Envoy for Christ: 25 Years as a Catholic Apologist

by Patrick Madrid

Over the past twenty-five years, Patrick Madrid has explained and defended the Catholic faith worldwide. Envoy for Christ is a fascinating look inside Catholic apologetics from Madrid’s vantage point on the frontlines. A collection of written material that spans the author’s career, Catholic thought is applied to a variety of apologetic issues, and in addition, Madrid will look at how he has applied Catholic truth to circumstances in his own life. With some of his earlier works, he will also explain how his thinking has changed and developed over the years. This is a summary of the legacy of Patrick Madrid’s far-reaching public ministry.

The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Nonfiction

342 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2012

About the author

PATRICK MADRID is the publisher of Envoy Magazine, a journal of contemporary Catholic thought, and the director of the Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College. Since its inception in 1996, the Envoy team has garnered numerous journalism awards, including several first-place awards in the magazine-of-the-year “General Excellence” category from the Catholic Press Association.

Patrick is the author or editor of 14 books on Catholic themes including, Pope Fiction, Search and Rescue, Does the Bible Really Say That, 150 Bible Verses Every Catholic Should Know, and The Godless Delusion: A Catholic Challenge to Modern Atheism (Spring 2010). He edited and co-authored the acclaimed multi-volume Surprised by Truth series.

He has published numerous popular articles on Scripture, Church history, patristics, apologetics, and evangelization in various Catholic and Protestant periodicals, and he has contributed scholarly articles on apologetics in the New Catholic Encyclopedia.

Active in apologetics since 1987, he worked at Catholic Answers for eight years (from January 1988 to January 1996), where he served as vice president and helped co-found that apostolate's flagship magazine, This Rock, in January of 1990.

Patrick is a cradle-Catholic, not a convert. By God's grace, he was raised in the Catholic Faith and has been a practicing Catholic his entire life.

Growing up in Southern California, he attended grammar school at the Mission San Juan Capistrano parish school, where for years he served as an altar boy for the parish's daily Traditional Latin Mass in the famed Serra Chapel. Ever since his boyhood, Patrick has loved the Traditional Latin Mass.

Patrick earned a bachelor of science degree in business from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor of philosophy degree (B.Phil.) from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where he is completing a master's degree in dogmatic theology. He has also done graduate studies in theology at the University of Dallas.

He is the host of several EWTN television series, including “Pope Fiction,” “Search & Rescue,” and "Where Is That In the Bible?" and he hosts the Thursday edition of EWTN Radio's “Open Line” broadcast, heard on approximately 150 AM & FM stations across the United States, as well as on shortwave and on the Sirius Satellite Radio Network (Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET). He is also a regular guest on the "Catholic Answers Live" program and Sirius Radio's "The Catholic Channel."

Patrick serves on the board of trustees of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA, on the board of directors of St. Gabriel Catholic Radio, in Columbus, Ohio, and on the board of advisors for Catholics United for the Faith, Immaculate Heart Radio Network, and Catholic Scripture Study International. He authored all the original website content for CatholicsComeHome.org, where he also serves as a theologica

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, well, well. What do we have here?

Another pro vatican two propoganda book, AND author (lets not forget THAT), that contains all that you have to know concerning religious indifferentism, modernism, "hippie" love, etc etc.

So, you do not believe me? Lets take a BEAUTIFUL snippet (notice the sarcasm) from this delightful collection of nonsense within this book.

Oh wait! I forgot to add what this stupid book is REALLY all about. Well, Madrid, whom I have read before, is a Catholic Apologist from Catholic Answers. Thats how I encountered Madrid, from Catholic Answers. But let me forewarn you. Do Not under any circumstances, unless you need quick information in beginning a quest for further theological analysis, go to this site. This (if not all my reviews) review is not for (pro) this website. Catholic Answers does not give you Catholic Answers - it gives you Vatican Two Answers. (they should rename it - but since they wont, I will by referring to this name within my reviews - so pay attention)

Back to Madrid. Well, Madrid is a Catholic Apologist... I think I just said that.
Ha. Ha.

Okay - enough of this white washed rubbish. I should note before proceeding that the layout of this book is quibbles, literally nonsense, of what Madrid has done at Vatican Two Answers. So; talk shows, radio shows, articles, snippets from books, etc.

Lets take a look:

On page 57. Obviously this is taken from an article of the stupid Vatican Two website.
It is entitled "Modern art and Muslims".

Well; doesn't that JUST entice you. It did for me, because I wanted to know ALL about it. And what does it just say? Well Madrid, who "apparently" is this so called Catholic Apologist (I think I have mentioned this a multitude of times, but if you did not get the point the first two times, here it is for the third time. So pay attention), who is apparently going to be educating readers like myself all about Islam. (What has this got to do with Catholic Apologetics? Thats the Vatican Two for you).

