Can one be Catholic AND Evangelical Christian?

[rhiannonh]

No.

What you can be is a Catholic who attends an Evangelical ecclesial community with his wife.

However, since your wife is not actually an Evangelical but rather a Catholic who has recently rejected the faith in favor of this false church I think that is a very bad idea as it encourages her in her this very grave matter.

Im so to sorry, but “Get a life” will you…

Being a protestant is not going to a false church… and hardly a grave matter. And don’t give me any bull about me being Anglican, English and whatever. Just know the difference between Good and Evil and protestants are as good as Roman Catholics any day… and every day. Sorry to offend your very being but being protestant is okay.

 

[1ke]

rhiannonh:
Im so to sorry, but “Get a life” will you…

Being a protestant is not going to a false church… and hardly a grave matter. And don’t give me any bull about me being Anglican, English and whatever. Just know the difference between Good and Evil and protestants are as good as Roman Catholics any day… and every day. Sorry to offend your very being but being protestant is okay.

She is not a protestant. She is a Catholic.

 

[anp1215]

rhiannonh:
Im so to sorry, but “Get a life” will you…

Being a protestant is not going to a false church… and hardly a grave matter. And don’t give me any bull about me being Anglican, English and whatever. Just know the difference between Good and Evil and protestants are as good as Roman Catholics any day… and every day. Sorry to offend your very being but being protestant is okay.

Really? You know you’re on a Catholic board, right? So the OP is going to receive advice from practicing Catholics (as well as whoever else wants to jump in). Why would you expect us as faithful Catholics to give him advice contrary to our faith?

You gave your advice as an Anglican, and no one said anything to you. Someone else gives advice in line with Catholic teaching, on a Catholic board, and you tell them to “get a life.”

 

[LegoGE1947]

I wholly understand…I guess what helped me is I had a pretty radical born anew/conversion experience along with my druggy co worker about the same time.
We had some at the office really wondering about us as we started talking about Jesus and passing out tracts…I also has a powerful Spirit filling that set my life on fire…Being at home with health problems from a fall at work, Jesus is a real anchor for me. I have a wonderful wife who tells me how she thanks God for me. To die to the flesh and do all I can to care for her is a win win situation … God works to grow and mature us even if some in leadership don’t provide the best leadership… They will give account for it…May the Lord bless, guide and empower you for the times ahead…May He set a hedge of protection around you and your family from the snare of the evil one. Just be aware of the enemy wanting to use this as a wedge…

My wife is wondering why the Catholic Church seems to place greater emphasis on Mary, Joseph and “dead” saints than they do on Jesus? Also can’t Catholic laity pray for someone who suddenly has a physical issue during the middle of a Mass? Also where is “Catholic” mentioned in the scriptures? Also all my children and their spouses think I am off my rocker because I am a Catholic. I tried last night to explain that I was hurt by their attitude toward my choice to be catholic rather than protestant like them. My wife said my explanation of why I preferred to remain Catholic was too “in your face” and I was not going to get any of them or her to convert. I wasn’t even trying to convert any of them. when I can’t even convert MYSELF! I keep telling her to take her questions to a priest but she says she doesn’t want any part of any of them and why can I not answer her questions myself?

 

[garysibio]

My wife is wondering why the Catholic Church seems to place greater emphasis on Mary, Joseph and “dead” saints than they do on Jesus? Also can’t Catholic laity pray for someone who suddenly has a physical issue during the middle of a Mass? Also where is “Catholic” mentioned in the scriptures? Also all my children and their spouses think I am off my rocker because I am a Catholic. I tried last night to explain that I was hurt by their attitude toward my choice to be catholic rather than protestant like them. My wife said my explanation of why I preferred to remain Catholic was too “in your face” and I was not going to get any of them or her to convert. I wasn’t even trying to convert any of them. when I can’t even convert MYSELF! I keep telling her to take her questions to a priest but she says she doesn’t want any part of any of them and why can I not answer her questions myself?

The Catholic Church does not. Some Catholics do and they are wrong to do so. Evangelicals also err by underemphasizing Mary and the saints.

