Church of the Nazarene

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Does anyone know what the difference the Church of the Nazarene is from the Catholic faith? I am thinking about enriching my children with their program on Wednesday because all the catholic churches around my area doesn’t have enough classes or activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners. These classes also allows me to go to a bible study class where I can learn more about the bible.

I am still having my children attend our Catholic church Sunday school during Mass. I have tried home study but it doesn’t work with my children and I. They learn better when there is a class structure.
 
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emom:
Does anyone know what the difference the Church of the Nazarene is from the Catholic faith? I am thinking about enriching my children with their program on Wednesday because all the catholic churches around my area doesn’t have enough classes or activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners. These classes also allows me to go to a bible study class where I can learn more about the bible.

I am still having my children attend our Catholic church Sunday school during Mass. I have tried home study but it doesn’t work with my children and I. They learn better when there is a class structure.
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Here is their creedal statement: nazarenecentennial.org/values.html

This is their homepage: nazarene.org/

They come out of the “holiness” movement . . . i.e., they are descendants of Methodism . . .
 
emom,

It is certainly not my place to tell you your business and I will not, however please allow me to caution you about Bible study with non-Catholic denominations. They do not use the Bible of our faith and have vastly differing interpretations of scripture, many counter to Catholicism.

They also hold immensely different views on sacraments as well. For example, I assisted with an RCIA class with a lady who was from a Protestant church but wanted to learn more about the Roman Catholic Church as her husband was Catholic. When discussing communion she stated they do that in her church and there is no difference so why can’t she and her husband take communion in both churches?!

I would like to advise you to take advantage of the Ask an Apologist forum at this site an address any questions and concerns you may have there.

Peace

George
 
George Waters:
emom,

They do not use the Bible of our faith and have vastly differing interpretations of scripture, many counter to Catholicism.
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I have been listening to the NIV audio verison of both New and Old Testament. I have a long ride to work and no time to read. My attention span is very limited too. Does anyone know of a good audio cd of both new and old testament for a catholic version of the bible?
 
Both NIV and NAB, while easy to read, are poor translations if you ask me. I wouldn’t rely upon them in many instances.

RSV is harder to read, but a closer translation to the original languages. Yes, There is a Catholic edition available.
 
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Tibbar:
Both NIV and NAB, while easy to read, are poor translations if you ask me. I wouldn’t rely upon them in many instances.

RSV is harder to read, but a closer translation to the original languages. Yes, There is a Catholic edition available.
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I agree that the NIV should be left outside the door.

The RSV is not hard to read and IS, in my judgment and that of most Scripture scholars, the best translation. The NAB is not a “poor” translation – it’s a pretty good translation – although it wanders into interpretive language more than I would like. However, the entire NAB is available on tape and CD, which was the OPs question. I do not know of a recorded edition of the entire RSV-CE but Ignatius Press has the NT on CD.
 
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emom:
Does anyone know what the difference the Church of the Nazarene is from the Catholic faith? I am thinking about enriching my children with their program on Wednesday because all the catholic churches around my area doesn’t have enough classes or activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners. These classes also allows me to go to a bible study class where I can learn more about the bible.

I am still having my children attend our Catholic church Sunday school during Mass. I have tried home study but it doesn’t work with my children and I. They learn better when there is a class structure.
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I would not let them go. I used to be a member of this church. In fact I grew up in this denomination. They are very fundamentalist. They are bible only. faith only and grace only. They are anti catholic but in a nice way if you know what I mean. They are very evangelical and WILL try to convert you. I can describe them as more than baptist. not quite pentecostal.
 
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emom:
Does anyone know what the difference the Church of the Nazarene is from the Catholic faith? I am thinking about enriching my children with their program on Wednesday because all the catholic churches around my area doesn’t have enough classes or activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners. These classes also allows me to go to a bible study class where I can learn more about the bible.

