[Catholics Only] What happens if we're wrong?

Searching_for_God said:

Hey everybody,

I just got finished watching some old Christian movies from the 1980s and it got me thinking about Evangelical or Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, and stuff like that. I've also been thinking about this girl I talked to online a couple of months ago. She says she is saved through her faith in Christ alone and that Catholicism teaches idolatry and things like that.

I don't think Catholicism teaches idolatry or that you can't do good works while also having faith, but now I'm a little nervous. What if it turns out we are unknowingly wrong about our beliefs? What will that mean for Catholics? Will we all go to Hell?

I wasn't sure if I should post this in the Christian advice forum or not, but I think I'd like to hear from the perspective of Catholics for this thread.

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I once heard a minister say that Jesus' friends are the ones who get into heaven.

Are you Jesus' friend ?

Try and look more into Catholicism. Read Scott Hahn and Steve Ray. Two great writers on the faith. Both were staunchly against Catholicism. They preached against Catholicism.

Now, they are both MASSIVE Catholics ( I dont mean they are overweight etc )

They have delved deeply into scripture etc and found Catholicism runs right through it. Amazing reading.

Coming from a Lutheran who isn't really a fan of Catholicism...even if Catholics are wrong, I think you'll be fine. Sure, I have my own personal issues with some Catholic doctrine and whatnot--but I don't think most of their practices are going to keep Catholics out of heaven, if that's your worry. Certainly, there have been Catholics as devout as any well-respected Protestant, and vice versa.

At the end of the day, we're all worshipping the same God and we read the same bible. That's what counts.

However, if I were you, I'd also look into the other main denominations and read a bit as to why Protestants came about too; as well as what they believe in. Your beliefs should be based on your own conclusion and conviction upon seeing the whole picture, not just because one side fed you only the good bits of their belief system.

Above all, do remember that no denomination is infallible. There's a reason why different denominations exist in the first place

Searching_for_God said:

Hey everybody,

I just got finished watching some old Christian movies from the 1980s and it got me thinking about Evangelical or Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, and stuff like that. I've also been thinking about this girl I talked to online a couple of months ago. She says she is saved through her faith in Christ alone and that Catholicism teaches idolatry and things like that.

I don't think Catholicism teaches idolatry or that you can't do good works while also having faith, but now I'm a little nervous. What if it turns out we are unknowingly wrong about our beliefs? What will that mean for Catholics? Will we all go to Hell?

I wasn't sure if I should post this in the Christian advice forum or not, but I think I'd like to hear from the perspective of Catholics for this thread.

Click to expand...

Is this a general question or are you looking for Catholic answers? I'm just asking before investing in the thread.

Well if we're wrong you have to ask yourself what does that mean for Apostolic Succession and authority in the rest of Christianity.

I think that's the first question you would need to answer.

Searching_for_God said:

Hey everybody,

I just got finished watching some old Christian movies from the 1980s and it got me thinking about Evangelical or Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, and stuff like that. I've also been thinking about this girl I talked to online a couple of months ago. She says she is saved through her faith in Christ alone and that Catholicism teaches idolatry and things like that.

I don't think Catholicism teaches idolatry or that you can't do good works while also having faith, but now I'm a little nervous. What if it turns out we are unknowingly wrong about our beliefs? What will that mean for Catholics? Will we all go to Hell?

I wasn't sure if I should post this in the Christian advice forum or not, but I think I'd like to hear from the perspective of Catholics for this thread.

Click to expand...

All of us are wrong about some of our ideas on doctrine at least some of the time.... Our pride is dangerous... and the pride of denominationalism is something for each of us to watch out for.

One highly significant thing that the Roman Catholic Church has in her favour is that they are more likely to take near death experience accounts seriously than many Protestant churches tend to do.

i believe that books like Heaven is for Real by Pastor Todd Burpo about the near death expereince of his then three year old son will play a huge role in assisting millions to come to salvation.

If we are wrong we are going to hell

but if we are wrong then nothing in Christianity makes sense

look at the early church fathers, the didiche, nothing resembles Evangelical Christianity until early modern Europe at the earliest
Do not follow a religion made up 1500 years after the last apostle died

Searching_for_God said:

I was looking more for Catholic answers for this question.

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I think David answered the question nicely. If you are talking about statues/holy reminders and communion of the saints, I think history and Scripture supports the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. But let me say this from just my personal point of view... God knows the heart better than we know our own. I do not think God can discriminate based on having the perfect theology. Unless we reject it outright while knowing it is true. I fully expect many people that never set foot inside the Catholic Church to be in Heaven. Paul speaks of this type of judgement as well in Scripture.

Since the OP's thread was entitled
[Catholics Only] What happens if we're wrong?

I would be most grateful if all posters would respect her wishes. While non-Catholic posters are always welcome to post in fellowship - this time the OP asked for responses from CATHOLIC posters

Anhelyna - Senior Ambassador Member

Anhelyna said:

Since the OP's thread was entitled
[Catholics Only] What happens if we're wrong?

I would be most grateful if all posters would respect her wishes. While non-Catholic posters are always welcome to post in fellowship - this time the OP asked for responses from CATHOLIC posters

Anhelyna - Senior Ambassador Member

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Oh geez, I only saw the topic on the side of the forums when it was new and didn't notice the 'catholics only' part at all. That's my bad, sorry ;-;

It happens - but it's always a good idea , when you click on an interesting looking link, to see where you have landed

We are always happy to talk with folk in OBOB , but we do hope that you will be posting in fellowship

theoneandonlypencil said:

Oh geez, I only saw the topic on the side of the forums when it was new and didn't notice the 'catholics only' part at all. That's my bad, sorry ;-;

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If I'm not mistaken, the Catholics Only tag was not part of the original thread title ...

I wasn't online when it went up - so can't comment on <<If I'm not mistaken, the Catholics Only tag was not part of the original thread title ...>>

BUT at the end of the opening post the OP says <<but I think I'd like to hear from the perspective of Catholics for this thread.>>

I think that makes it clear - and the post does not show any edits after posting

Worst case scenario, you're following Christ through a Church who stretches back to Saint Peter, has thousands of wonderful Saints, has the patronage and love and blessings of the Blessed Virgin Mary, gave us the Creeds, gave us the Scriptures, gave us the first 1,500 years plus of Christian history and theology, teaches us how to get to Heaven and gives us every grace possible to get there including the literal Body and Blood of Christ, and which the gates of Hell will not prevail against. They will try, but they will not win.