Catholic Evangelization

[Karen1960]

It requires wisdom. There is a point where you can do more harm than good. So here is some wisdom for how to discern when you have reached that point:

“Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.” (Acts 19:8-9)

St. John Chrysostom: “He put a stop, it means, to their evil-speaking: he did not wish to kindle their envy, nor to bring them into more contention. Hence let us also learn not to put ourselves in the way of evil-speaking men, but to depart from them: he did not speak evil, when himself evil spoken of.”

You are right, there comes a point, we must walk away.

 

[burritobrother]

This might sound dumb…but what is CARM and why is whatever it is so important, have I missed something? It doesn’t sound familiar.

Anyway…as someone who has never been a Catholic but has now decided the time has come to make the move, and was married to a Baptist and has known many Protestants including family members…my two cents.
You’re probably not going to get very far with talk of the Sacraments I don’t think. Not at first. It’s simply not impressive to non-Catholics who have been conditioned to disregard ceremonies and mystical rites (which is how a few of the Sacraments are viewed by them). Sad but true, they’ll likely shut down.

The one way I’ve found to get Protestants engaged (I’ve studied Catholicism for years on my own even if I didn’t join) is history. Most Protestants, especially the evangelical, Baptist sort, genuinely love Jesus and want to do the right thing as they see it.
…
And it’s rarely ever pointed out that it was Christ who actually started the Roman Catholic Church. I’ve never spoken with one Catholic, ever, who has said this. Probably because it seems so obvious, but it’s not to those outside of the Church.
You may not have any idea how few Protestants realize that fact; the Catholic Church is more often than not viewed as the big church that came along, did some lousy things and then real Christians brought back the real Christianity. Doesn’t make any sense but that’s how many understand it.
Many truly believe that the Catholic Church grew separately from the Christian church! They have no idea about what really happened, that Christ founded the Catholic Church. History confirms that without any doubt. And they think about it too, because it doesn’t have anything to do with Confession, white smoke etc. in their minds. It is about Jesus.

I never convinced anyone to become a Catholic - how could I really when I wasn’t Catholic myself - but it made for an opening.
An opening which in the future I am going to fully try to work with.

I know this long post probably wasn’t too helpful but as a man who loves Christ and wants very much to be accepted into His Church, I wanted to jump in somewhere here

 

[kristanl]

This might sound dumb…but what is CARM and why is whatever it is so important, have I missed something? It doesn’t sound familiar.

Anyway…as someone who has never been a Catholic but has now decided the time has come to make the move, and was married to a Baptist and has known many Protestants including family members…my two cents.
You’re probably not going to get very far with talk of the Sacraments I don’t think. Not at first. It’s simply not impressive to non-Catholics who have been conditioned to disregard ceremonies and mystical rites (which is how a few of the Sacraments are viewed by them). Sad but true, they’ll likely shut down.

The one way I’ve found to get Protestants engaged (I’ve studied Catholicism for years on my own even if I didn’t join) is history. Most Protestants, especially the evangelical, Baptist sort, genuinely love Jesus and want to do the right thing as they see it.
…
And it’s rarely ever pointed out that it was Christ who actually started the Roman Catholic Church. I’ve never spoken with one Catholic, ever, who has said this. Probably because it seems so obvious, but it’s not to those outside of the Church.
You may not have any idea how few Protestants realize that fact; the Catholic Church is more often than not viewed as the big church that came along, did some lousy things and then real Christians brought back the real Christianity. Doesn’t make any sense but that’s how many understand it.
Many truly believe that the Catholic Church grew separately from the Christian church! They have no idea about what really happened, that Christ founded the Catholic Church. History confirms that without any doubt. And they think about it too, because it doesn’t have anything to do with Confession, white smoke etc. in their minds. It is about Jesus.

I never convinced anyone to become a Catholic - how could I really when I wasn’t Catholic myself - but it made for an opening.
An opening which in the future I am going to fully try to work with.

I know this long post probably wasn’t too helpful but as a man who loves Christ and wants very much to be accepted into His Church, I wanted to jump in somewhere here

Attend Mass, join RCIA!! God is calling you

 

[zach_dunn]

This might sound dumb…but what is CARM and why is whatever it is so important, have I missed something? It doesn’t sound familiar.

CARM stands for Christian * Apologetics and Research Ministry. It’s a VERY anti-Catholic forum that is not recommended in the least.

Anyway…as someone who has never been a Catholic but has now decided the time has come to make the move, and was married to a Baptist and has known many Protestants including family members…my two cents.
You’re probably not going to get very far with talk of the Sacraments I don’t think. Not at first. It’s simply not impressive to non-Catholics who have been conditioned to disregard ceremonies and mystical rites (which is how a few of the Sacraments are viewed by them). Sad but true, they’ll likely shut down.

The one way I’ve found to get Protestants engaged (I’ve studied Catholicism for years on my own even if I didn’t join) is history. Most Protestants, especially the evangelical, Baptist sort, genuinely love Jesus and want to do the right thing as they see it.
…
And it’s rarely ever pointed out that it was Christ who actually started the Roman Catholic Church. I’ve never spoken with one Catholic, ever, who has said this. Probably because it seems so obvious, but it’s not to those outside of the Church.
You may not have any idea how few Protestants realize that fact; the Catholic Church is more often than not viewed as the big church that came along, did some lousy things and then real Christians brought back the real Christianity. Doesn’t make any sense but that’s how many understand it.
Many truly believe that the Catholic Church grew separately from the Christian church! They have no idea about what really happened, that Christ founded the Catholic Church. History confirms that without any doubt. And they think about it too, because it doesn’t have anything to do with Confession, white smoke etc. in their minds. It is about Jesus.

I never convinced anyone to become a Catholic - how could I really when I wasn’t Catholic myself - but it made for an opening.
An opening which in the future I am going to fully try to work with.

I know this long post probably wasn’t too helpful but as a man who loves Christ and wants very much to be accepted into His Church, I wanted to jump in somewhere here

I actually find this to be very helpful. That’s one thing I want to be able to do, capture a Protestants attention with something of meaning to them . . . I guess history is one of those things. Thank you.*

 

[burritobrother]

Thank you kristanl. I certainly feel the Spirit and will attend Mass every time I can. Today’s Mass particularly moved me like never before.

CARM stands for Christian * Apologetics and Research Ministry. It’s a VERY anti-Catholic forum that is not recommended in the least*.

I see.
Thanks for filling me in before I did a web search and made the mistake of hitting on their link. I suppose it’s referred to by Catholics to try and show them the Truth, but at this stage I’m not ready to put up with blatant attacks and heresy, but in time…maybe I will be inspired to visit that site and evangelize.

I actually find this to be very helpful. That’s one thing I want to be able to do, capture a Protestants attention with something of meaning to them . . . I guess history is one of those things. Thank you

.

Really, well great, thank you. Yes it seems to make them at least listen and get engaged.