I am still having my children attend our Catholic church Sunday school during Mass. I have tried home study but it doesn’t work with my children and I. They learn better when there is a class structure.
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I would also advise that you not go, for the reasons posted below. My brother-in-law and his wife and 2 sons stopped going to the Catholic Church because it didn’ t have enough programs for their kids. Now they go to a non-denomination Protestant church. I don’t understand how they would walk away from the Church, but wondered why they didn’t just find a different parish or, better yet, try to get some programs started at their own parish. Perhaps others also feel the lack and a good thing could be accomplished.
 
I, too would advise against sending your kids to a non-Catholic church for any reason (especially to study), they will try to convert you and your kids. Remember, to a lot of them, Catholics “preach a different gospel” and therefore aren’t Christian.You want your kids to grow up in your faith, sending them to a protestant church is the exact opposite of what you want to do. I went to Religious Education at a Catholic Church, which was on Thursday for 2 hours each week when I was a kid. Taught by a nun, and a strict one at that. Call your archdiocese/diocese and see if you can find a parish in your area which wouldn’t be too hard to get to. We need more committed Catholics in the faith and raising your kids in the faith is why God put you on earth.

God bless!
 
It’s not fair to say in a blanket manner that non-Catholics will try to convert Catholics. It’s also important to distinguish between two things:
  1. The attempt to convert Catholics in the belief that they are “not Christians,” and
  2. The normal process that goes on in Protestant churches of trying to get visitors and friends to join their church. Generally the more moderate and sensible pastors will make a point of not trying to recruit someone who already has a “church home,” but you will always find the over-zealous folks who try to persuade any visitor to join.
In many evangelical churches, very much including the Nazarenes, most people are going to fall somewhere in between the two. That is to say, most people in such churches will say that Catholics “can be Christians,” but will not assume that all Catholics are. This is reasonable given their definition of “Christian,” which means “having a personal relationship with Christ.” Essentially this corresponds to being in a state of grace, but unfortunately many conservative evangelicals identify it with certain language about conversion and the basis on which one expects to go to heaven.

In other words, while I’d hope that most Nazarenes wouldn’t assume from the start that Catholics are “not Christians” (I’m sure some would, though), if they ask if you are “saved” or “going to heaven” and you give them some sort of conditional answer (as most Catholics would), they may decide that you need to be “saved.”

On the other hand, as an ecumenical Protestant I’m all in favor of people from one church participating in activities at another. I think this is very important to what the Pope has called “spiritual ecumenism.” So I’d encourage you to go ahead, but be ready to express your faith in terms that will make sense to evangelicals. Stress the fact that your hope for salvation is in Jesus Christ and that you are a Catholic because the Catholic Church has taught you to know and love Christ. If you emphasize this (rather than making it sound like “being Catholic” is an end in itself) there’s at least some chance that the Nazarenes will accept your Catholic identity and desire for fellowship and not see you as a potential convert. Perhaps you can even overturn some of their prejudices.

In Christ,

Edwin
 
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Contarini:
It’s not fair to say in a blanket manner that non-Catholics will try to convert Catholics. It’s also important to distinguish between two things:
  1. The attempt to convert Catholics in the belief that they are “not Christians,” and
  2. The normal process that goes on in Protestant churches of trying to get visitors and friends to join their church. Generally the more moderate and sensible pastors will make a point of not trying to recruit someone who already has a “church home,” but you will always find the over-zealous folks who try to persuade any visitor to join.
In many evangelical churches, very much including the Nazarenes, most people are going to fall somewhere in between the two. That is to say, most people in such churches will say that Catholics “can be Christians,” but will not assume that all Catholics are. This is reasonable given their definition of “Christian,” which means “having a personal relationship with Christ.” Essentially this corresponds to being in a state of grace, but unfortunately many conservative evangelicals identify it with certain language about conversion and the basis on which one expects to go to heaven.

In other words, while I’d hope that most Nazarenes wouldn’t assume from the start that Catholics are “not Christians” (I’m sure some would, though), if they ask if you are “saved” or “going to heaven” and you give them some sort of conditional answer (as most Catholics would), they may decide that you need to be “saved.”

