Catholics - when a protestant asks you why are you Catholic how do you like to answer?

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Guest1 said:
How about when they’re strongly Anti-Catholic?
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It doesn’t matter. If they are a Protestant of some stripe, I give the same answer. And I always say to them in advance, do with this information I’m going to give, as you will. Recognizing full well, they will probably reject everything I say, and I’m not answering in order to argue, I’m just giving information.

Due to space requirements this is the short version 😎

While still a Protestant, before he became Catholic, John Henry Newman, in his study made the following, a quotable quote.

"To be deep in history is to cease being a Protestant"

That statement is HUGE !

Said another way, To be deep in History is to be Catholic, in the Catholic Church.

How so?

Acts 9:31, it says in the English translation, “the Church throughout all” … In the Greek study bible, it says
ἐκκλησία καθ’ ὅλης τῆς

translated
ἐκκλησία , ekklésia = church ,
καθ’, kat-ah’ = according to ,
ὅλης, holos = whole / all / complete / universal ,
τῆς = the ,
= the Kataholos Church = the Catholic Church.

THAT is the Church Jesus established on Peter and those in full communion with Peter. And Jesus wants not just a sloppy idea of unity He wants perfect unity. John 17:20-23 Jn 17:20-23 RSVCE - “I do not pray for these only, but - Bible Gateway , and since the HS only teaches what comes from Jesus John 16:12-15 Jn 16:12-15 RSVCE - “I have yet many things to say to - Bible Gateway no one then can LATER say, the HS inspired THEM to divide, or inspired all the dissensions / divisions / schisms we see today in Christianity.

Consequences for one dividing from Our Lord’s plan?

Romans 16:17-20 Rom16:17-20 RSVCE - Final Instructions - I appeal to you, - Bible Gateway

Galatians 5:19-21 Gal 5:19-21 RSVCE - Now the works of the flesh are plain: - Bible Gateway
both quotes use the same Greek word [διχοστασίαι,] for dissension / division /schism [http://bibleapps.com/greek/1370.htm] And the consequence for that sin if one won’t return to the Catholic Church? Paul says “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”. IOW they go to hell when they die

The only Church Jesus established on Peter and those in union with him? The Catholic Church

Where do we see that in history?

Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, direct disciple of John the apostle, ~ A.D. 69 - ~A.D. 107.
Then

I give them a link to read if they are at all interested. Stewards of the Kingdom | Catholic Answers
 
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steve-b said:
IOW they go to hell when they die
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I was reading about Zacchaeus the other day. A worldly traitor and a thief if ever there was one. Jesus notices him in the tree and invites himself to dinner at Zacchaeus’ house. That kind act changes Zacchaeus’ life forever (he even gives back 4x what he took!). Odd that he didn’t condemn him to hell - he sure deserved it (as do we all if not for our kind King).
 
LOL
Why? Protestants don’t feel woman are subjugated to men? Of course they do. How many women feel guilty because they CANNOT subjugate themselves to their husbands? Just read their threads. And they also have a problem with woman pastors.
No difference there between Protestantism and Catholicism.
 
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I would tell them that I respect their faith,
so they should respect mine!
 
Because when I began to seriously question Catholic teaching, I found there was an answer to every question. I found the truth, and I converted.
 
TULIPed said:
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steve-b:
IOW they go to hell when they die
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I was reading about Zacchaeus the other day. A worldly traitor and a thief if ever there was one. Jesus notices him in the tree and invites himself to dinner at Zacchaeus’ house. That kind act changes Zacchaeus’ life forever (he even gives back 4x what he took!). Odd that he didn’t condemn him to hell - he sure deserved it (as do we all if not for our kind King).
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Look at the context you’re responding to

keep statements in their context. Did I say they go to hell? Nope. Who said they go to hell? St Paul. And what was the context? THEY( the sinners) don’t change from the sin(s) they are in. They stay as they live and die in that state.
 
steve-b said:
If they are a Protestant of some stripe, I give the same answer. And I always say to them in advance, do with this information I’m going to give, as you will. Recognizing full well, they will probably reject everything I say, and I’m not answering in order to argue, I’m just giving information.

Due to space requirements this is the short version 😎
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t this be a great opportunity to be faithful to Christ’s call to “go and make disciples”? If so, is telling a Protestant that St. Paul says they’re going to hell the best way to accomplish the mission?

Perhaps being their friend is a good place to start, no? Earning their trust? Loving them where they are? “Love is patient, love is kind, love doesn’t insist on its own way…”

Perhaps you could work some of that into your short answer?
 
TULIPed said:
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steve-b:
If they are a Protestant of some stripe, I give the same answer. And I always say to them in advance, do with this information I’m going to give, as you will. Recognizing full well, they will probably reject everything I say, and I’m not answering in order to argue, I’m just giving information.

Due to space requirements this is the short version 😎
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t this be a great opportunity to be faithful to Christ’s call to “go and make disciples”? If so, is telling a Protestant that St. Paul says they’re going to hell the best way to accomplish the mission?

Perhaps being their friend is a good place to start, no? Earning their trust? Loving them where they are? “Love is patient, love is kind, love doesn’t insist on its own way…”

Perhaps you could work some of that into your short answer?
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Context.

My answer was to the comment, “How about when they’re strongly Anti-Catholic?”
 
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TULIPed said:
“Love your enemies…”
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AND

Re the following in Titus 3:10: Heresy / divisive./ schism, the Greek word used is αἱρετικὸν

then

Titus 3:10-11 IOW one who is disposed to form sects, heresies, schisms etc. The consequences? Paul says to Bp Titus, “After admonishing such a person once or twice, have nothing more to do with them, They are perverted, and in serious sin, That person is self condemned.”
 
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Speaking of context, here’s how Paul starts the chapter you quoted from…

“Remind them…to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

We hold doctrinal defense in tension with grace and love. My guess is few of us exhaustively pursue grace and love before we move into the “have nothing more to do with them” part. I know that’s true for me. Way easier to give up on people than to love them - especially when they’re hard to love.
 
I just laugh and say heretics and keep walking. I have no reason to answer to religions made up by scrupulous men who went and reinterpreted what the church taught for 1500 years.
 
TULIPed said:
Speaking of context, here’s how Paul starts the chapter you quoted from…

“Remind them…to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

We hold doctrinal defense in tension with grace and love. My guess is few of us exhaustively pursue grace and love before we move into the “have nothing more to do with them” part. I know that’s true for me. Way easier to give up on people than to love them - especially when they’re hard to love.
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AND

Paul taught (to Bp Titus) in that context, to let them go when they divide, cause schism, heresy etc and don’t change after 2 corrections. IOW love is to attempt to correct someone of their error HOWEVER That doesn’t mean to beat correction to death.

AND
Re: Love, and let’s face it, Jesus is first, everything else comes after that.

Jesus put a condition on people who say or claim they love…Him. He starts out with IF.…John 14:15 RSVCE - The Promise of the Holy Spirit - “If - Bible Gateway IOW we aren’t to just “say” but do / obey all that He taught.

What did Jesus do when many of His own disciples left Him after He taught on what would become the Eucharist? Did He go after them? No. Did He keep trying to convince them? No. He let them go. John 6:54-68 RSVCE - he who eats my flesh and drinks my - Bible Gateway

ultimately, one’s action(s) tells the real story about what they truly believe…

That’s what Paul taught Bp Titus. Give a person instruction/correction, after 2 attempts and no change, let them go.
 
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