"Belief cannot argue with unbelief, it can only preach to it."

One of the things I feel I failed to do very well is to instill in my kids a better appreciation of their faith, our Catholic faith. Of course, the best way to do this is through example, especially when trying to impress children. The fact is I was still trying to gain a better appreciation myself. So they experienced a man searching for the treasure rather than one who, having the treasure in hand, could confidently display it to them.

I still have the opportunity to prove by example even though they are all grown and my contact with them is mostly at family events and holidays. I occasionally try to express my faith to them. One might say I try to argue my case. Arguing taken to mean to make a point through reason-able means, not arguing in the sense of two sides defending opposing positions. When it comes to matters of faith however, one can only make reasonable arguments if the listener agrees to certain basic beliefs. Without such beliefs in common no argument can be made. Hence, one cannot argue with unbelief.

Preaching is different. The preacher only wants to deliver the message. Of course the preacher hopes that he convinces the audience, but, he does not have to rely on reason to be convincing. He can rely on all manner of emotional and rhetorical devices to make his case without any concern for their reasonableness. Nor does the preacher have to search and establish a common ground before making his case. He says what he believes and the listener can take it or leave it.

As for my kids, I'm still seeking to find agreement on certain basic beliefs so that I can present reasonable ideas. When I'm on my soapbox though, I'm sure they're thinking, "There he goes, preaching again!"