Apologetics is very fashionable among conservative Roman Catholics. It has its place as a rational, systematic exploration of the concepts held by faith. Unfortunately, it often gets used as a tool that attempts to prove that one side is right and the other wrong.

A systematic approach to theology tends to be less defensive (and less aggressive). I have to say that I tended to fall asleep during my systematic theology classes. I earned the name "Total Turtle" because my head tended to bob during systematic theology classes. Studying the faith through scripture and ritual works for me. I can stay awake through that because there are stories involved, and stories never fail to fascinate me. The other approaches are far more abstract. I find abstraction very relaxing - so relaxing that I zonk out.

Ak, all I can say is for me, the stories and the people and the meaning are what's important - the magic is not. I think that God is intimately involved in the universe through the marvelous process called nature. I don't see God doing magic tricks. Maybe it happens, but not in my experience.

-Joe Offer-