A Primer on the Theology of Evangelization: Implications for the United States by Fr

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A Primer on the Theology of Evangelization: Implications for the United States by Fr. James A. Wehner, STD Rector/President of the Pontifical College Josephinum

within the culture they live. The Situation of Belief in Evangelization prepares both the America culture and the person to receive, believe, and live the Gospel. “The Word became flesh and made The ability “to believe” in what God his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). Every gives to us in Jesus is at the heart of theological reflection on evangelization evangelization. The Scriptures reveal begins with the person of Jesus Christ. how people struggled to believe, a He is the goal and the subject of reality we see again today (Jn 6:60f.; Jn evangelization. Any attempt to discuss 11:21f.). One can observe in today’s ministry, pastoral initiatives, catechesis American society how the meaning of and education, or vocations apart from “belief” is narrowly defined as a Jesus leads to pluralism, syncretism, personal opinion. Some might say that and a man-centered Gospel. How the “to believe” in something or someone is Word of God comes to us, in the person simply a personal choice; it has no real of Jesus Christ and through his Church, collective or universal value. is the study of evangelization. The radical influence of secularism Any theological reflection on that bans from public discussion any evangelization must also consider the claim to universal truth or a recognition realities of where the Church finds of universal moral principles has led to herself. The Incarnation of the Word a climate in which “belief” is took place in a specific time and place. understood to be so personal that when The life and teachings of Jesus had a believers proclaim fidelity to revealed purposeful and intended impact on the truth, those beliefs are seen as sectarian, culture of his time as it is supposed to having no proper place in the wider today. Inculturation is the Church’s community. It is no wonder that when effort to incarnate the entire Gospel of Catholics commit themselves to living Christ into the cultures of the world the Gospel of Christ in complete whereby people can live the Gospel

obedience to the teachings of the In the midst of social chaos, political Church, and then attempt to live their uncertainty, and economic instability, faith in the public square, Catholics are we find multitudes of Catholics all over accused of forcing their beliefs on the United States who are faithful to the others. Gospel, who worship God weekly and This radical secularism has daily at Holy Mass, who are serious questioned the purpose and definition about their catechetical formation, and of marriage, the dignity of human life who are proud to be Catholic and from natural conception to natural American. We see young Catholic death, and even the existence of God. families embracing popular piety and The secularist explains that religion making their homes, homes of prayer. might be something good for society if it An increase of priestly vocations makes people feel good. Secularists undoubtedly brings us much hope. have driven this agenda in such a way The springtime for the Church’s that morality itself has been reduced to evangelizing mission involves clarity of sectarian belief. what we know to be sin and evil. While In some ways, we have reached a evil is permitted in this stage of God’s point that when anyone claims a design, it does not originate with God. definitive belief they are automatically Sin results when man abuses his dismissed as being out of touch with freedom. “To believe” can be difficult reality, uneducated and sentimental, or when man finds himself enslaved in sin. intolerant of others. But, it is precisely in these moments It is no surprise that young people that the Church’s evangelizing mission are asking—can anyone really believe makes the most sense. in anything? The fact that evil exists should not discourage Catholics. We look to Jesus A Springtime for the Church who confronted evil directly in death in the United States itself. Our understanding of Jesus’ conquering death is at the heart of Nearly twenty years ago, Blessed Christianity. In the United States today, Pope John Paul II wrote that we should we see a society poisoned by so many not be discouraged by these forces. sins—many that have become legal Rather, we should discern the situation rights. In this context, Catholics should as an opportunity. “We are struck by be eager in wanting to share the truth, many negative factors that can lead to because we possess it. People are pessimism. But this feeling is thirsting for the truth, and Catholics unjustified. . . . God is preparing a great ought to be eager to provide it. springtime for Christianity, and we can Evangelization, however, presumes already see its first signs” (John Paul II, Catholics want to share the truth. It On the Permanent Validity of the presumes that Catholics know what the Church’s Missionary Mandate truth is and what God’s message is for [Redemptoris Missio], no. 86, us. www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_i i/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp- ii_enc_07121990_redemptoris- missio_en.html).