On the other hand, as an ecumenical Protestant I’m all in favor of people from one church participating in activities at another. I think this is very important to what the Pope has called “spiritual ecumenism.” So I’d encourage you to go ahead, but be ready to express your faith in terms that will make sense to evangelicals. Stress the fact that your hope for salvation is in Jesus Christ and that you are a Catholic because the Catholic Church has taught you to know and love Christ. If you emphasize this (rather than making it sound like “being Catholic” is an end in itself) there’s at least some chance that the Nazarenes will accept your Catholic identity and desire for fellowship and not see you as a potential convert. Perhaps you can even overturn some of their prejudices.

In Christ,

Edwin
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Thanks for pointing this out, Edwin. I was curious to see what other posters would have to say about this.

My son was attending the youth groups at a near-by Church of the Nazarene parish while he was living with his father last year. He made no bones about the fact that he was Catholic, and he told them did not want to convert. He was able to hang out with other youths there, learn a couple of things about the Bible, and enjoy a clean Wednesday night of fun with other teens. Once he came back to live with me, he started attending Mass again, and is in formation for Confirmation. He told me that he never felt pressured to convert out of Catholicism, and that he plans to be a Catholic for the rest of his life.

Granted, at the time, his father (who is not Catholic) did not have a strong religious life, and my son felt a need for that. I made sure that if he had any questions about our Catholic faith, he should ask me, and I’d do my best to answer his questions.

I’m glad my son had this experience with the Church of the Nazarene, though I acknowledge that his situation was an isolated case, and his faith in Catholicism now is stronger than ever.

God Bless!
 
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Contarini:
It’s not fair to say in a blanket manner that non-Catholics will try to convert Catholics. It’s also important to distinguish between two things:
  1. The attempt to convert Catholics in the belief that they are “not Christians,” and
  2. The normal process that goes on in Protestant churches of trying to get visitors and friends to join their church. Generally the more moderate and sensible pastors will make a point of not trying to recruit someone who already has a “church home,” but you will always find the over-zealous folks who try to persuade any visitor to join.
In many evangelical churches, very much including the Nazarenes, most people are going to fall somewhere in between the two. That is to say, most people in such churches will say that Catholics “can be Christians,” but will not assume that all Catholics are. This is reasonable given their definition of “Christian,” which means “having a personal relationship with Christ.” Essentially this corresponds to being in a state of grace, but unfortunately many conservative evangelicals identify it with certain language about conversion and the basis on which one expects to go to heaven.

In other words, while I’d hope that most Nazarenes wouldn’t assume from the start that Catholics are “not Christians” (I’m sure some would, though), if they ask if you are “saved” or “going to heaven” and you give them some sort of conditional answer (as most Catholics would), they may decide that you need to be “saved.”

On the other hand, as an ecumenical Protestant I’m all in favor of people from one church participating in activities at another. I think this is very important to what the Pope has called “spiritual ecumenism.” So I’d encourage you to go ahead, but be ready to express your faith in terms that will make sense to evangelicals. Stress the fact that your hope for salvation is in Jesus Christ and that you are a Catholic because the Catholic Church has taught you to know and love Christ. If you emphasize this (rather than making it sound like “being Catholic” is an end in itself) there’s at least some chance that the Nazarenes will accept your Catholic identity and desire for fellowship and not see you as a potential convert. Perhaps you can even overturn some of their prejudices.

In Christ,

Edwin
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Edwin, my main concern is not Nazarenes attempting to convert Catholics, but taking kids to the Church of the Nazarene to learn about Christianity. Kids need foundations, and it’s the main reason I fell away from Catholicism. I came from a devout Roman Catholic household, but because I had no foundation, I just felt that all Christian denominations were pretty much the same. Until I started studying the history of my Faith I very seriously believed a lot of the misconceptions about the Church. It is very easy for kids especially to be brainwashed in this manner, and I don’t think all Nazarenes are bad. I would still have to advise against sending any children to any church other than Catholic for educational purposes until they are well rooted in their faith. If the main reason is to go learn about other interpretations of the Scripture (because the Nazarenes will have a vastly different interpretation than Catholicism’s) it would be a bad thing IMO. Kids are influential, and emom probably wants her kids to have a well grounded understanding of Catholicism.

