Does God "call" people to vocations in defective or false religions?

[FriendlySkeptic]

I often read here of God calling men and women to the priesthood or to the consecrated religious life.

If Catholicism is the fullness of the truth, as I also often read here, does God “call” people to religious vocations in defective religions (e.g., Protestantism) or false religions (e.g., Islam)?

If he does, why does he do so?

 

[lizaanne]

No - because that would mean that God can lie, and that is not possible.

People have free will. They have the ability to choose evil, just as they have the ability to choose Truth. God doesn’t twist any arms.

~Liza

 

[church_child]

I often read here of God calling men and women to the priesthood or to the consecrated religious life.

If Catholicism is the fullness of the truth, as I also often read here, does God “call” people to religious vocations in defective religions (e.g., Protestantism) or false religions (e.g., Islam)?

If he does, why does he do so?

I think what happens (and this can be interpreted as a “false calling”) is that the message that is sent out is not the one that is received. If I send you a letter, and you open it up in the rain and then can’t make out some of the words because the ink got smudged, does that have anything to do with me? This same phenomenon often happens with God and ourselves. That’s why prayer (as I’m finding out) is so important, so that we can “read all of God’s letters” without “smudging the ink”.

God would never ask you to do anything that wouldn’t make you happy. Remember that. God bless!

 

[prv]

I think God can call people to minister in other faith traditions, which would, in turn, lead people to the Church.

For example, a Protestant minister may be called to lead people to Christ, and a person who is ministered to by the preacher may then be led to convert to the Holy Church.

However, I do not believe God calls ministers to lead Catholics away from the Church.

For example, a Catholic who claims to have denied Christ as a child and then converts to another faith (especially, to become an anti-Catholic) I do not believe is truly called to conversion to the other faith, and those ministers who turn people away from the Catholic Church I don’t believe have a true ministry vocation. God does not call people to do evil.

 

[pawel15]

I think what happens (and this can be interpreted as a “false calling”) is that the message that is sent out is not the one that is received. If I send you a letter, and you open it up in the rain and then can’t make out some of the words because the ink got smudged, does that have anything to do with me? This same phenomenon often happens with God and ourselves. That’s why prayer (as I’m finding out) is so important, so that we can “read all of God’s letters” without “smudging the ink”.

God would never ask you to do anything that wouldn’t make you happy. Remember that. God bless!

Well said, keep praying and you will have the fullness of truth, as Jesus Christ is ‘The Way, the Life, and The Truth.’

 

[christcnection1]

I do not believe God “calls” people to Non-Christian faith traditions; however, I believe it’s possible He guides them in certain ways to help bring about His agenda.

When it comes to our Separated Brethren, I would say that God can and does “call” some to be ministers/pastors of the Gospel. I suppose it depends on how you define that.

As a former Evangelical, I am totally convinced the Holy Spirit is at work in hearts and minds, despite their many theologicial flaws. Our Lord is not restricted to accomplish His will because there are some major errors. People’s lives are changed by God through these Protestant groups. The truths shine more brilliantly than any false ideas.

Ultimately, God wants His Church to be perfectly one. People generally make a “conversion” through a process, and not a one-time event. Being “called” in this sense can be part of that glorious process toward His Holy Church.

I see no contradiction whatsoever in this reasoning. The height and depth of the Almighty’s master plan is one far greater we can fathom. I believe He is drawing all people to Himself, and He’ll pursue many avenues to accomplish His will.