Book for Catholic Turned Lutheran

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Any ideas on how to approach person who converted to Lutheran MO synod years ago for spouse; has always maintained close relationship w/ catholics to this day.
 
I was wondering if anyone has any easy to read books addressing the Lutheran Church from a Catholic standpoint.

Several of my cousins and their families left the Catholic Church and became Lutheran. One of my cousins, who isnt very "into religion" explained that she had studied history in highschool and realized Luther was right. I tried to get her to rethink what she was taught but since she isnt interested in Christianity at this point, our discussion did not go very far. She said that the Lutheran Church, unlike the Catholic Church “doesn`t think that everyone is going to hell.” She was also glad that women could be priests etc.

After talking to her for a bit, I got the perception that she wanted to be Lutheran because it was easier. I realized she doesnt understand that the Catholic Church is following Jesuss teachings, not their own made up rules.

Anyway, if anyone knows of some books specifically geared toward Catholics turned Luther, I would welcome suggestions. She is not ready to explore this right now, but I would like to study up on it, so I will be ready to answer her questions should the opporunity arise.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Maria1212
 
You might want to look for books by Lutheran converts to Catholicism, like Fr. Richard Neuhaus.
 
Actually, someone else asked about books for Catholics turned Lutheran further up this forum; you may want to find out about merging your threads.

Have you tried checking out Fr. Richard Neuhaus? He was a Lutheran pastor and converted to Catholicism after his synod decided to ordain women based on popular opinion, not Scripture. He edits the magazine First Things and has written some books, I think.

In a generic sense, there’s always the argument that the Catholic Church has the fullness of faith (and the Real Presence) and the Lutherans do not (and can’t even agree on which synod is right about women’s ordination, worship styles, etc.).
 
I was a MO synod myself before I converted. What gets me is all the hostility towards Catholics when they are actually similar and also that Martin Luther himself was a lot more like a Catholic than like a Lutheran. I converted to Catholicism for my husband–lucky for me I was coming in to the truth not leaving it! How about asking her to reading Karl Keating’s “Catholicism and Fundamentalism”? That book gave me the information I needed to let go of my last Protestant hold-overs.
 
I’m a convert from MO Synod Lutheranism (Tiber Swim Team Class of 2006 :p).

Firstly: pray, pray, pray (if you’re not doing that already).

Secondly: learn about the Faith as much as you can. And live it, as well. My parish priest said recently in a homily that you can share what you don’t have. I’m assuming you’re living it as best you can. 👍

Thirdly: depending on the person, it may be best to start on the common ground between Catholics and Lutherans. Or it may be best to approach the hostilities and clear up those misconceptions. Let them ask all sorts of questions, and get them answers.
  • Don’t appear overly anxious/chomping at the bit to get them to come home to Rome. The Holy Spirit has His own time-table. 🙂
  • For me, people who were like “MY CHURCH IS THE TRUE ONE!111” really bugged me. I had to come to my own conclusion on that one, and seeing the line of Popes helped me to realize “oh dur, the Catholics can go all the way back to Jesus!”
  • Even though I had three years of confirmation class and was confirmed in the Lutheran church, I had no idea Martin Luther ‘founded’ the Lutherans. 😊 Maybe starting at the beginning of Lutheranism is good place to begin?
I don’t know if that will help you at all – your mileage will obviously vary. Prayers, though; and God bless!
 
I converted to the Catholic Church from Mo Synod a few years back. I grew up Lutheran and attended Lutheran grade school. I originally converted because my wife is Catholic. My desire was to worship as a family. It took a few years for me to actually drop some of my built in beliefs of the Catholic Church.

Now when visiting relatives (who are all MO Synod Lutherans) we will attend their church. I couldn’t imagine ever returning after having been Catholic now for a few years. The Lutheran service seems more like a social event and after the service my wife and I feel like we need to attend Mass. Back to the original question. My answer would be to just get him to come to a few Masses and he may realize how much more the Catholic Church just feels more reverent.
 
mlldrl said:
I’ve not read it but it sounds as if it fits the bill.

There We Stood, Here We Stand : Eleven Lutherans Rediscover Their Catholic Roots
amazon.com/There-Stood-Here-Stand-Rediscover/dp/0759613206

M
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I have it and it is not as easy a read as say the Surprised by Truth books. The essays are on the dry, academic side in my opinion but someone could still gain some understanding from it. I love to read most anything from old textbooks to encyclopedias and I had a hard time getting through this book. I’ve learned more about Lutherns by reading other books actually aimed at them.

If someone wants to talk apologetics with a family member who left our faith for the Luthern church, then I would suggest that they find out which type of Luthern “synod” they belong to first. They have one that is rabidly anti-Catholic if you read their literature and websites. There are other Lutherns who seem almost like Catholic-light. I have a friend who was an elder in a Luthern church and he was telling me that the different Luthern “synods” at times can barely talk to each other.
 
