Catechizing Like Colbert

For some years now, I have been a fan of Stephen Colbert, host of “The Colbert Report” (pronounced Col-behr Re-pohr) on Comedy Central. Colbert makes no secret of his Catholicism and uses his show, from time to time to do some unconventional catechizing. Below is one of my favorites

Now, America Magazine has done a feature on Colbert titled “Truth and Truthiness: What Catholic catechists can learn from Stephen Colbert.” In short, the article emphasizes how Colbert “embodies a formula for effective catechesis proffered by St. Augustine of Hippo in the fourth and fifth centuries: delight, instruct, persuade. Here’s what Augustine says on each (On Christian Doctrine):

  1. Delight: “A hearer must be delighted, so that he can be gripped and made to listen.” St. Ignatius of Loyola echoed this when he said that the most effective way to teach was to “enter through their door but be sure to leave through your door.” In the catechetical process employed in the Finding God program, this corresponds with the Engage Step.
  2. Instruct: Augustine asserts that the best method of teaching  is “one by which the listener hears the truth and understands what he hears.” Simple and straighforward and in a “language” that the listener can understand. In the catechetical process employed in the Finding God program, this corresponds with the Explore Step.
  3. Persuade: The article explains that, according Augustine, as essential as knowledge is, “teaching falls short if students’ learning does not affect their living.” In short, truths need to be internalized and lived out. In the catechetical process employed in the Finding God program, this corresponds with the Reflect and Respond Steps.

The article concludes quite powerfully with these words: “If Catholic catechists were to apply the lessons of Colbert’s success to their own work of evangelization, our country might very well become not just a “Colbert Nation” but a people of God.”

 

 

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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