Bible Christian trying to save a Catholic

[jpaul]

My next door neighbor is a fundamentalist Bible Christian who has a doctorate from a “Bible” school. He wants me to come over for a bible study just me and him. He knows I am Catholic.

We were talking about all of the denominations and what “truth” is and who has the authority and what to do when there is disagreement. He believes everything we need to know is in the Bible only. He explained to me that there are a set of core Christian beliefs that renders you a Christian or not. All the other stuff is minor. He explains that there are only a few different denominations that adhere to the core beliefs. He said all of our differences (at least with the Protestants) are the different parts of the body of Christ. for example, He said that Presbyterians see well but Baptist can walk.

Am I missing something? How do I begin to talk with him when we meet? (against Fr. Serpa’s advice, of course, as heard on Catholic Answers Live a week or so ago.)

Do we talk about Peter’s Primacy, the Sacraments, Matthew 16, the Eucharist?

Praying for advice and hoping the Spirit will speak through someone on this forum. THANKS, Brian (4life4NFP) papa2eight.

brother 4life4nfp,

peace and all-good!

I believe you are a good and practicing catholic.

And yes, there are some important things to do. Reading some apologetic books will help a lot. The Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating is recommended. You may also read the books, ***Rome Sweet Home ***by Dr. Scott Hahn, and the ***Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic ***by David B. Currie.

Saint Peter said, "…Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply, but speak gently and respectfully… (1 Peter 3: 15-16).

Ave Maria!

jpaul

 

[RobHom]

I agree with the majority of the posters here. However, before I would even consider having any discussion with someone claiming to have a degree of any level in religion or whatever, I would want to know from whence it came. If it is a correspondence course, or from a school like Bob Jones University (Jones worships Ian Paisely of N. Ireland who thinks it would be a good idea to “exterminate” all Catholics)… I would tell him No, and in no uncertain terms.

My faith and beliefs as a Catholic are not up for inspection or discussion by anyone…and certainly not by a non-Catholic with the intent of trying to tear my beliefs down. Not that he would stand a tinkers chance in Hades of doing it. But at the bottom line, I am not about to waste my time with it.

That his daughters even were in possession of the hatemongering, bigotry loaded lies spewn out by Jack Chick and his band of evil malcontents would have put a lid on it completely. I would have looked him and his daughters square in the eye and said “Satan, get away from me”. If he took umbrage, so be it. He and his kind have practiced long and hard to dismantle the Church and will spare little energy in trying to do so. Their ways are the sly and pernicious ways of Satan. I am not a wacko or radical… so please don’t think so. I grew up all over the world, but much of my youth was spent in the deep south. I know these people. The reality of it is this… They want to convert you…thats all. Their is not an ounce of good intention in them. Its bragging rights and all the rest.

As a Catholic, you belong to the “ONE TRUE CHURCH” founded by Jesus Christ. It is a Church that has survived the ages, and will not fall.

I, foolishly, at one point in my life fell away from the Church. I tried others…but I have to tell you…I was severely disappointed.
Why? Because in my gut, as well as my rational mind, I knew it was wrong. The theologies they expounded just weren’t right. They didn’t even feel right. All I ever saw protestant preachers do was try to get people all emotionally wound up to the point of craziness and states of high emotion. In my heart and soul are my core beliefs. They are the core of the Catholic Church’s beliefs and teachings. I don’t need grand showings of emotion to feel them or to remind me. Its already in me. I’m not the greatest Catholic on the planet by any means. I know that I am a sinner, but I do my best to do what is right…and for me… being a Catholic is what is right and best for my soul.

Tell him to read the Apostles Creed, he may know it as the Nicean Creed. Tell him simply that those are your core beliefs, and thats all there is to it. If he is unable to leave it go at that, then part company agreeing to be civil neighbors. Tell your daughters that they are not to look at, read, or even touch Chick Tracts…that they are filthier than dog feces. Which they are. Also tell them that “friends” do not foist garbage like that on “friends”.

Follow the advice of the better spoken persons on this site. I fear that I am a plain speaker who can convey the message, although not always in the “gentlest” manner. I am guilty of being pragmatic and direct. Nothing I have said here is or has been intended to offend any of our brothers and sisters who share Christ with us in a friendly manner. Peace to you all, in Christ’s name!

 

[Church_Militant]

I agree with the majority of the posters here. However, before I would even consider having any discussion with someone claiming to have a degree of any level in religion or whatever, I would want to know from whence it came. If it is a correspondence course, or from a school like Bob Jones University… I would tell him No, and in no uncertain terms.

My faith and beliefs as a Catholic are not up for inspection or discussion by anyone…and certainly not by a non-Catholic with the intent of trying to tear my beliefs down. That that he would stand a tinkers chance in Hades of doing it. But at the bottom line, I am not about to waste my time with it.

