Protestants

[BjBarnett]

I hope this thread doesnt degenerate into a riot or something but Ive got some questions about Protestants.

Should we worry about converting Protestants? I mean I got friends that just dont know that Protestant churches are not what Jesus created 2000 years ago. A lot of situations its kinda hard to try to get them in the Catholic church because I dont want to put down there current church.

Also when our Protestant friends are telling someone about Christ and they tell them something that we dont agree with should we correct them? Ive seen this happen a few times (OSAS comes to mind) and I just sit by quitly because I dont want the person to think the Christians are fighting.

Latly I have got to the point that I want to help my protestant friends and neighbors to see that they are not in fullness with Christ. But I really dont know how to approach the situation (most people around here dont even like Catholics). Should I worry with this? I mean they are worshiping Christ and not some Pagan god but Id like for them to experience the fullness of the Catholic Church.

 

[PeterPaul]

Absolutely, we would always want to dialogue with the fruit of their return to the Church.

 

[BjBarnett]

Absolutely, we would always want to dialogue with the fruit of their return to the Church.

Should we as Catholics be open to our Protestant brethern about wanting them to come into communion with the church?

its a very delicate situation and so far ive been kinda beating around the bush when talking to my protestant brethern about religious issues. but I feel like saying "your church is not as Christ made it and you should come into communion with the one, catholic, and apostolic church"

 

[PeterPaul]

Yes, as converts certainly, we would always want them to return to Mother Church.

 

[BjBarnett]

okie dokie thanks much PeterPaul

 

[thereselittleflower]

I am very thankful that people did worry about sharing the truth with protestants . .

We can't convert anyone . . we can share the truth . . if we go at it with the object of converting someone, that is not what I beleive we are called to do . .

I believe we are called share the truth with all who are formally outside the Church, for the fullness of truth and faith was given to humanity for a reason . . and who are we to decide who and who should this fullness of truth and faith should be shared with??


If the Church did not reach out to me as a Protestant, I would not be Catholic now and would not be able to participate fully in the Sacramental life of the Church and receive fully from the table of Grace God has prepared for us . . .


God has given us the Church for a purpose . . and it is not to keep it to ourselves, even when it comes to those who know Christ but do not have the advantage we do in their daily Christian walk of faith, because they do not have the fullness of faith in all its many wonders we are priviledged to partake in . .


We have SO MUCH!!! How can we not share it???



Peace in Him!

 

[thereselittleflower]

Bj . . . preach always . . if necessary, use words.



Peace in Him!

 

[Rising_Suns]

BJ, peace be with you.

The beauty about the Catholic faith is that it speaks for itself; if you just inform people about it, it becomes almost undeniable. So to answer your question, yes we should be concerned about our Protestant brethren, but not overly concerned that we ignore souls who haven't even heard of Christ. Most Protestants will come to us on their own when their ready, since most of our witness to them is through love and simply making sure information is freely available.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Bj . . . preach always . . if necessary, use words.



Peace in Him!

That is one of my favorite quotes.

 

[P_G]

That is one of my favorite quotes.

Mine too

PG

 

[AMDG]

. . . preach always . . if necessary, use words.

It's one of my favorite quotes too.

And it's true--we cannot convert anyone. That's the Holy Spirit's job. As Fr. Mitch Pacwa says "That's a management job. We're in sales."

What we CAN do is what thereselittleflower said. We can share the truth. We can answer a sincere question and possibly even (charitably) correct misinformation. (That's even one of the seven Spiritual Acts of Mercy.)

 

[Anthony]

For someone who has seen both sides, and how people on both sides can be legalistic.

Direct all believers toward Jesus, give the Father, Son and Holy Spirit the focus of converting their attentions.

 

[stray bullet]

Christianity has been falling apart since the Reformation. The sacraments have been thrown out one by one as many protestants move further and further away from the Church. Let's look at some of them-

Communion, the blood and body of Christ, His very presence is gone from so many churches! Now it has been replaced with wine and crackers served in order to 'remember' Christ. They have totally watered down John Chapter 6.

