Evangelical Bible Study

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Eccp19

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Hi guys,
I’m brand new here (at least as a member) and this is my first post. I am in RCIA and have realized that I am, and have always been Catholic to the bone. All Christians, who are willing to understand Catholicism, would realize this, I am conviced. Anyway, before God pwned me with the truth of the Catholic Church (over about a period of a year), I had been, and still have been attending a weekly night Bible study that is hosted by my various Evangelical friends. The Bible studies are a great form of fellowship, but lately, I have been feeling very convicted about something. I now see how seriously mistaken these people are in their individual teachings that lead the group. While I have no doubt that they are all very sincere and love Jesus, I am feeling disgusted at the lack of total Truth taught at these Bible studies. For instance, last week the message was on Ephesians 3 and the conclusion was that works mean nothing, we can’t do anything to lose our salvation once we’ve been “saved” and there is basically no reason to strive for holiness because there isn’t a thing we can do to earn it. The week before, one of our guys called us (meaning all Christians) one, holy, and apostolic church. I cringed.

I love these people, many of them are my very good friends, but I’m starting to have a very hard time holding my toungue (I am the only Catholic) because the Truth is simply not being taught and nobody questions what is being taught. I have thought about leaving the Bible study but have not decided if that is the wisest decision (for me yes, but for them as my brothers and sisters, I doubt they could understand). Plus, it probably would never be the same at non-Bible study hangouts.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter? What would Christ do?
 
It might well be a time to withdraw temporarily.

Just say you’re too busy.

Then when you’re more instructed in the faith to attempt apologetics, maybe you can return.
 
Saying I’m too busy would most likely be a lie - I have always made time for Bible study and it would be out of character for me to simply stop showing up.

I am more grounded in Catholic Apologetics than probably most people, and have written many essays in the form of “notes” on facebook and have shared them with all my friends. Nobody wants to engage - everyone is comfortable with their understanding of Christianity and it hurts my soul to see my friends not fully in communion with the Church.
 
if these people are really your friends you should be able to tell them the truth, that you are dropping out of the bible study because you find such conflict between their opinions and the teaching of Christ and His Church, and that you prefer for the time being to find an orthodox study led by a qualified person.
 
I agree with Puzzleannie. In fact I did the same with a study group I had belonged to. I just made sure to make time for my friends in purely social settings. Some I do not see as often as before, but those who were truly close have continued to get together for coffee, family dinners, etc. We also still do talk about religion and discuss the meaning of various passages, but in a much less stressful way.
 
Eccp19 said:
Hi guys,
I’m brand new here (at least as a member) and this is my first post. I am in RCIA and have realized that I am, and have always been Catholic to the bone. All Christians, who are willing to understand Catholicism, would realize this, I am conviced. Anyway, before God pwned me with the truth of the Catholic Church (over about a period of a year), I had been, and still have been attending a weekly night Bible study that is hosted by my various Evangelical friends. The Bible studies are a great form of fellowship, but lately, I have been feeling very convicted about something. I now see how seriously mistaken these people are in their individual teachings that lead the group. While I have no doubt that they are all very sincere and love Jesus, I am feeling disgusted at the lack of total Truth taught at these Bible studies. For instance, last week the message was on Ephesians 3 and the conclusion was that works mean nothing, we can’t do anything to lose our salvation once we’ve been “saved” and there is basically no reason to strive for holiness because there isn’t a thing we can do to earn it. The week before, one of our guys called us (meaning all Christians) one, holy, and apostolic church. I cringed.

I love these people, many of them are my very good friends, but I’m starting to have a very hard time holding my toungue (I am the only Catholic) because the Truth is simply not being taught and nobody questions what is being taught. I have thought about leaving the Bible study but have not decided if that is the wisest decision (for me yes, but for them as my brothers and sisters, I doubt they could understand). Plus, it probably would never be the same at non-Bible study hangouts.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter? What would Christ do?
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It is time for you to leave the evangelcial Bible study group.
 
Sword_Brethren said:
It is time for you to leave the evangelcial Bible study group.
Click to expand...
Yes, but find a good solid Catholic Bible Study group. Don’t just stop going to Bible Study. We need Catholics who are well versed in the Scriptures and will influence others to become well-versed also.
 
puzzleannie said:
if these people are really your friends you should be able to tell them the truth, that you are dropping out of the bible study because you find such conflict between their opinions and the teaching of Christ and His Church, and that you prefer for the time being to find an orthodox study led by a qualified person.
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I would suggest that puzzleannie has spoken words rich with knowledge and insight! I wish I’d had such good advice at my disposal a few years back…

I myself attended a non-denominational Bible Study for many years and eventually became very involved as one of the organizers. It was a source of much growth and strength for me. But eventually I, like Eccp, realized I was not being fed the fullness of the Truth there and I knew I had to pursue something that fed me as a Catholic. However - I was too insecure to tell the other study members the truth. I felt that they might think I was “judging” them and their particular religious denominations (or lack of them) as being inadequate. The funny thing is - this is exactly why I was leaving! Their teachings were inadequate and did not reveal the whole Truth to me.

