Retrieving Apologetics

Given the popes' recent statements of their desires to implement the ""New Evangelization,"" it is imperative that Catholic theologians and other intellectually engaged laypersons retrieve the vital discipline of apologetics. For, the New Evangelization places particular emphasis on ""reproposing the Gospel to those who have experienced a crisis of faith . . . due to secularization."" One salient method of Catholic apologetics used to be characterized by ""three demonstrations,"" each of which assumes the conclusions established in the previous step(s). Some might think that this ""classical method of apologetics"" has been abandoned in the postconciliar Church, but Siniscalchi's book updates it. Unlike the classical apologetics of the preconciliar era, Siniscalchi engages contemporary scholarship in a variety of academic disciplines, such as philosophy, history, biblical studies, sociology, and theology, to develop the steps that are necessary for showing the reasonableness of faith. ""This is an accessible, well-researched, and fairly-argued case for apologetics as a necessary component of Catholic and, indeed, of all Christian theology. It deserves a very wide readership."" --Gerald O'Collins, SJ, Professor Emeritus, Gregorian University ""Siniscalchi does not only write about apologetics; he actually does apologetics, and at a high level. The combination of an erudite and accurate plea for the theological importance of apologetics, and charitable arguments for the truth of the Catholic faith, makes this book uniquely important. As he makes clear, theologians are responsible for ensuring that their research does not solely serve an ivory tower."" --Matthew Levering, Perry Family Foundation Professor of Theology, Mundelein Seminary ""Siniscalchi's book has many virtues. One that is especially noteworthy has to do with the cultures of philosophy and Catholic systematic theology. In the past fifty years these cultures have split apart. . . . This book helps bring those cultures more in line with one another and is definitely a step in the right direction."" --Alfred J. Freddoso, Oesterle Professor of Thomistic Studies, University of Notre Dame ""According to Vatican II, the chief remedy for modern unbelief is 'to be sought in the proper presentation of the Church's teaching' and 'the witness of a living and mature faith' (Gaudium et Spes, 21). In this rich and wise new book, Glenn Siniscalchi offers Christians a complete course in how to acquire both. It is an honor to recommend a work of apologetics that is so well informed by history and theology."" --Stephen Bullivant, Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics, St. Mary's University, UK Glenn B. Siniscalchi (PhD, Duquesne) is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Notre Dame College, South Euclid, Ohio.