And as I noted in my next sentence, "The only issues you seem to have identified are either liturgical ones (which I already mentioned) or the claim about throwing out deuterocanonical books, which will be addressed next."...which was done in post #48. There are about nine different changes mentioned there.
People who will insist that their denomination is Absolutely The Right Way know how to scare you. Don't let them scare you.I'm not sure if this is relevant to post here.
Over the past three days I have experienced random doubts about "Protestantism". I use quotation marks because a lot of Baptists don't consider themsleves Protestant. I don't know what triggered it. So, I started looking at Catholic beliefs (mostly just to check for myself)... I was actually at a point of thinking Catholicism could be true. Today I feel I've moved back towards beliefs such as Sola Scriptura and being saved by Faith alone. The problem is now I feel I'm in a sort of limbo of doubt. This is all uncharacteristic for me.
Another problem is everyone is baised and I don't really know how to move forward. Any answers from those who have converted to Catholic or to Protestant would still be helpful though. Please keep in mind how serious of an issue this is.
Thanks
Your first sentence makes sense. The attitude causes fear and doubt because you think "they seem pretty sure of themselves".People who will insist that their denomination is Absolutely The Right Way know how to scare you. Don't let them scare you.
Sola Scriptura teaches that what Scripture says trumps any church teaching that would appear to contradict it. It is the first Tradition, recorded in writing.
With that out of the way, we then have a framework for understanding that the New Testament teaching of salvation by grace, through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 4-5) is the correct one. Works happen, but it is the grace of God that saves us, and it comes through faith. Obedience is a necessity (Romans 6), but when God had borne us again, we were born imperishable (1 Peter 1:23).
When I was at Augsburg College, We were required to take a demoninations and sects class. Raised Lutheran, I never knew that Lutherans believe in predestination (because on the HS can open your heart) and we are only welcomed into God's family after baptism, two beliefs I disagree with. But in talking with Catholics, they tell me that the reason you pray to saints for intercessory is the same reason if you call the president, you get the receptionist. I have never held the belief that God is away from me, but a part of me, just as my breath, and in constant communication.I'm not sure if this is relevant to post here.
Over the past three days I have experienced random doubts about "Protestantism". I use quotation marks because a lot of Baptists don't consider themsleves Protestant. I don't know what triggered it. So, I started looking at Catholic beliefs (mostly just to check for myself)... I was actually at a point of thinking Catholicism could be true. Today I feel I've moved back towards beliefs such as Sola Scriptura and being saved by Faith alone. The problem is now I feel I'm in a sort of limbo of doubt. This is all uncharacteristic for me.
Another problem is everyone is baised and I don't really know how to move forward. Any answers from those who have converted to Catholic or to Protestant would still be helpful though. Please keep in mind how serious of an issue this is.
Thanks
Lutherans believe in Predestination? I didn't know either.When I was at Augsburg College, We were required to take a demoninations and sects class. Raised Lutheran, I never knew that Lutherans believe in predestination (because on the HS can open your heart) and we are only welcomed into God's family after baptism, two beliefs I disagree with. But in talking with Catholics, they tell me that the reason you pray to saints for intercessory is the same reason if you call the president, you get the receptionist. I have never held the belief that God is away from me, but a part of me, just as my breath, and in constant communication.
Over the years, in conversations with God, I have a much bigger understanding of who and what God is, and find it more important to state what I know is real, vs what dogma I must agree to.
But what I found the most curious comment from a believer is one who said, "I just didn't like the service. God was too real."
I am going to pass on the debate over which denomination is best and tell all what my grandmother told me regarding this subject. She always told me that Christians go to the same Heaven, regardless of which denomination they belong to. Quite frankly, I have known Godly Christians from a variety of faith groups and very poor Christians across denominations as well. Regardless of which faith group that we all choose, we are still bound by Jesus' command to love God and love our neighbor.
So...you prefer Catholicism to Pentecostalism. That probably puts you in the company of plenty of Protestants too.To be honest, as a Catholic who has no hindrances in listening to preachings by Pentecostal pastors, I find that the Catholic church seems a lot more mature. Most of what is being recently discovered and adopted into Pentecostal practices have existed for centuries in the Catholic church. This is what I have noticed and this is the reason I remain a Catholic.
A big concern is that the distinctions between denominations can often mean that we in fact do not all go to the same Heaven. It's such a serious issue.I am going to pass on the debate over which denomination is best and tell all what my grandmother told me regarding this subject. She always told me that Christians go to the same Heaven, regardless of which denomination they belong to. Quite frankly, I have known Godly Christians from a variety of faith groups and very poor Christians across denominations as well. Regardless of which faith group that we all choose, we are still bound by Jesus' command to love God and love our neighbor.
So...you prefer Catholicism to Pentecostalism. That probably puts you in the company of plenty of Protestants too.
I respect your viewpoint, but I have to stick with my grandmother on this one.A big concern is that the distinctions between denominations can often mean that we in fact do not all go to the same Heaven. It's such a serious issue.
I'm not sure if this is relevant to post here.
Over the past three days I have experienced random doubts about "Protestantism". I use quotation marks because a lot of Baptists don't consider themsleves Protestant. I don't know what triggered it. So, I started looking at Catholic beliefs (mostly just to check for myself)... I was actually at a point of thinking Catholicism could be true. Today I feel I've moved back towards beliefs such as Sola Scriptura and being saved by Faith alone. The problem is now I feel I'm in a sort of limbo of doubt. This is all uncharacteristic for me.
Another problem is everyone is baised and I don't really know how to move forward. Any answers from those who have converted to Catholic or to Protestant would still be helpful though. Please keep in mind how serious of an issue this is.
Thanks
I have ordered the book Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating. It was recommended by @chilehed on this thread. Although I felt settled again I became aware of the one-sidedness of the info I was reading...
Pro-Catholic arguments? I've heard the opposite for years. Whenever I see Catholics themselves they seem more reasonable than they're presented by fundamentalist and other Protestants. Is Karl Keating controversial? I only included his name so others could see exactly which book I was mentioning....and what do you suppose you're going to get from Karl Keating?
I see what you mean now. Although he will be one-sided... One plus one equals two. I'm no longer one-sided!Pro-Catholic arguments? I've heard the opposite for years. Whenever I see Catholics themselves they seem more reasonable than they're presented by fundamentalist and other Protestants. Is Karl Keating controversial? I only included his name so others could see exactly which book I was mentioning.
I do admit Catholics have had a long time to come up with "reasons" for their beliefs. But they do always have an answer of some sort.