"Christian" forwarded emails - how to respond

[there_and_back]

I’ve got a dear protestant friend who keeps sending me “forwards” of emails which push the Bible-only-faith-only point of view. I’m sure he thinks he will finally “get through to me” about not needing traditions and sacraments and The Pope… for years I’ve just read them and dumped them and said nothing.

But I’m thinking I might just once send him one back from the Catholic perspective - see how he reacts. Any ideas?

 

[karebear92]

I’ve got a dear protestant friend who keeps sending me “forwards” of emails which push the Bible-only-faith-only point of view. I’m sure he thinks he will finally “get through to me” about not needing traditions and sacraments and The Pope… for years I’ve just read them and dumped them and said nothing.

But I’m thinking I might just once send him one back from the Catholic perspective - see how he reacts. Any ideas?

If they are doing it and sending them to everyone, I would just dump it and leave it alone. If you think he directly is trying to do it to persuade you to leave the Church, then I recommend you respond with the Catholic teaching, so long as you don’t think it will offend him.

 

[Trebor135]

I’ve got a dear protestant friend who keeps sending me “forwards” of emails which push the Bible-only-faith-only point of view. I’m sure he thinks he will finally “get through to me” about not needing traditions and sacraments and The Pope… for years I’ve just read them and dumped them and said nothing.

But I’m thinking I might just once send him one back from the Catholic perspective - see how he reacts. Any ideas?

To be firm but polite is a reasonable approach. Scripture alone, faith alone, invisible-church ecclesiology, and anti-sacramentalism are all errors that should be combatted forcefully.

You might find relevant blog posts by Dave Armstrong and pertinent newsletters by John Martignoni to forward to your Protestant friend. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander: if he can proselytize you, you can do likewise to him.

 

[NiceMimi]

I’ve got a dear protestant friend who keeps sending me “forwards” of emails which push the Bible-only-faith-only point of view. I’m sure he thinks he will finally “get through to me” about not needing traditions and sacraments and The Pope… for years I’ve just read them and dumped them and said nothing.

But I’m thinking I might just once send him one back from the Catholic perspective - see how he reacts. Any ideas?

You can block him from your email box or you can return the favor and send him articles, etc. from the Catholic perspective everytime he sends you something. I am sure this forum has many good articles that you would be able to forward to him. Invite him to mass, a Christianing party, a first Holy Communion mass, etc. Also, there are many good books on the Catholic faith. Perhaps your friend would appreciate receiving a copy for Christmas ---- which is only a few days away.

 

[Lonely_guy]

Sounds like a good plan.