Confession, gone. The sacrament needed to reconcile ourselves with God and get a fresh start when we fall is gone. Only the Orthodox and some Lutherans believe it needed, some Anglicans, just helpful.

Baptism, the first sacrament, the doorway into Christianity, salvation and all the other sacraments is being done away with. Already many see it as nothing more than an outward sign of your faith. Some are even believing that is unnecessary, it is just a 'symbol', something you do as part of tradition when you become a Christian.

Marriage, I don't even need to go there...

Confirmation, few denominations bother with any sort of confirmation process. Depending on what church you went to last Sunday, that's your church for the week.

What else?
Magisterium is obviously out of the question. Tradition has been thrown to the side. Unless it is in the bible, we don't do it.
Even the wholeness bible itself is at risk. People will simply take from it what they want. Don't like what Paul has to say? That's fine, it was just his opinion.

Whether or not we need to go out and actively try converting Protestants is a big question.
The most important thing we can do is not make it difficult for those seeking their way back to the Church. I am so glad everyone here at OBOB was friendly and helpful when I was coming back to Christ's Church.

I believe God is leading people back to the Church. It is very important to make sure we defend Her against lies and myths which keep many people away.
In the last 50 years here in the US, Catholics have become less and less of an isolated odd group that supposedly ate babies at communion.. that needs to continue.

Our very actions as Catholics and our knowledge of the Church can help a lot. Speaking with some of the older folks at my parish, many had felt like their faith was something you just didn't talk about with others (to avoid confrontation by anti-Catholics). That's no longer necessary, make use of it

 

[PeterPaul]

For someone who has seen both sides, and how people on both sides can be legalistic.

Direct all believers toward Jesus, give the Father, Son and Holy Spirit the focus of converting their attentions.

With that reasoning I wouldn't, after all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit could direct them to the Son. Christ gave us the fullness of his commands and he directed us to him, but he also directed us to a Church which he said he would be with until the end of days. It was a visible one, the pillar of truth. So, tell me why I would leave that out? Because some "reformers" don't like it?

The modern mythos that solidarity goes above and beyond bringing all to orthodoxy is just that, a myth.

 

[Axion]

Should we worry about converting Protestants? I mean I got friends that just dont know that Protestant churches are not what Jesus created 2000 years ago. A lot of situations its kinda hard to try to get them in the Catholic church because I dont want to put down there current church.

Don't "put down" their current church. But let them know what you believe, and why, when it comes up naturally. Many will be interested in what Catholics really believe and practice.

Also when our Protestant friends are telling someone about Christ and they tell them something that we dont agree with should we correct them? Ive seen this happen a few times (OSAS comes to mind) and I just sit by quitly because I dont want the person to think the Christians are fighting.

I would say it depends on the circumstances. If its a conversation in which you are all involved, by all means explain that the Catholic position is a little different, and what you believe..

Latly I have got to the point that I want to help my protestant friends and neighbors to see that they are not in fullness with Christ. But I really dont know how to approach the situation (most people around here dont even like Catholics). Should I worry with this? I mean they are worshiping Christ and not some Pagan god but Id like for them to experience the fullness of the Catholic Church.

As I say. Let them know you are a Catholic, and a lot of the time they may ask you questions. Sometimes they will be difficult ones. (Inquisition. Purgatory. Papal infallibility. "Worshipping" statues.etc.) So you need to have the answers.

You can also let them know about Church activities you enjoy or find spiritually fulfilling, and which help you in your life.

 

[davidshane]

The modern mythos that solidarity goes above and beyond bringing all to orthodoxy is just that, a myth.

