I need some info

[Warrior for Jesus]

I'm Catholic.  My boyfriend was raised Baptist.  He abhors all of Christianity because it can not be proved.  He particularly dislikes Protestantism because he sees there is so much disension between the different denominations.

My question is, how can I show him that Christianity is for real and the and that the Trinity is correct, but that the Eastern Philosophies are not?

He is reading a book on Confusious.  Confusious states some Christian beliefs (Do unto others, etc.) so my boyfriend says you can go different ways to find God, that one doesn't need to believe in the divinity of Jesus.  My b/f does believe Jesus walked on the earth and that there is one God.  My b/f also believes in the Trinity, as far as I can tell.

I am planning on going to the Eucharistic Adoration at my church every morning before I go to work.  The church is just a few blocks away.  I would love for my b/f to eventually go with me, but I do not see that happening anytime soon.

Is there any source I can use, outside of the bible (my b/f thinks that bible is nothing but propaganda written by the followers of Jesus)?  I was thinking of getting a copy of Lee Stroebel's (sp?) The Case for Faith.  Is there any other good material on faith that anyone knows of?

Thanks for you help in this.

 

 

[chelcb]

My best suggestion is invite him to go with you to mass and adoration and if he declines then do not nag, go and pray for him, offer you holy hour up for his conversion. It is only the Holy Spirit that can open is mind and heart.

 

[nyj]

I haven't read any of Mr. Stroebel's stuff so I can't comment on it. Many people have said it is very good, others have said it isn't. One person I can recommend though is C.S. Lewis. He makes, first, a good case for theism, then monotheism and then Christianity.

Check out the following by him:

Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life

God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics

 

[geocajun]

I recommend "Theology for beginners" by Frank Sheed (this is no beginners book)
it might help him to see the logical truths behind the Christian faith.
also, spending time in adoration with certaintly help!

I can speak from experience, that until I read Frank Sheeds explanation of the trinity, I had serious problems with it and no one could explain it to me correctly.

I will pray for you and your boyfriend.

also, for what its worth, I recommend having these things sorted out before taking your relationship any further.

 

[Warrior for Jesus]

It is only that he asks questions and I'm not sure how to reply. He starts taking about Christianity with a sneer in his voice. I try to respond calmly by giving my understanding. I just get frustrated. I know how to defend Catholicism, I've done that for a few years now. I just don't know how to defend Christianity. That is what I need to learn.

 

[kern]

C.S. Lewis is particularly good because he used to be an athiest before he converted to Catholicism.

-Chris

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Invite him to come with you everytime you go to adoration or Mass. Make sure that he feels free to accept or decline so that he doesn't feel pressured into coming. He might not accept the offer now, but by continuing to invite him, you allow him to feel free to come if he ever becomes interested.

As to his interest in Eastern philosophies, ask him questions about the fundamental worldviews embodied in these philosophies. The similarities between Christianity and eastern philosophies is only superficial.

 

[nyj]

Today at 10:39 AM Warrior for Jesus said this in Post #5 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=658500#post658500)

It is only that he asks questions and I'm not sure how to reply. He starts taking about Christianity with a sneer in his voice. I try to respond calmly by giving my understanding. I just get frustrated. I know how to defend Catholicism, I've done that for a few years now. I just don't know how to defend Christianity. That is what I need to learn.

By defending Catholicism, you ARE defending Christianity.

Or do you mean you're having a hard time defending the basic, underlying principles of Christianity in general (which affect both Catholic and non-Catholic Christianity)?

 

[Warrior for Jesus]

That is precisely what I mean, nyj. I'm used to talking to non-Catholic Christians about Catholicism. Thanks for all the ideas. I will take them all into consideration.

 

[sklippstein]

Today at 11:35 AM chelcb said this in Post #2

My best suggestion is invite him to go with you to mass and adoration and if he declines then do not nag, go and pray for him, offer you holy hour up for his conversion. It is only the Holy Spirit that can open is mind and heart.

I agree with chelsi......pray for him and ask him to go with u.  If he doesn't agree, dont give up on him.......allow God to touch his heart.

 

[Miss Shelby]

also, for what its worth, I recommend having these things sorted out before taking your relationship any further.

At the risk of butting my 2cents in where it doesn't belong, I wholeheartedly agree with this. Having a mate who doesn't share your faith is a tough road to hoe.

Michelle

 

[nyj]

Today at 01:08 PM Warrior for Jesus said this in Post #9 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=658802#post658802)

That is precisely what I mean, nyj. I'm used to talking to non-Catholic Christians about Catholicism. Thanks for all the ideas. I will take them all into consideration.

Gotcha Warrior for Jesus.

When I first got involved in on-line apologetics I was able to approach it from a similar approach. My first dealings were with atheists, militant atheists. They attacked Christianity constantly and some took particular delight in beating up Catholicism.

The longer I talked with them, the more I found out that if I approached things with a pure Catholic understanding of the gospel (rather than trying to provide a 'generally christian' message) I got better results. They had a harder time refuting my arguments and I got more email responses from people who were struggling with their faith.

I found that relying on the Catholic Church was a Christian apologists best weapon when facing atheism. Now, obviously I am biased, but I clearly got results. For example, theology? I relied on Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. Those two trump any athiest author imaginable.

In your instance you might want to lean on the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas who presents many arguments for the existance of God. I agree, it is a different audience but perhaps you won't need to alter your approach as severely as you think.

I'll be praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance for you.

 

[Kotton]

Today at 10:39 AM Warrior for Jesus said this in Post #5 

I know how to defend Catholicism, I've done that for a few years now. I just don't know how to defend Christianity. That is what I need to learn.

I agree with those who said, 'defending Catholicism is defending Christianity'. Now if I am correct, you know how to present the doctrines of Christianity. Are you not the WARRIOR who was banned by RR?

Kotton  

 

[Wolseley]

I would strongly suggest books by Peter Kreeft; they will make mincemeat out of your b/f's contention that "one road is just as good as another".

And I, too, plead with you to get this squared away before you get much further along in your relationship. While you may be able to bear up being unequally yoked with one who does not share your beliefs, your children will pay the price for it----and that is neither just nor fair to them.

 

[Axion]

Hiya WfJ,

It's often very difficult to connect with non/anti-christians, because a lot of the arguments they put up are excuses rather than the real deep-down reasons they are afraid of stepping into Christian commitment.

Also a lot of people are taught from childhood by society about the "hypocrisy" of Christians/the Church, how "organised Religion is responsible for most wars", and how Christianity "blocked social and scientific progress".

All of this is untrue, but takes a lot of effort to get over. Most people don't realise how much the things they admire in modern society, the IDEA of progress, compassion for opponents, human rights, learning and our concepts of right and wrong, grow out of Christianity.

I would also suggest centring on Jesus. Who was he? Does your bf agree with what he taught? What does he make of Jesus's claims? IMO It boils down to a choice: either Jesus was who He said He was, or Jesus was mad. If Jesus was mad - then that sort of madness is for me!

 

[Loki]

You got banned by RR? Niftyness

Invite him along and be prepared to accept a "no." But conversely, you're just as important in this relationship, so make sure he understands how important your faith is to you.

 

[Warrior for Jesus]

Today at 01:51 PM Kotton said this in Post #13 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=658884#post658884)

I agree with those who said, 'defending Catholicism is defending Christianity'. Now if I am correct, you know how to present the doctrines of Christianity. Are you not the WARRIOR who was banned by RR?

Kotton  

The one and the same. I also visit CARM quite often.