Catholic vs Protestant Spirituality: Lets compare faith walks

[OddBird]

Ahem

What they do with Scripture and it’s interpretation for example.
Sheesh; talk about arrogance.

To be honest, I do find that a teensy bit arrogant too. What I meant when I said that @AlmaRedemptorisMater way of saying things echoed with what I feel, was that the Protestant family is a beloved child of God, who in some ways (some, not all) is straying away from the Father’s house and hasn’t yet worked up the courage to say : I’m sorry, please take me back.

As to what “we” do with Scripture : there is absolutely no reason to throw it all away, or to condemn all it without distinction. My first formation was as an exegete (and a Reformed one at that). I was involved in a lot of various research groups, many of which were ecumenical, and I can tell you that when you do a good and conscientious job, there is no difference between Catholic exegesis and Protestant exegesis. Admittedly this good and conscientious job involves taking tradition into account. But there are plenty of Protestants who do just that.

And may I remind you of the way St. Peter Chrysologus interpreted that parable ? To him, the elder son was Judaism, staying close to the Father’s house ; the youngest son, the prodigal one, was the Church, lavishing the Kingdom’s goods onto pagans (Sermons 1-5).

Being the prodigal son is not all bad

 

[Michael16]

In a way, I see your point TULIPed. I offer this response: I think the proper way to draw people is a Christ like faith walk rather than an entertaining way of worship.

 

[Michael16]

Well, first off: I’m sorry for being arrogant. That’s something I need to work on.

As for the exegesis: You’re the theologian, Oddbird. If that’s what happens in your experience; then that’s what happens.

I like your position that Protestantism is the prodigal child. I’ll bear that in mind.

Again: I’m sorry for the arrogance and thank you for the admonition.

 

[VeryBlessed]

Revert here, spent decades happily in really great evangelical churches. My favorite devotional activity fits great in both worlds. I journal; I write out my prayer longhand to God. As I pray if I think of part of a bible verse I’ll google it and write it in, in a different color ink. If I think of a great quote or song lyric, I write that in a 3rd color. And I also try to think of what God might be saying to me, and that I write in a 4th color. This is so great for me on so many levels. My mind doesn’t wander and I can really reach much deeper levels of communication with God. And I can easily flip back and find those great scriptures, quotes or God-talk that really blessed me. They often re-bless me.

I think it is easy for all of us, Protestant or Catholic, to lose sight of this one foundational thing - the nearness of God, his unending passion to be deeply and constantly connected to us.

 

[GiftofMercy]

Lets all listen to the Our Father. We all share it.

 

[Michael16]

I think I’ve been sounding very pompous in these recent long posts. I really should start focusing on how I can do better.

I’m not a humble man and I get lax and complacent in my spiritual life.

Maybe what I should do is just get down to basics of my faith.

Just stay consistent in prayer and my devotions. Praying the daily Rosary and be diligent in the applying the spiritual disciplines of Ignatian and Benedictine ideas. Work on the areas in my thoughts and behaviors that lead me away from God; as if I could do these things on my own.

Just give it all up to God and rely on Him guiding me rather than trying to figure it all out on my own.

 

[Wannano]

True but it’s just a different feel.

In many protestant Churches you feel as though you are walking into a converted racquetball court. Just place a pulpit there and you’ve got a church. Certainly lacking any appeal to our God given senses.

I can only agree with you on this. I have been in numerous Catholic churches and can honestly say that never have felt that it resembled a gymnasium. Neither though, do I appreciate an over abundance of opulence.

 

[Wannano]

I certainly understand you, Lenten. When I go into my parents’ ELCA church; I often feel that something’s happening, but it’s empty sort of feel. Does that make any sense?

An interesting story from my RCIA journey:

I went to a Christmas program the kids put on in their ELCA church and my sons were in it.

Well, time came for their Eucharist. I took communion, I know I know… I confessed it; and guess what? I felt not one thing in their bread and grape juice.

Compare this to when, in my interior vision; I could see the grace come out of the priest’s hands as he confected the Host: Each Mass, I can feel the Presence of Christ. Each time I go into a Catholic church, I feel the Presence of Christ in the Adoration chapel.