 

[Castello]

Yes, that’s me… Right now I just don’t want to cause any “religious wars” in our house.
She knows that I will remain in the Church, and that I will continue attending Mass.
I will leave this in the Lord’s hands.

Have you been able to get a copy of this dvd and study guide?

catholicprotestant.com/

 

[Castello]

No. I have not confuse anyone with anyone else.

On this thread, Pablo explains that he and his wife are cradle Catholics and that his wife has just recently been sucked in by this evangelical church and disposed of all their religious sacramentals such as statuary, Our Lady of Guadalupe picture, etc., calling them idolatry.

I think it is a VERY bad idea for Pablo to support her in this in any way, and that includes going to the church with her, which gives the impression he approves.

Not just that he approves, the action may be confirming her in her sin.

 

[Castello]

My wife is wondering why the Catholic Church seems to place greater emphasis on Mary, Joseph and “dead” saints than they do on Jesus? Also can’t Catholic laity pray for someone who suddenly has a physical issue during the middle of a Mass? Also where is “Catholic” mentioned in the scriptures?

Here are some good resources for you:

scripturecatholic.com/

biblechristiansociety.com/

One question I do not understand, why would people NOT pray for someone who had a physical issue during the middle of Mass? I have been at Mass when people fell ill or had a heart attack, believe me I said a prayer for them. We do not have to stop the Mass to pray - Mass IS a prayer.

 

[LegoGE1947]

The Catholic Church does not. Some Catholics do and they are wrong to do so. Evangelicals also err by underemphasizing Mary and the saints.

We could also wonder why Protestants have statues of Mary, Joseph, donkies, sheep, cattle, Wise Men, shepherds etc at Christmas?

 

[LegoGE1947]

Here are some good resources for you:

scripturecatholic.com/

biblechristiansociety.com/

One question I do not understand, why would people NOT pray for someone who had a physical issue during the middle of Mass? I have been at Mass when people fell ill or had a heart attack, believe me I said a prayer for them. We do not have to stop the Mass to pray - Mass IS a prayer.

She reminded me that once during Mass, I had a low blood sugar and passed out. All they did was have some ushers help me out to the lobby of the church building. When she asked the ushers to pray for me they just backed quickly away from me and said “Only the priest can do that!”

 

[LegoGE1947]

Here are some good resources for you:

scripturecatholic.com/

biblechristiansociety.com/

One question I do not understand, why would people NOT pray for someone who had a physical issue during the middle of Mass? I have been at Mass when people fell ill or had a heart attack, believe me I said a prayer for them. We do not have to stop the Mass to pray - Mass IS a prayer.

Only being a relatively new Catholic I am not aware of some or many of these resources. Thank you All!

 

[Reborn_in_Him]

She reminded me that once during Mass, I had a low blood sugar and passed out. All they did was have some ushers help me out to the lobby of the church building. When she asked the ushers to pray for me they just backed quickly away from me and said “Only the priest can do that!”

That is odd they didn’t want pray over you…If that would have happened at my church
you would have been descended upon by nurses, the pastor, leaders and lay people alike to pray and minister to you…God bless

 

[forhim221]

Can one be Catholic AND so called evangelical Christian?

In my opinion, I don’t see why not. It surely wouldn’t hurt an religious community the have an evangelist to help spread the Word of God. Let’s be honest here. There are many many people who claim the Catholic faith who are lost in their sins and walk in darkness. The Catholic church cannot save you. The Predestant church cannot save you. Tradition cannot save you. Pedigree cannot save you Only Jesus Christ saves.

There is too much needless religion in the world controlling people’s lives. People don’t need religion. People need Jesus.

All the worlds religions think they are the true religion. Everyone thinks their church is the true church and all others are false. Jesus did not come into this world to promote or establish another religion. Jesus does not need a religion. He chose simple people to carry out his task to spread His gospel. The religious hated Jesus. The religious killed Jesus.

Nothing against being religious or being member of a church and actively evolved but we must be first Christians. Too many denominations including the Catholic church that twist the words of the gospel to give the impression that their church system is the only way to heaven. There is only one way to Heaven; through Jesus Christ. He is the bridge between God and man. Not religion, not Catholic, not Protestant.

