Christian conversions

  • Thread starter Thread starter glencor63
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
G

glencor63

Guest
We are told the Holy Spirit will lead you to truth. How do you explain some people being led to the Roman Catholic Church, others being led to various Protestant denominations, while still others are led to the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Examples:

Scott Hahn-Presbyterian Minister>Roman Catholic Theologian

Chris Castaldo-Roman Catholic>Lead Pastor of New Covenant Church (http://www.newcovenantnaperville.org/)

Hank Hanegraaff-Evangelical Christian >Eastern Orthodox Church (Eastern Orthodox Church - Wikipedia)
 
Last edited:
You don’t know who is doing the leading. The faith we have that the Catholic Church holds the fullness of faith is not undermined by people coming or going.
 
“In my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2). As you point out, the moves are made in every direction. I don’t think there’s a single, easy answer.
 
How do you explain conversions across denominational lines by people sincerely seeking Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? These are not people that switched denominations on a whim, but those committed to following the Holy Spirit wherever it led.
 
Do you know the thoughts in their mind? Do you know every motivation they have? You presume the Holy Spirit is what leads them, but you cannot know. Anyone can claim to be led by the Holy Spirit. Does that make it so?
 
I don’t know their thoughts, but I do know that I became Roman Catholic, while someone else I know was led in the complete opposite direction. We both sought the truth.
 
It is my understanding that the “you” in the John 16:13 promise is plural, not singular. In other words, the promise of guidance by the Holy Spirit to the truth is not necessarily made to every individual Christian or bishop but to the Church as a whole, which the Holy Spirit has and continues to guide to the truth through the Church’s leadership, the college of apostles and elders (bishops) of the Church, in union with Peter and his successors, the bishops of Rome, as can be seen played out in Acts 15, where the apostles and elders of the Church met together in council to arrive at the truth of the matter as to whether on not Gentile converts needed to observe Jewish customs, such as circumcision, and their decision was also the decision of the Holy Spirit. For the rest, Scripture says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them.” (Hebrews 13:17)
 
Last edited:
I think for many a great deal has to do with personalities. If a busy priest or pastor seems rushed and curt that may be all it takes to push someone elsewhere. Another big one, and this may seem trivial, but many years ago I read an article about what people look for in a church. The most common response was nice bathrooms and a decent area for nursing mothers. People do ‘shop’ for churches. The answer is sometimes as easy as that.
 
I think we have to be careful here implying that the protestant churches are simply another option. I would say the answer is likely pretty simple about when people are led to the protestant denominations: that is where they were evangelized. But we have to pray it is just a step in a journey to the true Church.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top