Help Interpreting Panic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter AlwaysAsking
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

AlwaysAsking

Guest
Hello,
Wondering what fellow Christians would say about a pretty sudden, panic-motivated desire to convert to Catholicism? Seems like the wrong motivation, doesn’t it? Here’s the background:
-am an Evangelical, married to an Evangelical who grew up Catholic
-we both dislike the profusion of denominations, and have become stymied since we moved to anther state and had a terrible time finding “the right church home”
-I’ve been… haunted?.. by Romans 14. Seems like there shouldn’t be any denominations!:confused:
-husband is leaning toward starting a home church to solve our “church home” difficulty:eek:
…sooo, yes; while one person would say, “what denomination problem? We’re all in God’s family” and another would say, “that conviction alone isn’t enough reason to convert if you disagree with much of Catholicism”…
…any advice on how to sort through an AVANLANCHE of doctrine and interpret my sudden, almost frantic desire to convert to a denomination I don’t really agree with?😦
 
Why be in a denomination at all? Catholicism isn’t a denomination; it is the Church of God on earth. Starting a ‘home church’ isn’t going to solve things. Who will be your attendees? Yourself and your husband? Throw in a few neighbours you are able to convince that your church is better than theirs?

Isn’t that going to create yet another dilemma because aren’t you in effect, creating another denomination? Why go through all that hassle when you know the Truth has already been revealed to you?
 
I believe your “panic” feeling may be the Holy Spirit trying to reach you!!! Christ UNITED us as one BODY of believers! We are to be one in Christ… not splitnered denominations!

You may be feeling Christ HIMSELF calling you! Did you know he is PRESENT in the mass? Not just in the Bible…just just through prayer… but actually THERE, waiting for you to share in his body, blood, and divinity in the Catholic Church? 🙂
 
Thanks for your perspective… can you help?

I’m sure you can see that I have a lot on my plate and that I have to sort through this the right way. Even if I wanted to have a huge falling out with my husband, there’s a mountain of homework ahead if I want to discuss this in reasonable terms! And I can’t imagine going to church without him, let alone against his wishes.

Where would you start?
 
AlwaysAsking said:
Thanks for your perspective… can you help?

I’m sure you can see that I have a lot on my plate and that I have to sort through this the right way. Even if I wanted to have a huge falling out with my husband, there’s a mountain of homework ahead if I want to discuss this in reasonable terms! And I can’t imagine going to church without him, let alone against his wishes.

Where would you start?
Click to expand...
I would start with prayer… LOTS of prayer:) Not just on your own…but together!

And in addition to praying, I would suggest meeting together with a priest:)
 
AlwaysAsking said:
Thanks for your perspective… can you help?

I’m sure you can see that I have a lot on my plate and that I have to sort through this the right way. Even if I wanted to have a huge falling out with my husband, there’s a mountain of homework ahead if I want to discuss this in reasonable terms! And I can’t imagine going to church without him, let alone against his wishes.

Where would you start?
Click to expand...
Hi AlwaysAsking, I’ll give you some links as i have with another poster in an almost similar situation as you. Start with reading from sites such as Scripture Catholic and Dave Armstrong’s Biblical Evidence For Catholicism. I know this may seem like a tall order, since Dave’s site is a heavy-duty apologetic site, but its a small price to pay to understand Catholicism.

It would also be advisable to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and follow up with the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you do not already own a Vulgate Bible, you can visit these links: Parallel Latin Vulgate Bible with Douay-Rheims and King James Version and Latin Vulgate Bible.
 
Hi friend,

Don’t panic. It is not like you are going to convert to Catholic tomorrow. I would say that keep praying and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you. This panic or desire to convert to Catholicsm will eventually settle in and you will even face some doubts, struggles, joys, etc … along the road.

To start, I would say first pray, then educate yourself about Catholic faith a bit more and find some books written by converts such as Scott Hahn and His wife, and Karl Keating, etc. You might overwhelm yourself…so, take it as it goes and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you.

God bless.
 
As AshleyBelle said - that panic is the Holy Spirit. 👍

You have three things you must do now

1 - dont be afraid

2 - listen

3 - seek

You will not be lead astray. I know - I’m living in the turmoil youre feeling - Ive just had my life turned inside out and upside down - and Ive never been so happy in all my life - you will be too.
 
AlwaysAsking said:
Hello,
…any advice on how to sort through an AVANLANCHE of doctrine and interpret my sudden, almost frantic desire to convert to a denomination I don’t really agree with?😦
Click to expand...
have patience with your ‘panic’, learn from ‘frantic’.

:twocents: 🤷
 
  1. Um, how does Romans 14 speak to denominationalism?
  2. Who has the headship in your household?
 
Steadfast said:
  1. Um, how does Romans 14 speak to denominationalism?
  2. Who has the headship in your household?
Click to expand...
(if this reply doesn’t look right, I’m still working on the technical stuff)
  1. Romans 14 lays out some ‘differences’ of doctrinal interpretation ( or whatever you’d like to call them), which are not grounds for a personal falling out. So why would these differences be grounds for schism? Denominations are usually based on a falling-out, a difference of opinion, and the result is countless designer denominations. Paul took false teaching seriously, but look what he’s saying here: stay civil, stay together. God may not be thrilled with the current build-your-own denomination attitude. Is it possible that we are mistaking His ability to make the best of a bad situation-- schism-- with His actual approval?
  2. My husband is the head of the household, and that’s a lovely thing in our marriage. But I’m not a silent partner. We enjoy the discussions we have based on our different perspectives. My husband appreciates that I really try to understand what the Holy Spirit may be calling me to do. I’m also praying that the Spirit speak to him in this matter, but he has more residual prejudice on the subject of Catholicism. I’m asking him to take a second look, review Catholic apology as an adult.
 
