A major problem.

[PBP]

One, if not the major problem I have as a Protestant is listening to Catholics claim that the RCC is the one true church founded by Jesus.

Now I understand that Catholics are taught this idea, but why can’t Catholics understand how abrasive that is?

Catholics are so exclusionary that some people get turned off by that attitude.

Can Catholics understand that Protestants really do not, and never would want to believe that the RCC is the one true church.

And Catholics often make comments about the errors that Protestants make, but I see very few times when Catholics make comments about errors that Catholics make.

It’s the issue of pride. For the vast majority of Protestants there is no issue at all about which church is true. The issue is all about Christianity for Protestants, for the most part.

As an example, I have never heard a Protestant say they are a devout Baptist. I hear from Catholics very often that they are devout Catholics. Protestants are much more likely to say they are devout Christians.

There is a lot of difference.

How can you say Catholicism is exclusive when the truth is its the Protestant faiths who chose to separate themselves ? The historical facts of Apostolic succession are undeniable. Its the authority which you have a problem with and only thru study of sound Catholic teaching will you come to understand. Dont fall for the counterfeit garbage being served up by people who dont want to understand the Catholic church.

 

[VARC]

As an example, I have never heard a Protestant say they are a devout Baptist. I hear from Catholics very often that they are devout Catholics. Protestants are much more likely to say they are devout Christians.

There is a lot of difference.

Your problem is your frame of reference. It is only in countries where protestantism is dominant(such as the U.S.) that they assume the name “christian”. Catholics and Orthodox are minority denominations thus the need to be more specific. In Egypt, Coptics do not call themeselves “coptics”, they are called christians. The same goes for the orthodox in Russia and the catholics in Spain.

 

[ralphinal]

I should know better but I will ask anyway.

Namesake,
Please tell me what the Church founded by Christ is or was.
There seem to be several possibilities, but I want to see what you think on this.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Theres alot said about so many different churches, but no one addresses the fact that there are so many different people. And each of us chose to worship the Lord in the way they understand the most.

The best example is children, although they have the same parents and the same environment, and beliefs, they still express themselves in different ways. Say its Dads birthday. One child was to draw a picture for a present, one cleaned the garage, and one bought a coffee mug.

They are all showing their Dad they love him.

Does the Dad perfer one over the other? Or does he love them and the gifts the same?

 

[sodak]

Theres alot said about so many different churches, but no one addresses the fact that there are so many different people. And each of us chose to worship the Lord in the way they understand the most.

The best example is children, although they have the same parents and the same environment, and beliefs, they still express themselves in different ways. Say its Dads birthday. One child was to draw a picture for a present, one cleaned the garage, and one bought a coffee mug.

They are all showing their Dad they love him.

Does the Dad perfer one over the other? Or does he love them and the gifts the same?

Dad loves them all the same. He promises to pay for college if they stay out of trouble and obey him. Sadly, only one child does this, so he gets to have his college paid for. While Dad loves them all, he uses discipline to try to form them into the best they can be. Some succeed, some fail.

 

[Freshman88]

Theres alot said about so many different churches, but no one addresses the fact that there are so many different people. And each of us chose to worship the Lord in the way they understand the most.

The best example is children, although they have the same parents and the same environment, and beliefs, they still express themselves in different ways. Say its Dads birthday. One child was to draw a picture for a present, one cleaned the garage, and one bought a coffee mug.

They are all showing their Dad they love him.

Does the Dad perfer one over the other? Or does he love them and the gifts the same?

There is something to be said of intentions, sure. Ultimately however, we are all called to the Catholic Church and she awaits with open arms.

 

[Stephen_C]

Namesake,
How’s going? I can understand your concern. First and foremost… If you were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, then you are Christian. And if you truly believe and are trying to live the Christian life, I am honored to call you my brother in Christ. Let me explain to you a little about me. As well the very very short version of my reversion back to the Catholic faith. I was raised Catholic and I left in my late teens. Not so much as I disagreed with what I was taught, but more so I wanted to follow Jesus my way. I spent the next 12 years searching for a home. I thought I had found it in the Southern Baptist Church. Great God fearing folks. There was little talk about the Catholic faith or trying to evangelize Catholic’s. And most importantly was not preached from the pulpit until….we had a guest Pastor for Sunday Morning Services. His sermon was on the Catholic Church and why they were a Cult (Mary/statue worship and all stuff). And that we as True Christians had a duty to pull these poor Catholics out of that cult and …. I did not hear the rest of his sermon as this struck something deep down inside me and I walked out of that Church. That was 1993. I felt at the time if this was the best they could do, then I did not need a Church that I would just continue to live life my way. Well after 12 years and 2 failed marriage’s my life was a real mess. To make this even shorter…life had finally beaten me down. With no more self righteous pride in me…It finally dawned on me that I could not do this alone nor that my way was the best way…It was at that moment I asked Jesus for help. (not good at telling my story but right now am not ashamed to tell you as I am recalling all this there are tears in my eyes) to make this story even shorter…he lead back to the Catholic Church. And as I know it now, his Church. It is not with self righteous pride that a say this. I have been there and done that. It with complete humbleness that I wish all my fellow Christian brother and sisters would come home to the Catholic Church. But if this is not to be…bless you my Christian brothers and sisters. May you live out your days trying to draw closer to Christ. May you strive to be more Christlike with each step. And someday may we meet again in that place God had prepared for us.