I did leave - but only gave them a partial truth as to why I left (I managed to schedule some volunteer work for a wonderful Catholic organization in the same time slot as the Bible Study). I never did tell them that I had “outgrown” them and that they no longer had enough to fill the holes and hunger that I felt. I left some wonderful friends behind and I wish them well. But I do wish I had been able to be honest with them about my reasons for leaving. Who knows - If I had, perhaps it might have been the ember that ignited a spark that eventually lead someone else home to Rome?!?!

So - Eccp - I would suggest that puzzleannie speaks wisely. Speak honestly to your study mates. Maybe this is your chance to ignite a spark in some of your own friends…

God Bless,
CLM
<><
 
Since you are wise in the Scriptrues, maybe you could bring up a topic or two to study. See if that will “spark” their interest in the truth. Maybe, suggest a “topic” that has been heavy on your mind while in the group. See how the study goes. Who knows maybe God is using you to, with respect and no debate, show them some truth. If these are your friends and they truely want to “Study” Gods word, this shouldn’t be a problem for them.

Plant the seed, then put it Gods hands. Sometimes the seed is put out there and yet it falls on rocky or loose soil. Yet, we never know if the seed we plant will grow.

As Christians, this should be of interest to them, after all it’s Gods Word they are studing.

May the Lord Bless you,
 
Ok guys, here is my draft letter to send to them. Please read it and let me know if it is appropriate and loving.

To all my friends in the Grace and Truth defenders Bible study,
Many of you know about my testimony that occurred in May, and many of you know that through the experience and the grace of God, I became convicted about what I later discovered to be personal long-held ignorance and un-found prejudices against the Catholic Church. After that event, over the summer I began serious research into what the Catholic Church has always claimed, namely her existing in unity, infallibility, and her being the one true church founded by Christ and revealed through the apostles and subsequent bishops. What I found shocked me and gave me a perfect peace because over a period of many months, I came to believe and realize that she was in fact everything that she claims to be in every single doctrine and practice. In her claims, I found the evidence simply overwhelming as I studied scripture, the writings of the early church fathers expressing unity and thought, the incredible amount of miracles associated with the Church, the Sacred Tradition of the church as taught and guarded by the apostles and their successors, and the answer to all my intellectual problems I had with Protestant disunity and my view of its carelessness with many current doctrines, with doctrines not practiced but explicitly in the Bible (anointing of sick, real presence of Christ in the Eucharist), and its practice of doctrines that simply do not exist in the Bible (private interpretation and judgment of scripture , Bible as sole authority). Because of these newfound convictions, my conscience will no longer allow me to attend Wednesday night Bible study because I simply cannot agree that correct doctrine and the fullness of Truth is being taught no matter how great the sincerity. Many might say its not about any Church, practice, or denomination, that those are inferior to Christ and its about a personal relationship with Him. While it is impossible to know Christ without a personal relationship, I am also extremely convicted that it is impossible to be in the fullest intimacy with him by disregarding the Church that he established upon Simeon the rock (Cephas), and to which He promised the gates of hell would never prevail against.

I love you all very much and would be honored, at the very least, if I was still emailed the prayer requests so that I may pray for you as well, and you for me. My decision has nothing to do with any of you on a personal level and I would very much like to still participate in fellowship with all of you outside of Bible study. I would also be more than willing to meet/talk/share emails if you have any questions about my decision.

May God bless you all in unimaginable ways,
Love,
Scott
 
Aloha Scott!
I think the letter is beautiful. Just 1 correction:
Change “Simeon” to Simon:thumbsup:
 
Eccp19 said:
…For instance, last week the message was on Ephesians 3 and the conclusion was that works mean nothing, we can’t do anything to lose our salvation once we’ve been “saved” and there is basically no reason to strive for holiness because there isn’t a thing we can do to earn it. The week before, one of our guys called us (meaning all Christians) one, holy, and apostolic church. I cringed.
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Any Evangeical Christian that would say any of the above has no business leading any bible study. Along with loving God and living with him forever, we were created to do good deeds. Secondly, salvation is indeed a gift that cannot be earned. Therefore we strive for holiness out of pure love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us. The apostle Paul here even insists on holy living!

**"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Ephesians 5:3-6 **

This verse speaks of losing ones reward (inheritance) in the Kingdom of God… not losing their salvation itself. It’s safe to believe that anyone who leads an immoral and unholy life may have never even been saved in the first place.
 
When you say “Whenever God pwned me with the truth of the Catholic Church over a year ago…” What did you mean by that?
 
Hahahaha. The word “Pwn” is a gamer word which is a much stronger version of the word “own.” When I said that God pwned me, I meant that the force of God was so strong that I realized I could never get away.
 
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