We need to let go of everything we believe, ask Jesus to forgiveus our sins that separate us from Him and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to do God’s will. Don’t think religion, thinking as men think. Think Jesus, as God thinks.

How does God think? Read the bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you guidance for your life. If your beliefs cause division in your family that’s not necessarily a bad thing but the result of being a believer in Him.

Mathew 10:34, Jesus says:
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

May we humble ourselves to repentance; dying to ourselves, our ways, our religion, our tradition, and turn to Jesus Christ. I pray the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and lead us to the Father’s will for our lives. Forgive us of the hardness of our hearts that has separated us from You Lord. Forgive us of this sin and all other sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Jesus, my Savior! You are awesome.

 

[Reborn_in_Him]

My wife is wondering why the Catholic Church seems to place greater emphasis on Mary, Joseph and “dead” saints than they do on Jesus? Also can’t Catholic laity pray for someone who suddenly has a physical issue during the middle of a Mass? Also where is “Catholic” mentioned in the scriptures? Also all my children and their spouses think I am off my rocker because I am a Catholic. I tried last night to explain that I was hurt by their attitude toward my choice to be catholic rather than protestant like them. My wife said my explanation of why I preferred to remain Catholic was too “in your face” and I was not going to get any of them or her to convert. I wasn’t even trying to convert any of them. when I can’t even convert MYSELF! I keep telling her to take her questions to a priest but she says she doesn’t want any part of any of them and why can I not answer her questions myself?

Thanks for getting back. In some ways I can understand you wife. I lived/worked and had catholic neighbors/co workers most of my life. I have heard/seen things over the years that border on blasphemy to me. You really need to live out what you believe
and seek the Lord to direct you in this…To be honest I really feel we are close to the Lord’s return and the enemy is working overtime to steal, kill and destroy and he
put a big effort in destroying christian marriages…You really need to be keen in not letting a wedge be started…Feel free to pm me for encouragement/prayer if you like
as that’s my ministry…You need to keep focused on your both being “in Christ”…Remember a tree stranded cord is not easily broken…Lord just work in this
situation as they both seek you…God bless…

Prayin 4 U

 

[Reborn_in_Him]

May we humble ourselves to repentance; dying to ourselves, our ways, our religion, our tradition, and turn to Jesus Christ. I pray the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and lead us to the Father’s will for our lives. Forgive us of the hardness of our hearts that has separated us from You Lord. Forgive us of this sin and all other sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Jesus, my Savior! You are awesome.

Amen and amen

 

[garysibio]

Can one be Catholic AND so called evangelical Christian?

In my opinion, I don’t see why not. It surely wouldn’t hurt an religious community the have an evangelist to help spread the Word of God. Let’s be honest here. There are many many people who claim the Catholic faith who are lost in their sins and walk in darkness. The Catholic church cannot save you. The Predestant church cannot save you. Tradition cannot save you. Pedigree cannot save you Only Jesus Christ saves.

There is too much needless religion in the world controlling people’s lives. People don’t need religion. People need Jesus.

All the worlds religions think they Arne the true religion. Everyone thinks their church is the true church and all others are false. Jesus did not come into this world to promote or establish another religion. Jesus does not need a religion. He chose simple people to carry out his task to spread His gospel. The religious hated Jesus. The religious killed Jesus.

Nothing against being religious or being member of a church and actively evolved but we must be first Christians. Too many denominations including the Catholic church that twist the words of the gospel to give the impression that their church system is the only way to heaven. There is only one way to Heaven; through Jesus Christ. He is the bridge between God and man. Not religion, not Catholic, not Protestant.

We need to let go of everything we believe, ask Jesus to forgiveus our sins that separate us from Him and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to do God’s will. Don’t think religion, thinking as men think. Think Jesus, as God thinks.

How does God think? Read the bible. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you guidance for your life. If your beliefs cause division in your family that’s not necessarily a bad thing but the result of being a believer in Him.

