Help me become Catholic

[snarflemike]

I also recommend the Catechism. Read it and see if you don’t find it a thing of both truth and beauty.

BTW, did you know James White’s sister became a Catholic some years back? Doesn’t prove anything, of course, but I found it interesting. You can here her story on Journey Home, and it’s also been on the internet, such as here:
askacatholic.com/_webPostings/Answers/attachments/Conversion_of_PattyPatrickBonds.pdf

I’d also suggest to any Protestant looking at Catholicism to read and listen to what other Protestant converts found convincing in their conversions. There are a great many of them around and writing/speaking.

 

[bzkoss236]

BTW, did you know James White’s sister became a Catholic some years back? Doesn’t prove anything, of course, but I found it interesting. You can here her story on Journey Home, and it’s also been on the internet, such as here:
askacatholic.com/_webPostings/Answers/attachments/Conversion_of_PattyPatrickBonds.pdf

Wow, I’m just a little more than half the way through this and I’m blown away! This is an amazing story from an unexpected place. I hadn’t heard about her becoming Catholic, but that is awesome!

 

[Persecuted]

was your conversion experience based on Protestant theology that you are now disillusioned with?

You use the name persecuted. Are you being persecuted by someone?

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I will try to get around to them later but I’m pressed for time at the moment.

I just wanted to quickly clear up any misunderstandings about my username. I am not being persecuted and there is a not-so-great story behind the name. When I first went on forums it was car forums as I used to drive a modified sports car and was always being harassed by the police, hence the name Persecuted. Anyway, I kept the name (out of laziness and lack of creativity) when I joined another forum and you can find a lot of my posts from my early Protestant thinking. I mostly used to debate others on forums, Atheists and Muslims largely.

I’m not sure what the rules are about mentioning other forums on here so if anyone is interested you can either Google or PM me about it.

I would not say my conversion experience was based on Protestant theology per se, but I would say it definitely had an influence. It’s a long story (that I’m happy to share) but in a nutshell it was like this:

I had Muslim friends trying to convert me, and they almost succeeded! I reasoned that if God exists there should be some evidence of Him so I set out on my search, which initially was leading me to Islam, but then I became an Agnostic for a brief period, and finally a Christian.

I became a Christian based off evidence and arguments from Christian apologists such as William Lane Craig, J.P Moreland, et al. I would say I probably picked up their theology along the way and also from my reading of the Bible it seemed to make sense. Then I committed my life to Christ and had a conversion experience, which I still believe was God and not just some self-induced emotional moment. I do, however, consider myself to be an objective person and do not base my beliefs solely off personal experience, hence I am now strongly considering coming back to Rome.

My disillusion with Protestant theology came from a proper reading of the Bible, particularly James 2, Hebrews 6, many of Jesus’ statements/parables among others. As well as listening to good arguments against Protestant theology from Catholic apologists.

So the state I’m at now is that my former Protestant convictions have crumbled, and I can see a lot of truth in Catholic doctrines, but I’m just not all the way there yet, which is why I feel myself to be in limbo.

 

[Persecuted]

Welcome home it sounds like your afraid that if you make a commitment you will get the rug pulled out from under you so to speak, hmmm. Which sacraments had you received prior to leaving the Church. Had you been confirmed? Talk to a priest and he should be able to help you find out just what your issues are and discuss them.

Yes, you could say that. I mean I don’t want to go from being a Catholic (though nominal) to a Protestant then back to Catholic then to…? That’s why I would like (if possible) to have the matter settled at least to a degree that I’m comfortable with before I make the leap.

See when I became a Christian I was sufficiently convinced that Jesus really did rise from the dead and that he called us to place our faith in him. I was so overwhelmingly convinced that he was risen that it served to undermine any small doubts. Now at the moment I’m not completely overwhelmed that Catholicism is entirely true, at least enough for me to make the move. Though I’m not saying that it’s not true and I’m definitely leaning towards it.

I don’t believe I was confirmed, is there a way I can check? That parish has had a change of Priests since I was baptised.

 

[ahs]

…I became a Christian based off evidence and arguments from Christian apologists such as William Lane Craig, J.P Moreland, et al.

Yeah, these guys are extensively quoted in Lee Strobel’s “Case for Christ”. When it comes to proving Christ’s Divinity, these guys are wonderful resources (though there are Catholic apologists/theologians who are wonderful as well ).

I do, however, consider myself to be an objective person and do not base my beliefs solely off personal experience, hence I am now strongly considering coming back to Rome.