“Search and Rescue” by Patrick Madrid is on its way to me. It will instruct you on how to call the fallen away back. So many who are lukewarm in their faith leave Christ’s Church for easier, less demanding beliefs. Your cousin is not motovated to read about faith if she’s not really into it right now. But, encouraging words and the assurance of God’s mercy in our faith might just touch her heart since she was, for some reason, concerned with Hell.

She fled the truth of the Catholic Church because there was something in the truth that bothered her. I would guess that she had never availed herself of the mercy that is reconcilliation. She may very well be carrying a burden of sin which turned her away from truth. If this is so, she is just a heartfelt confession away from the restoration of grace.

God bless you for your desire to call your family back to Him.
 
po18guy said:
“Search and Rescue” by Patrick Madrid is on its way to me. It will instruct you on how to call the fallen away back. So many who are lukewarm in their faith leave Christ’s Church for easier, less demanding beliefs. Your cousin is not motovated to read about faith if she’s not really into it right now. But, encouraging words and the assurance of God’s mercy in our faith might just touch her heart since she was, for some reason, concerned with Hell.

She fled the truth of the Catholic Church because there was something in the truth that bothered her. I would guess that she had never availed herself of the mercy that is reconcilliation. She may very well be carrying a burden of sin which turned her away from truth. If this is so, she is just a heartfelt confession away from the restoration of grace.

God bless you for your desire to call your family back to Him.
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Thank you for your kind message. Could you let me know how you like the book Search and Rescue once you read it? I read his book “Where is That in the Bible” and was disappointed. But maybe this book will be better. Definitely let me know what you think!

In my cousins case, I think she has been fooled by what society considers to be normal. Her public highschool history class was biased in my humble opinion! She says she is the one who convinced her family to convert/switch churches, and it sounds like she didnt need to do much convincining. Several of my other cousins (different aunt) also left the Catholic Church to be Methodist and Lutheran.

I think they are trying to rationalize their beliefs that contradict Church teaching. But none of them are that spiritual, at least right now from what I see. I hope this will be the begining of a journey leading them to a renewed love and commitment to their Catholic faith. But at the same time, it is discouraging to witness so many of my family members (not to mention friends) leaving the Church. I am 31 so maybe part of it is age-related and they will return to their faith later in life.

I strayed from practicing my faith in my early twenties but quickly returned with much stronger faith than I ever had before. It wasn`t quiet like a reversion, because I never really left. But I moved from cafeteria/lukewarm to 100 percent, thanks to the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit.

Sincerely,

Maria1212
 
Maria1212 said:
Thank you for your kind message. Could you let me know how you like the book Search and Rescue once you read it? I read his book “Where is That in the Bible” and was disappointed. But maybe this book will be better. Definitely let me know what you think!

In my cousins case, I think she has been fooled by what society considers to be normal. Her public highschool history class was biased in my humble opinion! She says she is the one who convinced her family to convert/switch churches, and it sounds like she didnt need to do much convincining. Several of my other cousins (different aunt) also left the Catholic Church to be Methodist and Lutheran.

I think they are trying to rationalize their beliefs that contradict Church teaching. But none of them are that spiritual, at least right now from what I see. I hope this will be the begining of a journey leading them to a renewed love and commitment to their Catholic faith. But at the same time, it is discouraging to witness so many of my family members (not to mention friends) leaving the Church. I am 31 so maybe part of it is age-related and they will return to their faith later in life.

I strayed from practicing my faith in my early twenties but quickly returned with much stronger faith than I ever had before. It wasn`t quiet like a reversion, because I never really left. But I moved from cafeteria/lukewarm to 100 percent, thanks to the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit.

Sincerely,

Maria1212
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Maria1212,

I received the book and it’s already made me cry! For “some reason”, Saint John Vianney and St. Francis de Sales had recently caught my attention. I shook with the Holy Spirit when I found that these two Saints are mentioned early in the book! I had posted a quotation of St. Francis de Sales beside my headboard, for daily inspiration. Patrick Madrid used them as examples of humble evangelists. The book has asked questions that I had already been made ready to answer “yes” to. So this is what the Lord has been preparing me for!

It’s exciting when the scales fall from your eyes and you see the Lord’s goodness. I know that when I finish the book, my work will only be starting, but Paise God! The more spiritual you are, the more you will benefit from the book. And, the more the Kingdom of God will benefit. Please have a look at it. If money is tight, I’ll send you a copy! I am buying a copy for my friend, whom I plan to go doorbelling with. He was healed of crack cocaine and alcohol addiction by the Lord’s “refiner’s fire” during a vision of hell that he received.

Blessed is the Name of the Lord!
 
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