Mathew 10:34, Jesus says:
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

May we humble ourselves to repentance; dying to ourselves, our ways, our religion, our tradition, and turn to Jesus Christ. I pray the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and lead us to the Father’s will for our lives. Forgive us of the hardness of our hearts that has separated us from You Lord. Forgive us of this sin and all other sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Jesus, my Savior! You are awesome.

Amen!

 

[Church_Militant]

I think there is some serious misunderstanding here.

When one speaks of being an “Evangelical”, you are generally speaking of a non-Catholic/Protestant derivative religious community.

There is a big difference between being evangelistic, which means sharing our faith in Christ and inviting others to come to faith in Him, and following the essential doctrines of n-C evangelicalism.

These are people who preach that one must “accept Jesus as your personal savior” and they do not share or accept any sacraments, in spite of the very scriptural evidence otherwise.

The fundamental error that you and your wife will encounter is Sola Scriptura and it is insidious in that though preached as being in the Bible, it is, in fact, no such thing. See the following threads for instance:
It’s NOT in the Bible, okay?
It’s NOT in the Bible, okay? (Part II)
“If anyone teaches/preaches something that is not in scripture”

For an examination of these differences, you might carefully read the following articles from my blog.
Who REALLY Preaches “A Different Gospel”?
“I Find No Sacraments In the Bible” he said.
How Is A Catholic Saved?
Refuting the fundamental modern error of Sola Scriptura.

Granted, there are some Evangelicals who actually accept that Catholics are Christians, but that varies from community to community.

Catholics cannot and should not ever take communion in a n-C service as they do not believe in the Eucharistic Real Presence and for us to do so is to give false witness that we believe as they do. (See Ecclesia de Eucharistia (Note especially sections 43-46))

Granted, the OP’s wife will remain nominally Catholic by virtue of baptism, but she is actually departing from the Catholic faith. Moreover, the effort to maintain a religious peace in the home notwithstanding, you need to make it plain that you will not allow her to tamper with any aspects of our most holy faith as she has so far. She will need to respect your faith and every aspect of it. No more disposing of Catholic Bibles, icons, statuary, or sacramentals nor disparaging remarks about the Catholic faith.

I pulled some of this foolishness as a teenager and wasted about 35 years outside the faith before finally coming home. You can read about my journey home at My Testimony.

I think that you would be wise to challenge your wife to carefully examine what she is being taught by these people (who are apparently anti-Catholic or she would not be causing all this grief) and you need to have facts and scripture to open her eyes on it all.

One every good source would be (Click image)
shop.catholic.com/images/P/B0279.gif
Volume I deals with defending Catholicism. Prepare yourself to answer the following challenges to Catholicism and more: Why do Catholics call priests Father, when the Bible clearly says, Call no man Father. (Mt 23:9)? Why do Catholics stress good works when the Bible says salvation is, . . . by faith alone? (Eph 2:8-9) Why do Catholics believe in Purgatory when the word purgatory isn’t found in the Bible?

 

[SaintPatrick333]

I am having the same issue with my wife. We both converted from being evangelical protestants in 2002. but more recently she has grown tired of Catholicism and won’t go with me to Mass! Yesterday I found she had put a whole bunch of her Catholic literature on my desk and has gone back to reading a Protestant Bible and watching Protestant shows on TV. I feel betrayed but I don’t WANT to be a protestant for ANYTHING! So I go to Mass by myself. I pray the rosary and divine mercy chaplet by myself, I am observing Lent by myself. etc, etc, etc.)

