What to Say and How to Say It: Discuss Your Catholic Faith with Clarity and Confidence

by Brandon Vogt

Have you ever been put on the spot and asked to explain or defend Catholic teaching on sensitive topics such as abortion, same-sex marriage, or the Eucharist?

In this straightforward and practical resource, Brandon Vogt, bestselling and award-winning author of Why I Am Catholic(and You Should Be Too) offers essential tools for articulating even the most contentious aspects of your Catholic faith with clarity and confidence.

What to Say and How to Say It is based on the content of Brandon Vogt’s ClaritasU—an online community which helps Catholics to understand the Church’s teachings on critical topics, to anticipate the common objections to those issues, and to know how to respond in a calm, clear, and persuasive way.

Vogt gives readers the tools to calmly and intelligently discuss these topics, which dip into the Church’s moral, theological, and philosophical teachings. What to Say and How to Say It provides straightforward, memorable talking points for explaining Catholic teaching in the areas of


atheism
same-sex marriage
transgenderism
abortion
the Eucharist
the problem of suffering
the veracity of the gospels
Each chapter offers you an overview of the topic and a clear explanation of what the Church teaches. Then you’ll learn about the most common contemporary arguments against the Church’s teachings followed by step-by-step instructions for responding intelligently and confidently.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2020

About the author

Brandon Vogt is a bestselling writer, blogger, and speaker. He write about new media and theology, as well as book recommendations and reviews.

He serves as the Content Director at Word on Fire, the Catholic ministry founded and run by Fr. Robert Barron.

Brandon's work has been featured by several media outlets including NPR, FoxNews, CBS, EWTN, Our Sunday Visitor, National Review, and Christianity Today, and he's a regular guest on Catholic radio.

In May 2011, he was invited to the Vatican to dialogue with Church leaders about new media. His first book, The Church and New Media: Blogging Converts, Online Activists, and Bishops who Tweet (Our Sunday Visitor), won first-place at the 2012 Catholic Press Association Awards.

In May 2013, he started StrangeNotions.com, the central place of dialogue between Catholics and atheists. He also launched the Africa eBook Project, which raised thousands of dollars to send digital libraries to seminarians across Africa, and Support a Catholic Speaker Month, where 11,000 people joined to promote new and upcoming Catholic speakers.

Brandon entered the Catholic Church on Easter 2008.

Reviews

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book on apologetics. My eyes glazed over the Answering Atheism chapter. The proofs of there being a God are too philosophical for me. But that's me. The rest of the book was good and useful. The author, Brandon Vogt doesn't denigrate anyone. He simply explains the issue. The book is a keeper because you will use it as a resource when needed. Topics come up and you won't be able to explain it, but "What to Say and How to Say It" will give you the words.

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book author Brandon Vogt covers several difficult to discuss topics, breaking them down into their different aspects and showing how to approach them logically, yet with compassion. He shows the reader how to respond to different objections without entering into an emotionally charged shouting match. While some topics (such as the Eucharist) are distinctly Catholic, others (abortion, for example) would be of interest to all Christians.

[Holmes Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon Vogt has written a book that many people, especially Catholics, have been waiting & wanting for a long time. He helps take some of the most talked about issues of the day and put explanations and talking points into simple, easily understood language.

He covers topics such as Evil & Suffering, Atheism, Eucharist, Abortion, Transgenderism, & Same Sex Marriage, etc. The material is presented clearly & in a charitable way. He is not judgmental, but articulate, sensitive & convincing.

After discussion of each topic, he presents at the end of each chapter a list of recommended books on the subject; a list of questions; and two or three scenarios that a person may encounter when discussing that particular topic. This book is designed so you don't have to read cover to cover. You can jump around and I would suggest only reading a chapter at a time & then give time to digest the information. It would be a great book to get into the classroom at a Catholic High School or even a 'Bible' study group.

I found the book easy to understand & informative. I will refer to this book often to help me engage & articulate in rational, respectful & intelligent dialogue with others. I've been talking it up to friends and cannot recommend enough.

[Hestia Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Deeply disappointing. I was sold a book on how to have conversations that maintain respect, and I received belittling conversations about trans people.

If you are a trans person, or love someone who is trans, do not read this book. It is deeply triggering.

As a queer, trans Christian, this book held nothing new - just the same old trite nonsense about how it isn't wrong to think trans people are "confused", and it isn't wrong to value your opinion over another person's life. If you're going to be hateful, at least be original.

Here's an example from Chapter 7, Transgenderism: In response to the concern that not affirming young trans people leads to suicide, he writes "we can't sacrifice truth just because some people will suffer because of it".

I cannot explain how deeply hurtful this is. I've had to claw and scrape to keep my faith, not because of Christ but because of people like this who "love the sinner and hate the sin".

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable and very helpful. I see it more as a reference manual to refer back to when needed to prepare myself to have difficult conversations on the topics Vogt covers so helpfully and sensitively. I need to spend more time contemplating some of his arguments by analogy (e.g., a baseball team on the issue of marriage) to see if there are limits to it, knowing, of course, that all analogies limp. Catholics and other folks of similar will on these issues would do well to familiarize themselves with the arguments laid out by Vogt, especially parents who will need to combat a culture hostile to the gospel when raising their children.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many Catholics and, indeed, Christians avoid discussing religion like the plague. Controversial subjects, such as abortion and why there is suffering

can be especially difficult, but it is certainly better to feel confident about talking about these topics with people who disagree than avoiding them. Brandon Vogt shows Catholics how to defend their beliefs comprehensively and with excellent arguments.



I like his books, and I will read more of them.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Paul Hathcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but I was already aware of some of the points made in this book but that doesn't mean it was a waste of my time. I still got something out of reading this book and added it to what I already knew. Someone who has never considered the topics covered within this book could get a lot out of reading it

[Patrick Rodda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon succinctly (and with clarity) opens up the forum of heated topics to reveal the heart of each pressing issue. A great place to begin in learning what Catholics believe about such topics and how we can charitably and confidentially share this with others.

[Mollie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear and we'll written. Gives great advice and not too dense yet still packed with information

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent practical explanations and tips on different aspects of the truths of our faith. If you ever needed techniques to discuss with others, I'd highly recommend Vogt's book!

[Caroline Harriss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book I think because of the structure of it. But had some great context when it comes to controversial topics, the Church's stance, and how to respond to the controversy practically