God’s peace Namesake.

 

[Harland]

For Protestants Christ is the center and the church does not equal Christ.

Actually listening to Christian radio I have the impression the bible and Paul are the center of Protestantism? WE Catholics have such a great respect for the word of Christ we stand during the reading of Christ words in the Gospel.

 

[Lee]

I am sure we all could go on and on about what Catholics
do wrong and what Protestants do wrong. Having grown
up a an overwhelmingly Protestant area of the country, everytime I told someone I was Catholic it was usually followed by a list of what is wrong with Catholics and their church or that their minister said Catholics arent Christians. So if it bothers your so much that we Catholics don´t treat other misbehaving Catholics as we do Protestants by stating our belief that the Catholic Church is the One True Church I hope next time someone is standing outside my Cathedral after Palm Sunday Mass saying we are all going to hell because we are Catholic, you will be there to correct your Protestant brother. I have never seen a Catholic standing outside a Protestant church doing the same. The is arrogance, that is being self centered.

 

[jmcrae]

Let me try to be more clear. It seems to me that Catholics tend to get pretty nasty with Protestants compared to how Catholics rebuke Catholics. Maybe it’s just me.

Go on the Liturgy forums - the spats between the “hold hands” people and the “keep your hands to yourself” people, or the communion-on-the-tongue versus communion-in-the hand are way nastier than anything in this forum.

 

[Freshman88]

Go on the Liturgy forums - the spats between the “hold hands” people and the “keep your hands to yourself” people,

LOL!

I thoroughly enjoyed the way in which you phrased that.

But yes, the harshest arguments I have had are with fellow Catholics (myself being a “keep your hands to yourself” kind of guy).

 

[Righteousone]

One, if not the major problem I have as a Protestant is listening to Catholics claim that the RCC is the one true church founded by Jesus.

Now I understand that Catholics are taught this idea, but why can’t Catholics understand how abrasive that is?

Catholics are so exclusionary that some people get turned off by that attitude.

Can Catholics understand that Protestants really do not, and never would want to believe that the RCC is the one true church.

And Catholics often make comments about the errors that Protestants make, but I see very few times when Catholics make comments about errors that Catholics make.

It’s the issue of pride. For the vast majority of Protestants there is no issue at all about which church is true. The issue is all about Christianity for Protestants, for the most part.

As an example, I have never heard a Protestant say they are a devout Baptist. I hear from Catholics very often that they are devout Catholics. Protestants are much more likely to say they are devout Christians.

There is a lot of difference.

It really is hard for you to believe but it is true. The Catholic faith is the true faith started by Christ. Why don’t you get this?

 

[mercygate]

One, if not the major problem I have as a Protestant is listening to Catholics claim that the RCC is the one true church founded by Jesus.

When I was Protestant, that used to annoy me, too. Unfortunately, I went to a rabidly secular university, where my scrupulously non-religious profesoor of history made me read the early Church Fathers. Oh-oh. Guess what. The RCC claim that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Jesus actually has legs.

Now I understand that Catholics are taught this idea, but why can’t Catholics understand how abrasive that is?

As I have just demonstrated, it isn’t just Catholics who are aware of the historical claim that the Catholic Church is “THE” Church. But you are right: I think they don’t see that other people chafe when they hear it.

Catholics are so exclusionary that some people get turned off by that attitude.

On the contrary. We are not “exclusionary” – anybody who professes faith in Christ and His Church may become Catholic. If people are turned off by the facts, well, maybe we could do a better PR and marketing job but the truth ain’t goin’ away.

Can Catholics understand that Protestants really do not, and never would want to believe that the RCC is the one true church.

