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Evidence for Our Faith
Little more than a generation ago, apologetics was not a niche pursuit for extra-zealous Catholics—it was an integral part of instruction in the Faith.
Fr. Joseph Cavanaugh’s Evidence for Our Faith is a particular standout from that golden age.
First published in the late 1950s, right before ecumenism replaced apologetics and “comparative religion” crowded out catechesis in too many Catholic institutions, Evidence for Our Faith presents an uncommonly clear and systematic case for the truth of the claims made by Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.
Originally written as an introductory text for Fr. Cavanaugh’s undergraduates, Evidence returns as an invaluable and enduring resource for Catholics today who want to deepen their understanding of—and ability to explain with confidence—the Church’s divinely ordained identity and authority.
Fr. Joseph Cavanaugh’s Evidence for Our Faith is a particular standout from that golden age.
First published in the late 1950s, right before ecumenism replaced apologetics and “comparative religion” crowded out catechesis in too many Catholic institutions, Evidence for Our Faith presents an uncommonly clear and systematic case for the truth of the claims made by Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.
Originally written as an introductory text for Fr. Cavanaugh’s undergraduates, Evidence returns as an invaluable and enduring resource for Catholics today who want to deepen their understanding of—and ability to explain with confidence—the Church’s divinely ordained identity and authority.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 14, 2024
A UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC COLLEGE TEXTBOOK IN APOLOGETICS
Author Joseph Cavanaugh wrote in the Preface to this 1959 edition, "This textbook is the product of many classes in Apologetics at the University of Notre Dame. It was written to explain how reasonable it is to believe what the Catholic Church teaches... it is an attempt to present the case for Catholicism. The difficulty has been... to select the best evidence and to present it convincingly in such a little book... the more [the student] searches through the evidence, the more reasons he will discover for accepting the Catholic faith... I have tried to state fairly and objectively the historical facts and reasons that establish the claim of the Catholic Church to be the one society founded by Christ and assured of his divine assistance even to the consummation of the world." (Pg. ix)
He admits about the gospels, "The fact that they differ on accidentals is additional proof of their sincerity. Each Evangelist relates the facts exactly as he recalls them. Evidently they never got together and said: 'What shall our story be?' Writing independently they agree on all important facts although they differ about accidentals as we might expect. They disagree, for example, about the number of location of the angels at the tomb on the first Easter morn. And yet everyone is certain about the fact of the resurrection. Their minor discrepancies may be easily explained." (Pg. 56)
He asserts, "These confirmations of the resurrection are undeniable facts of history. In their apparent cause, the resurrection, is denied, they are totally inexplicable. Although it is possible to develop each one of these points and to add new confirmations, it seems unnecessary... ALL the evidence bids us acknowledge that Christ truly rose from the dead. And the positive arguments are reinforced by the absurdity of the theories proposed to explain them away. We must, of course, keep in mind that historical evidence cannot produce mathematical certitude; it can only exclude REASONABLE doubt! In the present case, no reasonable doubt should remain." (Pg. 100)
He observes, "today many non-Catholics are disposed to admit that Peter was the supreme ruler and teacher of the apostolic Church. But they ask---did it pass on from him to the Bishops of Rome? 'To which our most natural answer is,' as Ronald Knox says, 'If not to them, to whom?' Surely the promises Christ made to Peter are out of all proportion to the role Peter PERSONALLY played." (Pg. 135)
He explains, "In speaking of the holiness of the church, we do not pretend to show that, man for man, Catholics are holier than non-Catholics. Nor do we intend to expose our own consciences or the consciences of other Catholics to settle the argument. No! That is impossible! We are not concerned with the holiness of INDIVIDUAL Catholics but with the holiness of the CHURCH." (Pg. 53)
This book was written in, and for, an earlier era; still, modern students of Catholic apologetics may find its arguments of interest.
Author Joseph Cavanaugh wrote in the Preface to this 1959 edition, "This textbook is the product of many classes in Apologetics at the University of Notre Dame. It was written to explain how reasonable it is to believe what the Catholic Church teaches... it is an attempt to present the case for Catholicism. The difficulty has been... to select the best evidence and to present it convincingly in such a little book... the more [the student] searches through the evidence, the more reasons he will discover for accepting the Catholic faith... I have tried to state fairly and objectively the historical facts and reasons that establish the claim of the Catholic Church to be the one society founded by Christ and assured of his divine assistance even to the consummation of the world." (Pg. ix)
He admits about the gospels, "The fact that they differ on accidentals is additional proof of their sincerity. Each Evangelist relates the facts exactly as he recalls them. Evidently they never got together and said: 'What shall our story be?' Writing independently they agree on all important facts although they differ about accidentals as we might expect. They disagree, for example, about the number of location of the angels at the tomb on the first Easter morn. And yet everyone is certain about the fact of the resurrection. Their minor discrepancies may be easily explained." (Pg. 56)
He asserts, "These confirmations of the resurrection are undeniable facts of history. In their apparent cause, the resurrection, is denied, they are totally inexplicable. Although it is possible to develop each one of these points and to add new confirmations, it seems unnecessary... ALL the evidence bids us acknowledge that Christ truly rose from the dead. And the positive arguments are reinforced by the absurdity of the theories proposed to explain them away. We must, of course, keep in mind that historical evidence cannot produce mathematical certitude; it can only exclude REASONABLE doubt! In the present case, no reasonable doubt should remain." (Pg. 100)
He observes, "today many non-Catholics are disposed to admit that Peter was the supreme ruler and teacher of the apostolic Church. But they ask---did it pass on from him to the Bishops of Rome? 'To which our most natural answer is,' as Ronald Knox says, 'If not to them, to whom?' Surely the promises Christ made to Peter are out of all proportion to the role Peter PERSONALLY played." (Pg. 135)
He explains, "In speaking of the holiness of the church, we do not pretend to show that, man for man, Catholics are holier than non-Catholics. Nor do we intend to expose our own consciences or the consciences of other Catholics to settle the argument. No! That is impossible! We are not concerned with the holiness of INDIVIDUAL Catholics but with the holiness of the CHURCH." (Pg. 53)
This book was written in, and for, an earlier era; still, modern students of Catholic apologetics may find its arguments of interest.
January 8, 2022
Extraordinarily comprehensive, with detailed lines of logic for almost every critique. The book is a great tool for Catholics to learn in more detail about their faith, and how to defend it against modern attacks against it.
I'm sure I'll pick it up again sometime to disprove a point - or to help quiet a doubt of my own.
Great book.
I'm sure I'll pick it up again sometime to disprove a point - or to help quiet a doubt of my own.
Great book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews