Bible study turns to Catholic bashing

[t68ware]

Never said you particularly. What I did say is which some people here just don’t get is, if you are a Catholic and you attend bible classes at a Protestant church, you are in heresy. I just don’t understand how some Catholics don’t know this here, or simply don’t care. That’s it.
On the other hand, I do hope you consider becoming Catholic because if you research history, interpret the bible correctly, and love Jesus, you will see that it was Jesus who founded the Catholic church.

Thank you for the clarification. God Bless.

 

[RNRobert]

While churchcamefirst’s comments are somewhat harsh, he does make a valid point. If the Catholic Church contains the fullness of the truth, why go anywhere else. Also, has the OP showed, many non-Catholic Bible studies are anti-Catholic in nature, either implicitly or explicitly. So why expose yourself to that?

 

[t68ware]

While churchcamefirst’s comments are somewhat harsh, he does make a valid point. If the Catholic Church contains the fullness of the truth, why go anywhere else. Also, has the OP showed, many non-Catholic Bible studies are anti-Catholic in nature, either implicitly or explicitly. So why expose yourself to that?

Yes, I have pointed out how anti-Catholic some Protestant Bible studies are, but I go because I am still a member of the church, and because I do try to point out the Catholic point of view. Again, it is a long story as to why I am not Catholic, but suffice it to say I am slowly making my way.

 

[kalt]

So does knowing about the Catholic faith. I have nothing in common with those in heresy, as I am a Roman Catholic period. I follow my church, my pope, if I attend classes in a Protestant church, I am also in heresy but I don’t because I have the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts others.

Only if you want it to, and apparently you do.

You are just like the harsh people from the Bible study.

Your posts are coming out extremely angry-sounding and mean.

I hope no one looks at your posts and thinks that they are representative of how most Catholics think and act.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Vatican II

Site the document of Vatican II. There are 16 Documents of the Second Vatican Council.

 

[Philthy]

I went to my churches Bible study last week like I always do, and my church has members which are not friendly to Catholic doctine. (Wesleyan Church) A member of the study asked a question about praying to saints and Mary and it started a Catholic bashing session. I agree with the Catholic church and her teachings. Why I am not Catholic is a long story, but suffice it to say I was boiling inside and my wife even commented to the other members how upset I was getting but it made no difference. The pastor was even calling the tradition of praying to the saints “silly” and it is not a true doctrine. It greatly saddens me to see such things happen. I will NEVER go back to the Bible study, even though I am a member of the church. I went to my RCIA class two days later and it was so refreshing to hear the Father say that all Christian viewpoints will be respected and nobody will be called on the carpet because they are not Catholic. I just had to vent because it was greatly upsetting. How refreshing to go to RCIA and have thoughful, respectful conversations!

What a great opportunity! I wouldn’t quit that bible study even if you paid me! I love to debate. The Catholic faith can stand on its own - even when played on Protestant terms (ie Sola Scriptura). I’d be respectful and be praying heavily…

 

[Tsuwano]

While churchcamefirst’s comments are somewhat harsh, he does make a valid point. If the Catholic Church contains the fullness of the truth, why go anywhere else. Also, has the OP showed, many non-Catholic Bible studies are anti-Catholic in nature, either implicitly or explicitly. So why expose yourself to that?

I also believe the Catholic Church contains the fullness of truth, but seeking to dialog with those of a different faith and learning about their viewpoints and faith experiences is not an act of heresy. Indeed, learning these viewpoints and weighing them against the truth we hold dear, may also strengthen our faith and enable us to understand more clearly the truth we proclaim as Christians. If one has a faith that is weak or wavering, then it is not a good idea to attend meetings where that faith is under attack or may be undermined, but a mature faith, firmly rooted in prayer and the sacraments, shouldn’t fear to expose itself to differing faiths or experiences. I live in a country where the number of Catholics is very small and it is impossible to avoid engaging with members of differing religions. It is important to recognize that attending a bible class in a Protestant church or attending a funeral service for a dear Buddhist friend in a Buddhist temple, is not an act of heresy, in spite of what Churchcamefirst says, but a means of dialog, evangelization, and of being a witness to that very truth we claim as our faith heritage.

 

[Gara3987]

I went to my churches Bible study last week like I always do, and my church has members which are not friendly to Catholic doctine. (Wesleyan Church) A member of the study asked a question about praying to saints and Mary and it started a Catholic bashing session. I agree with the Catholic church and her teachings. Why I am not Catholic is a long story, but suffice it to say I was boiling inside and my wife even commented to the other members how upset I was getting but it made no difference. The pastor was even calling the tradition of praying to the saints “silly” and it is not a true doctrine. It greatly saddens me to see such things happen. I will NEVER go back to the Bible study, even though I am a member of the church. I went to my RCIA class two days later and it was so refreshing to hear the Father say that all Christian viewpoints will be respected and nobody will be called on the carpet because they are not Catholic. I just had to vent because it was greatly upsetting. How refreshing to go to RCIA and have thoughful, respectful conversations!

Since they are into the Sola Scriptura you could bring up:

 	 The enemies of the Holy mother Church, often attack the one true church on the practice praying to Mary and the Saints. They shout the claim that this ancient practice is **"Unbiblical and was not held by the early Christians "**. A quick reference through scripture and the historical writings of the early Christians more than vindicates Catholics of these false charges. First is important for us to define the term **PRAYER**: the act of asking for a favor with earnestness. A petition (Webster's living encyclopedic dictionary of the English language) .

Even in the old Testament we read biblical proof for this practice. Thus in Psalm 103, we pray, “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will!” (Ps. 103:20- 21). And in Psalm 148 we pray, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!” (Ps. 148:1-2)

The new Testament also bears the truth on the subject we know that those in heaven (angels, and saints) have the power to intercede with God on our behalf “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:10). Not only do those in heaven pray with us, they also pray for us. In Revelation, John sees that “the twenty-four elders [the leaders of the people of God in heaven] fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8). Thus the saints in heaven offer to God the prayers of the saints on earth. Angels do the same thing: “[An] angel came and stood at the altar [in heaven] with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God” (Rev. 8:3-4).

Unlike what many Protestants would like to believe, the Catholic biblical practice of asking saints and angels to pray for us. does not eliminate Christ’s position as the only Mediator between man and God. (1 Tim. 2:5), the Church has always taught that Christ alone holds this special position. but this in no way means we cannot or should not ask our fellow Christians to pray with us and for us (1 Tim. 2:1-4), including those Christians in heaven, who have already had their sanctification completed, for “[t]he prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects” (Jas. 5:16). We see that asking God’s friends in heaven (the saints and angels) to intercede with Christ (God) through their prayers on our behalf is not only biblical, but proper.

 

[churchcamefirst]

I also believe the Catholic Church contains the fullness of truth, but seeking to dialog with those of a different faith and learning about their viewpoints and faith experiences is not an act of heresy. Indeed, learning these viewpoints and weighing them against the truth we hold dear, may also strengthen our faith and enable us to understand more clearly the truth we proclaim as Christians. If one has a faith that is weak or wavering, then it is not a good idea to attend meetings where that faith is under attack or may be undermined, but a mature faith, firmly rooted in prayer and the sacraments, shouldn’t fear to expose itself to differing faiths or experiences. I live in a country where the number of Catholics is very small and it is impossible to avoid engaging with members of differing religions. It is important to recognize that attending a bible class in a Protestant church or attending a funeral service for a dear Buddhist friend in a Buddhist temple, is not an act of heresy, in spite of what Churchcamefirst says, but a means of dialog, evangelization, and of being a witness to that very truth we claim as our faith heritage.

It is heresy if you are a Catholic and you are attending Protestant bible classes. HERESY.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Where is that written in Canon Law or Magisterial decree? Cite your source, please.

 

[reteeks21]

I went to my churches Bible study last week like I always do, and my church has members which are not friendly to Catholic doctine. (Wesleyan Church) A member of the study asked a question about praying to saints and Mary and it started a Catholic bashing session. I agree with the Catholic church and her teachings. Why I am not Catholic is a long story, but suffice it to say I was boiling inside and my wife even commented to the other members how upset I was getting but it made no difference. The pastor was even calling the tradition of praying to the saints “silly” and it is not a true doctrine. It greatly saddens me to see such things happen. I will NEVER go back to the Bible study, even though I am a member of the church. I went to my RCIA class two days later and it was so refreshing to hear the Father say that all Christian viewpoints will be respected and nobody will be called on the carpet because they are not Catholic. I just had to vent because it was greatly upsetting. How refreshing to go to RCIA and have thoughful, respectful conversations!

It is both sad and unfortunate. They deserve to be put it their place. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of ever going back, either. Unfortunately, we have Catholics like churchcamefirst who do the same thing from the opposite end of the spectrum. It does none of us any good. Can’t we just all get along?

