Biblical Defense of Catholicism

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djrakowski:
Della, this is a very good explanation, and you are right in assuming that my wife and I have already come to this conclusion. However, at the beginning of my study of Catholicism, I wouldn’t have been impressed with extra-Biblical evidences. I had to see reasons from the Bible that it isn’t the sole rule of faith (and there are several references from it to illustrate this point). Then, a whole lot else fell neatly into place. Since my attitudes about the Bible were formed largely by this pastor and his preaching, I suspect I’ll have to approach him in the same way.

So, whereas the Catholic Church doesn’t view the Bible as a standalone prooftext for anything, my pastor does, and will need to hear evidence from the Bible itself. Only after I’ve established that will I be able to move into sacred tradition.
Thanks!
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You’re welcome! I think sola scriptura is the central issue for many Evangelicals. Being able to point out where the Bible itself negates this Reformation teaching will be helpful. I think you will have to get him to see that before he will see anything else, although that won’t be easy. People naturally rebel against being shown how something they have believed all their lives just isn’t so, especially beliefs they have looked to as proof of their salvation. Having come from that background myself I sympathize with both you and your dear pastor. May God grant you the right words and the right time to share all you need to share with him.
 
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masondoggy:
Are there specific topics you’d like to address with him? A few months ago, I printed off some excellent scriptural info. about Mary. I could provide the link if you’d like. I’m sure if you have any other specific topics, others here could provide some links about those topics also.
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Mason, the most important topics for me have been sola scriptura, apostolic succession and the Real Presence. Sola scriptura is most important with my pastor, though, since we’re both from a heavily Bible-based background. That’s where I’m going to focus most of my energies.
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masondoggy:
I think in addition to your letter, you should go through and thoroughly highlight the verses in a Bible, and even use some little post-it notes to find certain topics really fast and make notations. Take that Bible with you when you go to talk to your pastor so you have a good reference.
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Excellent advice. Thank you!

Dan
 
Let your preacher know the history of the Bible, like where it came from, who wrote it, who deleted books, who changed words or added them, why Protestants hated the KJV only to use it because a bisexual king forced them to, etc…

Oh yea, don’t forget to add the things that aren’t in Scripture like faith alone.

I became a “BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC” while attending a Baptist sect. The Sunday School teacher (a “Doctor”) was teaching from James. It turned out the Preacher (also a “Doctor”) spoke on James during his sermon. Both “Doctors” contridicted each other and Scripture too. Both my wife and I noticed the gross error in their so called teachings. The other members just said “oh well, we have so much fun lets don’t worry about it, it’s just thier own interpretation. Who can say who’s right?” Well, now I’m Catholic! Praise God!
 
I read “The Catholic Verses” by Dave Armstrong. It was the last book I read before deciding to become Catholic. 👍
 
Anyways, I’d like to know if anyone has read “A Biblical Defense of Catholicism” by Dave Armstrong, and if so, would it be helpful in finding the relevant scripture passages to give a good explanation to my pastor?

I like to say a hardy “WELCOME” to you all on behalf of all Catholics. I am also from a Baptist backround, I grew up and was baptized Southern Baptist, then later became conservative Baptist. I converted to Catholicism when I was thirty-eight after a five year systematic theological study and juxtaposition of my Baptist theology and Catholicism. It was a trying time but well worth the struggle. 🙂 I thank God for leading me home and showing me the fullness of divinely revealed truth.

**I haven’t read that particular book but I’m familiar with Dave Armstrong and he’s a very orthodox and knowledgable Catholic. I have many convert friends and a brother who also converted after attending Protestant seminary. Confession is one of best things about being Catholic; the best being the source and summit of the Catholic faith; the Eucharist. Perhaps confession to a priest will seem strange at first but give it time and you’ll not only find great sacramental peace from it and also in a secondary sense, for it to be very therapeutic for the conscience and soul. 🙂 God bless you and your family. **

rc
 
Well I retrieved my book, and I have it in front of me, to the left of the computer.

Also my eggs and hashbrowns were very tasty, I am blessed to have a wife who cooks me delicious breakfasts each morning.

