How many Christians would love to see Catholics...

[Nicea325]

Not from me - I’m not that kind of Protestant. I have great respect for Catholics. Some of the Christian writers I’ve learned the most from have been Catholics, That includes, just for starters: G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Kreeft, Hans Küng, Thomas Merton and the current Pope.

Good for you! You are not afraid to learn outside of your Christian tradition and beliefs. I respect you a lot for that approach.

 

[Nicea325]

i believe catholics are the only true Christians. other denominations contain truth, but it needs to be remembered that the truth they contain is Catholic truth

I could not disagree more with that sentiment.

I agree with Triune. Plus the RCC does not teach that other Christians are not TRUE Christians. No wonder ecumenical talks can go down the drain…uch::dts:

 

[Nicea325]

Very true. Recently, I’ve become aware how many, both Protestants and Catholics, call themselves Christians of a denomination, but have no knowledge.

For instance, a former Methodist, who attended Sunday school and Bible study classes and now a New Ager, had to have me explain the miracle of manna andt Moses o her. Never heard of it.

An elderly man, raised Catholic who became an agnostic or maybe atheist (he’s not sure), was shocked to have just discovered that Catholics believe the bread and wine is the Body and Blood!!! He just heard of it.

I’m left with the feeling that there are many who are closer to being pagans than anything else.

I was also surprised when an Orthodox Russian told me she had never heard of Fatima. How odd, I thought, that we’ve been praying for the conversion of Russia for almost 100 years and she never knew. How many others of her church don’t know?

The above is so TRUE! As a Director of Catechesis I hear it and experience it first hand…from CATHOLICS! uch:

All Christians who know very little about Chrisitanity and their own Christian church…are called MOTION-GOERS. Just go trough the motions.

 

[gmcbroom]

Clearly good catechesis is the key.

 

[eucharisteo]

Well all this chatter brings up the thought: “what makes someone a “Christian”?”

In my previous faith the called it the “five steps to salvation”. In my first faith they call it “Baptism” as in my current. But baptism has a correct form. I baptized my son in 2004 after the death of my FIL. It took everything I had to not break out in tears because the occasion was so special. I planned to baptize all of my children but then I ran in some silly little insignificant documents that changed my mind called the ECF and the Didache.

So here I am, Catholic again and wondering why my Catholic brothers and sisters place so much emphasis on those of us who read the bible so much and don’t bother to do it themselves. They act like we’re walking Saints and they could never do it. I guess to them it’s seems like reading War and Peace. PEOPLE! Read your bibles, learn the ECF, read your catechism. And study Jewish culture and traditions in order to understand Catholicism and Orthodoxy.

 

[JonNC]

I’ve always been curious so maybe you can help me. Your Church and the Anglican Church were begun in the 1500s. Since then it is estimated there are 30,000 various Christian sects. I never understood how Protestants can think that it took the “true” church 1500 plus years to emerge. As a Lutheran, are you in a quandry about these others as we Catholics are?

It didn’t. The True Church has been with us since Pentecost. The true Church is the congregation of believers, the communion of saints, where the word is preached and the sacraments administered. The True Church exists in Rome, and Antioch, and Jerusalem, and Wittenburg, and anywhere else these things take place.

It is also true that the Church Militant is currently wounded by schism and division. This is the result of human sin.

Originally posted by VetA
i believe catholics are the only true Christians.

Certainly, even the Catholic Catechism rejects this:
*"However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers . . . . All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."272
*

other denominations contain truth, but it needs to be remembered that the truth they contain is Catholic truth

In an odd sort of way, I kind of agree with this.
Conclusion of the Augsburg Confession

Only those things have been recounted whereof we thought that it was necessary to speak, in order that it might be understood that in doctrine and ceremonies nothing has been received on our part against Scripture or the Church Catholic. For it is manifest that we have taken most diligent care that no new and ungodly doctrine should creep into our churches.

Jon

 

[barnesms]

I would love to see Catholics lead by example. John Paul II did more for the evangelizing of the Catholic Church than Catholics realize. His way of being was as a simple, sincere Christian and holy man. It is through him that I started to read more about Catholicism, the patristic fathers, and why I daily practice the Liturgy of the Hours.

HOWEVER, in coming to this site I have been greatly saddened and made to question whether I can find true Christians here. I am a Latter-day Saint and the clear misinformation, half-truths, and lies that I have read about my beliefs is shocking. I have no problem with a good Catholic sharing his faith; it usually uplifts me and I appreciate their faith. To be an apologist is one thing, but to become an anti-Mormon, an anti-Lutheran, an anti-Baptist, etc. is the very antithesis of being a practicing Christian.

