Catholic to Protestant

[joe370]

In my family, the ones who have left Catholicism for a Protestant church have done so because it was easier than standing up for the religion they were raised in. Or in some cases for them to acknowledge their sin or to turn away from it. To them it’s all the same, Catholic or Protestant worship. But I have put my trust in the Lord, and continue to pray for their return to the faith as it does not do any good to nag or hound them. I am sure God wants them back in the fold much more than I do.

Man, you echo my very sentiments brother, for most of my family is protestant - especially the part where you said:

“it does not do any good to nag or hound them. I am sure God wants them back in the fold much more than I do.”

 

[joe370]

I’m a Catholic convert of seven (oh my GOSH…) years from Pentecostal Protestantism. After all that I’ve learned, there’s no way I would ever leave the Catholic Church. The other day, however, I was thinking about the scenario of Catholics becoming Protestant. From what I can tell, the number one flaw in the thought process of a Protestant convert from Catholicism is the fact that Christianity is historically Catholic. Even if someone is convinced of leaving the Church, how can they be convinced of Protestantism claims without realizing that Protestantism ultimately owes its existence to Catholicism? The question of Christianity owing its existence to Judaism can easily be cleared up by the testimony of so many to the Gospel. Protestantism’s beginnings, however are rooted in misunderstanding and in one particular case (Luther), neurosis. Can the exodus of a Protestant from the one true church be boiled down to a lack of basic historical knowledge and a lapse in logical assessment? Thoughts?

Yes, the exodus of a Protestant from the church established by Jesus can be boiled down to a lack of basic historical knowledge and a lapse in logical assessment, but of course many non-catholics would disagree and throw that right back at you, which is why it is so important to truly be steeped in historical truth, and why, as a former non-catholic, I agree with John Cardinal Henry Newman who said:

“To be steeped in history is to cease to be Protestant.”

You can’t go wrong with the ECF’S…

For catholics who leave the church, the lapse in logical assessment, no doubt, could be due to a theological change in disposition, of course either learned by leaders found outside the CC, or due to an individual making his/her interpretation the final analysis, and for those born and raised in a church other than the CC, it could simply be due to preconceived theological beliefs which form a particular resistance to something foreign such as catholicism. Maybe…

 

[bevsue]

Joe370 appreciated your (name removed by moderator)ut and agree. See my posting earlier.

Although I am a revert, and spent most of my time in conservative Protestant churches before I returned, I was at one point in my life very liberal and I think it good to point out there are people who look at mainline Protestant denominations, but eventually decide they don’t have all the answers either.

I get frustrated when people assume conservative Catholics and Protestants are unthinking, poorly educated, opposed to freedom of thought, and victims of limited life experiences Some have been there, done that in liberal thinking and churches. We have made choices for a reason. We have come to believe spirituality is more than appealing to intellect, enjoying good discussions, well-meaning church programs, even overhauling social systems. Apart from the power of God to sustain them all good things eventually fall apart. Today, some churches aren’t even sure that the power of God is operational on planet earth anymore, don’t acknowledge Jesus death as being anything very significant, and feel that if you can come up with a good arguement most moral issues are up for grabs. When you have experienced the power of God in your own life in a way that changes you undeniably, it becomes much harder to be casual about it, or to think of truth as being easily negotiable. My free thought opinion.,

God bless you all.

 

[joe370]

I get frustrated when people assume conservative Catholics and Protestants are unthinking, poorly educated, opposed to freedom of thought, and victims of limited life experiences Some have been there, done that in liberal thinking and churches. We have made choices for a reason. We have come to believe spirituality is more than appealing to intellect, enjoying good discussions, well-meaning church programs, even overhauling social systems. Apart from the power of God to sustain them all good things eventually fall apart. Today, some churches aren’t even sure that the power of God is operational on planet earth anymore, don’t acknowledge Jesus death as being anything very significant, and feel that if you can come up with a good arguement most moral issues are up for grabs. When you have experienced the power of God in your own life in a way that changes you undeniably, it becomes much harder to be casual about it, or to think of truth as being easily negotiable. My free thought opinion.,

God bless you all.

Hey Sue, I totally agree with everything you have said. Long ago, as a former non-Catholic, it occurred to me that Jesus did not endow me, or any other protestant or catholic with any kind of charism to know, with certainty, who is right and who is wrong, when it comes to resolving doctrinal differences and conflicting interpretations of scripture. That charism He gave to the church founded by Him.

To be honest the ONE thing that sealed the deal for me was the Holy Eucharist… Long ago, I thought to myself: if this is in fact the Body and Blood of Christ that leads to eternal life, as per scripture, then I shouldn’t let anything prevent me from receiving Him; you know what I mean?

 

[mwok]

CopticChristian - #115

For those who want a version of Christianity that tells you what you must believe, both Catholicism and much of conservative Protestantism do just that.

Is this opposed to a version of Christianity where you can come to Jesus from ones own understanding rather than how Christ Himself told us what must be done to follow him?

 

[lisahiku]

???

 

[1voice]

1voice,

I find you an enigma. I personally do not like that website for bible verses. I prefer this one because in an instant I can get to the Greek, parallel translations and commentaries.

biblos.com/bhs.htm

Amen

Thanks for the link … It is exactly what I have been looking for.

---

As to your comment … It is not my intention to appear an enigma … or to be one …

… I thoroughly realize that there is a huge gap between your understanding of Christianity and mine…
I agree with you and the others here that the CC is a light in a darkened world.
… I have come to understand, though … that The Holy Spirit’s concept of Christianity includes all of those that seek to live within the principles that Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount… The evidence shows that the Holy Spirit’s criteria has nothing to do with denominational lines… it has everything to do with the simple truth that … the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit… Those three things can be achieved (or not) within any Christian Church.

God said crystal clearly … In the last days I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. He is doing exactly that… today… all over the world … China, for example, where persecution is fierce … is experiencing a tremendous explosion of Christianity. I recently read that China has more Christians than there are members of the Communist party. Catholicism has a presence in China … but it is not the only Christians that God is using to pour out his Spirit … like a flood … on all flesh.

Africa is another … Millions of people in Africa have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ … Through men like Dr David Livingston … right down to today … Reinheart Bonke, a man who has personally preached the Gospel to millions of people in Africa.