CC vs the Bible

[NiceFundamental]

tomaskovarik:

Exactly. Because like you correctly say, Jesus is the only way.
All people, atheists, moslims, buddhists etc. who are sincerely seeking the truth will be ultimately (albeit slowly) led by the Holy Spirit to Jesus. So, there are many roads to Jesus, there is only one road to salvation (it is Jesus).
And even if one dies as a (lets say) Moslim, he/she will still have a chance to personally respond to Jesus’ invitation. Jesus is the light and the truth
Tomas

My understanding of NonDenom’s point is that according to the CCC, it refers to if they die “as a Muslim” which again, to me, (in my mortal, imperfect humble opinion) would negate the need for JESUS’ sacrifice.

 

[Della]

NiceFundamental:

My understanding of NonDenom’s point is that according to the CCC, it refers to if they die “as a Muslim” which again, to me, (in my mortal, imperfect humble opinion) would negate the need for JESUS’ sacrifice.

What none of my Catholic colleagues have mentioned here (afaik) is that all who will be saved will be saved because of Christ’s redemptive act on the cross.

Christ died to redeem the world, not just those who have a personal knowledge of him. So, every person on earth who ever lived, before Jesus was incarnate and after, has been redeemed.

Who will be saved is directly connected to the redemption, but is more open than many think. Peter tells those gathered at Cornelius’ house, after having his famous vision of the unclean animals, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him” (Acts.10:34). Then he went on to preach Christ crucified to them. So Cornelius and his family had the great privilege of hearing the Gospel from Peter himself.

Others in the world aren’t so fortunate. Although the Church has sent out missionaries to all parts of the world and continues to do so, there are places that cannot be reached or where no Christian is allowed to go. Are all the people who have the misfortune to live in such inaccessible places automatically doomed? The Church, which is the Body of Christ, led into all true by the Holy Spirit, given the authority to decide matters of faith and morals by Christ himself, says no.

This no is with the proviso that such persons must be living their lives in accord with the grace God has given them and with the knowledge they have. This is no “get out of hell free” card. To live in accord with the grace of God is not an easy task for Christians to do who have all the helps of the Sacraments, the Bible, the teachings of the Church, and its wonderful spirituality. How much harder must it be for these dear souls?

So, we are to go into the whole world making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus instructed us to do to bring as many into true and full fellowship with him and his Church as possible. What this teaching about the possible salvation of non-Christians is merely saying is that the mercy of God is infinite. He will save whom he pleases because with God nothing is impossilbe.

 

[trogiah]

NonDenom:

Hi
I can give one big contradiction between the Bible and the CCC,
If you are a Christian you must agree that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. According to the CCC this is not true.

841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

I’ve know all the excuses Catholic’s use in trying to defend this part of the CCC, but they dont work with anyone who is honest with themselves.
In Him and Only Him.

I am curious about the opinion of someone who is honest with themself on this question:

What is the fate of Abraham, Elijah, the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. They did not see Jesus’s day as the Apostles did. Do they end up in God’s kingdom, hell, or somewhere in between?

-Jim

 

[NonDenom]

=StCsDavid]So you would presume to know the disposition of souls before God?

No. I did not say that

The CCC leaves open the possibility that Muslims could be saved by ways known only to God. In their journey to God they would have to go through Christ…most likely in Purgatory…but really know one but God knows for sure.

First, Muslims can be saved and God has let us know, through his Son Jesus. Second, Purgatory is not backed by Scripture and is another thing that I disagree with the Catholic church.

The Catholic Church provides all of the means of salvation that Christ gave to us on Earth. To presume that a soul who through no fault of its own is not made aware of those means is damned to Hell is arrogant and not what the Church teaches

Third, the Catholic church doesn’t “Provide” any means of salvation, It is Jesus and only Jesus that provides salvation. It will be Jesus that will say to us “Well done thou good and faithful servent” or “Away from me you worker of iniqity, I never knew you”. I understand that a soul who through no fault of his own will not be damned to Hell, but muslims know who Jesus is, and they reject him. The Athiest is no more guilty than the Muslim at turning away from Jesus and rejecting who he is and what he has done for us on the cross. To say that there are other ways of salvation than through Christ is a slap in the face of Jesus and that his sacrifice on the cross was not needed.
In Him and Only Him.

