Thursday, January 28, 2010

Help! Curiosity is killing me!

OK. Somebody tell me what in the world an 'epologist' is. It's not in the dictionary but I've been seeing it on the blogs for a while, used instead of the word 'apologist' I believe.
Is it some sort of newly-coined derogatory term?

UPDATE: Here's a post on CARM that uses the word, and is also an interesting comment in itself by someone who became Catholic and then left the Catholic church.

24 comments:

Elena LaVictoire said...

Epologist- someone who participates in or practices apologetics on online forums, blogs, web sites, e-mail etc.

Elena LaVictoire said...

...and yes the quote was interesting in that the person who made it, claiming to be so steeped in history, left Catholicism to rejoin the Anglican church- the one started by an adulterous king so that he could leave his loyal wife of over 20 years and marry his mistress with the hopes of breeding a male heir.

So I take it for what it is.

Jennie said...

Thanks, Elena. Hmmm...I should have figured that one out for myself. I must have been having a middle-aged moment. I've been having too many of those lately. Blah.

Jennie said...

the person who made it, claiming to be so steeped in history, left Catholicism to rejoin the Anglican church- the one started by an adulterous king so that he could leave his loyal wife of over 20 years and marry his mistress with the hopes of breeding a male heir.

Ha! Yes, that is ironic. However, Henry didn't exactly 'start' the Anglican church, he just separated its hierarchy from that of Rome, and while I don't think that Anglicans are correct in everything (who is?) the people in it have access to the truth and have as much chance of being saved by hearing the gospel as many others do. I'm not familiar with all the history of the separation, but I don't think the English church changed that much at first and was essentially catholic in belief and practice. I don't think Henry had any right to say that HE was the head of the church, not any more than the bishop of Rome did. When the reformation took more hold in England, and the rulers became protestant, then I think the church practice there became less 'catholic' in general.
What I'm trying to say is that since the church doesn't belong to the king or the pope, neither of which had the rights they asserted (and assert), the people in the churches who are true believers by faith are 'the church' headed by Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter that Henry falsely separated from a church that already had (I believe) a false head. Whoever has the truth and believes it and obeys it is in Christ. Earthly hierarchies don't matter in that way, though they can hinder the gospel.

Jennie said...

And I agree that Katherine was a loyal and good wife and that Henry was terribly wrong in what he did. I read a biography of Katherine years ago when I was pregnant with my second daughter, and I gave my daughter the middle name Catherine after her.

Moonshadow said...

I don't think that Anglicans are correct in everything (who is?)

Merely rhetorical ... or would you like an answer? Actually, I think most Christians think they have it right, except Baptists.

the people in it have access to the truth and have as much chance of being saved by hearing the gospel

You and I know chance isn't involved but just once I'd like to hear such charity spoken of the Catholic church. That's really all I'm after here.

I'd agree that the Anglican option/provision won't consist of loads of people but most will be African which ought to be very interesting. Just makes me wish all the more that an African cardinal had been elected pope after JPII, no offense to Benedict.

Jennie said...

Actually, I think most Christians think they have it right, except Baptists.

If I see things wrong with everyone else, it stands to reason that there must be something wrong with me, too, and I just can't see it:) Though I do see the things wrong with the Baptists and with myself as well. :(
I don't think most Baptists would agree with your statement, though :)

Jennie said...

You and I know chance isn't involved but just once I'd like to hear such charity spoken of the Catholic church. That's really all I'm after here.

Well, I think I've said before that I believe there are true Christians in every denomination. The Catholic Church has the truth, but with added traditions that get in the way of the truth. So does EVERY denomination. Only God knows how much error each church has compared to how well they teach and live the truth.
What I'm after lately is to show that we can all learn from each other, since none of us is perfect, individuals as well as groups. I believe much would be accomplished if: the Catholic church would learn that the pope is not the universal infallible leader of the church, and was never intended to be, and that history shows that the practices of saint and image veneration lead to idolatry and division. AND if the protestants would learn to relate to Catholics as individuals who may or may not have faith, just like everyone else and respond accordingly with a loving word or witness.

Elena LaVictoire said...

In other words Theresa, Jennie can be charitable to Catholics and the Catholic tradition when it ceases to be - Catholic.


So if that's what you're waiting for I'd say we're both in the wrong part of the blogosphere!

Daughter of Wisdom said...

So, actually, an epologist is an e-pologist! Very interesting!

Jennie said...

