Catholics and Protestants

[MarysGirls]

By no means are Catholics the only ones with a lack of the basics of faith. I have asked 20 Catholics and non-Catholics alike if Jesus was God, 19 of them answered “Of course not! He’s the Son of God!!” :banghead::banghead: They all claim to believe in the Trinity, but deny that Jesus is God.

Only on person (my girlfriend, whew!) actually knew that Jesus is God. So, while this is a serious problem, Catholics are not alone.

Pax,
Zach

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

[Catholicc]

If the Catholic church is full of people with your attitude I wouldn’t blame them for running for the door. If I weren’t a Christian and ran across this post, I surly wouldn’t be looking into the Catholic church.

Maybe others would though. There are people who hunger for clear cut lines between right and wrong who would appreciate Jack’s post. Then there are others who buy into phony demagogery about “tolerance” who would not.

Jack was right. Cafeteria Catholics are the bane of the Church. They do not practice the very faith they claim to hold.

 

[BRB1]

Frankly, the poor catechesis of many Catholics is to be blamed on the parents. After a child’s confirmation the main faith educator should be the parents. Unfortunately, they are either also badly educated in the faith or they are just lazy to teach the children.

How few Catholics these days even go to Catholic schools? I’ve also heard figures that the majority of cradle Catholics never get confirmed.

Is it any wonder that Protestants can get the wrong ideas about Catholics ? The Catholics that are really on fire in their faiths seem to be the Protestant converts.

All the more reason the Catholic Church needs to reassess its heavy reliance on infant baptisms and its ability to confer lifelong graces on infants. For the record … JP2 did his part to stir up the Church to a new Springtime of Harvest … but it may take 40 years for the Church to leave the wilderness completely.

 

[zach_dunn]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get Catholics more active in their faith, more interested in it? I personally don’t understand why a Catholic wouldn’t want to learn everything they could about their faith, but it seems most people are like that…

Pax,
Zach

 

[Catholicc]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get Catholics more active in their faith, more interested in it? I personally don’t understand why a Catholic wouldn’t want to learn everything they could about their faith, but it seems most people are like that…

Pax,
Zach

Thats a great question.

1. Reach out to the next generation, for they will be the ones to rebuild the Church. Perhaps full page ads in college newspapers would be good.
2. Take a page from the Mormons and JW’s: Get into door-to-door ministry, and evangelize cradle Catholics right along with non-Catholics. There are Catholic religious that do this, but I forget the name of their order.
3. Volunteer to teach at your parish, and then use your little pulpit to get people to join the effort.

 

[Randy_Carson]

I just finished listening to a preacher on the radio. He is a Protestant and he was explaining salvation to a Catholic who had called in. I felt so ashamed. Why is it that so many Catholics don’t even understand the basics of their faith while Protestants are out there like they have it all together? It’s no wonder that so many Protestants don’t believe we’re Christians. It’s like the only Catholics who know what they’re talking about are in Rome. I mean, really, Catholics need to shape up! Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

If the Protestant was explaining the way to salvation, then you can almost bet the farm that his explanation was wrong.

“Accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior”, saying the “sinner’s prayer”, or “making a decision for Christ” - however they want to phrase it - are NOT how the Bible tells us that we are saved.

This is false soteriology based upon the man-made doctrine of sola fide or “faith alone.”

However, if you want to begin to turn things around, you’ve come to the right place. learn all you can about your faith in the forum and pass it on to those in your parish who need to learn their faith.

Satan had his way with the catechesis given in the liberal 60’s and 70’s, but orthodoxy is making a come-back. You can help us rebuild the walls. Welcome aboard!

 

[MarysGirls]

However, if you want to begin to turn things around, you’ve come to the right place. learn all you can about your faith in the forum and pass it on to those in your parish who need to learn their faith.

That’s what I try to do. I have a few Protestant friends that I try to witness to, but most of the time it turns into a debate. And while there’s nothing wrong with a good debate, I have to keep asking myself “Why am I doing this?” There’s a song I like called “Nuisance” that asks “Are we debating just to win the argument?” Are we trying to save souls, or are we simply competing? I think a lot of Christians have trouble with this when trying to share their faith.
Just something to think about . . .

 

[BRB1]

If the Protestant was explaining the way to salvation, then you can almost bet the farm that his explanation was wrong.

“Accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior”, saying the “sinner’s prayer”, or “making a decision for Christ” - however they want to phrase it - are NOT how the Bible tells us that we are saved.

!

Scott Hahn and many other Protestants [now practicing Catholics] know you are mistaken. There is difference between spiritual rebirth and finding full communion in Catholic Church.

Even Father Corapi … says you are erroneous in viewpoint.

 

[rpp]

Scott Hahn and many other Protestants [now practicing Catholics] know you are mistaken. There is difference between spiritual rebirth and finding full communion in Catholic Church.

Even Father Corapi … says you are erroneous in viewpoint.

I saw nothing erroneous in Randy’s post. Nor did I see anything which I think Dr. Scott Hahn or Father John Corapi would contradict. Can you point out his error, please?

As I believe Randy to be faithful and desirous to always conform his mind and heart to the True Church, I am certain he would welcome some well-meaning fraternal correction.

