BINGO! I was a practicing Buddhist for almost 50 years, daily, 2x a or more, hours of prayer and chanting. Saw Mary...started saying the Rosary...one month later I'm a Catholic. Yup.

Conversion is a self-driven process. When I found that an old friend was a militant atheist I avoided attacking her views. Eventually she realised this and asked questions. I only offered sources for her to read and contemplate. After a while she came to believe but experienced a stage of rage at that but worked through it. In a nutshell, offer the person the opportunity to investigate the issue from their view. And get out of the way of the Holy Spirit!

From my experience, you can talk to the average person about most things and convince them of it with minimal effort. Most people just want to know what they're supposed to think about most things. But if who you're talking to has made an idea a part of their identity, it doesn't matter how good of an argument you make, they're not going to hear it.

I believe in Christianity as I believe the Sun has risen, not because I see it, but by it I see everything else. - CS Lewis

The story of the boy with the pink room is like an American moving to Mexico and wearing a giant sombrero and giant fake mustache and speaks English with a Mexican accent and thinking that makes him Mexican.

I would be lost without my Catholic faith. I just spent the morning cutting the grass at my Church. Nothing better in life that Catholicism done right.

One can be an ideologue and still be willing to entertain challenges to his ideology. I’ve been an ideologue since I was a teenager, but I gradually transitioned from atheism to Catholicism because I entertained challenges to the ideologies to which I adhered along the way. For the record, I was convinced to accept Catholicism, and I gave myself over to it without knowing what to expect. I have no regrets.

I can't thumbs up this enough! I have been taking a step back from apologetics, and just feeling this need to listen and try to understand people better. I'm also a very distractible homeschool mom right now so I don't feel like I'm up to par with any kind of super intellectual argument making hahaha. But really, I think it's the receptivity that I feel prompted by the Holy Spirit to be sensitive to. I think that Jesus really listened to people, of course he understood them even before they spoke a word, but I think that as Catholics if we want to really be ambassadors for christ, we need to really listen and have those real conversations that are human. We need to not be afraid to share things that are uncomfortable, but we can do it in a way that's vulnerable and honest without pushing it on somebody. Everyone has to come to Christ from their own volition.

8:45 St. Anselm's quote fits perfectly here: "Fides quaerens intellectum", that is, faith that seeks understanding. You come to believe, and you're amazed at your own belief, and you don't understand it, but wish to ... Enter the structured philosophical arguments.

There were a lot of notes of Alasdair MacIntyre (a Marxist turned Thomist) with regard to the incommensurability of worldviews and how that might effect our apologetics. Active listening and reading, basically the sort of hermeneutics advocated by the French Christian philosopher Paul Ricoeur, seems to be the key to forging a connection with someone. In order to “reach” most people we need to not try to be reaching them. If we’re just talking to someone to convert them, they’ll pick up on it. We need to be Christian in the world-live out the virtues we preach authentically and learn to articulate our beliefs and reasons for them, not so that we may win an argument, but so that if we do get into a heartfelt conversation with someone about our faith, we may increase their understanding of Christianity so that the Spirit may work in them.

I love her so much too, Matt! What a beautiful mother is Mary, our most blessed Mother 💕 Great talk, adorned with little pearls of wisdom! Thank you 😊

Congrats to both of you for seeking the truth and finding it!

This just showed up in my recommended and its just crazy how God works. Literally amazing timing! Thank you for having much needed discussions!! May God Bless you all!!

Keep up the great work Matt.

Amazing clip from this interview. Absolutely done to perfection.

I especially love the critique of apologetics. Excellent stuff Matt, as always! So glad you had Abigail on.

So much good stuff... Thank you!!

Conversion is best done through acts of true, Christ-like love; especially if they mistreat you horribly. If they do something atrocious to you, and you can immediately turn around with a smile and love in your eyes, and embrace them and tell them that they are loved, they will convert unless they are possessed.

Great interview

Great opening question!!!

Your videos are awesome!

If people read history before 1776 it would help immensely.

