How do I approach debating a Protestant?

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How would I go about debating a protestant? More specifically, a family member. How would I make them see their errors?
 
It is certainly important to talk to people that have questions about the Catholic faith, especially protestants because they are often ill formed in Catholic dogma. It’s not so much debating as it is explaining and defending the faith.

Charity. Obviously, keep your cool and don’t raise your voice. Don’t interrupt and give the person a chance to ask legitimate questions. Speak with compassion.

Relationship. You should have a working and loving relationship with this person. Otherwise, you’ll come across as more interested in converting them for your own gain and not their salvation.

Knowledge. Be well versed in your discussion points. Be able to defend the core Catholic beliefs that’s protestants generally disagree with (Mary, Eucharist, Papacy, etc). Know bible verses or chapters because protestants respect biblical arguments more than Sacred Tradition explanations (even though those are incredibly and equally important).

Prayer. At the end of the day, continue to pray for your family memeber’s conversion and openness to the truth.

Remember, love the person as much as you love their soul!
 
Don’t, you’re a Christian, they’re a Christian - drop it, feel blessed that your whole family is on the road to Salvation and not atheists or satanists.
 
But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
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As others said, pray, live the Faith, act with charity. Learn how to argue for the Faith. Learn common objections and how to refute them.
 
Thank you all for the advice. I will certainly follow this wisdom when confronting my family.
 
There’s nothing wrong with a little fraternal charity.
They may very well be “on the road to salvation” but that salvation can always be foreited by our doing (Phillipians 2:12).

Checking up on them and making sure they are following the truth is commendable.

Just because they’re not atheists or satanists, I wouldn’t be rejoiceful and compare them to the lowest rung on the ladder 😁
 
If you can have friendly discussion that does not lead to unhealthy arguments, by all means engage in the dialogue. If however it will lead to argument, than do not pursue it or drop it as soon as it gets heated. Only God can change a persons heart, but you can show them the truth. But if the conversation gets emotionally charged, most likely their heart will harden even if they recognize the truth (think of Moses and Pharaoh).

As others have already said, pray, act in love, and know what you are talking about.
 
CapitalistCatholic said:
How would I go about debating a protestant? More specifically, a family member. How would I make them see their errors?
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It seems to me a better approach than making them "see their errors " might be to explore common ground. How much there is depends on the tradition your relative is.
For example, all Christians are trinitarian. That is common ground. “How do you address your prayers ?” “What does your worship look like?”
Lutherans and most Anglicans believe in the real presence, baptismal regeneration, confession Discuss these if your relative is from those traditions.

Just some ideas
 
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Never bring up Religion or Politics in a family reunion, if you want to stay a family. Sad but true. Especially with this past election I have seen many friends and even families split apart.
 
CapitalistCatholic said:
How would I go about debating a protestant? More specifically, a family member. How would I make them see their errors?
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If you both have email or something. Even snail mail, I would do it by correspondence. I find that it is less confrontational and you each have time to think and look things up.

Whatever you do, don’t get wrangled into a Protestant Bible study or anything like that where your the sole Catholic.

In addition you might want to do some prep work and study before you begin. I recommend a 5 minute reader called “Confessions of a Roman Catholic”.

I also recommend reading Catholicism vs Fundamentalism (I think thats the title). Its a classic apologetical that has answers to the major points of disagreement.
 
Maybe pickup a copy of Search and Rescue by Patrick Madrid. First comes prayer, prayer and more prayer.
 
One ought to be, ideally, a Informed and FULLY practicing RC, able to explain what we believe and WHY [the facts] of how we came to hold these beliefs and practices.

The most effective thing ALL can and should do is to life our Catholic Faith fully and as publicly as is possible. …

For example if someone entered your home, would they know you are a practicing Catholic without words?

As a trained Catholic Catechist with about 30 years of experience, I have learned that knowing well our beliefs and practices is a KEY to evangelazation.

That said, only GOD can cause a conversion. I have discussed for many years our faith with FACTS that a non-Catholic simply is literally unable to grasp, as their minds and hearts are closed and hardened by THEIR life choices. UNTIL one turn towards God and Gods necessarily singular truths [truth can ONLY be singular per defined issue; noting else is logical or provable; although very widely accepted]. …so very much prayer for them is where to begin.

Father John Hardon, a former pt mentor of mine often said: “YOU CAN’T SHARE WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE”

as a FYI:
I offer a TOTALLY FREE OF ALL COST; HOME STUDY, E-MAILED COURSE that can teach one our Catholic beliefs and practices. The course: BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH i now inits 8th year. One Lesson is e-mailed each week.

If your interested let me know. I also answer all Faith questions.

God Bless you
 
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