what the cost may be. Truth is not simply a matter of perception. Simply telling an individual to "follow the truth as he sees it" is quite uncharitable if the "truth" the individual ends up following is a lie. This is a serious crime when the advice-giver knows that a given position is a lie. What's more, being overly concerned about whether or not the truth will "pressure" somebody is a troublesome reversal of priorities. The fact is, our lives are one long drama revolving around our acceptance or denial of the truth. There is pressure present whether we are aware of it or not. To accept the truth of the Gospel is to accept God, to reject it is to reject Him. To rouse the sleeping soul out of it's slumber and ignorance of this great drama is a great act of mercy. Granted, there is a balance to be maintained here. But many of us who follow Jesus Christ would not be disciples if we hadn't met those who were willing to "pressure" us a bit into examining and accepting the truth at all costs. Pope Pius IX taught that it is an error to think that, "one should have good hope of the eternal salvation of all those who have never lived in the true Church of Christ." In not declaring the fact that Catholicism is the "true Church of Christ" and Protestantism is not, we due grave disservice to those who need the truth. The truly Catholic answer to this question is that there is only One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Any answer that fails to mention this is anything but "Catholic."

The authors continue putting the emphasis on the subjective with this statement:

Tell him that you yourself are convinced that the Catholic Church is true, that it is the Church Jesus founded, and that if he wishes you will be happy to share with him the evidence for this. (emphasis theirs)

The emphasis given in this statement is not on the truth, but on concerns of how the person is going to respond to that truth. Is truth now only to be presented when someone "wishes" to know it? Do we wait until abortion advocates explicitly "wish" to hear our position before we present it ? Or do we actively look for an opportunity to plant the seeds of truth? Then why is it suddenly inappropriate to speak out on theological topics only because the recipient may not "wish" to hear it? We can't have it both ways. The simple fact is, the soil always perfectly happy to remain untilled, undisturbed. Thankfully, God also made sowers and reapers and didn't leave everything up to the soil.

Am I saying we should stand over someone with a whip and flog them into the Church? Of course not. What I am asking is that if we as Catholics are going to stand up for the truth, no matter what, then this overly-sensitive back-pedaling in the realm of theology has got to stop. No less than the eternal destiny of human beings is at stake. The sad fact is, by and large, Catholics are hardly known for being over-zealous in the area of evangelization. To spend so much ink warning them to "be careful" in this regard is akin to warning a crawling baby of the dangers of running too fast.

Am I trying to pick a fight by writing this? Not at all . I think Catholic Answers has done a great job in their defense the Catholic Faith. What is lacking is offense. It's not enough to just defend the Catholic position. One must promulgate it as well. I bring up these concerns with charity in the hopes those at Catholic Answers will promote "proper evangelization" by giving unapologetically "Catholic Answers." Let's hope they "wish" to do so.

Patrick D. Morris
November 7, 2003