Excellent that you wish to remain objective in your search for Truth!

I don’t believe I was confirmed, is there a way I can check? That parish has had a change of Priests since I was baptised.

The Parish office should have these on file, regardless of which Priest is there now.

 

[mlz]

I smiled reading your post. I am a convert and it took me some years of study before coming into the Church. For me Peter Kreeft’s CD on “10 REASONS TO BE CATHOLIC” we a turning point for me. You can get this from Lighthouse Catholic Media. Excellent! (actually most anything Peter Kreeft write is excellent, but then that is from my perspective. Also- another place that is more “evangelical” from a Catholic point of view is to go to : biblechristiansociety.com as this guy defends the Catholic faith from scripture. (Peter Kreeft from philosophy)

Blessings on your journey! The Catholic faith is DEEP. Another good direction to go is the Church Fathers as these are usually a turning point for many protestant pastors. (they leave much of this writing out of their studies) ALSO…you are listening to Catholic Answers (6-8PM) Great place to discuss questions for the most part.

I am so very grateful that I have become Catholic! The down side is that many Catholics don’t know or appreciate their faith, but that might be what my call is to help them get excited about being Catholic?! But…the sacraments, wow, you can’t beat the spiritual dimension and stability theologically!!

My love in Christ,
mlz

 

[ahs]

Also- another place that is more “evangelical” from a Catholic point of view is to go to : biblechristiansociety.com as this guy defends the Catholic faith from scripture. (Peter Kreeft from philosophy)

YES!! John Martignoni uses Scripture exclusively (or nearly so…exclusively in the one’s I’ve listened to so far) to show both non-Catholics AND Catholics that our Faith is not only Scriptural, but takes into account ALL of Scripture (cf. 2Tim3:16).

 

[Persecuted]

Quick replies:

Adamski - Thanks for sharing. Do you think your wife will follow you? Also, I strongly agree with you on point 1.

po18guy and Gary Taylor - Thanks, I have the Catechism at home so I will have a read of that, when I get time!

Sahara - Thanks, I have listened to that book on CD, it was a while ago though so I might need a refresher.

johnnyc - Thanks for the recommendation, too many books to read but I will try and get around to it!

mountee - Thankyou for your prayers

DarrylB - Thanks for sharing, I was considering the possibility of going to two services as well.

Rebecca - Thanks for the encouragement, you may be right about the leap of faith but I’m the kind of guy that likes to make that leap as short as possible!

Steveabrous - Thanks for the info, food for thought.

Julian0404 - Thanks for the recommendations, I’ve read the Case for Christ and have no issue with believing who Jesus really was. I will try to read that Psalm tonight.

Elizabeth John - Thanks for sharing, I will look into speaking to a priest but I don’t know if I’m ready just yet.

bzkoss - Thanks for the info. I do have a fairly good grasp of the concept of Papal infallibility but I guess I could learn more regarding how this applies to councils.

edwest - Thanks for the site.

Nimzovik - That’s ok I’m a part-time lion-whisperer, just kidding!

snarflemike - I have read Patty Bonds story, I did find it amazing that she is James White’s sister! You should see the youtube videos where he refers to his own sister as Mrs Bonds, it’s bizarre, but also sad.

ahs and mlz - Thanks both for your advice. I have listened to a Peter Kreeft talk on youtube but I thought it was 7 reasons to be Catholic, though I may have got that wrong. Do you know if it’s the same talk?

Pfew, I think that’s everyone! Thanks again for all your suggestions and useful information. I will keep you updated of my progression

 

[Persecuted]

Oh forgot to mention, I have listened to nearly all of John Martignoni’s talks on his website and I agree he is very good. I also enjoyed Father Gray Bean’s conversion story available on his site

 

[humble_catholic]

Oh forgot to mention, I have listened to nearly all of John Martignoni’s talks on his website and I agree he is very good. I also enjoyed Father Gray Bean’s conversion story available on his site

First persecuted I want to say welcome to the forum. I agree with you on William Lane Craig. The guy is simply awesome.

Have you read the writings from the apostolic fathers and the early Church fathers?
During my early twenties I gave a small look into evangelicalism but it was the apostolic fathers and the early church fathers that strengthened my Catholic faith.

Another convert I like reading is Jimmy Akin catholic.com/profiles/jimmy-akin
I love his articles on the early church fathers.

Anyways I’m placing you on my prayer list

God bless you my brother in Christ