Catholics can't attend Protestant services?

[jmcrae]

Nestorianism is the error that Jesus is two distinct persons.

Yes -one that was born of Mary, and one that was God. ie: that the Person who came out of Mary’s womb was not God.

The heresy is named after Nestorius, who was born in Syria and died in 451 AD, who advocated this doctrine. Nestorius was a monk who became the Patriarch of Constantinople and he repudiated the Marian title “Mother of God.” He held that Mary was the mother of Christ only in respect to His humanity.

Which is the same thing that Protestants who deny that Mary is the Mother of God also say.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Mannyfit75;3907809:

Jesus is God. Jesus had a mother and she had a name; Mary. God, the Second Person of the Trinity. She is the Mother of the Word incarnate. To deny the Theotokos (God-Bearer) is heresy called Nestorianism. Read it up. This deacon denies Mary is the Mother of God. The Council of Ephesus in 432 AD defines Mary as the Mother of God.

Nestorianism is the error that Jesus is two distinct persons. The heresy is named after Nestorius, who was born in Syria and died in 451 AD, who advocated this doctrine. Nestorius was a monk who became the Patriarch of Constantinople and he repudiated the Marian title “Mother of God.” He held that Mary was the mother of Christ only in respect to His humanity.

Thank you for allowing me to speak truth once again,
Tim

The Council of Ephesus in 432 AD defined the following:

Theotokos derives from the Greek terms: Theos / ‘God’; and tiktein / ‘to give birth’. Mary is the Theotokos, the one who gave birth to God. This single word sums up the meaning of Luke’s phrase: ‘Mother of the Lord’ (Lk 1:43) and represents a counterpoint to John’s teaching that the ‘Word was made flesh’ (Jn 1:14). Usually the term is translated into English as ‘Mother of God’. However, Greek-speaking Christians also used the equivalent Meter Theiou. The latter form offers a more comprehensive vision of Mary’s motherhood in line with a personalist point of view.

The title, Mother of God, seems to have first been used in liturgical and devotional practice by Christians in Egypt. It appears in an ancient prayer, Sub Tuum Praesidium which dates back to the third century. There was some controversy about the use of this title since the pagan goddess, Isis, was referred to as Mother of God. However, there are radical differences between the myths about divine births to pagan goddesses (e.g. Isis, mother of Horus) and the gospel accounts of Jesus’ incarnation in Mary. For example, the Gospels portray Jesus as conceived by Mary in Spirit while pagan myths portray the conception of gods in passion and removed from the mysterious destiny of the Incarnation.

Nevertheless, the title, Mother of God, was used in an Alexandrian creedal formula. When challenged in 322, Patriarch Peter of Alexandria defended its legitimacy. Use of the title, Theotokos was formally sanctioned by the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431. The Church declared that both Divine and human natures were united in the person of Jesus, the son of Mary. Hence, Mary may be called Theotokos, since the son she bore according to the flesh, Jesus, is truly one of the Divine persons of the Trinity. This Marian title is really a Christological statement, which affirms that the second person of the Trinity, who was born into history as fully human, is really ‘God with us’.

In summary, Mary is truly is the Mother of God. This is what the Council of Ephesus in 432 AD. It condemned Nestorianism and affirmed Jesus divinity and affirm that Mary IS the Mother of God.

 

[myredeemerlives]

Can I just say that I think the majority of Catholics here are right in saying you should not study protestant materials if you believe in Catholic doctrines.

In fact, I have to ask you if you really know what it is you believe? This is your eternal soul… you can’t risk it by being lighthearted over scripture. You have to learn about all the different denominations and what they believe and compare it to scripture. You MUST study.

If you are going to study with another church, look into their beliefs ahead of time and work out whether or not you agree with their teachings.

I don’t think God would cut you down for going and checking out the competition… I think in fact He expects us to do just that. You must find what you believe to be truth, and not just go along with the crowd.

 

[jmcrae]

If you are going to study with another church, look into their beliefs ahead of time and work out whether or not you agree with their teachings.

My salvation does not depend on what I agree with, but rather, on what is really true about God.

There are many religions out there with enticing belief systems - things that I could easily agree with because they sound attractive. But, the Catholic Church is the only religion that has what is really true - what I must believe, regardless of whether I like it or not - because it is true.

 

[FCEGM]

How Completely Wonderful!!

I am very happy for your joy, as I pray for your deliverance from the holy mother church.
I am a Son of El Elyon, the Most High God, and I accept His Word as the Final authority.

Tim, Son of God,
Brother of Jesus <: ))><

P.S. Please refrain from being judgemental as you refuse to partake in communion with lovers of Jesus who prefer to adhere strictly to His teachings

There is a word that comes to mind. . . . . . .ah, yes: tendencious.