 

[thistle]

NonDenom:

Second, Purgatory is not backed by Scripture and is another thing that I disagree with the Catholic church.

There is plenty of scriptural evidence for purgatory. See these two sites.

www.scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html
www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0010sbs.asp

 

[Dan-Man916]

NonDenom:

Hi
I can give one big contradiction between the Bible and the CCC,
If you are a Christian you must agree that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. According to the CCC this is not true.

841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

You are mis-interpreting the Catechism.
Plan of salvation, DOES NOT EQUAL, They will be saved.

There are elements of truth in all religions, however, that does not mean that all religions are truth.

The problem with the Catechism is that it is vague in certain areas, which seems to be an ongoing problem with the Conciliar documents of Vatican II.

 

[Della]

Third, the Catholic church doesn’t “Provide” any means of salvation, It is Jesus and only Jesus that provides salvation. It will be Jesus that will say to us “Well done thou good and faithful servent” or “Away from me you worker of iniqity, I never knew you”. I understand that a soul who through no fault of his own will not be damned to Hell, but muslims know who Jesus is, and they reject him. The Athiest is no more guilty than the Muslim at turning away from Jesus and rejecting who he is and what he has done for us on the cross. To say that there are other ways of salvation than through Christ is a slap in the face of Jesus and that his sacrifice on the cross was not needed.
In Him and Only Him.

You are misunderstanding what salvation is, here. Salvation is not the same thing as redemption. We have to make a clear distinction between these two terms because they have different functions that go hand in hand, but are not the same things.

As I stated in my post #22, what Jesus obtained on the cross was the redemption of every person who ever lived. So, the whole world has been redeemed just as God promised it would be.

Salvation has been opened to all because of the redemption Christ obtained for us, so all who are going to be saved will be saved through Christ. And it is very true that it will be Christ who will judge us because God has made him both our Savior and our Judge.

With this understanding it is possible, in the infinite mercy of God, for non-Christians to be saved who are living according to the grace God gave them and what they know and understand. A Muslim who has only heard negative things about Jesus as Redeemer and Savior is naturally going to believe his spiritual leaders. However, what God will judge him for is what Christ judges us for–how well we served God and our neighbor in love, not just what we knew and when we knew it.

As I wrote in my last post, God will save whom he pleases. We who have Christ and his Church are the fortunate ones for whom living out the grace of God should be easier with all the helps we have. But those, who no fault of their own have not been baptized may be saved by a baptism of desire–God judging that if they had known of Christ as he really is they would have been baptized and lived out their baptismal vows in their lives.

Are you a fan of C. S. Lewis? Have you read his last book in the Chronicles of Narnia, The Last Battle? Read the part about the Calorman who worshiped the god of his people but who Aslan called son and accepted into heaven because, as Aslan explains to him, every act of faith and kindness, etc. that he, the Calorman, did in the name of his god Aslan accepted as done for him because the young man did them out of love and fidelity. Here Lewis shows a very Catholic understanding of salvation because it will be Christ himself who will declare such persons as his servants, just as you cited, while many whose faith in Christ was mere lip service will be rejected.

 

[scylla]

Nondenom, you are attacking what the the Catholic Church doesn’t believe.

This is what you said
“I can give one big contradiction between the Bible and the CCC,
If you are a Christian you must agree that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. According to the CCC this is not true.”

You quote one passage of the Catechism which addresses Muslims and ignore the understanding that all salvation is through Jesus Christ. He died for everyone.

scborromeo.org/ccc/prologue.htm

Why do you ignore passages like this to mis-represent Catholic belief?

This is bearing false witness and dishonest, if you were not aware of the rest of the Catechism and Catholic belief though, then I invite you to learn, before you make accusations such as this. It seems you have been lied to, or just misinformed about the Catholic faith so please look into it so we can have honest dialogue. I would really question the source of your beliefs, if it leads to such mis-understanding.

