Cardinals Discuss Pentecostal Threats

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lovemyfaith
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
peary said:
**I think it has a lot to do with those cultures that literally thrive on emotional excitement; I also think it has a lot to do with those uneducated in their own Faith. Many nondenominational pentecostal communities and other evangelical groups - for better or worse - educate their people in scripture but also introduce an anti-Catholic flair to their teachings and approach. Those who are “surface Catholics” are easy prey. Also, those who base all of the religious experience on their personal emotions are also prey to all sorts of anti-Catholic methods.

It has been my contention that we have lost two successive generations already to poor catechetical training and poor theological formation of our priests and religious. It doesn’t surprise me of those abandoning the Church for 'greener fields."**
Click to expand...
I disagree that Protestants are better educated than Catholics in their faith. Evangelicals can recited certain memorized verses. Catholics (fervent ones) can cite Scripture verse, and the IDEA behind it in context. Those who can’t, “know it’s in the Bible, somewhere” That is how I got interested in Bible Study, to prove Proetestants wrong! I knew the Church of 2,000 couldn’t have gotten it wrong. I knew the teachings of the Church, but I couldn’t support it with Biblical quotes, the Catechism could. I knew I heard it in Sunday’s reading, but I never memorized.

Many Evangelicals follow their pastor, and are able to quote from those verses that their pastor wants to focus on: The unforgiveable sin, the Rapture, End Times, etc.

When the emotionalism wears off, they will find they have given up the Eucharist and the Truth.
 
Nohome said:
.

You can wrap yourself around Jesus’ promise to his Church or you can do what Jesus said to do to make his church great. Frankly, a lot of folks around this forum deserve the Church they get.

Nohome
Click to expand...
There is no either or, Jesus’ promise to His Church requires aresponse on our part. That is what makes the CC great.

Frankly, I am one of those folks around this forum who doesn’t deverve the Church I get, but by God’s Grace, I have it. (You did mean that as a compliment, didn’t you)?
 
irenaeus1 said:
40.png
Nohome:
I too am a former Catholic and I take great offense at this question as it is asked often.
Click to expand...
Why in the world would you be offended at this question? I don’t believe that the question is unreasonable and can actually be asked out of genuine curiosity.
Click to expand...
“Then why are you here?” when baldly asked of a former Catholic suggests that the welcome mat is being withdrawn from their presence. When I read the question, I thought it uncharitable.
But yes, its a reasonable question to ask if you want to discuss a former Catholic’s continuing connection to the Church.

Like many things in life, how something is done counts about as much as what is done. I think the major problem with the question was how it was framed.

More on topic, I am glad that the cardinals are discussing evangelism and how we can do better.
 
irenaeus1 said:
Why in the world would you be offended at this question? I don’t believe that the question is unreasonable and can actually be asked out of genuine curiosity.
Click to expand...
Perhaps, but in this case, it was asked simply to devalue the opinion of the contributor.

Nohome
 
i use to get angry at protestants who go out to convert catholics. but, then i remember in the bible where Jesus says that those christians out side the catholic faith who are not against us are for us. the truth is, Jesus loves us way to much to not allow people to be drawn to him, even when this is done through those outside of the church.

catholics are pretty much ignorant of their faith. i put the blame mostly on weak and cowardly bishops. so how can we blame protestant sects who target ignorant catholics? good for them. our bishops are by in large terrible and are not doing their job.

i bet the archdiocese of lincoln nebraska doesn’t have a large problem with pentecostal converts.
 
Dee_Dee_King said:
i remember in the bible where Jesus says that those christians out side the catholic faith who are not against us are for us. .
Click to expand...
**I know of NO PLACE in Scripture where Jesus says that those ‘christians’ out side the catholic faith who are not against us are for us. WHERE is THAT??? :confused: **
 
retrovert said:
Maybe it’s exactly the type of answer you gave that is one of the reasons he left…
Click to expand...
It’s a direct question and one that needs to be asked of those who hang around in these forums and wear leaving the Church on their sleeve as if it’s some type of medal to be flung in the face of the rest of us. I don’t and have never believed in coddling adult Catholic Christians. Time to grow up.
 