So, we may not hope that you have any desire to be disabused of your absurd notions received via Lorraine Boettner?

 

[BRB]

Would never attend a Protestant service because I have the truth in the Catholic church…why go else where?

Because Christ commissioned you to. Don’t treat Protestants as if they have leprosy … as the untouchables.

 

[BRB]

what can we learn from those who teach the Bible wrong? let us not fool ourselves in believing that they are charible and sweet. we are here to find the truth of God and not to be sweetened by each other. talking to a protestant friend a presbyterian, i was very surprised to find that her beliefs are so off from ours. I was like, where in the world this girl gets such interpretation. it is awfull. it trully is, and sad too. for she thinks she is so wright.

Be a wisdomteacher. Expose them to the Catholic ideas on scriptures. We are not here on earth to only absorb scripture … we are to spread the Good News to all nations.

3 years are all we are entitled too. After that … Christ sends us out into world to grow his Church. What better setting than a Bible Study, among those who could benefit hearing the scriptures explained from Catholic perspective.

 

[BRB]

as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.

When the Pharisees saw this,
they said to His disciples,
“Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”

But
when Jesus
heard [that],
he said unto them,
They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go and learn what this means:
“I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,”
for I did not come to call the righteous,
but sinners.

The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say,
“Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners!”

Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.

Gaderenian … thank you for shedding wisdom of Christ on how we are to deal with our fellowman.

 

[savedsinner]

I would attend a Protestant service if a friend or relative invites me, though I will not join in their communion service. But I leave with an empty feeling no matter how uplifting the service was, because they don’t have the Eucharist. I won’t bash their service if asked what I thought about it, just as I wouldn’t want someone to bash the Mass if I invite them to join me.

 

[jmcrae]

Because Christ commissioned you to. Don’t treat Protestants as if they have leprosy … as the untouchables.

We don’t have to pretend that their worship is the equal of ours, or even attend it - we can help Protestants to the Truth as brothers and sisters, without confusing them into thinking “we are all the same; it doesn’t matter what church you go to.”

 

[Peter_J]

Following is a brief summation of RCC history, dates are necessarily approximate:

The doctrine of purgatory was formed into dogma by man in the year- 593.AD

Thanks, bartimaeus! I’ll have to remember to use this when talking with Eastern Orthodox.

 

[bartimaeus]

Thanks, bartimaeus! I’ll have to remember to use this when talking with Eastern Orthodox.

Thank You for your reply.

However, I fail to grasp your point so I will re-introduce my original question.

Do You understand that to espouse the doctrine of Purgatory is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s work upon the cross to save us from our sin?

I hope you study this point prayerfully, and thoroughly.

God’s blessings to you and yours.
Tim <: ))><

 

[peary]

My sister’s husband is not sure of what the Catholic Church teaches from day to day, and is unsure therefore of what he believes in, such as the existence of Limbo or Purgatory. This leaves my sister as the spiritual ‘head’ of her household, which is unbiblical.

Maybe she’s just a strong woman.

My sister does not accept the doctrine of Purgatory (which is commendable,) but the pope would pronounce her anathema for this and I am unsure if she knows that.

That’s a rather odd statement, since it isn’t a matter of whether or not one personally believes in a state of purgation of one’s soul after death. And the pope has nothing to do with it. It’s a Church teaching that has existed since the very early days of the Church, whether you personally believe it’s scriptural or not.

My mother loves Jesus very much and is committed to walking in her faith on a daily basis. Yet she stands on what she is taught by the RCC, not because it is the truth, but because it is from the Catholic Church.

More power to her. It’s Christ’s Church. She’s on the right path.

That is where my whole problem begins, and why I left the RCC.
There were instances where the teaching of the RCC was contrary to what was taught in God’s Word, the Holy Bible.

That is your fallacious interpretation of it. There is nothing doctrinal in the Catholic Church that isn’t in some way supported by its own Scripture. Did you get that? IT’S OWN SCRIPTURE.

And whenever this happens, the RCC stands upon their tradition and causes the Word of God to play back-up.

Another fallacious statement.

What I am finding on this forum, wonderful as it is, is that Protestants are being attacked for believing other beliefs than what the RCC espouses.

**Catholics have *every right ***to defend and explain and share their Faith with anyone who comes into these forums. Actually, from what I have read in these forums, it is the nonCatholic poster who attacks what the Church teaches, not the other way around.

I am not against any Catholic adherents, but I am against many of the teachings of the RCC.

Those are your own personal issues you need to pray over. You could be wrong.