A Protestant church just feels weird and empty to me.

No offense to you Protestants. I mean no disrespect or harm. Just stating my experience.

I can relate to that somewhat but we all do have to remember that we cannot base our faith on our feelings.

 

[Michael16]

I understand your point. I do try to balance the emotional and the intellectual.

 

[Michael16]

Heart and mind in tandem; I think is a good way to put it.

 

[TULIPed]

I agree. I would say also that Jesus always met people where they were. He met the woman at the well, at noon, alone, in Samaria of all places. He met and ate with Zacchaeus at his house. He met with Nicodemus in secret at night.

How do we introduce Christ to the “none’s” and the “unchurched”? How do we re-introduce Christ to those who have been hurt - maybe through nobody’s fault but their own misunderstanding - by the church (all churches).

Perhaps one way to start is by making them comfortable. Yes, there’s a danger using electric guitars, lasers and smoke machines. Yes, we’re always tempted by shiny things. I think though that we can trust the Holy Spirit - even at noon, at a well, alone with a adulteress, in a place where you or I wouldn’t be seen.

 

[Wannano]

That really is a good way of putting it. What they do with Scripture and it’s interpretation for example. Sheesh; talk about arrogance.

Really Michael?

 

[Michael16]

Ugh; I know. I sounded arrogant. It’s just how I feel about the whole Sola Scriptura thing. To me, it just feels like that people put airs on themselves in their interpretation of Scripture. Like they are their own authority in this regard.

I hope I’m getting across my repentance for my arrogance while at the same time hoping I’m getting my point across.

 

[VeryBlessed]

It’s a long story that I won’t go into, but, I have believed in Jesus all my life. I’ve had various experiences that brought me closer to God, both Protestant and Catholic. My first big moment encountering God was my first communion. I also “accepted Jesus in my heart” as a teen at a Billy Graham movie in the 70s. But it never revolutionized my life until I resolved to give my whole life to Jesus, to put him first in all things, during a Catholic retreat in High School. That is when my faith life completely came alive and transformed my life. Catholic or Protestant, I really feel that is the key to a meaningful devotional life.

 

[Michael16]

As in: Why not just go to God in prayer and let Him reveal Scripture to you without putting any preconceptions on it.

Am I making any sense?

 

[lanman87]

I offer this response: I think the proper way to draw people is a Christ like faith walk rather than an entertaining way of worship.

I agree with this. We can have the greatest hippest music, entertaining and encouraging preachers, a pleasing and stimulating atmosphere, the most beautiful buildings and even be the friendliest people…but if Spirit is missing, if love is missing, if heartfelt worship is missing, if crying out to God is missing…then we turn church into a weekly self help seminar that doesn’t have any power and has limited effect on peoples hearts and lives.

I’m not saying that having great music, preaching, atmosphere and buildings is a bad thing. All I’m saying is we sometimes think those things are God moving in our midst when they are really just the result of talented people doing what they do well. Authentic Christianity comes from the heart, from our inmost being, from a soul yearning for God. Our churches can have great worship experiences and yet never teach and lead people to have a heartfelt love and devotion to God.

 

[Michael16]

We can agree on this, I think. To me, I’ve always felt that religion and doctrine is a mind thing. Mind is dry and dead. Thjmgs have to be from the heart and I read in Scripture is that’s what God really wants. The heart; not the mind.

 

[Michael16]

It’s the heart that brings life to faith.

 

[Wannano]

Ugh; I know. I sounded arrogant. It’s just how I feel about the whole Sola Scriptura thing. To me, it just feels like that people put airs on themselves in their interpretation of Scripture. Like they are their own authority in this regard.

I hope I’m getting across my repentance for my arrogance while at the same time hoping I’m getting my point across.

I sense you have a sincere heart but at the same time I have never seen anyone here apologize more than you have been. Maybe suggestion for you: slow down and before you sumbit your post, re-read it and ask yourself if is really worded the way you want it.

 

[Michael16]

You got a good point. I do mean well and I’m on fire for my Faith. I do realize that I can often come across as a total, arrogant, Blood and thunder demagogue rather than an earnest helper of souls.