Are converts better evangelizers

[BornInMarch]

There are advantages and disadvantages that converts have in missionary work.

The advantages are that, if their conversion is sincere, they usually have a fire in their spirit that might not be found in people who were raised in the faith (and who are therefore more likely to take it for granted). More practically, converts evangelizing to their former coreligionists can empathize with them and thereby understand better what they need to hear to embrace Christ - an ex-Buddhist would understand why people believed in Buddhism, an ex-Muslim would understand why people believe in Islam, etc. If a convert hated Christianity prior to his conversion then he might be driven by shame to spread the word, just as Saint Paul was driven in part by remorse for his role in Saint Stephen’s murder.

The disadvantages are that a convert, especially a recent convert, may not understand fully their faith and the nuances of it. Additionally, while fiery, their faith may still be new and need time to develop before facing the trials of trying to spread it to others. And if his community didn’t take his conversion well then they may reject Christianity because he’s the one spreading it, or they may be more likely to attack him for being a “traitor”.

 

[Peeps]

I hope this helps a litte.

God bless

Thanks, yes, I figured this was the gist of it. Sigh.

 

[NoelFitz]

I am enjoying this thread and find it very constructive.
I feel there is general agreement.
In general converts are more enthusiastic and evangelize better, but not always. Cradle Catholics have exemplary enthusiasm for the Church.
I am saddened that a convert might find fellowship lacking in the Catholic Church. Parishes vary as they depend so much on the Pastor. if you do not feel a parish is suitable for you try another one. If you are a convert Could you might introduce what was best in your previous Church into your Catholic parish.
I see St John Henry Newman as the ideal convert in many ways and he was highly critical of some things he found in the Catholic Church; not being impressed with the standard of Roman theology is an example.

 

[c4csp]

If they have a solid understanding on the doctrines and dogma of faith then yes. Many Protestants have negative impression of Catholicism which makes it difficult for them to even give a Catholic time of day to hear them. However, if one is a convert then that barrier is weakened and can make evangelizing more easy. Protestants are probably more open to hear from a Catholic convert the a cradle Catholic. That would be my opinion.

 

[Alexandria2020]

My husband and I are converts to Catholicism from Evangelical Protestantism. We’re so thankful that God led us home!

Oh wow. interesting.

I have an uncle who went the opposite way. He was born Catholic but then became an evangelical Christian. Now he’s very anti-Rome.

How wold you approach a person like that?

 

[Peeps]

How wold you approach a person like that?

With the Bible and lots of Christian love. Know your Bible from cover-to-cover.

I would start by reading it through–it takes around 75 hours to read the entire Bible (the Protestant version)–add another 20-25 hours for the Catholic version that includes the Deuterocanonical books. Only 100 hours–that’s not much. My husband and I have spent at least that much time binge-watching TV since the start of the COVID-19 shutdown.

Reading it through will give the “Big Picture.” Certainly much of it will go right over your head unless you are knowledgeable in world history. But you’ll have a general overview.

At some point, memorize the Books of the Bible so that you don’t have to have those “tabs” in your Bible. I know this sounds prideful and snotty, but Evangelical Protestants will not trust someone who has to use tabs to find their way around the BIble, unless you are in your 90s and have vision issues.

Finally, read, study, and learn to love C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. Evangelical Protestants love and trust this book even though it’s not the Bible. Use it as a “common ground” when talking to your uncle. Unless he’s a Calvinist–if he is, then learn all about “TULIP”.

I would say to look for common ground rather than arguing about differences. And keep in mind that if you live out your faith and are a personal illustration of I Corinthians 13–your uncle will notice and it will help him to eventually start longing for what you have. It’s my opinion (and my husband agrees) that a Christian who truly knows their Bible will eventually start asking a lot of questions, and the answers will take them down the Road to Rome.

 

[Alexandria2020]

Use it as a “common ground” when talking to your uncle. Unless he’s a Calvinist–if he is, then learn all about “TULIP”

technically he’s a Pentecostal. (Assemblies of God).

Thanks for the advices. Very helpful indeed.

 

[NoelFitz]

I would say to look for common ground rather than arguing about differences.

Well said.
There is very little difference between many Protestants and Catholics.
In Ireland (Republic) most Protestants are Church of Ireland/Episcopalian/Anglican, some of which differ very little from Catholics.
Some important beliefs are God, Trinity, after-life, as well as the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus, believed by most Christians.

 

[StudentMI]

If you guys are relying on converts like myself to evangelize the Church is done for. :crazy_face:

 

[Lucy_1]

I will only speak for myself as a convert. I am very enthusiastic and devoted to my faith, as I was when I was a protestant. But I am an absolutely terrible evangelist, and I was terrible when I was a protestant too. To me speaking about Jesus to people who don’t believe feels very unnatural and forced. I will say something if we’re speaking about religion or spiritual things in general, but that’s about it. I think some people are more gifted than others, and I think protestants are trained and encouraged more in this area. The extent of my evangelism is I try to follow Jesus and hope that shows in my life.

 

[aroosi]

I think converts have a zeal often unseen in people born in a certain religion. I have seen it not only in converts to Catholicism, also in converts to Judaism and Islam. The problem is that often converts go overboard and become extremists. For example where I was living before there was this woman in niqab. It turned out she was a young European converted to Islam.

 

[new-kirishitan]

Many cradle Catholics don’t have much understanding of Catholicism, and their knowledge about other religions is minimal, because they just grew up to ‘go with the flow’. A convert, on the other hand, usually went through a spiritual journey and knows exactly why he or she chose his or her current religion and ditched the previous one. This is why many cradle Catholics find Buddhism and its beliefs quite appealing over Christianity, especially when Buddhism is often labelled as the ‘peaceful religion’, while a convert like me will be able to tell people why Christianity is the TRUE faith and why Buddhism is nothing but mystified nonsense.