Don't know how to handle things anymore

[john_charles]

My wife of 19 years left the catholic church 8 years ago and it is becoming more and more difficult. The more she grows in her love for Christ the more her hatred toward the catholic church grows. She believes the KJV 1611 IS the only true word of God and that causes many disagreements. I know that all these arguements are circular in nature always coming back to authority but how do you deal with the differences? ie: Call no man father … Once saved always saved … Graven Images…

 

[wardrandolph]

What does she call her dad?Ask her to read about the Ark of the Covenant.God told them to build it and how to build it with carved images,gold wood etc.What Bible did Christians read before 1611?Does she know that the KJV had what they refer to as the hidden books up untill the 1880’s?The KJV uses language that the typical English speaker 400 yrs.ago understood but words change,example;Ph.3:20(KJV)For our conversation is in Heaven;from whence also we look for the Saviour,the Lord Jesus Christ.Its worded the same in the DR Catholic bible which preceded the KJV by a number of yrs.The word we use for this ‘conversation’ is Citizenship.Does she know there is a beautiful prophecy about Jesus in Wisdom 2?Please go slow,don’t argue,and pray for her.I will be praying for the both of you,Rocky.

 

[Luke65]

Hi John, perhaps the Holy Spirit has lit a fire under your wife in order to light a fire under you? You should take it that way! You need to be prepared to give an answer to all of her arguments. Scripture Catholic will greatly help you to do just that, with numerous quotes from the Bible and the early Church on all of the Church’s major teachings. For example, look at the page on Holy Orders to see that our Lord Jesus was obviously not saying that we literally cannot not call any man “father”, otherwise His apostles and He Himself broke His commandment! And on the page Sacramentals you will see that “graven images” were actually commanded by God, not to be worshiped obviously, but nevertheless they were part of the true worship of God, with statues of cherubim being placed on the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of God. You also might point out that the Law of Moses was “set aside” (Hebrews 7:18), and nowhere does the New Testament ban images. There are also a number of books from Evangelical converts to Catholicism like “Surprised by Truth”, which is a compilation of conversion stories. Immerse yourself in prayer and the study of God’s ways, and your whole family will be better off for it, especially your wife. God bless.

 

[NPC]

Hi John - I agree with Luke that you yourself need to be prepared. Those arguments you listed (“once saved always saved”, “call no man father”, “no graven images”) can most certainly be addressed by Catholic and in favour of the Church’s teaching. However, it can be difficult to get your point across if you are not 100% prepared. For the moment, if you can have a discussion on these topics with your wife, I expect you will only be able to refer to Scripture as I assume she holds to the doctrine of ‘sola scriptura’. Scripture Catholic should be a very useful resource for you in this case.

Of course the bottom line in all discussions of the Catholic Faith is that you have to be charitable in your delivery of the argument. Even more so given that you are talking to your wife! For yourself, it may be worth buying a copy of Mr Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism (a real classic) - common arguments are addressed in depth.

Needless to say, make much use of these forums. Perhaps you could direct your wife to CAF too.

 

[john_charles]

Thank You
Please keep my family in your prayers

 

[St_Francis]

My wife of 19 years left the catholic church 8 years ago and it is becoming more and more difficult. The more she grows in her love for Christ the more her hatred toward the catholic church grows. She believes the KJV 1611 IS the only true word of God and that causes many disagreements. I know that all these arguements are circular in nature always coming back to authority but how do you deal with the differences? ie: Call no man father … Once saved always saved … Graven Images…

Are you asking for help with the apologetics? Or are you having trouble handling the situation at home?

Sometimes it is best to have a good relationship with the other person, and just do a lot of praying. If she initiates the conversations, you might ask her to stop doing so, altho she may feel that she has to if her current theology leans that way.

If she feels she must discuss these things with you, I know this may sound nutso, but you two might try discussing them *only *by email, or only on the phone, or whatever, but keep your together time as nice times between husband and wife rather than acrimonious times. And then do a lot of nice things together, if you can’t afford the occasional dinner out, then go for a drive on a pretty day or find a hobby or something that you two can do together.

And don’t forget to pray!

 

[flyingfish]

My wife of 19 years left the catholic church 8 years ago and it is becoming more and more difficult. The more she grows in her love for Christ the more her hatred toward the catholic church grows. She believes the KJV 1611 IS the only true word of God and that causes many disagreements. I know that all these arguements are circular in nature always coming back to authority but how do you deal with the differences? ie: Call no man father … Once saved always saved … Graven Images…

Why are you arguing with your wife over these things? You know there is no solution, right? Are you doing this in the hope that your wife will see the light and become Catholic?

I think you should stop arguing, just don’t talk about aspects of Christianity where you disagree. If she is the one who brings it up, just find a way to change the subject. Focus on aspects of your faiths you agree upon. You are both Christians, you have a lot in common. Pray together, volunteer together, read the KJV 1611 together. Find a way to stop arguing.

 

[Bluegoat]

I also would avoid discussing this for a while. When people make a change like this, there is often some more personal issues behind it. Sometimes the church a person belongs to fails to meet the needs of the person for some reason - not that it is theological wrong, but because of some reason to do with personalities, for example.

I agree that praying together with your wife would be a good plan. Respect that there is something that she sees in her new religion that you may not, and if she is insistant, ask the same consideration from her.