 

[ralphinal]

There is a sound logic in not participating in non-Catholic Bible studies IF you are not strong in your faith, your understanding of scriptures, or if it is run by a group with an anti-Catholic mindset. If none of these apply, then there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[reteeks21]

There is a sound logic in not participating in non-Catholic Bible studies IF you are not strong in your faith, your understanding of scriptures, or if it is run by a group with an anti-Catholic mindset. If none of these apply, then there is nothing wrong with it.

I agree and say there is nothing wrong with protestants attending catholic studies as well. It does us all good.

 

[ralphinal]

I agree and say there is nothing wrong with protestants attending catholic studies as well. It does us all good.

I agree 100%.

In Birmingham, Alabama, the only major college/university with Bible studies is a Baptist one. Not all of the staff there is Baptist, and many non-Baptists take Scripture studies, OT and NT, and other related classes. I have not known of any of them changing faiths because of that.

 

[reteeks21]

I agree 100%.

In Birmingham, Alabama, the only major college/university with Bible studies is a Baptist one. Not all of the staff there is Baptist, and many non-Baptists take Scripture studies, OT and NT, and other related classes. I have not known of any of them changing faiths because of that.

I forgot, but which college is that? I went to a small baptist college that was not very friendly to Catholics (at least not a great deal of the faculty that taught religion classes), and it infuriated me. I spent a lot of time trying to rebutt their comments that it gave me a headache. What in the world are we to do about things like that?

 

[Dempsey1919]

It is unfortunate that this bible study group chose to slander another denomination when they could have been discussing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Do not hate or resent these people for their views. They are simply misinformed and misguided. Pray that they may first become charitable enough to investigate the Catholic faith with an open mind. Hopefully, they can one day discard their preconceived notions and come to embrace the truth.

You made the right decision in leaving this group. There is no good in attending a group which causes you to become angry or irritated. There are better ways to spend your time.

I congratulate you on having the courage to investigate the Catholic faith with an open mind. It is refreshing to hear of someone who is taking the prospect of conversion seriously and is not jumping in head-first. I think it is best to proceed slowly and prayerfully. It is better to take your time and decide whether you really in all that the Church teaches and believes. Proceeding slowly also gives your wife and family time to adjust to the idea. Going through a slow and steady conversion will also give you more time to encourage your family to make the change with you.

You are in my prayers.

 

[jmcrae]

It is heresy if you are a Catholic and you are attending Protestant bible classes. HERESY.

No.

Heresy is the obstinate doubt of divinely revealed truth.

The teachings in the non-Catholic Bible study are most likely at least somewhat heretical, but the people themselves aren’t heretics unless they are deliberately doubting to believe what they know to be divinely revealed truth. I’m not seeing that happening, here.

What I am seeing happening is someone who believes the Catholic faith, attending meetings with people who don’t - which I think is a really bad idea, but it’s not heresy.

Please note the distinction between “really bad idea” and “heresy.”

 

[churchcamefirst]

No.

Heresy is the obstinate doubt of divinely revealed truth.

The teachings in the non-Catholic Bible study are most likely at least somewhat heretical, but the people themselves aren’t heretics unless they are deliberately doubting to believe what they know to be divinely revealed truth. I’m not seeing that happening, here.

What I am seeing happening is someone who believes the Catholic faith, attending meetings with people who don’t - which I think is a really bad idea, but it’s not heresy.

Please note the distinction between “really bad idea” and “heresy.”

Was Luther not a Catholic monk? Then decided for himself to believe other things? Same here if he is not careful. And Luther turned out to be a heretic. Again, you are in heresy if you are a Catholic, going to bible studies that are NOT your faith and not what Jesus revealed to us. Ask your priest.

 

[jmcrae]

Was Luther not a Catholic monk? Then decided for himself to believe other things? Same here if he is not careful. And Luther turned out to be a heretic. Again, you are in heresy if you are a Catholic, going to bible studies that are NOT your faith and not what Jesus revealed to us. Ask your priest.

My priest would actually agree with me.

Please be careful of throwing around the word heresy. The Pope is technically the only person who is allowed to use it with regard to human beings. We are free to label ideas as heresy, but we are never allowed to label people as heretics - only the Pope is allowed to do that.

 

[churchcamefirst]

My priest would actually agree with me.

Please be careful of throwing around the word heresy. The Pope is technically the only person who is allowed to use it with regard to human beings. We are free to label ideas as heresy, but we are never allowed to label people as heretics - only the Pope is allowed to do that.

Good grief…