Always Asking, I wanted you to know that you and your husband are in my prayers! 🙂
Code: 
Perhaps you could both come to these forums with your speciffic questions?  Though nothing anybody tells you on here is going to convince either of you to join the Catholic church. But it may clear up any mis-information or prejudice you've learned about our beliefs:)   There was a quote I read on here.. I can't remember the author but it said something to the effect of "So many Christians hate what the falsely believe to be the Catholic Church. And if it was really what they believed, Catholics would hate it too."
I’m sure that’s not the exact quote, so please forgive me for hacking somebody’s words lol!

Also… “We do not need a church that is right when we are right, but a church that is right when we are wrong.” 🙂

We will not try to “make” you or your husband Catholic… You are on your own spiritual journey, and the Holy Spirit will lead you to the right path.

God bless you both! Feel free to ask anything, I will personally do my best to help in any way I can, and there are so many wonderful people here willing to do the same:)

And don’t be worried about asking, I promise in 2000 years there are very few things the Catholic Church has not had to defend herself against. (though sometimes I am suprised at the things people come up with!)
Code: 
 And of course...don't forget the REASON you are seeking God's will right now in your life! Here is a link to something I posted about my own journey into the church:)  I hope in some small way it might help you understand why we hold our faith so dear to our hearts!

 [forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=282282](http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=282282)
 
AshleyBelle said:
Always Asking, I wanted you to know that you and your husband are in my prayers! 🙂

Thank you, AshleyBelle.

You know, after I read some of the replies yesterday, I called my husband’s father (still very strong Catholic) and asked him for help. After that, I just felt such a weight lifted off of me. I felt so much better.
So I still don’t know for sure if the plan is conversion, or just greater understanding, or somebody I’m supposed to meet along the way…

…but I’m heading in the right direction at the moment.

And thanks for offering to help with other questions. I have so many! I also have two children under the age of two so I’ll be squeezing this in when I can.
Click to expand...
 
we both dislike the profusion of denominations, and have become stymied since we moved to anther state and had a terrible time finding “the right church home”
-I’ve been… haunted?.. by Romans 14. Seems like there shouldn’t be any denominations!
-husband is leaning toward starting a home church to solve our “church home” difficulty

**So your husband wants to solve the problem of a plethora of denominations by starting ONE MORE DENOMINATION?

After all, an independent house church is nothing more than a new denomination of ONE congregation.

Sounds to me that what your husband is saying is, “Let’s have a real New Testament Church with ME at the head!”

Think about it!**
 
AlwaysAsking said:
Hello,
Wondering what fellow Christians would say about a pretty sudden, panic-motivated desire to convert to Catholicism? Seems like the wrong motivation, doesn’t it? Here’s the background:
-am an Evangelical, married to an Evangelical who grew up Catholic
-we both dislike the profusion of denominations, and have become stymied since we moved to anther state and had a terrible time finding “the right church home”
-I’ve been… haunted?.. by Romans 14. Seems like there shouldn’t be any denominations!:confused:
-husband is leaning toward starting a home church to solve our “church home” difficulty:eek:
…sooo, yes; while one person would say, “what denomination problem? We’re all in God’s family” and another would say, “that conviction alone isn’t enough reason to convert if you disagree with much of Catholicism”…
…any advice on how to sort through an AVANLANCHE of doctrine and interpret my sudden, almost frantic desire to convert to a denomination I don’t really agree with?😦
Click to expand...
Wow, I have a very similar story with what you are feeling about denominationalism. Especially the part of our family moving to a new town and trying to find the “right church home”. In my frustration one night, I sat down and googled “the true church” and everything popped up Catholic on the internet. It intrigued me so I read and read and the more I read, the more my eyes were being opened. Research the history and it will reveal itself to you. I convinced my husband to go to RCIA just to learn more. Good luck to you!
Read “Surprised By Truth” by Patrick Madrid

liz
 
bpbasilphx said:
Sounds to me that what your husband is saying is, “Let’s have a real New Testament Church with ME at the head!”

Think about it!
Click to expand...
Dear bpbasilphx:

Just to clarify, my beloved husband is not an egomaniac.😊 I hope I haven’t created that impression.
Actually, this is coming from a dear older Christian couple we have a long-standing bible study with. They put a lot of effort into planting a church and had to leave because they really couldn’t stand behind the direction it was moving in. I think they’re kind of eager to start a new church.

and: thanks to EVERYONE for your replies!
 
** Just to clarify, my beloved husband is not an egomaniac. I hope I haven’t created that impression.**

**I didn’t mean to say he was an egomaniac.

But it does happen that this is the story of so many little independent churches.**
 
** Just to clarify, my beloved husband is not an egomaniac. I hope I haven’t created that impression.**

**I didn’t mean to say he was an egomaniac.

But it does happen that this is the story of so many little independent churches.

The last thing the world needs is another little independent church.**
 
In my opinion, it comes down to the why, not the what. Why are there denominations? Why do you feel the way you do? Why does the Church teach what it does?

Answer these and you will be on the way…
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top