I couldn’t agree more. :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

That his daughters even were in possession of the hatemongering, bigotry loaded lies spewn out by Jack Chick and his band of evil malcontents would have put a lid on it completely. I would have looked him and his daughters square in the eye and said “Satan, get away from me”. …

I wouldn’t go this far however, (though I reserve the right to think it. )

What I love to do is use that as a springboard to use facts to discredit Chick’s propaganda and his sources.

As a Catholic, you belong to the “ONE TRUE CHURCH” founded by Jesus Christ. It is a Church that has survived the ages, and will not fall.

:bible1: [SIGN]Preach it Brother![/SIGN]

I, foolishly, at one point in my life fell away from the Church. I tried others…but I have to tell you…I was severely disappointed.

Me too.

Tell your daughters that they are not to look at, read, or even touch Chick Tracts…that they are filthier than dog feces. Which they are.

Also tell them that “friends” do not foist garbage like that on “friends”. Their intentions may be good, but…

Follow the advice of the better spoken persons on this site. I fear that I am a plain speaker who can convey the message, although not always in the “gentlest” manner.

1st Peter 3:[15] but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;
[16] and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
[17] For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than for doing wrong.

I am guilty of being pragmatic and direct. Nothing I have said here is or has been intended to offend any of our brothers and sisters who share Christ with us in a friendly manner. Peace to you all, in Christ’s name!

Hang around. Maybe we can temper that steel with some very powerful Holy Spirit inspired charity in its presentation.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[Catholicdeacon]

He doesn’t want to have a bible study with you. He wants to weaken your faith until you reject the Church.

If you want to subject yourself to his efforts, at least refuse to allow him any kind of scattershot attacks on Catholicism. Make him focus on one and only one issue at a time. Pick the issues you are most comfortable discussing. I think the Eucharist and John 6 is very easy to defend - they have to twist the scripture almost beyond recognition to arrive at their view. And be sure and ask him to show you Early Church Fathers who agree with him and disagree with Catholic teaching. This latter part is very important. It’s easy enough to find e.g. an ECF who talks about the symbolism of the Eucharist. Fine, the Church agrees. But what he cannot find is an ECF who explicitly denies the Real Presence, as all fundamentalists do.

I would also add that when he gives you the common argument of" Well… When Jesus said that he was way he did not mean to say we were to walk all over him" or some non sense like that ask him to count how many times Jesus said “I and the bread” and “you must eat my flesh” and compare it with the other times that he spoke metaphorically. That will get him thinking…

In His love

A Catholic Deacon

 

[jpaul]

Great advice on leaving the door open. God converts. I only pray that I can plant a seed, even if it is by actions alone. Today, he asked me what I would like to study with him. A certain book of the bible like 2 Peter or an exegesis where we draw from many different books. I asked what he thought about the book of Revelation. He did not seem comfortable. Any recommendation on a book or topic? Or just focus on which came first , the Bible or the Church, OR “Multiple personalities of the Holy Spirit.” ← too funny! I told him I had 8 - 10 translations of the Bible. He said he uses The New King James right now. He said all translations have error in them. (interesting.) He never heard of the Douay Rheims. He said he is getting a Puritan Bible that was recently updated and printed. hmmm. I never heard of it.

Thank you everyone for such great advice. God is so awesome!

I do believe I am firmly rooted in the faith. My wife is also and would tie me up in the closet if I even thought of leaving Peter. I pray that I persevere to the end.

I do believe Apologetics is for everyone. See 1 Peter 3:15.

brother 4life4nfp,

peace and all-good!

If you are really interested to continue talking with him about your faith, it would be better if you bring with you a catholic who has a good apologetic background.

if your neighbor don’t agree, then you can conclude that he is only interested to mislead you from the truth.

Ave Maria!

jpaul

 

[SFLCatholic]

I had an experience a few years ago with a friend trying to “save” me. He kept inviting me to Cavalry Christian church.

At first he was real sneaky about it. He was always trying to get me to go out and meet him somewhere that was fun and a great place to hang out. And when I asked he would admit that it was his “church”.

This went on for weeks. When I finally agreed, I made it contingent on him coming to a Catholic mass first.

Interestinlgy enough, he couldn’t agree to this and stopped pestering me to be “saved”. Yes, pestering me.

Unfortunatly, he stopped being my “friend” after this. I often wonder if I was just a target for him to “save”.

 

[masondoggy]

Today, he asked me what I would like to study with him. A certain book of the bible like 2 Peter or an exegesis where we draw from many different books.

You mean he’s going to let you pick?!

Oh goody! How about starting with John 6?

And then when your both done reading that chapter, ask him how so many Christians can disagree about somethng so “minor” as when Jesus says if you do not eat his body and drink his blood, you’ll have no life in you?

But I thought their disagreements were only “minor”???