This essay is adapted from his (Avery Cardinal Dulles) most recent McGinley Lecture, delivered at Fordham on March 2, 2004. In it, the Cardinal surveys the revival of apologetics over the past generation and discusses the strengths and limitations of reasoned argument in bringing people to the faith. He concludes that successful apologetics depends not only on argument but also effective witness on the part of the apologist.

Recent popes have been calling the Catholic Church to a new evangelization. To evangelize, we must allow the testimony of God, of the apostles, and of the Church to speak through us. This we cannot do with confidence and success unless we have assured ourselves that the testimony is credible and unless we are able to convince others that this is the case. Holy Scripture instructs us not to neglect apologetics. "Always be prepared," says the First Letter of Peter, "to give a defense (apologian) of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). If we love Christ and cherish our faith, and if we wish to spread its saving influence, we will not shirk this important responsibility. The time is ripe, the need is urgent, for a rebirth of apologetics.

This is an excellent article which should be read by every budding Catholic apologist - actually every Catholic!