It is not the Catholic Church vs the Bible, though a lot of people like to attack the Catholic Church for what they think it is.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[JKirkLVNV]

NonDenom:

Hi
I can give one big contradiction between the Bible and the CCC,
If you are a Christian you must agree that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. According to the CCC this is not true.

841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

I’ve know all the excuses Catholic’s use in trying to defend this part of the CCC, but they dont work with anyone who is honest with themselves.
In Him and Only Him.

Anyone who IS saved is saved through Christ.

To another poster, most protestants (of the fundamentalist stripe) don’t believe in invincible ignorance.

 

[Orionthehunter]

ReflectHim:

Does what’s written in the CC weigh out the Bible? For a lack of better words? What i’m trying to ask is… doe the CC over rule the Bible? I guess thats what i’m trying to say, lost my thought.

or are they supposed to go hand and hand? what if they contradict one another? then what? Bible or CC?

Thanks in advance!

Apple Keynote tomorrow 9AM! (FYI)

Wow, some subjects sure can get diffused into a number of different subjects, each warranting their own thread. Granted, our good friend Della probably opened up the discussion w/ her “dare” to site where the CCC/Catholic Teaching disagrees with Scripture.

This being said, the Catholic Church teaches that Scripture is the inspired revealed Word of God. God can’t lie. However, fully understanding and properly interpreting revelation is a super-human endeavor for which the reader requires as much inspiration from the Holy Spirit as was had by the human scribe had when he penned the various books of the Bible, the human editors had when the Pope/Magisterium selected the canon of the Bible, and the human translators had when they translated the Bible from the original text to the vernacular.

As quoted from the Catechism in the Introduction:

“Therefore, I ask all the Church’s Pastors and the Christian faithful to receive this catechism in a spirit of communion and to use it assiduously in fulfilling their mission of proclaiming the faith and calling people to the Gospel life. This catechism is given to them that it may be a sure and authentic reference text for teaching catholic doctrine and particularly for preparing local catechisms. It is also offered to all the faithful who wish to deepen their knowledge of the unfathomable riches of salvation (cf. Eph 3:8). It is meant to support ecumenical efforts that are moved by the holy desire for the unity of all Christians, showing carefully the content and wondrous harmony of the catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, lastly, is offered to every individual who asks us to give an account of the hope that is in us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15) and who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes.”

Without trying to invite a discussion on the inspired infallibility of the Pope and Magisterium, a Catholic holds that the Church in its teaching role inspired and protected by the Holy Spirit can no more lie than God can lie as they are united by the Holy Spirit. Thus, by definition, there is no contradiction or conflict between the CCC and the Bible.

Now, the examples given in previous posts by Nondenom and Nice Fundamental are interpretations of Scripture that the Church holds are incomplete and thus errant interpretations. If Nondenom and Nice Fundamental would like a discussion on those interpretations, I think they warrant a separate thread. But to the essence of ReflectHim’s original post, there is no conflict.

If one finds what they interpret are conflicts or contradictions, to paraphrase St. Jerome, “when one finds a conflict between the Bible and the Catechism, it isn’t due to the imperfection of the Bible or Catechism but to the imperfection of one’s understanding of the Bible or Catechism.”

 

[NonDenom]

Nondenom, you are attacking what the the Catholic Church doesn’t believe.

This is what you said
“I can give one big contradiction between the Bible and the CCC,
If you are a Christian you must agree that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. According to the CCC this is not true.”

You quote one passage of the Catechism which addresses Muslims and ignore the understanding that all salvation is through Jesus Christ. He died for everyone.

scborromeo.org/ccc/prologue.htm

Why do you ignore passages like this to mis-represent Catholic belief?

This is bearing false witness and dishonest, if you were not aware of the rest of the Catechism and Catholic belief though, then I invite you to learn, before you make accusations such as this. It seems you have been lied to, or just misinformed about the Catholic faith so please look into it so we can have honest dialogue. I would really question the source of your beliefs, if it leads to such mis-understanding.

It is not the Catholic Church vs the Bible, though a lot of people like to attack the Catholic Church for what they think it is.