My father was a lawyer and I can remember asking him as a teenager (I had been drafted into a debate at school) whether lawyers representing a client in court needed to devote much attention to the case against their client … surely that was a waste of time? He told me that a good lawyer knows the case against him/her in its strongest possible form because unless you can defeat that version of the case against the client, the chances are that you’re going to lose. What is more, he suggested, the strongest case against you is often the case that is most likely to persuade you yourself. It takes some courage to sit down and say to yourself, “On the assumption that these folk aren’t all idiots, what would it take for me to be persuaded that they’re right?” It’s not just the intellectually honest atheist who needs to do this, Christians have to ask the same question of their own beliefs. Mind you, no mainstream worldview that I’m aware of rests wholly upon reasoned argument.

This is why I tend to sidestep these hot button topics and focus on encouraging people to reach out to God. Until I encountered God, submitted, eventually read the Bible and eventually accepted Christ as God, I was blind (besides maybe the merest confused niggle) to sexual sin. Hearing anyone say it was wrong just seemed worse than ignorant. I simply did not comprehend God's original design as a value. So what's the point in putting people off, I ask? I know we can't always avoid a topic but God comes first and God convicts so I'm not sure we should address the sins of unbelievers with them as a general rule of thumb. Yes we should be clear amongst ourselves and mobilise against their encroachments or separate if that's impossible, but the main thing needs to be "God is truth/love and you should try talking to Him, especially if you want to know your truest, most loving identity." Just my take - criticism welcome.

I really enjoyed this talk with Abigail.

I’m friends with some pretty staunch atheists and this resonates with me. I have given them many of the most famous arguments for the existence of God, but they are very closed to truly considering the proposition in my opinion. They are contrarian by nature and I’m sure many here have come across people like this. I won’t stop trying but I’m not expecting to convert them via based solely or even by majority on my own arguing prowess

Excellent guest... real, articulate, honest journey. On the subject of how to get through to some strong willed, or committed atheists, feminists, I wonder if part of being able to have that honest dialog is to "turn off" the cacophony of catch phrases, new offenses, etc. and just sit quietly with what are truly your own thoughts with no fear of being heard by anyone else. In that moment when you can settle down to what is an honest reflection of what is true, does that at least start to invite a more open and honest discussion? This is not possible speaking to a highly energized group with passions blazing, but sitting down with one person, the noise fading in the background provides a safe environment to at least question beliefs. But the key is that there is trust that the exploration will not be exploited.

Thanks!

I know Fr. Kenyon! He presided at our church a few weeks back!

Excellent point, have to be "receptive" to discussion or someone else's view point. Usually the loud folks have no factual basis from which to work, so they scream.

One of the insights from Charles Taylor has a lot of relationship to Augustine. That is, we are not primarily “knowers” but “lovers” (or worshippers). We live a lot of life from our desires/gut rather than our mind/beliefs. We’d like to think we’re primarily intellectual beings and reasoning throughout our day. Perhaps this isn’t the case. Therefore, a nonbeliever has to be captivated in their desires/will/“heart” rather than, primarily, their mind (although this is quite important. Apologetics has a vital role, but it’s probably more so (in my opinion) in breaking down strongholds.

Dude Matt is so lit

It is a pleasure hearing people communicate who understand how to debate and discuss ideas logically and clearly. (Not that they are debating one another here, but that they understand what makes for effective debate.) It seems to be a lost art in our culture and society today.

"Clossetted Essentialist" oh no! It hit me like a strike of lightning, that's what I am lol.

What's ｗrong with baking #cookies? On Bride imagery, I could be wrong but I think although St Paul does talk about the Church being the Bride of Christ, & this image may be particularly helpful & personal for #nuns, speaking as a man I find it more helpful to think of God as Father than Christ as my husband... But cf Song of Songs 5:4 My lover thrust his hand through the lock opening & my heart thrilled for him.

Very interesting.

I like this girl.

Atheists arguing against the existence of God, the author of life, are like Hamlet and King Lear debating the existence of Shakespeare.

We aren’t commanded to “convert” Anyone. We are Commanded to share the word, God does the rest.

I think apologetics work best for people who KNOW they are searching. These people definitely exist. And they really make themselves known. These are the people who ask about your Mary statue. Or they are honestly asking questions....such as...."So, do you read the Bible?"

7:00. “ I believe that I may understand. “

We cannot convert anyone, especially if we fail to convert ourselves each day. And then, we cannot convert still. Only the Holy Ghost can. We only can cooperate in conversion of our neighbors and ourselves.

She's very astute, and good conversation. And i'm an athiest.