I don’t know much about the Nazarenes, but what I do know is that it’s not where you’d want to send a Catholic kid to learn about Christianity if you want them to have a firm grounding in Catholicism. The Nazarenes come out of the holiness movement of the late 1800s, with a bit of Methodist/Baptist/Pentecostal mix. Would you send your kids to learn about Anglicanism to a Baptist church? I don’t think so… 🙂

God bless!
 
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mercygate:
I agree that the NIV should be left outside the door.

The RSV is not hard to read and IS, in my judgment and that of most Scripture scholars, the best translation. The NAB is not a “poor” translation – it’s a pretty good translation – although it wanders into interpretive language more than I would like. However, the entire NAB is available on tape and CD, which was the OPs question. I do not know of a recorded edition of the entire RSV-CE but Ignatius Press has the NT on CD.
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Just another vote for the RSV - I believe that it is the version most often used by the Vatican when making translations of Latin documents into English, so I would say that may speak well of it’s veracity of a fine translation. I do believe that I will cruise on over to the Ignatius site and check out the CD’s as a matter of fact…
 
My brother in law is a Nazarene minister, and he and his wife are really fine people, and have never tried to convert my wife and I to their church. I would never join, because they teach some things that I couldn’t live and don’t believe in. While it may not hurt sending kids there, I think in the long run, they would be confused.
 
Semper Fi:
Edwin, my main concern is not Nazarenes attempting to convert Catholics, but taking kids to the Church of the Nazarene to learn about Christianity.
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I understand and respect those concerns. I’m simply trying to lay out what I think one could expect from Nazarenes. It’s up to the parents to decide how an evangelical environment would affect their children.

And personally, I can imagine circumstances in which I might want my kids (when/if God gives us any!) to participate in a Baptist youth group rather than an Episcopalian one. It all depends on the local circumstances.

Certainly children should not be treated as guinea pigs in an ecumenical experiment. But on the other hand, it may be more important for young people to be exposed to serious Christianity of some sort than to be left to the often insufficient resources of the Catholic Church with regard to catechesis and formation. I say this with regret, not gloating. And again, it depends on the circumstances and is not for me (as a non-Catholic) to decide! I support the parents’ decision either way and was simply trying to provide some information. Many of my relatives are Nazarenes and I attended Nazarene churches from time to time growing up, though I’ve never belonged to the denomination. So I have some interest in the subject.

Edwin
 
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Contarini:
But on the other hand, it may be more important for young people to be exposed to serious Christianity of some sort than to be left to the often insufficient resources of the Catholic Church with regard to catechesis and formation.
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Edwin,

My personal circumstances related to my falling away were mostly of my own doing. I had a ton of religious education at my parish (2 hours on Thursday nights during the Fall), and we all had one on one access with the nuns/catechists. I basically was disenchanted with the whole experience, I wouldn’t say it’s because we didn’t have the resources at our parish (i.e. I was more interested in talking with the girls and goofing off with my friends than learning about the Faith). If I was more grounded in the Faith at my house, I don’t think I would have fallen away. I think this is the circumstances a lot of Catholics face.
 
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ben_dy:
Just another vote for the RSV - I believe that it is the version most often used by the Vatican when making translations of Latin documents into English, so I would say that may speak well of it’s veracity of a fine translation. I do believe that I will cruise on over to the Ignatius site and check out the CD’s as a matter of fact…
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Ditto on the RSV-CE. The RSV-CE (Ignatius Study Bible) is a great Bible. I use only the RSV-CE and the Douay-Rheims. Sometimes the NAB.
 
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Contarini:
Stress the fact that your hope for salvation is in Jesus Christ and that you are a Catholic because the Catholic Church has taught you to know and love Christ. If you emphasize this (rather than making it sound like “being Catholic” is an end in itself) there’s at least some chance that the Nazarenes will accept your Catholic identity and desire for fellowship and not see you as a potential convert. Perhaps you can even overturn some of their prejudices.

In Christ,

Edwin
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Wow, this is eactly what I needed. Thank you, thank you.
 
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