Weekend Fisher has posted a lengthy piece analyzing counterproductive argument styles between Catholics and Protestants. His point is not that one side of that eternal theological debate is correct and the other wrong, but merely that both sides tend to make use of predictable and inappropriate language that guarantees the other side will feel insulted, not edified. Darrell Pursiful then takes the ball and runs with it, with a thoughtful post about specific ways that Protestants sabotage their own efforts to interact with Catholics.

You might think that the Catholic vs. Protestant debate has been relegated to musty theological tomes, but you’d be surprised at the vibrancy (and occasional nastiness) to be found in Protestant and Catholic apologetics blogs when it comes to this issue. In my limited experience from reading apologetics blogs, Catholic apologists sometimes come across as condescending towards Protestants, as if they’re upstart children in need of correction; and Protestants very quickly start lobbing around phrases like “Whore of Babylon,” which are guaranteed to kill any chance of meaningful interaction. It may be a huge challenge to have a productive exchange with somebody whose theology you find completely erroneous; but hopefully the suggestions at the above two blogs can help keep the debate calm and respectful.