Catholicism 101?

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On a website I’m a member of, me and another Christian girl (Baptist) frequently have discussions about Catholicism. I don’t know if this is a Baptist thing or an American thing or whatever but she’s obviously been fed a load of trash about what we actually believe. She reads a lot of internet apologetics and in particular I know she likes a very anti-Catholic site. I try and try to show her the Scripture that supports us and she is a very intelligent girl but I feel the things she has been told are blinding her.

Recently, another girl has asked me to explain Catholicism to her and asked the Baptist girl to explain why she feels it is so unBiblical. Obviously this is a massive task, she’s asked me at the moment to explain the basic beliefs of Catholicism. I’m pleased I’ve been given this chance to hopefully bring someone to the Church but I’m just a little worried.

Does anyone have any advice on what basic things I should cover with her? I’m not actually 100% sure how old she is but I think she’s a teenager (maybe 15-16?). She’s already a Christian as far as I know but I don’t know what denomination.

Prayers that she will be open to what I tell her and that I will give her not my word but that of God would also be appreciated!
 
Start with the Nicene Creed. We say it every day during mass but it’s pretty easy to look up. Then ask her to say some of the things she has heard about the Church and correct the misunderstandings one at a time. Trying to “explain” Catholicism can take as long as a lifetime or as short as “repent and be baptized.” The Creed establishes a nice middle ground, and then you can take it from there.

You should also point out some good common sense to her: Don’t learn about Catholicism from people that aren’t Catholic. It’s hard enough getting the right teaching out of people that *are *Catholic. If she isn’t willing to do that, then she’s just into feeding her bias, and you probably shouldn’t argue with her till she’s a few years older and she gains some wisdom. Some people never do.
 
Absolutely the Nicene Creed - and then she can break out the parts she wants clarification on with Patrick Madrid’s book: Where’s That in the Bible?"…
Also, Fr. John Trigilio and Fr. Kenneth Brighanti have written “Catholicism for Dummies”… and I agree that the sources need to be faithful to the Church.

God bless!! (I’m a former Southern Baptist myself!)
 
This sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
The great advantage is that both you and your baptist friend can explain to a third party who can then bring in a fresh persective by asking questions of both of you.

I agree with the previous posters - start with the Nicene Creed.
In this there is likely to be no disagreements.
From here I would start by talking about the Eucharist and the Mass. Showing how Christ instituted the Eucharist, His True body and Blood (not symbolic) and how the mass “does this in rememberance” and at the same time makes the one sacrifice present to us.
Here there may be some disagreement with your baptist friend, but you have strong evidence in John 6 and also in 1 Cor ch 10 and ch 11…
Since the creed is a good sound basic statement, and the Mass and the Eucharist are the core and summit of our faith, this will give you a good sound (and biblical) base upon which to build.

Peace
James
 
PerfectTiming said:
On a website I’m a member of, me and another Christian girl (Baptist) frequently have discussions about Catholicism. I don’t know if this is a Baptist thing or an American thing or whatever but she’s obviously been fed a load of trash about what we actually believe. She reads a lot of internet apologetics and in particular I know she likes a very anti-Catholic site. I try and try to show her the Scripture that supports us and she is a very intelligent girl but I feel the things she has been told are blinding her.

Recently, another girl has asked me to explain Catholicism to her and asked the Baptist girl to explain why she feels it is so unBiblical. Obviously this is a massive task, she’s asked me at the moment to explain the basic beliefs of Catholicism. I’m pleased I’ve been given this chance to hopefully bring someone to the Church but I’m just a little worried.

Does anyone have any advice on what basic things I should cover with her? I’m not actually 100% sure how old she is but I think she’s a teenager (maybe 15-16?). She’s already a Christian as far as I know but I don’t know what denomination.

Prayers that she will be open to what I tell her and that I will give her not my word but that of God would also be appreciated!
Click to expand...
With respect to your Baptist friend show her this official Baptist website that the Baptists began in 1612, founded by a man named Thomas Helwys who refused to conform to the Church of England because they believed that Christ, not the monarch, was head of the Church. You have to remember that Catholicism was banned in England at that time, you would be killed, hung, drawn and quartered for being a Catholic.

Now draw a time-line for Catholicism, it began in Matthew 16:18

[bibledrb]Matthew 16:18-20[/bibledrb]

It has maintained an unbroken line since then. All the Church’s teachings are tested for authenticity by their Apostolic origin. If Jesus, St. Peter, St. Iranaeus or any of the ECF came back today, where would they recognise their Church? In the Baptist tradition they would recognise Scripture, but where would they find the Eucharist?
 
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