T
the_phoenix
Guest
For a couple of years now, there’s been a friendly Baptist with whom I’ve exchanged messages on a photography website. Most of the messages have mutually consisted of things like, “I LOVEEEEE your pictureeeeee!” or a simple “I’ll pray for you” when one or the other of us is feeling ill. Once in a while we’d write each other longer polite messages inquiring about each other’s families, weekend plans, or photo-taking excursions.
Very recently, this Baptist has expressed an interest in “sharing about Jesus, since we are both sisters in Christ.” She explained her position as being that of an ex-Catholic who had never been encouraged to read the Bible nor have a Personal Relationship with Christ. She launched into a handful of Bible verses which led to her “getting saved” and described how her parents, while still Catholic, greatly relieved her mind by attending Baptist services and presenting themselves at altar call to confess Jesus with their lips as Lord and Savior.
Here’s the sticky part about my dealing with this woman in particular. We both grew up and lived for many years in Niagara County, New York. I am guessing we both experienced the lukewarm liberalism in Catholic parishes in the same diocese. However, we turned out very differently, the main difference seeming to be that … I had strong parents loyal to the Pope who taught me quite well what the Catholic Church teaches. My mother many years ago had this to say about altar call, “I would never go up for altar call, because that would be like saying that I was still unfulfilled and seeking Jesus, when in reality I already have everything I need for salvation within the Catholic Church.” So how can I avoid seeming holier-than-thou? I did give witness to the fact about my dad wheeling himself at lightning speed in his wheelchair up to receive Communion from a priest at Mass on one memorable and touching occasion, and that being similar to an altar call, but that was before I knew about her parents.
Also, since this Baptist and I have only discussed friendly pleasantries up until now, the minute she started launching Scripture at me with her warning that she was an ex-Catholic who already knew what the Church taught, thank you very much, I responded like this (names replaced by “your husband” and “your son”):
We’ve just begun exchanging Scripture quotes and interpretations on the topic of salvation and she is already wanting to complicate things by adding more areas of disagreement to the mix all at once rather than addressing them one at a time … which I know enough not to get drawn into a huge mish-mash of topics all at once.
The thing is, if the conversation is already starting out in what I’ve already sensed is going to be a deceitful manner and prejudice against a Church that has been rejected, how long will it be productive for me to continue with a serious discussion of apologetics?
Any suggestions on the best way to proceed from here?
~~ the phoenix
Very recently, this Baptist has expressed an interest in “sharing about Jesus, since we are both sisters in Christ.” She explained her position as being that of an ex-Catholic who had never been encouraged to read the Bible nor have a Personal Relationship with Christ. She launched into a handful of Bible verses which led to her “getting saved” and described how her parents, while still Catholic, greatly relieved her mind by attending Baptist services and presenting themselves at altar call to confess Jesus with their lips as Lord and Savior.
Here’s the sticky part about my dealing with this woman in particular. We both grew up and lived for many years in Niagara County, New York. I am guessing we both experienced the lukewarm liberalism in Catholic parishes in the same diocese. However, we turned out very differently, the main difference seeming to be that … I had strong parents loyal to the Pope who taught me quite well what the Catholic Church teaches. My mother many years ago had this to say about altar call, “I would never go up for altar call, because that would be like saying that I was still unfulfilled and seeking Jesus, when in reality I already have everything I need for salvation within the Catholic Church.” So how can I avoid seeming holier-than-thou? I did give witness to the fact about my dad wheeling himself at lightning speed in his wheelchair up to receive Communion from a priest at Mass on one memorable and touching occasion, and that being similar to an altar call, but that was before I knew about her parents.
Also, since this Baptist and I have only discussed friendly pleasantries up until now, the minute she started launching Scripture at me with her warning that she was an ex-Catholic who already knew what the Church taught, thank you very much, I responded like this (names replaced by “your husband” and “your son”):
At which point, she claimed she wasn’t trying to convert me, but then plowed right on ahead by continuing to try and convert me! I’ve called her on it, and now she is BLATANTLY trying to convert me. I’ve let her know that tomorrow, Monday, my Rosary intention will therefore be for her conversion.I know that you are a former Catholic who is now a Baptist. Since you have started bringing up your Baptist beliefs to me in e-mail along with Bible verses, I am doing the same with my Catholic beliefs … Fair is fair.
Also, please know that if you try to convert me to become a Baptist, I will respond by PRAYING THE ROSARY so that you will come home to Rome and return to the Catholic Church, bringing your husband and your son along with you.
We’ve just begun exchanging Scripture quotes and interpretations on the topic of salvation and she is already wanting to complicate things by adding more areas of disagreement to the mix all at once rather than addressing them one at a time … which I know enough not to get drawn into a huge mish-mash of topics all at once.
The thing is, if the conversation is already starting out in what I’ve already sensed is going to be a deceitful manner and prejudice against a Church that has been rejected, how long will it be productive for me to continue with a serious discussion of apologetics?
Any suggestions on the best way to proceed from here?
~~ the phoenix