The Self-Communication of Discourse to the Roman Curia, December God 21, 2009, www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xv The message of evangelization is i/speeches/2009/december/documents/ none other than God. A theological hf_ben-xvi_spe_20091221_curia- principle of evangelization is that God auguri_en.html). Pope John Paul II wants to be known and can be known. addresses this in the encyclical Fides et “The desire for God is written in the Ratio when he teaches us about the human heart, because man is created by relationship between faith and reason God and for God; and God never ceases and the ability for even nonbelievers to to draw man to himself. Only in God will recognize the universality of principles, he find the truth and happiness he even moral principles (John Paul II, On never stops searching for” (Catechism of the Relationship Between Faith and the Catholic Church [CCC], 2nd ed. Reason [Fides et Ratio] [FR], [Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_i Vaticana–United States Conference of i/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp- Catholic Bishops, 2000], no. 27). To be ii_enc_15101998_fides-et-ratio_en.html). human is to search for God, the ultimate But the communication of God truth. This search is common to every moves beyond this idea of the common human being. search for truth. Our languages, The first communication of God to customs, institutions, sciences, humanity is found within humanity philosophies, literature, and music are itself, in our very existence. The fact just the initial experiences of the search. that every person desires truth and that We are given the supernatural virtue of every human being desires the ultimate faith that allows us to witness, experience of life is a foundational experience, and believe the ways in principle for any human community. which God has definitively revealed When we speak about evangelization, himself to us. The supernatural gift of the Church acknowledges this reality in faith permits us to experience God in such a way that we can discern together ways that reason alone cannot. Faith a common ground where the discussion allows us to understand what God about God can begin, a discussion that intends for us. begins with what all peoples have The Second Vatican Council already experienced. “The Church is explained that “it pleased God, in his expressing her confidence in the goodness and wisdom, to reveal himself possibility of speaking about him to all and to make known the mystery of his men with all men, and therefore of will, which was that people can draw dialogue with other religions, with near to the Father, through Christ, the philosophy and science, as well as with Word made flesh, in the holy Spirit, and unbelievers and atheists” (CCC, no. 39). thus become sharers in the divine Pope Benedict XVI refers to the nature” (Second Vatican Council, “courtyard of the Gentiles” as an Dogmatic Constitution on Divine evangelizing moment for Catholics to Revelation [Dei Verbum] [DV], no. 2, in engage those who are seeking God but Vatican Council II: Volume 1: The are not yet believers (Pope Benedict XVI, Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents,

ed. Austin Flannery [Northport, NY: friendships—cannot be proven by any Costello Publishing, 1996]). scientific measure, yet they are not in God has revealed his will to us in conflict with reason; quite the opposite: stages, beginning with our creation and these experiences are “reasonable.” the creation of the world. Then he As Catholics we proclaim something spoke to us through the prophets, to the “reasonable” to the world: The Gospel, chosen people of the first covenant, Jesus Christ, and the Triune God are through the Law, and then finally in his indeed mysterious, but they are not own person, in Jesus Christ. This whole inaccessible. The supernatural gift of event is called the “Economy of Divine faith and the natural capacity of reason, Revelation.” We often associate the as Pope John Paul II wrote, “are like two word “economy” with investments and wings on which the human spirit rises markets. When people invest or spend to the contemplation of truth” (FR, their money, they expect something opening line). back in return. God invests himself in us, The relenting secularistic forces in and the return is our salvation, to share American society have convinced too his life. Likewise, we respond to God. many that faith is not a form of This is called the “act of faith.” By knowledge, but rather a personal act of following and living the Gospel, we sentimentalism. Evangelization is the invest our lives into revealed truth, and Church’s mission to make present and our return is the Kingdom of God, our tangible everything that God has given salvation. to us in Christ.

Proclaiming the Mystery of But What Is Evangelization? Faith Shortly after the Second Vatican Evangelization is about proclaiming Council, Pope Paul VI convened the Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Synod of Bishops (1974) to discern and Evangelization also helps people understand precisely what we Catholics understand the act of faith, how to be mean by “evangelization.” The term, free in encountering the truth as although as ancient as the Church, was revealed by God. Faith allows us to ambiguous for many and even today experience the “mystery” of God. does not always speak to a Catholic’s However, the word “mystery” does not sense of mission. mean that faith cannot explain what we Is evangelization something we do believe. for non-Christians? Is it an activity “Mystery,” which comes from the directed at Christians who are not Greek, refers to realities that humans Catholic? Can we use the word when are capable of grasping and knowing referring to Catholics who have left the beyond what “reason” can explain; it Church? Is there such a thing as encompasses a knowledge of realities evangelizing practicing Catholics? Is that are not in conflict with reason. For evangelization something you do for example, certain experiences—a people or for the society around them? mother’s love for her child, a husband’s What do we mean by “to evangelize?” love for his wife, the patriotism of a The 1974 Synod of Bishops and Pope countryman, the loyalty of Paul VI’s post-synodal exhortation

Evangelii Nuntiandi gave the Church Scripture and living Tradition. Both sound theological principles and form the Deposit of Faith. The bishops identified evangelization as the mission in union with the pope constitute the of the Church (see Paul VI, Magisterium of the Church, which has Evangelization in the Modern World the duty of authentically interpreting [Evangelii Nuntiandi] [EN], the Gospel of Christ and handing on this www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/ap Deposit of Faith in its entirety. ost_exhortations/documents/hf_p- The challenge for Christians today is vi_exh_19751208_evangelii- receiving the authentic interpretation of nuntiandi_en.html). Slowly but surely, the Gospel by the Magisterium. St. Paul Catholics are becoming more writes about “obedience” as a comfortable with the word. requirement for evangelization (Rom The bottom line is that 16:26; 2 Cor 10:5-6). Without obedience, evangelization is the experience by people follow their own interpretation, which one comes to know and love resulting in false doctrines or practices Jesus Christ in all the ways that God has never envisioned by Jesus Christ. made this possible—knowing and loving Christ in the Eucharist, in the Avoiding Syncretism and Mass, in the Sacred Scriptures, and in Theological Pluralism the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. The believer then shares this Evangelization must be grounded in relationship with Christ and his Church sound theological principles, otherwise with others. Sharing this faith by how evangelization becomes something we live (witness) and what we say other than the mission of the Church. (preaching) puts evangelization into Syncretism is the false notion that, if action. someone claims faith in Jesus Christ, not all doctrine or morality is applicable. Transmitting the Gospel of Syncretism also could be an attempt to Christ get everyone to collaborate on some aspects of faith while compromising “The words you gave me I have other aspects for the good of the order. given to them, and they accepted them” Similarly, theological pluralism (Jn 17:8). Evangelization means passing permits the wide range of beliefs for a on what Jesus Christ has given to the supposed higher belief. Diversity of Church. All of the baptized share in the beliefs is fine as long as they do not mission of the Church but each affect my own beliefs. We often even according to his or her own see this misplaced thinking within the responsibility and vocation. Church. A real spirit of humility embodies the believers who truly want to hand Theological Principles of onto others what they have received. Evangelization The Church uses the expression the Deposit of Faith. The words and deeds One can identify four foundational of Jesus constitute the Gospel. The theological principles required for a Gospel comes to us from two different complete, authentic evangelization. but inseparable means: Sacred