Elena,
Isn't it charitable to give an individual the benefit of the doubt, or, I should say, the benefit of listening to them as an individual to see if they have faith? Isn't it charitable to tell someone the truth as I see it in case it may be helpful to them?

Jennie said...

So, actually, an epologist is an e-pologist! Very interesting!

Yep! And thanks to Elena I'm not going to die of curiosity :b

Elena LaVictoire said...

As we are discussing over on VTCL, I don't feel Jennie as if you ever have really "listened."

and no, I don't think it is charitable to tell the truth as you see it in every circumstance and situation. Sometimes a silent witness is much better.

Jennie said...

Elena,
it's hard to be a silent witness on a blog :)

Jennie said...

Elena,
I've always thought of these blogs as a safe place to express our thoughts, as long as we are polite, even if sometimes the truth might not be pleasant. Charity tells the truth, as well as hoping for the best. I don't think I've ever said anything in a hateful way. As believers we are told to exhort each other and warn each other. If you think I am in danger of not being saved, will you warn me? The Bible says there are many who will think they are saved and will not be.
(And I'm not saying that I think you're not saved; but not being God, yet believing what I believe, I don't know for sure. I hope you are.)

As for not always telling the truth as I see it in every circumstance and situation, I'm still learning how to show love and also tell the truth. I hope I err on the side of love, without sacrificing the truth, but I know I sometimes fail.

Elena LaVictoire said...

I've always thought of these blogs as a safe place to express our thoughts, as long as we are polite, even if sometimes the truth might not be pleasant.

A blog is a safe place to express your thoughts as long as no one else can see it and you don't accept comments. Other than that, all bets are off!

and I wouldn't assume that expressing "thoughts" is the same thing as expressing "truth."

Charity tells the truth, as well as hoping for the best. I don't think I've ever said anything in a hateful way.

I would agree with that. I don't think you have ever intentionally meant to come across as hateful or mean spirited.

As believers we are told to exhort each other and warn each other. If you think I am in danger of not being saved, will you warn me?

Let me use a personal example. My goddaughter is living with her boyfriend in New York City. I have spoken with her mom about it and right now they are just happy that she has settled into her career and is living safely in the big city. They also have concerns about paying for a wedding.

In the old days we use to call this fornicating or shacking up. I have a lot of concerns about it for her on the mental, physical, financial and spiritual levels, but if I approach it like a bull in a china shop, chances are she will de-friend me on Facebook, stop sending me e-mails and put me out of her life altogether. I do have a plan on how I want to approach this, and I am praying that I will have the right words and take the right course of action. At this time blunt admonishments followed by a slew of bible verses isn't one of them. Not ruling that out for much later if it's called for but right now I think there are better ways to finesse the situation.

I think the same thing goes for sharing differences of points of view on line - and I say that as a person who has a reputation for being refreshingly frank.

Jennie said...

Elena,
I agree that in many situations you have to take it slow and there may be many ways and degrees of dealing with situations, yet as long as love is foremost alot can be forgiven.
'Love covers a multitude of sins' and

'Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.'
Proverbs 27:5

Elena LaVictoire said...

which of course suggests that Catholic Christians deserve "rebuke" as in sharp criticism or reprimand.

So once again Jennie although you do not mean to be offensive - you are.

Jennie said...

which of course suggests that Catholic Christians deserve "rebuke" as in sharp criticism or reprimand.

I was speaking in general, and it works both ways, Elena. I'm sure I need rebuking often enough. :)

Elena LaVictoire said...

ah... a point of agreement!

Daughter of Wisdom said...

Elena,

Does your goddaughter claim to be a Christian? If she is not, then it makes no difference to her eternal salvation whether she lives with her boyfriend or not. If she is Christian, then the couple needs to be gently encouraged to formalize their union in marriage (unless of course they are not right for each other, but then again, why live with someone who is not good for you?).

I would not press too hard though. If they are Christians, then pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them of what needs to be done, and leave it in God's hand. I speak this from experience where live-in lovers fall in love with God, and become convicted, and eventually decide to get married, without anyone pushing them into marriage.

Wishing you success!

Hillary

Jennie said...

ah... a point of agreement!

Yep...and you agree with my husband too. Wow!

Anonymous said...

This is over a year old, but to answer your original question, http://ntrminblog.blogspot.com/2004/10/of-pet-rocks-chicago-bulls-and-roman.html.

Jennie said...

Thanks Anonymous. Now I know who coined the word 'epologist'!