That sounds really tough! I’m sorry you have to struggle with that. Prayer is definitely the most effective answer! If possible, get her to speak with a Priest with you so that she can figure out “why” she sudddenly became “bored” with the Church. I understand Mass can be a hang up for some current or former protestants but Mass isn’t about holding hands and jumping up and down. It’s about the solemnity of the Mass. The seriousness of Christ’s sacrifice (which you know full well). If she misses her protestant roots for the more charismatic type service then I would try and remind her of this. There are countless ministries in the Church for community/faith building that she could get involved in? That would go a long way in her feeling “active” in her faith and not just going to Mass, sitting there, receiving communion then going home (if that’s what she feels like anyway). Just keep praying and try to do what you can, charitably, to work on her. She has to understand that your being Catholic now means that your faith must come first, even in your marriage. And if you have young kids you’re raising then you must raise them Catholic, to the best of your ability. It’d be very dangerous for their being able to learn the correct Tradition and Teachings of Christ when you have the full Truth of Catholicism coming from one parent and then another parent telling them that thats not 100% correct because blah blah blah. Not sure what the family situation is like, or how old you are (forgive me for presuming) and I know you’re aware of just about everything I’ve said. Good luck to you though my friend! Prayer is powerful and in time, if she truly seeks to follow God, she will return home to the Church where she can receive Him once more. God Bless!

 

[LegoGE1947]

That sounds really tough! I’m sorry you have to struggle with that. Prayer is definitely the most effective answer! If possible, get her to speak with a Priest with you so that she can figure out “why” she sudddenly became “bored” with the Church. I understand Mass can be a hang up for some current or former protestants but Mass isn’t about holding hands and jumping up and down. It’s about the solemnity of the Mass. The seriousness of Christ’s sacrifice (which you know full well). If she misses her protestant roots for the more charismatic type service then I would try and remind her of this. There are countless ministries in the Church for community/faith building that she could get involved in? That would go a long way in her feeling “active” in her faith and not just going to Mass, sitting there, receiving communion then going home (if that’s what she feels like anyway). Just keep praying and try to do what you can, charitably, to work on her. She has to understand that your being Catholic now means that your faith must come first, even in your marriage. And if you have young kids you’re raising then you must raise them Catholic, to the best of your ability. It’d be very dangerous for their being able to learn the correct Tradition and Teachings of Christ when you have the full Truth of Catholicism coming from one parent and then another parent telling them that thats not 100% correct because blah blah blah. Not sure what the family situation is like, or how old you are (forgive me for presuming) and I know you’re aware of just about everything I’ve said. Good luck to you though my friend! Prayer is powerful and in time, if she truly seeks to follow God, she will return home to the Church where she can receive Him once more. God Bless!

FYI I am 65 years old, my wife is 59 and our children are all grown, the youngest being 29. My Catholic parish is having a “Light of the World” retreat in a couple weeks and I’ve already invited her. I have explained my feelings for the Catholic church to my sons, and my daughter and their spouses, and also that I’'m not trying to push, pull or prod anyone into the Church. If they think I’m a nut, perhaps that’s true, but at least I’m screwed onto the right BOLT!

 

[LegoGE1947]

That sounds really tough! I’m sorry you have to struggle with that. Prayer is definitely the most effective answer! If possible, get her to speak with a Priest with you so that she can figure out “why” she sudddenly became “bored” with the Church. I understand Mass can be a hang up for some current or former protestants but Mass isn’t about holding hands and jumping up and down. It’s about the solemnity of the Mass. The seriousness of Christ’s sacrifice (which you know full well). If she misses her protestant roots for the more charismatic type service then I would try and remind her of this. There are countless ministries in the Church for community/faith building that she could get involved in? That would go a long way in her feeling “active” in her faith and not just going to Mass, sitting there, receiving communion then going home (if that’s what she feels like anyway). Just keep praying and try to do what you can, charitably, to work on her. She has to understand that your being Catholic now means that your faith must come first, even in your marriage. And if you have young kids you’re raising then you must raise them Catholic, to the best of your ability. It’d be very dangerous for their being able to learn the correct Tradition and Teachings of Christ when you have the full Truth of Catholicism coming from one parent and then another parent telling them that thats not 100% correct because blah blah blah. Not sure what the family situation is like, or how old you are (forgive me for presuming) and I know you’re aware of just about everything I’ve said. Good luck to you though my friend! Prayer is powerful and in time, if she truly seeks to follow God, she will return home to the Church where she can receive Him once more. God Bless!

I see you are in DeKalb. I am in Rockford. I go to Holy Family in Rockford. I wonder if anyone has any ideas who will be our new Bishop to replace Bishop Doran. Whoever he may be he’ll have a tough act to follow!