It’s quite simple to me. We are just not filling a need that so many people have. I left and came back, but it wasn’t until I did a lot of studying and watching EWTN.
I’ve found that most people are looking for community, something that most Catholic churches do not have. And as far as understanding the mass goes, one has to be properly instructed. Even then, if it doesn’t make a difference in your life, why continue to go. We could learn alot from the Pentecostals…
 
Peary, I’ll pray in tongues for you. God Bless…
peary said:
It’s a direct question and one that needs to be asked of those who hang around in these forums and wear leaving the Church on their sleeve as if it’s some type of medal to be flung in the face of the rest of us. I don’t and have never believed in coddling adult Catholic Christians. Time to grow up.
Click to expand...
 
Education is the path to a better understanding of our faith. You can follow the decrease in Catholic education and lack of teaching the Catholic Faith in the Homily to the falling attendance and understanding of what the Catholic Church stands for.

Ask 10 catholics what they believe and most of them have no actual knowledge of the teachings. Those that do know and can articulate it are call names that I won’t repeat here. Sad.

Poor CCD, RCIA, social only Homily and priests with careers not callings, are things that should be addressed by the Cardinals.

But we parishioners are to blame also. We are toooo busy, to stressed, want more stuff, drop off the kids for the minimal religious training, don’t volunteer (the old someone else will do it), don’t go to adoration, would never think of saying blessing OUT LOUD in public, don’t fight for our right to worship in public, look at others actions and forget we are some of the others.

We allow groups to meet in our buildings that are known to not follow the teachings of the church. Children’s groups that have ties to PP and promote “sexual” agendas.

We are the problem sad to say.
 
I’m with KathleenElsie on this one. Education is the key; Catholics must have a thorough knowledge of their faith and it is up to Priests to start doing their jobs.
 
It seems to me that the Pentecostals I know often say they go to their particular fellowship because “they’ve got great music” or “the preaching is exciting.”

I think it’s true that the Catholic Church DOES have to do a better job (and I mean lay people included in this too) of proclaiming the gospel and living it.

But let’s not be naive either–most people who go to Pentecostal fellowships do so for the entertainment value. It’s not because Pentecostals are doing such a great job of proclaiming the gospel. Often, it’s style over substance.
 
Nohome said:
Didn’t you read post #13?

The better question is “why did you leave”? The answer is three generations of clergy abuse in my family.

Nohome
Click to expand...
so why didn’t you stick around and try to change things?
 
The abuses are NOT what the Church is about. They (abusers) are doing Satan’s bidding.

Despite all of that, Jesus tells us, “…the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it (Church)” But Hell WILL TRY !!!
 
The Church of Christ has to be maligned and suffer hardship before it can be reformed into it’s glory. I’m not an official Catholic yet, but already I’ve run into all sorts of confrontations with other people: we aren’t real Christians, i cant possibly love Christ if i am in the Church, i’m going to become a sex crazed mindless pope follower, etc etc. The truth is in my whole life i have never felt better about myself. And it has nothing to do with Catholicism, but all to do with my love and understanding of Jesus Christ.

Jesus did say don’t admonish those who cast out demons in his name, because whoever is with us if for the good. I can’t remember the exact passage if anyone wants to help me out. The fact is, my love of Jesus is what brings me into the Church, because it is the only Church that promotes fully the morals that Jesus passed on to us: Love they neighbor, love thy God. Also, I prayed hard about which church to Join and all the cards kept turning up catholic.

We cannot keep blaming the priests and the cardinals and the bishops and the pope for not doing anything. The Church of Christ is us and in us, we are the church, and we are the ones that are called to defend it. How can we love our God if we agree there is a problem with His Church, but pawn it off on someone else?

The gates of hell will try, and they will beat the Church to a veritable pulp, and try everything they can to destroy souls, and bring them farther from grace. BUT, we have already won this war…it is the battles that are most important to win. This is not to say that protestansts and evangelicals are satan, they are simply misinformed and it is up to us, those illuminated with the truth, to show them in humility what it is. That is all we are called to do, plant the seeds and God will water them.

I say buckle up your seat belts and hold on for a bumpy ride…

-revelations
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top