Slowly Embracing Catholicism, Rough Patch

[☦Marius☦]

I have a solemn update:

The Holy Spirit drew me away from Catholic beliefs.

Have I re-embraced Protestantism? No, actually.

From what I've seen, I ride a fine line between Lutheranism and Eastern Orthodoxy, actually. I don't have full beliefs in regards to the intercession of the Saints while I am most definitely open to discussions about such. I believe in honoring Mary and the Saints, and admiring their Christian life and to reflect upon such things, so that we may shape our lives to become more like Christ's.

There are certain Catholic doctrines I am pretty cool with, but most of those doctrines overlap with Protestantism, actually, so I have no room to speak. The only things that would be different is that I believe it is wholesome to offer a monk and nun position, and to have monasteries and nunneries in such regards. I also fully, wholeheartedly believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist, a Biblical principle in my fully honest opinion.

My view of sola scriptura and prima scriptura have become a mix of the two, honestly. The Bible is the utmost basis for religious practice and worship, but tradition is mentioned in the Bible and I find Eastern Orthodoxy closer to the apostolic faith than Catholicism, by a long shot.

When I came across the Catholic beliefs of 'being a slave to Mary,' and the Immaculate Conception, and such, it threw me off so badly that I couldn't ignore it anymore. It wasn't just mental burden this time around, but the Holy Spirit telling me to back off, because I was getting too far outside of Biblical jurisdiction, per se. Hence the semi-sola scriptura view I hold.

So my slow embracing of Catholicism has turned into an aversion of full-on Catholicism and an embracing of apostolic and Biblical Christianity. I have to owe it to my Protestant mother to tell me to check the Scriptures to see if these things are so. That's what I did, and praise God for leading me in a more sanctified and holy direction in my new Christian walk.

You will find a lot of flexibility in Orthodoxy (believe it or not). Technically you only have to follow the Canons and Nicene creed to be Orthodox. Since we don't dogmatize everything you actually have some freedom to work with what you feel comfortable with. We do recommend progressively aligning yourself to the recommendations of the fathers, and other teachers- but it is a process.

Lutheranism is essentially Protestantism and I believe they believe in the Immaculate Conception (I could be wrong in that). There was some talk of them reunifying with Rome a few years back, not sure how that is progressing. Initially their primary complaints were indulgences and the Roman Church's hoarding of the Scripture in Vulgate.

 

[ChristIsSovereign]

You will find a lot of flexibility in Orthodoxy (believe it or not). Technically you only have to follow the Canons and Nicene creed to be Orthodox. Since we don't dogmatize everything you actually have some freedom to work with what you feel comfortable with. We do recommend progressively aligning yourself to the recommendations of the fathers, and other teachers- but it is a process.

Lutheranism is essentially Protestantism and I believe they believe in the Immaculate Conception (I could be wrong in that). There was some talk of them reunifying with Rome a few years back, not sure how that is progressing. Initially their primary complaints were indulgences and the Roman Church's hoarding of the Scripture in Vulgate.

Do Lutherans believe in the immaculate conception like Catholics?

Lutherans sometimes believe in the perpetual virginity which I simply am neutral about, but they do not believe in the Immaculate Conception.

 

[ChristIsSovereign]

You will find a lot of flexibility in Orthodoxy (believe it or not). Technically you only have to follow the Canons and Nicene creed to be Orthodox. Since we don't dogmatize everything you actually have some freedom to work with what you feel comfortable with. We do recommend progressively aligning yourself to the recommendations of the fathers, and other teachers- but it is a process.

Lutheranism is essentially Protestantism and I believe they believe in the Immaculate Conception (I could be wrong in that). There was some talk of them reunifying with Rome a few years back, not sure how that is progressing. Initially their primary complaints were indulgences and the Roman Church's hoarding of the Scripture in Vulgate.

Mind you, I'm still quite Protestant if I'm honest with myself. I'm essentially a Protestant looking into Orthodoxy now since I scratched Catholicism off my map, thanks to my mom's Protestant wisdom. I have much to respect about Protestants' devotion to the Bible and to understand the divine message God inspired.

 

[thesunisout]

I have a solemn update:

The Holy Spirit drew me away from Catholic beliefs.

Have I re-embraced Protestantism? No, actually.