Loving them like God loves you is the best way. Arguing with them will never work

Our actions and lifestyle can work better than any words, a contrite heart o lord, you don't forget.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Conversion is a self-driven.

Most people have to believe that you want what is good for them before they’ll consider any argument for them to change themselves.

I haven’t been able to listen to the full interview yet and am curious how did Abigail come to change her beliefs? Was it a specific encounter or something that changed slowly overtime?

I was the same. God is really the only one who can do the work of conversion. I'm not saying we shouldn't witness to others about our faith but I think trying to convert people is futile. Plant the seeds for sure because something you do or say may impact a person 10 years down the road, only God knows how these things can come to fruition.

Can we get a transcript of this ? I really like what she says and would like a synposis of her arugments, on how she would of spoken to hersefl when she was with the feminist agenda, this would really help me out.

Matt have you tried to have Francis Chan on your show? That would be cool.

I totally agree with what Abigail said about receptivity. We cannot convince anyone even with the best arguments if they are not receptive. They will only become more defensive. It is God's grace and people's willingness to accept God's grace that make them receptive, which eventually leads to true conversion.

Because it is wholly the work of the Holy Spirit. Your job is just to give a reason, with gentleness and respect, for the hope that lies within.

Knowledge/understanding is good but if you dont have an hour a day in prayer at very least you dont got much to say or teach . God is the one who converts the person we are Just the instrument . Like the Saint's all had prayer lives to what i understand and they were like magnets attracting people evangelizing others

Ahhh I’m studying Charles Taylor’s “Sources of the Self” in my philosophy class and it’s hurting my brain!! Any advice on how to approach this? 😂

Was one of your videos taken down recently? Like posted today or yesterday. About being transgender.

Be honest, be vulnerable about yourself. Talk to the person not the label.

I like to hand people they’re arguments (strawmaning). Most people haven’t thought thruu or go they’re arguments and just want to shut down the conversation. Keep it going by asking them, “do you mean?…” or “is this what you mean?…” Also, for the personal touch, tell stories. It’s like a meme that’s alive. Lol. Jesus told parables. It helped people understand whether or not they were receptive. Their reactions let you know that they got it!

At some point I believe the search for a relationship becomes so personal that there's no longer a place for outside influences. It's just you and God. Once you ask, the journey begins. But until you ask, everything you need just keeps whizzing by you slightly out of reach.

In my religion class, we studied apologetics. Apologetics are about removing INTELLECTUAL barriers from said beliefs. But MOST people have EMOTIONAL barriers that need to be removed first, and in my humble opinion, I believe that when that is discovered, all pursuits of proving a point should be put on hold, to address the emotional barrier first. If not, you can kiss protecting the conversation goodbye.

Re my previous , nothing personal, great contribution from Abigail .Most or many Americans now speak like that

He mentions our blessed mother at the end of the video, and how she helps us to be human. ? I'm curious to hear more about this. I'm a protestant Christian.

Good discussion...but I found the closing comments quite disturbing.

"She so beautiful, I love her so much" Mater Maria, ora pro nodis 🙏

This is why we aren’t to cast pearls before swine. Without receptivity in place first, the pearls will just be trampled.

Greg Koukhl: Tactics. Get him on the show.

I went to seminary with father Stephen

Fr Kenyon is an amazing priest.

An argument may or may not change someone’s mind or ideology, but it will plant a seedling 🌱 that Christ will water at a later time 🕊🙏🏼

I'm an atheist myself (who quite likes this show), and that section about atheism made some very good points. I think some people are hard to convert, simply because they just don't "get" faith. I would count myself amongst those people. I can understand faith on an _intellectual_ level, sure, but on a felt, experienced level, I cannot. I can understand how having a personal experience of faith/ God/ what-have-you can be convincing and a way to personal truth, but the fact that people of different faiths can believe contradictory things as Truth (capital T) with equally strong conviction, makes me tend to think that faith ain't it. I guess if I had a similar such experience, I would probably be convinced of my own truth. But would it be _the_ Truth? RE arguments for/ against theism: I think rationalistic or scientific attempts to prove theism are ultimately doomed to failure. (How do you naturalistically prove that which is super-naturalistic?) I've yet to find a theistic argument that doesn't have a very good a-theistic/ naturalistic counter-argument. The material universe is sufficiently explained with naturalism; invoking gods, etc. is entirely unnecessary. The universe looks precisely as you would expect a universe governed by naturalistic principles to look. Faith and personal experience seem to me to be the better way to arrive at theism. But this depends highly upon the disposition and receptivity of the individual, as pointed out in the video. I think religion and religious values have their role in structuring society, however. Gender roles, social roles/ responsibilities/ obligations, family, etc. are all things that religion provides that are very important. It's the supernatural aspects that I have issues with. Hence a secular "religion" like Confucianism makes much more sense to me- it provides all those needed structuring values, without the dubious supernaturalism.