 

[Catholicc]

Scott Hahn and many other Protestants [now practicing Catholics] know you are mistaken. There is difference between spiritual rebirth and finding full communion in Catholic Church.

Even Father Corapi … says you are erroneous in viewpoint.

I think it is YOU that is wrong, if I read this correctly.

The man is talking about being “saved”, not spiritual re-birth. Those are two different things, even though they are closely connected.

Salvation is an ongoing process, not a one-time event like protestants think it is.

I saw nothing erroneous in Randy’s post. Nor did I see anything which I Think Dr. Scott Hahn or Father John Corapi would contradict…

I agree

 

[CSUNGerrie]

I just finished listening to a preacher on the radio. He is a Protestant and he was explaining salvation to a Catholic who had called in. I felt so ashamed. Why is it that so many Catholics don’t even understand the basics of their faith while Protestants are out there like they have it all together? It’s no wonder that so many Protestants don’t believe we’re Christians. It’s like the only Catholics who know what they’re talking about are in Rome. I mean, really, Catholics need to shape up! Is this just me, or does anyone else think this?

Yes I agree. This was discussed in another thread. I think many evangelical protestants are just more knowldgeble of their faith because they came to the church as an adult and so are full of a desire to grow in their faith. By contrast, many Catholics usually grew up catholic and become very lukewarm and have are very passive attitude. That is why I think if you compared a cradle catholic to a cradle protestant you would really not see much difference in their level of knowledge.

 

[BRB1]

I saw nothing erroneous in Randy’s post. Nor did I see anything which I think Dr. Scott Hahn or Father John Corapi would contradict. Can you point out his error, please?

As I believe Randy to be faithful and desirous to always conform his mind and heart to the True Church, I am certain he would welcome some well-meaning fraternal correction.

Pope Benedict talks of necessity of Personal Relationship with Lord, a Sinner’s Prayer is essential for true contrition & confession to be effectual. Indeed one might say the Creed is the one Christ taught us to pray.

I think Protestants find Christ quite well. Its the Church part they have difficulty with … no thanks to errant monk M.L. Catholics need to show some compassion to their Christian brethren … and help them get properly churched.

 

[rpp]

Pope Benedict talks of necessity of Personal Relationship with Lord, a Sinner’s Prayer is essential for true contrition & confession to be effectual. Indeed one might say the Creed is the one Christ taught us to pray.

I think Protestants find Christ quite well. Its the Church part they have difficulty with … no thanks to errant monk M.L. Catholics need to show some compassion to their Christian brethren … and help them get properly churched.

You have refused to address the very uncharitable statements you made regarding Randy. Please do so.

 

[Randy_Carson]

That’s what I try to do. I have a few Protestant friends that I try to witness to, but most of the time it turns into a debate. And while there’s nothing wrong with a good debate, I have to keep asking myself “Why am I doing this?” There’s a song I like called “Nuisance” that asks “Are we debating just to win the argument?” Are we trying to save souls, or are we simply competing? I think a lot of Christians have trouble with this when trying to share their faith.
Just something to think about . . .

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (2 Peter 3:15)

Evangelism is concerned with WHAT we believe. Apologetics is about WHY we believe it.

Ya gotta have both to be mature in your faith.

 

[BRB1]

You have refused to address the very uncharitable statements you made regarding Randy. Please do so.

Randy can PM me if he desires I was just defending the spirit of Ecumenism, as encouraged by JP2.

We can unintentionally offend Protestants. Honey is better than salt … in bringing them into the Universal Church.

 

[CWBetts]

Randy can PM me if he desires I was just defending the spirit of Ecumenism, as encouraged by JP2.

We can unintentionally offend Protestants. Honey is better than salt … in bringing them into the Universal Church.

There is a difference between ecumenism and allowing false teachings to go unchallenged.

 

[rpp]

Randy can PM me if he desires I was just defending the spirit of Ecumenism, as encouraged by JP2.

We can unintentionally offend Protestants. Honey is better than salt … in bringing them into the Universal Church.

You made a public accusation. Either retract it or defend it publicly. Otherwise, people may draw incorrect conclusions about your posts.

 

[NHInsider]

If Protestants knew the basics of their faith they would be Catholics.

Literally made me LOL

 

[NHInsider]

By no means are Catholics the only ones with a lack of the basics of faith. I have asked 20 Catholics and non-Catholics alike if Jesus was God, 19 of them answered “Of course not! He’s the Son of God!!” :banghead::banghead: They all claim to believe in the Trinity, but deny that Jesus is God.

Only on person (my girlfriend, whew!) actually knew that Jesus is God. So, while this is a serious problem, Catholics are not alone.

Pax,
Zach

Arianism is STILL the most insidious and wide-spread heresy we face . . .

 

[JacktheCatholic]

There is a difference between ecumenism and allowing false teachings to go unchallenged.

For Catholics we can still go to the Church but for Protestants they cannot follow scripture and take it to the church siunce they are still protesting the church. Kind of sucks to be Protestant…

You all know the scrripture I am referring to… where it is if two of you have disagreement then bring some others and if it is still not settled then to take it to The Church.