From what I've seen, I ride a fine line between Lutheranism and Eastern Orthodoxy, actually. I don't have full beliefs in regards to the intercession of the Saints while I am most definitely open to discussions about such. I believe in honoring Mary and the Saints, and admiring their Christian life and to reflect upon such things, so that we may shape our lives to become more like Christ's.

There are certain Catholic doctrines I am pretty cool with, but most of those doctrines overlap with Protestantism, actually, so I have no room to speak. The only things that would be different is that I believe it is wholesome to offer a monk and nun position, and to have monasteries and nunneries in such regards. I also fully, wholeheartedly believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist, a Biblical principle in my fully honest opinion.

Yes, I honestly agree that the supremacy of the Papacy is simply irreconcilable with my faith. God does not play favorites with anyone and the Pope is no exception. I do not believe that any Pope is infallible, no matter how much I admire Francis. (His latest exhortation is good Christian reading, no doubt.)

My view of sola scriptura and prima scriptura have become a mix of the two, honestly. The Bible is the utmost basis for religious practice and worship, but tradition is mentioned in the Bible and I find Eastern Orthodoxy closer to the apostolic faith than Catholicism, by a long shot.

When I came across the Catholic beliefs of 'being a slave to Mary,' and the Immaculate Conception, and such, it threw me off so badly that I couldn't ignore it anymore. It wasn't just mental burden this time around, but the Holy Spirit telling me to back off, because I was getting too far outside of Biblical jurisdiction, per se. Hence the semi-sola scriptura view I hold.

So my slow embracing of Catholicism has turned into an aversion of full-on Catholicism and an embracing of apostolic and Biblical Christianity. I have to owe it to my Protestant mother to tell me to check the Scriptures to see if these things are so. That's what I did, and praise God for leading me in a more sanctified and holy direction in my new Christian walk.

Amen, praise God. I am non-denominational, myself. I can appreciate things about the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, and many other denominations. I don't think any of them have it totally right, which is why I don't totally subscribe to any of them. I currently attend a pentecostal church (AG).

The Lord has given me a ministry of teaching His word and has never led me in the direction of adopting denominational beliefs. I like AG because they believe in the gifts of the Spirit but I don't fully agree with them either. What the Lord has made abundantly clear to me is that He wants me to teach His pure and unadulterated word. There is power in the word. It has the power to change hearts and lives and I fully believe that because I have seen it happen over and over again. It has happened in my own life because God made me into a new person and is transforming me every day.

I pray God blesses you in your journey and brings you to the church He wants you to attend. I pray it would be as clear as day and you would have complete peace from the Holy Ghost. God bless

 

[ChristIsSovereign]

Amen, praise God. I am non-denominational, myself. I can appreciate things about the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, and many other denominations. I don't think any of them have it totally right, which is why I don't totally subscribe to any of them. I currently attend a pentecostal church (AG).

The Lord has given me a ministry of teaching His word and has never led me in the direction of adopting denominational beliefs. I like AG because they believe in the gifts of the Spirit but I don't fully agree with them either. What the Lord has made abundantly clear to me is that He wants me to teach His pure and unadulterated word. There is power in the word. It has the power to change hearts and lives and I fully believe that because I have seen it happen over and over again. It has happened in my own life as God has made me into a new person.

I pray God blesses you in your journey and brings you to the church He wants you to attend. I pray it would be as clear as day and you would have complete peace from the Holy Ghost. God bless

Amen. I tend to be mostly cessationist so I wouldn't be too comfortable in Pentecostal churches.

 

[☦Marius☦]

Mind you, I'm still quite Protestant if I'm honest with myself. I'm essentially a Protestant looking into Orthodoxy now since I scratched Catholicism off my map, thanks to my mom's Protestant wisdom. I have much to respect about Protestants' devotion to the Bible and to understand the divine message God inspired.

My grandmother remains baptist and is one of the most devout women I know.

 

[ChristIsSovereign]

My grandmother remains baptist and is one of the most devout women I know.

Amen.

We, in Christ, are his Body. For any Church to claim that the Body of Christ is only within their doors is to speak ill of Christ. For we in Christ are the Church, pan-denominational.

 

[thesunisout]

Amen. I tend to be mostly cessationist so I wouldn't be too comfortable in Pentecostal churches.

That's how I was when I first joined. I became convinced through observation that some do legitimately have spiritual gifts but certainly there are a lot of counterfeits out there.

 

[FreeinChrist]

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[Paidiske]

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After this rough patch, I would ask you to embrace this part of the SoP for this forum:​

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