In Christ
Scylla

Hi Scylla
So are you saying that the CCC says in one area that “Jesus is the only name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”, and then in another area it says
The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

I’m sorry but it looks like they contradict one another. Which one of these does the Catholic church believe, because you have to admit they are different points of view. I copied and pasted both of these, they are not my words. I know that Jesus died for all, the sad thing is, is that not all except this free gift.
Mathew 7:13 -14 says that only a few find salvation. If we start saying that salvation can be obtained by other means and that other religons are right because they believe in the same God, we are moving toword Universalism. I don’t believe that muslims believe in the same God. My God doesn’t teach that if I blow poeple up in his name that I will inheret a mansion with seventy seven virgins. I want Muslims to come to know Jesus as their savior as much as anyone, but truth is truth.
In Him and Only Him.

 

[Orionthehunter]

NonDenom:

Hi Scylla
So are you saying that the CCC says in one area that “Jesus is the only name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”, and then in another area it says
The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

I’m sorry but it looks like they contradict one another. Which one of these does the Catholic church believe, because you have to admit they are different points of view. I copied and pasted both of these, they are not my words. I know that Jesus died for all, the sad thing is, is that not all except this free gift.
Mathew 7:13 -14 says that only a few find salvation. If we start saying that salvation can be obtained by other means and that other religons are right because they believe in the same God, we are moving toword Universalism. I don’t believe that muslims believe in the same God. My God doesn’t teach that if I blow poeple up in his name that I will inheret a mansion with seventy seven virgins. I want Muslims to come to know Jesus as their savior as much as anyone, but truth is truth.
In Him and Only Him.

Nondenom, I pray that your reading of the Bible is with more intellectual vigor and with greater diligence to proper context than this simple cutting and pasting from the Catechism displays.

 

[scylla]

NonDenom:

Hi Scylla
So are you saying that the CCC says in one area that “Jesus is the only name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”, and then in another area it says
The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

So the Catechism says that Jesus is our salvation and this includes Muslims since they acknowledge the Creator. And since they worship the same God, since we believe there is only one God. (Catholics don’t believe there are others.) They can be saved by Jesus.
God is all merciful and just so we don’t restrict Him. Or else He would be cruel and unjust for those who just happen not to have know about Jesus. We say that those who acknowledge the Creator in the first place have a chance for salvation through Jesus Christ.

NonDenom:

I’m sorry but it looks like they contradict one another. Which one of these does the Catholic church believe, because you have to admit they are different points of view. I copied and pasted both of these, they are not my words. I know that Jesus died for all, the sad thing is, is that not all except this free gift.
Mathew 7:13 -14 says that only a few find salvation. If we start saying that salvation can be obtained by other means and that other religons are right because they believe in the same God, we are moving toword Universalism. I don’t believe that muslims believe in the same God. My God doesn’t teach that if I blow poeple up in his name that I will inheret a mansion with seventy seven virgins. I want Muslims to come to know Jesus as their savior as much as anyone, but truth is truth.
In Him and Only Him.

The Catechism does not say that those who do evil in God’s name will be saved but God is all merciful and just and if He desires they will be saved by the Blood of Jesus.
There is no contradiction unless you believe in an unjust God.
I am not scared to acknowledge that some other religions might contain part of the truth that is contained in the Catholic Church which contains the fullness of truth.

This in no way diminishes our command to preach the Gospel, many Catholics die trying to spread the Gospel each year, and countless have died in the past.

You haven’t addressed how you came to such a strange understanding of Catholicism. I invite you to open your heart to what we say a little more as it seems you possibly have read some anti-catholic caricatures and not what we really believe.
Feel free to PM me if other things bother you or haven’t been answered clearly, there is an answer for every reasonable question.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[jpete79]

Della:

I love talking with you as you really do have a passion for your faith. I know we’ve had our debates (and I’m sure this post may start another one) but I do really enjoy talking about Jesus Christ with you (even if I am Protestant and you are Catholic we do have that one thing in common).

Now as far as the idea of invincible ignorance goes, I do have a HUGE issue with that. We are commanded to go to the ends of the earth. We are told to make disciples of ALL nations. We are told to carry our cross with Christ. We are told that true love is sacrificing our life for another (John wrote in his epistle).