And how the knowledge that “Protestants really do not, and never would want to believe that the RCC is the one true church” change the facts?

And Catholics often make comments about the errors that Protestants make, but I see very few times when Catholics make comments about errors that Catholics make.

You gotta be kidding? Protestants are constantly pointing out the “errors” of us deluded idol worshipers who teach traditions of men and aren’t allowed to read the Bible!

It’s the issue of pride. For the vast majority of Protestants there is no issue at all about which church is true. The issue is all about Christianity for Protestants, for the most part.

As an example, I have never heard a Protestant say they are a devout Baptist. I hear from Catholics very often that they are devout Catholics. Protestants are much more likely to say they are devout Christians.

There is a lot of difference.

As a former Protestant, I agree that it’s largely an issue of Pride, and as you might guess, drawing upon my own case, I believe the Pridefulness is on the part of those who reject the Church.

 

[Namesake]

It really is hard for you to believe but it is true. The Catholic faith is the true faith started by Christ. Why don’t you get this?

I understand what you believe, but I do not agree with you.

 

[jmcrae]

BTW, I defy you to show an historical document that proves your claim.

I have a whole bookshelf of them - where would you like me to start?

Tell you what - here is a reading list for you:

The Sources of Catholic Dogma, by Denzinger (LORETO Press)
The Church Teaches, by Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary’s College (TAN press)
The Faith of the Early Fathers (3 volumes), ed. William A. Jurgens (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville Minnesota)
This is the Faith, Canon Francis Ripley (TAN Publishers)
The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers (4 Volume Set), ed. M. F. Toal (Ignatius Press)
The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers, Mike Aquilina (Our Sunday Visitor)
Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, Dr. Ludwig Ott (TAN Publishers)
Fundamentals of the Faith, Dr. Peter Kreeft (Ignatius Press)

 

[mercygate]

But people of good faith with quite rational minds and lots of information do disagree with what you claim is historical fact.

BTW, I defy you to show an historical document that proves your claim.

Now let’s see. Catholics are abrasive?

Have you read any of the early Church Fathers of the Apostolic and subapostolic age?

 

[jmcrae]

I understand what you believe, but I do not agree with you.

Which Church is the one that Christ founded, if not the Catholic Church?

The Early Fathers identified four “marks” of the Church - One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.

One means that it answers to one authority in a centralized location.

Holy means that it strives for spiritual perfection in its membership.

Catholic means that it is to be found in every corner of the world.

Apostolic means that it traces its pedigree in an unbroken line back to the Apostles, especially St. Peter.

What Protestant organization answers to this description? (And why aren’t you in it, if there is one?)

 

[Namesake]

I have a whole bookshelf of them - where would you like me to start?

Tell you what - here is a reading list for you:

The Sources of Catholic Dogma, by Denzinger (LORETO Press)
The Church Teaches, by Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary’s College (TAN press)
The Faith of the Early Fathers (3 volumes), ed. William A. Jurgens (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville Minnesota)
This is the Faith, Canon Francis Ripley (TAN Publishers)
The Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers (4 Volume Set), ed. M. F. Toal (Ignatius Press)
The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers, Mike Aquilina (Our Sunday Visitor)
Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, Dr. Ludwig Ott (TAN Publishers)
Fundamentals of the Faith, Dr. Peter Kreeft (Ignatius Press)

I am learning to never say such stupid things to Catholics. Catholics cannot lose an argument!

 

[jmcrae]

I am learning to never say such stupid things to Catholics. Catholics cannot lose an argument!

 

[mark_a]

One, if not the major problem I have as a Protestant is listening to Catholics claim that the RCC is the one true church founded by Jesus.

Now I understand that Catholics are taught this idea, but why can’t Catholics understand how abrasive that is?

Catholics are so exclusionary that some people get turned off by that attitude.

Can Catholics understand that Protestants really do not, and never would want to believe that the RCC is the one true church.

And Catholics often make comments about the errors that Protestants make, but I see very few times when Catholics make comments about errors that Catholics make.

It’s the issue of pride. For the vast majority of Protestants there is no issue at all about which church is true. The issue is all about Christianity for Protestants, for the most part.

As an example, I have never heard a Protestant say they are a devout Baptist. I hear from Catholics very often that they are devout Catholics. Protestants are much more likely to say they are devout Christians.

There is a lot of difference.

Hello.

The whole superiority attitude goes both ways; its a human flaw, not a church flaw.

I stopped listening to “claims” made by different Christians and started investigating their teachings, especially moral teachings.