Howdy. Now, I'm not Catholic, so try to put yourself in my shoes for this one. I have an atheist friend who is going to start attending a Catholic church on account of her boyfriend. Now, I think Catholics are generally Christians, but suffering from some false doctrine. (Probably just as you think of Protestants. ) So far, I've just been happy that she's going to church. Should I instead be saying something like, "Well, I'm glad your going to church, but let me tell you something about them Catholics..." Won't this just turn her off to Christianity even more so? Doctrine is important -- unity is also important, (even part of doctrine!), and there is probably a time to display unity above doctrinal differences, and a time to debate out those differences to the truth. My thoughts, anyways. Maybe I'm just misreading what you say.

 

[ps139]

Howdy. Now, I'm not Catholic, so try to put yourself in my shoes for this one. I have an atheist friend who is going to start attending a Catholic church on account of her boyfriend. Now, I think Catholics are generally Christians, but suffering from some false doctrine. (Probably just as you think of Protestants. ) So far, I've just been happy that she's going to church. Should I instead be saying something like, "Well, I'm glad your going to church, but let me tell you something about them Catholics..." Won't this just turn her off to Christianity even more so? Doctrine is important -- unity is also important, (even part of doctrine!), and there is probably a time to display unity above doctrinal differences, and a time to debate out those differences to the truth. My thoughts, anyways. Maybe I'm just misreading what you say.

Hey David,

With a situation like you describe my opinion is to make sure your friend gets the basics of the faith, and most importantly, gets Jesus. I do not think it is a good idea to debate doctrine with new Christians, they probably have no idea what you are talking about! If I had an atheist friend who went to a Protestant church I would be really glad that he or she believed in Jesus. Then if they ask about my church I will tell them but I would not try to convert them as a new Christian, I'd keep a friendly dialogue going, and if they asked about this or that I'd explain it, but its a somewhat fragile situation.

 

[davidshane]

Hey David,

With a situation like you describe my opinion is to make sure your friend gets the basics of the faith, and most importantly, gets Jesus. I do not think it is a good idea to debate doctrine with new Christians, they probably have no idea what you are talking about! If I had an atheist friend who went to a Protestant church I would be really glad that he or she believed in Jesus. Then if they ask about my church I will tell them but I would not try to convert them as a new Christian, I'd keep a friendly dialogue going, and if they asked about this or that I'd explain it, but its a somewhat fragile situation.

I think I totally agree. Thanks.

 

[Adammi]

I am very thankful for people who lead Protestants Home!!

It seems like on of the petitions to be made furing the Novena of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is for the return of Protestants isn't it?

 

[thereselittleflower]

Howdy. Now, I'm not Catholic, so try to put yourself in my shoes for this one. I have an atheist friend who is going to start attending a Catholic church on account of her boyfriend. Now, I think Catholics are generally Christians, but suffering from some false doctrine. (Probably just as you think of Protestants. ) So far, I've just been happy that she's going to church. Should I instead be saying something like, "Well, I'm glad your going to church, but let me tell you something about them Catholics..." Won't this just turn her off to Christianity even more so? Doctrine is important -- unity is also important, (even part of doctrine!), and there is probably a time to display unity above doctrinal differences, and a time to debate out those differences to the truth. My thoughts, anyways. Maybe I'm just misreading what you say.

I will share something that has haunted me for almost 30 years . . .


When I was in college, I had a friend who was raised Catholic . . we were at a Catholic University and I was protestant . .

She was investigating Mormonism, and was battling depression . .

I knew enough about Mormonism to know it was a false religion . . but I wanted to give her something substantial . . so I went to the campus library and ther were original manuscripts with testimony about the beginning of the Mormon Church . . I found quite a bit to literally tear it down for her so she could see it for what it really was . . . I gave her the materials . .

This was just before break for the summer . . and she had decided not to become Mormon as a result of what I had given her . .


When I came back a few months later, I learned she had committed suicide . .

I have never forgotten this . . and I have tears in my eyes as I share this . . I will always wonder, "what if" I hadn't tried to so hard to dissaude her? Would she have found the help and support she needed and still be alive today?


I will never in this life know the answer to that question . . . .



Peace in Him!