Yes, you are correct in that Christ’s redemptive work on the cross works for all people. People of any background can come to know Christ but the only way of salvation presented in the Bible is that of Jesus Christ. We read that the only way to the Father is through the Son; so how can someone who does not know the Son get to the Father? If God meant for His mercy to be presented through other means, why would it be so clear in Scripture that Christ is the truth and life?

Now I emphasized both these parts for reasons. First off, there are many nations that are unable to be reached or that are hostile environments to the Gospel; does this mean we shouldn’t go there? No! We should still go to open the doors to Christ. Surely the world was not open to the Gospel in the days of Paul. He didn’t say, “I’ll wait until the Romans will let Christians be free.” Paul went and was imprisoned, beaten, flogged, shipwrecked, etc. Peter also preached the Gospel and was crucified. John preached and was exiled (after being punished and boiled alive; surviving). Just because a place isn’t open doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t go there!

Now we read that there is ONE definitive way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. The Catechism mentions other religions such as Judaism and Islam. Judaism continued believing that the Messiah had not yet arrived and Islam believes that God could not bear a child. These two religions have direct access to the knowledge of Christ and openly reject it. The live in accord to their doctrines passed on to them but they ignore the risen Son of God!

I must say that I don’t believe to condemn others. I must say that this is the reason that I am an appointed Missionary to leave in October to an unreached, unopen; people group. I say that by NOT bringing the Gospel to them I am keeping Christ away from them and thus condemning them to God’s eternal judgment. They have never been presented the choice to accept or reject Christ; who according to the Bible is the ONLY way to the Father. Even if you say that you believe in invincible ignorance; can you be 100% certain in that teaching? I can’t but I can be 100% certain that belief and obedience in Christ Jesus WILL save the souls of men and bring them to the Father. One way is taught by man as the Catechism is made by man through Tradition; the other way is taught by Christ in the Gospel as presented through God!

Have you ever heard the term negligable homicide? In our legal system it means that somebody died due to our neglect of doing something. Well this is how I feel about people doing nothing when they know the truth of Christ! It is eternal negligible homicide. Because I know something that can save someone but do nothing about it, I am responsible for their demise; ETERNALLY! I don’t care if it means one day walking into the middle of Meccha as a Christian, the world is to be presented the Gospel because the Gospel is the means to Salvation. It is the Good News of Christ.

I weep for the billions around the world that do not know Christ, I pray that more Missionaries would be raised up to present the Gospel to them. I pray that Christians would stop worrying about being comfortable and walk with the Lord in the ways of the Apostles, not worrying about where they are going but carrying their cross with Christ preaching his message of love. Satan has us in his grasp saying, we should not worry about it because God will handle it; when God clearly instructed us that our love for him may have us walking headfirst to death in this world. Whoever loses his life for Christ’s sake will find it.

My soul weeps for those people and I pray that they will be reached.

 

[scylla]

Catholics have sent more missionaries to more of the earth than any other religion, unfortunately some Christian denominations are sending their missionaries to Catholic countries, not spreading Jesus message but dividing the Church. Has this led to the unity Jesus prayed for or to further division?

There are many good people who go off to people who have never heard the Gospel but unfortunately there are many spreading division and many different interpretations of the Gospel specifically to Catholic countries. Is this spreading unity or spreading confusion?

I pray JPete that you are going to spread the message of Jesus Christ and not to a predominately Catholic country to spread division.

God Bless
Scylla

JPete this might be cause for a new thread as it is kinda off the subject.

 

[NonDenom]

Catholics have sent more missionaries to more of the earth than any other religion, unfortunately some Christian denominations are sending their missionaries to Catholic countries, not spreading Jesus message but dividing the Church. Has this led to the unity Jesus prayed for or to further division?

There are many good people who go off to people who have never heard the Gospel but unfortunately there are many spreading division and many different interpretations of the Gospel specifically to Catholic countries. Is this spreading unity or spreading confusion?

I pray JPete that you are going to spread the message of Jesus Christ and not to a predominately Catholic country to spread division.

God Bless
Scylla

JPete this might be cause for a new thread as it is kinda off the subject.

