***Apologetics*:** "To defend;" treats of the rational credibility of and the obligation to believe in the Christian-Catholic religion. - *Method of proof:* natural reason by building rational foundation for faith. (T.l c.2 n . 48-51) - Two kinds (T.l c.2 n .46-48): - *Theoretical*: the theoretical explanation and the scientific systematizing of all the motives and proofs which demonstrate the Christian religion. - *Practical*: the practical use of these arguments and proofs. - Derived from *theoretical apologetics*, *pastoral experience*, and *common sense*. - Goal: the demonstration of obligation of believing (*credenditas*). - Has as its purpose the scientific (systematic) justification of all religious truth, or of the Catholic religious fact. - External, defensive, secondary, less comprehensive and to some extent negative purpose (cf. "Fundamental Theology" above.) - Operates *under the leadership of faith and the Magisterium of the Church*, but it does not argue from faith or from the Magisterium of the Church. ***Practical Apologetics:*** focuses on the practical use of these arguments and proofs, according as pastoral experience and common sense show that they should be used. (T.l c.2 n .46-48) - Three principles: - 1) faith is a reasonable act of the intellect, whose presupposition is in the certain knowledge of the fact of divine revelation. - 2) this act of faith is commanded freely by the will. - 3) both the act of faith and the preceding judgment of credibility and the command of the will and the preceding judgment are de facto supernatural acts. - Apologetics should: - 1) as much as possible it demonstrate with clarity and firmness the fact of divine revelation entrusted to the Church. - 2) with as much efficacy as possible it attract the motion of the command of the will by proposing motives of obligation and of all good things and values that are found in faith and religion, and by bringing it about that a man avoids the contrary impediments. - since the desire to believe and the actual believing as one should surpasses the powers of nature, there will be a need for humble prayer by asking for a good spirit from the Father of lights, who gives generously to all without delay. ***Historical outline of apologetics:*** (T. l c.2 n . 63-68)