4. Anthropological Principle: 1. Soteriological Principle: God Evangelization is the means by which desires all to be saved and reach the full men and women truly become knowledge of truth (1 Tm 2:2-4). themselves. Created in the image and Salvation of souls is the goal of likeness of God, every person has a evangelization. Sin can never be dignity originating in God himself or tolerated for any supposed good. herself. Every person has been Evangelization will never be complete if endowed with charisms and gifts that one does not turn away from sin are to be used in building up the Church completely and be faithful to the Gospel. and manifesting the Kingdom of God. Conversion and transformation, the Evangelization confirms the duties, pursuit of holiness, to be a saint—this is rights, and obligations of every person the vocation of all men. One must avoid united to the Body of Christ. any pluralistic or syncretic notion that Evangelization seeks to protect those some sins are acceptable. rights and to promote them in every 2. Christological Principle: Jesus society and culture. Syncretism and Christ is the definitive revelation of God. pluralism convince people that their There is no salvation apart from Jesus pursuit of happiness takes priority over Christ. Evangelization preaches Christ, the universal moral norms of the Gospel, for he is the Kingdom of God, he is the thereby diminishing one’s ability to Gospel. Jesus Christ is the only Savior truly be free by living the Gospel and and Redeemer of man, there is no other. rejecting sin. The catechetical dimension of evangelization is constantly introducing Conclusion believers to the mystery of Christ as experienced in the sacred liturgy, the The Church in the United States has Eucharist, the sacraments, Sacred been a blessing to America. Catholics Scripture, and prayer. One must avoid who faithfully live the Gospel transform any pluralistic or syncretic notion that culture into what God intends it to be: there may be one Jesus but many the venue where each person discovers Christs or false notions that repute the his or her vocation. In doing so, each divinity of Jesus Christ. person becomes a positive contributor 3. Ecclesiological Principle: Jesus in the promotion of an authentic Christ established the one, holy, catholic, humanism where no one is left behind and apostolic Church as the definitive and where no sin takes the rights of means to experience God and to achieve another away. salvation. It is only the Church that Where brokenness has existed, possesses all that is necessary for the Catholics in the United States have salvation of souls. Evangelization draws taken the lead by institutionalizing the everyone closer to God through the charisms of the Holy Spirit in such a Church. Christ cannot be separated way that the poor, the disadvantaged, from the Church, for the Church is the the elderly, those imprisoned, the Body of Christ. One must avoid any hospitalized, and the homeless have pluralistic or syncretic notion that one been ministered to from a genuine love can believe in Jesus Christ and be saved of God embodied in faith communities. apart from the Church.

Today, the United States needs the protagonists and leaders in the Catholic Church more than ever. The formation of a true, just, and authentic dialogue the Church has with American American culture: a culture envisioned culture is indeed called “evangelization.” by our forefathers and ordained by God Catholics want to support and promote Himself. the excellent ideals of culture while God Bless America! purifying the sins that have wreaked havoc on our children, families, marriages, and institutions. The New Evangelization called for by Blessed Pope John Paul II and renewed by Pope Benedict XVI challenges American Catholics to be

Scripture texts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, copyright © 1991, 1986, and 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC 20017 and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents edited by Austin Flannery, OP, copyright © 1975, Costello Publishing Company, Inc., Northport, NY, are used with permission of the publisher, all rights reserved. No part of these excerpts may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without express written permission of Costello Publishing Company.

Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, copyright © 2000, Libreria Editrice Vaticana-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from Pope Paul VI, Evangelization in the Modern World [Evangelii Nuntiandi], copyright © 1975, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City; Pope John Paul II, On the Permanent Validity of the Church’s Missionary Mandate [Redemptoris Missio], copyright © 1990, LEV; On the Relationship Between Faith and Reason [Fides et Ratio], copyright © 1998, LEV; Pope Benedict XVI, “Discourse to the Roman Curia”, copyright © 2009, LEV. Used with permission. All rights reserved