The Apologetics of the Savior

By Sal Ciresi
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 2/27/03)

Church history testifies to many distinguished apologists who have explained and defended the Catholic Church. Names that are well known are St. Irenaeus (d. 200); St. Athanasius (d. 373); St. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274); St. Robert Bellarmine (d. 1621); Ven. John Henry Newman (d. 1890); Frank Sheed (d. 1981) and Maisie Ward (d. 1975). Many contemporary writers could be added to this group. Viewing the apologetic landscape, it is possible to unwittingly overlook the New Testament. Specifically, the Gospels testify to the most notable defender of truth: the Lord Jesus Christ.

Although Our Savior did not practice apologetics in the strict sense, He nevertheless employed apologetic techniques during His earthly mission. The two most evident practices are the Lord’s performance of miracles and His appeal to fulfilled Biblical prophecy. The utilization of both the supernatural and the Old Covenant writings are called "motives of credibility" and are mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 156). Miracles were utilized by the Lord to "prove" His deity (i.e. divinity) as the Son of God; fulfilled Biblical prophecies were cited to identify Him as the foretold Messiah. Knowledge of these motives of credibility is crucial for apologetics.

Miracles are prevalent in the Gospels. Theologically speaking, a miracle is "a sensibly perceptible effect, surpassing at least the powers of visible nature, produced by God to witness to some truth or to testify to someone’s sanctity" (Hardon, Modern Catholic Dictionary, 352). The Lord performed miracles not only to reveal His mercy and kindness, but also to affirm His deity as God’s only begotten son. A vivid example comes from Mark 2:1-12, a scene whereby the Divine Physician heals a paralytic. The words are striking: "‘But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ He said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.’ And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’" (Mk 2:10-12). This account shows a miracle (e.g. "rise") tied to a claim of deity (e.g. "Son of Man"). Other examples of the miraculous pointing to the Savior’s deity can be discovered in Matthew 8:23-27 (stilling a storm); Luke 4:31-37 (driving out a demon); and John 11:1-54 (raising Lazarus).

Fulfilled Biblical prophecy is noteworthy in the Gospels. A scrutiny of certain Old Testament quotations cited in the New demonstrates that "we can see the essential underlying features of the Messianic prophecies and how they are fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth" (de Torre, The Divinity of Christ, 91). The Good Shepherd, as well as the Evangelists, appeal to the Old Covenant writings to validate Messianic claims. Fulfilled Biblical prophecies, following miracles, serve as a "credential" for the divine prerogatives of the Son of God. A fine example is found in Luke 24:13-35, a post-resurrection appearance of the Redeemer to two disciples on the Emmaus road. The Savior states: "‘O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Lk 24:25-27). Other examples of fulfilled Biblical prophecies that affirm the God-man’s deity are found in Matthew 26:30-34 (Peter’s denial); Mark 12:1-12 (Christ’s rejection); and John 2:13-22 (cleansing of the temple).

Our Lord engaged in apologetic practices via miracles and Biblical prophecy. These motives of credibility are integral to the New Testament. Fittingly, apologists through the ages follow these Scriptural precedents by employing the supernatural and Old Covenant writings to demonstrate not only Christ’s deity, but also the reasonableness of the Catholic Faith. Although the apologist doesn’t rely exclusively on these motives, they are significant in defending Catholic truth. The Apostles will soon be seen to echo the apologetic practices of the Savior.

Ciresi serves on the faculty of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College and directs the St. Jerome Biblical Guild.

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