You see, the title is deceiving. You must look WITHIN the pages to see the "truth" of what he is saying. So its all about Madrid being "artistically handicapped".... which I think is rude to the handicapped really... but okay. So Madrid rambles for two whole paragraphs about himself, la la la.
Until he introduces his friend, yes friend, Ahmed!!! Absolutely fantastic! I now know something about your character, Madrid. As the saying goes, you are who your friends are, and your exactly like Ahmed. People Pleaser. With a capital.

So, now Madrid decides to talk to us about Islam. Fantastic. You dont need to read much. Because you get the gist of Madrids annoying stupidity - his reiteration of what Pope Francis and Vatican Two rubbish has said all before. So now we are being educated with the fact that this random Ahmed guy has a problem with the Trinity. But wait! Alas! I forgot the preceding line before Ahmed has a problem with the Trinity.

It is the proposition that Madrid makes: "Muslims worship the same God as do Jews and Christians"... page 58.

Take a step back!!! Whoa. Mind Blown.
You did not just say that! Oh, but you did. What a shocker. You just repeated what nostra atate states. And whats that? A vatican two document!!! Wow. Mind blown.

So; here is what Madrid has just taught me. First off. When speaking with a so called muslim friend; make sure you let them know that we believe in the same God. Show them that we we are on the same level, the same ground. Then propose we believe in the Trinity. Then listen to the muslim who will tell you that for Islam it is "a slap in the face" (page 58). Then go to modern art and use that to depict the Trinity. .....

See where this is going..... Because I do.

---------
So here is all that is left to be said.

For Vatican Two Answers, and you vatican two propogandists, I aint getting sucked into your circle. You aint duping me.

But in the end; you only duped yourselves.

Anyone with common sense, with true spirit, and desire for God Almighty, do not go to this book.

Black list it.

[Gil Michelini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable for those who want to better understand and live the faith we have been given and need to pass on. Though going toe-to-toe with Protestants and others is not my calling, I learned several points listening to Madrid's essays. His presentation of the facts helps in understand the Truth of our beliefs.

I used to roll my eyes when someone would talk about the fore-shadowing in the Scriptures or claiming that such and such is a form of something that is to come (i.e., Mary the mother of Jesus as a form of the Ark of the Covenant). Madrid helps reaffirm this Scriptural interpretation method.

I enjoyed listening to his story because he is part of the current way of apologist whose material I most enjoy such as Scott Hahn, Peter Kreef, and Karl Keeting.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title by Patrick Madrid is a chronicle of his engagement as an apologist over the past 25 years. Madrid tells stories and explores issues related to the explanation and defending of faith. It's a great listen, Madrid tells stories related to EWTN, Catholic Answers, Scott Hahn, encounters with Jehovah's witness and Mormon missionaries. An entertaining but helpful review of misconceptions about Catholicism (Pope=anti-christ, worshipping Mary, worshipping statues, etc). An engaging and useful chronicle that instructs, entertains and informs.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truly excellent account of Madrid's life as a Catholic apologist. It's one part autobiography and one part how-to book.

Madrid offers up the very entertaining details of his early years as an apologist and shares many stories "from the road" of his various speeches, debates, and random interactions with non-Catholics over the years. He gives fantastic accounts of his many encounters ranging from formalized debates at Protestant churches, to his shocking invitation to door-to-door Mormons to come inside his house for a chat.

Madrid is an expert apologist and I found myself impressed with his vast and varied knowledge of scripture, as well as his rapid retorts when others try (and ultimately fail) to use scripture against him.

I have already started listening to this audio book a second time in the hopes that some of his techniques (and brilliance) will sink into my subconscious.

This book / audio book is recommended to anyone who has ever heard the Catholic faith attacked, but hasn't felt equipped to defend it.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do listen to Patrick Madrid almost every weekday afternoon on my drive home. He hosts the Right Here, Right Now show, and I find his knowledge and passion for the Catholic faith to be quite astounding. I confess, up until a couple of years ago, I did not know what Catholic apologetics even was, and now I do, thanks to Patrick Madrid. This book is a collection of his last 25 years working as an apologist, which is really almost the same as a spiritual calling from God. This book is a collection of his essays and his debates, always backed-up by Scripture. i read this one article at a time, and shared many of them with my husband. Thank you, Patrick for all you do.

[Rusty Tisdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a collection of essays and other works throughout Patrick Madrid's career as an apologist. As a collection, I found it interesting and informative. I was expecting a more cohesive whole, but that was perhaps a mistake.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book and will have to listen to it a few more times to feel comfortable 'borrowing' his arguments in conversations about Catholicism.
It was in terms I could understand and not written for theology students but many may find it helpful.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who has questions about the Catholic faith and why there is a critical difference between Catholic Christians vs non-Catholic Christians.