Each chapter of a Biblical Defense of Catholicism is a different subject.
For example.
Ch 1. Bible and Tradition
Ch 2. Justification
Ch 3. Development of Doctrine
Ch 4. The Eucharist
Etc…
Each Chapter starts out describing Catholic belief on the particular topic of the Chapter, then sometimes early Church fathers sometimes CCC quotes, then Biblical evidence and how it fits together in different order sometimes depending on the subject.

It is very clear and easily referenced, I recommend it, but it will be very difficult to condense to one letter.

God Bless
Scylla
 
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Malachi4U:
Let your preacher know the history of the Bible, like where it came from, who wrote it, who deleted books, who changed words or added them, why Protestants hated the KJV only to use it because a bisexual king forced them to, etc…
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I plan on addressing the issue of historicity of the canon, but from a slightly different angle: since there was no Bible for early-century like the ones I have on my bookshelf today, then sola scriptura can’t possibly be true. I’m not going to tackle the KJV issue, since that’s not the translation we’ve used since well before I joined this church.
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Malachi4U:
I became a “BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC” while attending a Baptist sect. The Sunday School teacher (a “Doctor”) was teaching from James. It turned out the Preacher (also a “Doctor”) spoke on James during his sermon. Both “Doctors” contridicted each other and Scripture too. Both my wife and I noticed the gross error in their so called teachings. The other members just said “oh well, we have so much fun lets don’t worry about it, it’s just thier own interpretation. Who can say who’s right?” Well, now I’m Catholic! Praise God!
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Same reasons as me. Unity of belief is illusory without unity of doctrine.

Thanks for the advice,
Dan
 
Scott Waddell:
What you ought to do is check out Dave’s website: ic.net/~erasmus/RAZINDEX.HTM

One of the things I like about it is that he has had internet dialogues of every kind.
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What a cool resource! I like the way he’s offered his books for sale in MS-Word and PDF formats, too - very innovative.

Thanks,
Dan
 
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Bishopite:
I like to say a hardy “WELCOME” to you all on behalf of all Catholics. I am also from a Baptist backround, I grew up and was baptized Southern Baptist, then later became conservative Baptist. I converted to Catholicism when I was thirty-eight after a five year systematic theological study and juxtaposition of my Baptist theology and Catholicism. It was a trying time but well worth the struggle. 🙂 I thank God for leading me home and showing me the fullness of divinely revealed truth.
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Thanks for the welcome, and for sharing a bit of your background. Fortunately, I didn’t need to engage in a 5-year study to come to my conclusion.We’ve been studying since last fall.
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Bishopite:
Confession is one of best things about being Catholic; the best being the source and summit of the Catholic faith; the Eucharist. Perhaps confession to a priest will seem strange at first but give it time and you’ll not only find great sacramental peace from it and also in a secondary sense, for it to be very therapeutic for the conscience and soul.
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Actually, I have no problem with auricular confession. I’ve spoken with a priest about some of my concerns on this topic, and he gave me a good bit of assurance.

Dan
 
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scylla:
Also my eggs and hashbrowns were very tasty, I am blessed to have a wife who cooks me delicious breakfasts each morning.
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As soon as I’m done with this response, I’m off to the cafeteria 🙂
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scylla:
It is very clear and easily referenced, I recommend it, but it will be very difficult to condense to one letter.
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I don’t intend to condense the whole book into the letter, but rather to use it as a reference in highlighting key points in my conversion.

Thanks,
Dan
 
Then I really recommend it, I just used it to help me in some explanations in an email last night. It is a good book to reference scripture with explanations on specific topics.

May God Bless you,
Scylla
 
I just finished reading it the other day. I thought it was very good, though I think that books like *Surprised By Truth * had more of an influence on me. *A Biblical Defense of Catholicism * is very good, though, because it shows that Catholic doctrines do have biblical support.

God Bless!
 
When I described this book to a friend of mine (CofC), I jokingly told him I bet he thought it was the thinnest book ever made.

He laughed but he didn’t correct me. Hmm.

Notworthy
 
I found this book very helpful. I’m a convert myself from Evangelical Protestantism…and this book played an important role in my move from ‘sola fide’ to ‘grace through faith and works’, as well as my acceptance of the Real Presence, and my rejection of ‘sola scriptura’. It was far from the only influence in my conversion, but it certainly did play a role
 
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