Hi Scylla
Your post here saddens me, JPete is talking about going to another country and reaching the lost. He is worried about spreading the good news. What saddens me is your reply, you are more worried about your peticular denimination. Your hope that he doesn’t go into a predominently Catholic county for fear of losing a few members of your church to another church is sad.
I wish more people like JPete would take a risk to spread the Good News. I myself will be going to Romainia later this year or the first of 2007, depends on how fast I can scrape up the money.
In Him and Him Only.

 

[jpete79]

NonDenom:

Hi Scylla
Your post here saddens me, JPete is talking about going to another country and reaching the lost. He is worried about spreading the good news. What saddens me is your reply, you are more worried about your peticular denimination. Your hope that he doesn’t go into a predominently Catholic county for fear of losing a few members of your church to another church is sad.
I wish more people like JPete would take a risk to spread the Good News. I myself will be going to Romainia later this year or the first of 2007, depends on how fast I can scrape up the money.
In Him and Him Only.

Non-Denom

I agree with Scylla on a couple points (as weird as this sounds). First this probably does need a new thread

Actually, I think Scylla does have a good point of Protestants attempting to evangelize Catholics. We have to remember that Catholics and Protestants do share a belief in Jesus Christ as the ultimate authority and should not compete for members if the message of the Gospel being preached is correct. If I see a Church that does not hold Christ as Salvation, that would be different. But you need not worry as I will not be heading to a reached community.

Also, I think its awesome that you are looking to advance God’s word and increase His Kingdom. Keep walking in Him!

Scylla:

One thing to remember is when we evangelize we are spreading the word of God. If a Catholic is listening and decides that through this means he/she will grow closer to the Lord I would not tell him/her to stay where they are. I am all about people growing in their relationship with Christ.

To Both:

I can tell you that I will be going to a country that does in fact have 1 Catholic Church which constitutes less than 0.2% of the population. I will be living among another people group though that has had no outreach to them in the past. If either of you would like to know a little more about where I will be going please PM me.

God Bless all of you on this board and I hope that God’s Kingdom can be advanced.

In His Grip,
Jim

 

[Ianjo99]

NonDenom:

Hi Scylla
Your post here saddens me, JPete is talking about going to another country and reaching the lost. He is worried about spreading the good news. What saddens me is your reply, you are more worried about your peticular denimination. Your hope that he doesn’t go into a predominently Catholic county for fear of losing a few members of your church to another church is sad.
I wish more people like JPete would take a risk to spread the Good News. I myself will be going to Romainia later this year or the first of 2007, depends on how fast I can scrape up the money.
In Him and Him Only.

Why would you want Christians already focused towards Christ being evangelized to as opposed to nonchristians who have never heard the Word of God? It would be both a waste of time and energy to convert those already converted. Even if you don’t believe Catholics are Christians, it still seems like misplaced energy going to countries claiming to believe in Christ.

I’m actually not a huge fan of missionaries. I understand their purpose, and see what they are doing is probably good, but something doesn’t sit right with me about them. Both Catholic and Protestant worry me.

 

[jpete79]

Ianjo99:

Why would you want Christians already focused towards Christ being evangelized to as opposed to nonchristians who have never heard the Word of God? It would be both a waste of time and energy to convert those already converted. Even if you don’t believe Catholics are Christians, it still seems like misplaced energy going to countries claiming to believe in Christ.

I’m actually not a huge fan of missionaries. I understand their purpose, and see what they are doing is probably good, but something doesn’t sit right with me about them. Both Catholic and Protestant worry me.

May I ask what doesn’t sit right? Is this a belief a lot of Catholics share or is it just your personal opinion?

Please, I am curious to know what is it about Missionaries that doesn’t sit right?

 

[Mickey]

jpete79:

May I ask what doesn’t sit right? Is this a belief a lot of Catholics share or is it just your personal opinion?

Please, I am curious to know what is it about Missionaries that doesn’t sit right?

I think that some people feel that missionaries have the ulterior motive of proselytization. For example, I have heard that some protestant missionaries go to mostly Catholic countries for noble causes. Then, in an effort to get the attention of the Catholics, they display pictures of the virgin Mary and attempt to convert them to protestantism.