We cannot get a proper understanding of an event or series of events in history if we do not attempt to understand the time and place in which the events occurred. 

It is also necessary to our understanding of an event is an appreciation of how the people of an age understood themselves and the world in which they lived, in other words, their “worldview.” In the first lesson will look at common arguments that antagonists use to discredit the Church.

OUTLINE:

The Inquisition is a controversial topic often used in an attempt to discredit the Catholic Church.

• Along with the Crusades, and the Galileo Affair, the Inquisition is a popular topic of anti-Catholics.

• Many people who point to the Inquisition as evidence that the Church is defective are, in fact, pointing at legends.

• Catholics should be equipped to set the record straight.

•. Doing so requires understanding events in historical context.

Antagonists of the Catholic Church make two mistakes in seeking to discredit the Church:

• They point out the bad behavior of churchmen as evidence the Church is defective, but won’t allow examples of honorable behavior by churchmen as evidence that the Church is good.

• They conflate individual sins with institutional transgressions. This error deserves a little more treatment and will be addressed in the next lesson.

QUESTIONS:

1. Which of these are the “big three” events in history used by anti-Catholics in their attempt to discredit the Church? 

  • The Crusades
  • The Western Schism
  • The Inquisition
  • The Avignon Papacy
  • The Galileo Affair

2. Pick two effective ways to respond to people who point to the transgressions of individual churchmen in their effort to discredit the Church.

  • Explain that by that logic we would need to accept the virtuous behavior of churchmen as evidence that the Church is good.
  • Explain that we do not apply that standard to other institutions staffed by sinful men and women.
  • Explain that they have their facts wrong and that the stories of sinful churchmen are mostly made up.
  • Explain that most churchmen in history have been good people.

EXTRA DISCUSSION QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

Why do you think it is important to understand historical events in context?

Can you think of other events people use to discredit the Church? How might you respond to those?

List some examples of honorable and heroic behavior by churchmen you would use to make the case that the Church is a good institution.

Did you enjoy this sample lesson from the School of Apologetics Course,Making Sense of the Inquisition? Enroll Today!