Two Great New Blogs

Here are two new blogs that I've been reading with excited regularity (I've also listed some of my favorite posts on each):

The Journey: Almost Not Catholic (Brent Stubbs) - Brent's a fellow convert to Catholicism and uses his blog to share the reasons why he's Catholic. I recently had dinner with Brent and he was just as brilliant, funny, and enthusiastic as he is in the blogosphere. Besides working on a new book of edgy apologetics geared toward secular young adults, Brent is also scheduled to appear on EWTN's Journey Home television show in August.

The Catholic UNapologist (Patrick Vandapool) - Patrick's writings are in the same mold as those of another favorite writer of mine, Marc Barnes. Patrick is edgy, articulate, witty, and admirably Chestertonian. And the graphics on his blog are flat-out hilarious.

Posted on: June 10, 2011 in Apologetics, Blog, Blogging, Catholicism, Links
Tagged:

Brent Stubbs

Patrick. Is. Hi. Larious.
Ruth Ann

Thanks for the two references. I will add them to the list of blogs I follow.

I can see that this ole Catholic has a lot to learn from you young whippersnapper Catholic converts. And it's going to be fun!

I am trying to understand how Catholicism differs from the fundamentalist Christian faiths. Several of my family members left the Catholic faith and are fundamentalists. Not only do I pray for them but I try to engage them. Not sure if I'm getting anywhere, though.
Brent Stubbs

Dear Ruth,

If its fundamentalism you want to understand...good luck! No really, stop by and read Patrick's or my blog. We both have some fundie in our background, so we like to talk about issues related to that perspective.

The important thing to remember with fundamentalism is that (a) they love Jesus and (b) the don't ask questions. So, (c) you have to show them how much you love Jesus and (d) you need to ask the questions for them. You might just get a canned response, but the human heart is made for Truth. They will sleep on your questions, and if they give them reflection...get the duck tape...their head might explode.

Head explosion=opportunity to share the Catholic faith

Peace to you,

Brent
Brandon Vogt

Ruth Ann: The best book contrasting Catholicism with Fundamentalism is Karl Keating's Catholicism and Fundamentalism.

There is also plenty of good (free) reading over at Catholic Answers (Catholic.com).
Brent Stubbs

Ruth,

To add to Brandon's excellent suggestion I would recommend David Currie's Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic.

In Christ,

Brent
Ruth Ann

Thank you, gentlemen, for your suggestions. Brent, I think my family members know I love Jesus. So they trust me in that department. Maybe they even are willing to listen to and respect me on that account. Yes, they are full of canned responses! What compels me to want to "evangelize?" them is truth. When I notice they say something untrue I can't let it go. I do, however, bide my time and reflect on how I will respond.

Brandon and Brent, thanks for the suggested reading. I will get both those books. They may help turn me into a half way decent apologist. I know the Catholic faith through and through. I even know the Bible, but not the way the fundamentalists do!