Love the “riding a bicycle” comment.

I've easily converted 2 using catholic theologian strats like Thomas A. and that orthobro Seraphim Rose

Some of this is semantic. Feminism means helping and defending women; but it has become other things as well and bad for women sometimes.

Humility seems to be step 1 in almost everything.

Shes adorable

The Holy Spirit is the only one that enables people to hear the truth. Everything else is falling on deaf ears though it is worth planting the seeds and watering because Christ commands us to.

Too late lol, already got my best friend Edit: This advice does apply to some of my other friends though

Big Red

Christian Truth is a "mystery". One has to get immersed into it to then start understanding it's Truth better and better.

Well....back to the serenity prayer. And praying for people. Cause you're right. They dig their heels in and hold on to their belief untill God shows them light to see.🙄😐

Understanding Christianity is like riding a bike-I love it.

Wow. I would add for the discussion at the end, regarding headship: A mere mortal man can be crowned a King or Emperor, or even be ordained and later given a Bishops seat, possibly even being made Pope... but he will never be a true King of Kings, not in the Ultimate sense. We must accept we are neither God nor capable of becoming true Gods, as various cults teach falsely. Not being God forces you to deny God or accept a passive, 'feminine' existence as a mere creature.

I'm not worried about converting my friends, I can't convert my family! Even my children who were raised in the faith.

John 6:47; Romans 4:5

I am a cultural Christian, but not a religious one. The traditions are still good, even if the religion is false. Natural selection selected for Catholicism because it had traits that made it more likely to spread than the other Christian sects that emerged alongside it. Put another way, Catholicism evolved into what it is now.

Actually apologetics can lead to receptivity, particularly when one is confronted with the reality of Jesus Christ (as opposed to the mere idea of Jesus as being a guy of some religious importance, who did some things,...but who has no real importance in anyone's life).

What does the creator of this channel perceive Mary to be?

😂 🤣

Conversion can only be through The Triune God and the willingness of the soul to be opened to The Holy Spirit. As Jesus says “My sheep hear My voice I know them and they follow Me.”

The main problem is that the vast majority of people like to lie to themselves and they don’t want even to think about anything that’s going to take them out of their comfort zone or question the fake and comfortable world they created…even they know they are not happy.

To me, first step is to make them believe there was a God. When they realise there is a God, they will search it themselves. For faith in God starts on one's self willingness to search for it. Without that willingness, they won't believe.

If I could go back and talk to my past self I wouldn't be doing much talking......

Check out my old friend Amy Welborn 👍 She's one of the first Feminist for Life 🙏 RIP Fr Mike 😘🙏

Keep that which is Biblical, and question everything that clams to be on par with the Bible. Daily reading of the Bible is the Spirit of God speaking to us from God's word.

Emotions can’t hear facts. And visa versa. It’s probably THE reason for most of the social conflict we are seeing in modern America. Much of it spawns from critical theory and identity politics. Logic and emotion are two completely different languages

"Decisional evangelism is a blasphemy." Sometimes we forget the protagonist is the Holy Spirit. He convicts of sin so we can understand the Gospel.

Thia should be obligatory listening to Opus Dei -members. They seem to be using the friendship.

My comment about the video is ...😦 the wrap up didn't come off quite as witty as it worked out in your head. But hey

shes talking about presuppositional apologetics.

How in the world does the blessed mother reveal to you how to be human? How in the world did it go to blessed mother from the husband having a head which is Christ? Where does the blessed mother fit into any of that? The Bible says God's word never returns void whether she knows it or not even though she wasn't receptive whoever she was arguing with about no women being priest God's word was working on her through him cuz she came back to that argument and she remembers it.