There are sacraments that were simply not present in the early church, but were instituted by the RCC, which causes me to say the pope is preaching a different Gospel than what the Apostles were preaching.

All of the sacraments - ALL OF THEM - are found in the Gospels and, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church has developed and come to an understanding of them. If you are having problems with the sacramental nature of the Church, you will have problems with the Orthodox Church as well.

The pope denies justification by faith alone and requires works done through the Roman Catholic sacramental system in order for a person to be justified before God.

We are saved by GRACE ALONE, but we are justified in the sight of God through our charity. RE-READ THAT.

I will let you all make your choice on your own.

**Yes, I certainly have, and don’t regret it whatsoever. **

Tim

**Tim, you’ve got *a lot *to learn. Good luck and may the Lord be with you. **

 

[BRB]

Do You understand that to espouse the doctrine of Purgatory is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s work upon the cross to save us from our sin?

<: ))><

I don’t follow your logic. What do you understand Purgatory to be ? Why would it diminish the Cross ?

 

[jmcrae]

Do You understand that to espouse the doctrine of Purgatory is to deny the sufficiency of Christ’s work upon the cross to save us from our sin?

How so? Jesus Himself tells us many times in the Gospel that we must be perfected. Purgatory is just one of the many “water taps” of His grace that pours His cleansing power over our souls to make us perfect, just as He has commanded us to be. Other “water taps” of His cleansing grace are the Sacraments, various different forms of prayer, good works, almsgiving, and so on.

 

[chaz0426]

Fr Serpa wrote:

**"Hi,

In the first place a Catholic has no business attending Protestant church services even occasionally. To participate in a heretical worship service and especially a communion service can be sinful for a Catholic because such an act is an affirmation of what we believe to be untrue. To attend an ecumenical service or a wedding or baptism is allowed, but Catholics are not allowed to attend such churches for the main reason of worship. Now if there are no Catholic churches in the vicinity on a Sunday, Catholics are allowed to participate in the Liturgy of Churches whose clergy are validly ordained such as the Eastern Orthodox Churches—including the reception of the Eucharist. Although we consider them to be in schism (not in union with the Pope) with the Catholic Church, such Churches are not heretical and share our basic beliefs.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P."**

Can anyone point me to some (recent) source on this. I know Catholics shouldn’t receive communion at non-Catholic Churches, but I was under the impression that attendance is allowed.

I have read through the Principles and Norms on Ecumenism before, but it strains my eyes to read large portions of text online (at times I can barely manage these posts).

Can anyone point me to anything that substantiates (or refutes) Fr. Serpa’s claim?

I have many friends who are “nondenominational” and some who are protestant too and I attend their bible studies so I can learn more scripture. I am aware of the differences and when they come up. I still go to catholic mass every sunday and participate in the church.

I would be heart struck if this is a sin as I don’t feel in my heart it is. I am a very open minded person and I value learning both sides of the story. However being a confirmed catholic I do plan to stay with the church.

However I would like to know what other’s think both on this original question and mine with bible studies/ social events and such with other denominations or nondenominational.

Any thoughts?

 

[jmcrae]

I have many friends who are “nondenominational” and some who are protestant too and I attend their bible studies so I can learn more scripture.

How are you “learning more Scripture” from them, differently or better than how you could learn it either by studying by yourself, or by joining a Catholic Bible study group? And in the mean time, you are hearing Protestant interpretations of the various passages that they are looking at - many of which are at odds with the teachings of the Apostles and of the Catholic Church. Obvious things like whether Mary had other children or not (she didn’t) aside, there will be more subtle things that can slip by because they are conveyed more by attitude than by words (for example, the idea that all necessary teaching is found in the Bible alone), and you could easily pick up on an attitude without realizing it, that would undermine your Catholic faith.

 

[BRB]

I am a very open minded person and I value learning both sides of the story. However being a confirmed catholic I do plan to stay with the church.

However I would like to know what other’s think both on this original question and mine with bible studies/ social events and such with other denominations or nondenominational.

Any thoughts?

No sin at all. But, you get at most 3 years time to decide if you wish to be Catholic, Protestant, or N.D. disciple.

Some people spend a lifetime dipping toes in various streams of water … and never make up their minds what their Christian mission in life is.

 

[onetimeposter]

What would be the reasoning for attending said services… that’d be a good starting point.

cuf.org/Faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=225

I went to a Protestant service to see a different perspective. It was heavily focused on prayer, congregational involvement and heavily focused on Christ.

 

[prodigal-sun]

I went to a Protestant service to see a different perspective. It was heavily focused on prayer, congregational involvement and heavily focused on Christ.

As is the Catholic Mass but more so!

Peace!