As time passes I see a need for all those who follow Jesus Christ to stand together against the evil of the world, the assault on families, the sanctity of life, morality, and the healing of poor people throughout the world. I hope that I could find those types of Catholics here. I yearn for Catholics that lead by example and emulate the Savior.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

I think that lack of education about Catholicism is the main reason people leave the Church, so education is EXTREMELY important (I almost left the Church because of lack of education). Plus, I think that if you learn the faith you’ll better be able to defend it (apologetics) and evangelize. I’d love to see more Catholics learn about the faith.

 

[eucharisteo]

ARTICLE 9 "I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH"

If you take the time to read this part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church you will get a better idea of how the Church teaches/views what the Church is and who belongs to it.

 

[tweetymom]

I would love to see Catholics lead by example. John Paul II did more for the evangelizing of the Catholic Church than Catholics realize. His way of being was as a simple, sincere Christian and holy man. It is through him that I started to read more about Catholicism, the patristic fathers, and why I daily practice the Liturgy of the Hours.

HOWEVER, in coming to this site I have been greatly saddened and made to question whether I can find true Christians here. I am a Latter-day Saint and the clear misinformation, half-truths, and lies that I have read about my beliefs is shocking. I have no problem with a good Catholic sharing his faith; it usually uplifts me and I appreciate their faith. To be an apologist is one thing, but to become an anti-Mormon, an anti-Lutheran, an anti-Baptist, etc. is the very antithesis of being a practicing Christian.

As time passes I see a need for all those who follow Jesus Christ to stand together against the evil of the world, the assault on families, the sanctity of life, morality, and the healing of poor people throughout the world. I hope that I could find those types of Catholics here. I yearn for Catholics that lead by example and emulate the Savior.

amen and very much agreed.

 

[Bluegoat]

I’ve always been curious so maybe you can help me. Your Church and the Anglican Church were begun in the 1500s. Since then it is estimated there are 30,000 various Christian sects. I never understood how Protestants can think that it took the “true” church 1500 plus years to emerge. As a Lutheran, are you in a quandry about these others as we Catholics are?

No, the Reformers say themselves as reformers, not as beginning a new “Church” but reforming bad practices in the old one. An Anglican does not say that his Church was founded in the 1500s, but at Pentecost.

Modern Protestants in general all understand themselves (and Catholics too usually) to be part of One Church, not 30,000. The unity is not visible to us because we are in schism as a result of sin. But we are unified in Christ who is the propitiation for our sins, and if we could see the Church as it truly is we would see that it is One.

There are Restorationst Churches that take something like the view you describe - Mormons are one example.

 

[m8g8]

I wish my sister knew more about the Catholic faith before wanting to convert to Islam! She thought that all Christians are the same and wanted to become a Muslim because she was disgusted by all that ‘miracle curing’ stuff some denominations do.

Luckily though, my mum made her talk to a priest and I think she’s changed her mind. She was also claiming that Muhammed was mentioned in the Bible and that the Holy Trinity was made up! She’s never even read the bible, which was why her Muslim friends could brainwash her so easily!

 

[Hesychios]

…

I was also surprised when an Orthodox Russian told me she had never heard of Fatima. How odd, I thought, that we’ve been praying for the conversion of Russia for almost 100 years and she never knew. How many others of her church don’t know?

It would be much more odd if she knew about and believed in it.

 

[aicirt]

It would be much more odd if she knew about and believed in it.

REALLY!!? I’m surprised. We thought we were helping Russia through our prayers. I would have thought you would have welcomed the overthrow of communisim. I thought all religious were persecuted there and infiltrated by the KGB.

Why don’t you believe in Fatima?

 

[aicirt]

No, the Reformers say themselves as reformers, not as beginning a new “Church” but reforming bad practices in the old one. An Anglican does not say that his Church was founded in the 1500s, but at Pentecost.

Modern Protestants in general all understand themselves (and Catholics too usually) to be part of One Church, not 30,000. The unity is not visible to us because we are in schism as a result of sin. But we are unified in Christ who is the propitiation for our sins, and if we could see the Church as it truly is we would see that it is One.

There are Restorationst Churches that take something like the view you describe - Mormons are one example.

An Anglican may not say it but certainly he’s aware that prior to Henry VIII, all were Catholic in England. They were worshipping in Catholic Churches and accepted the Roman Catholic Church as the one apostolic Church. The unity was visible for 1500 years.

Do you really think the Anglican Church would have come into existence if it hadn’t been for Henry VIII’s ego? Hate to sound so harsh but let’s face it, he was considered a Prince of the RCC, he had been given the highest title of Defender of the Faith by the Pope, he had written a stunning paper denouncing Luther, and he was married to the daughter of the most powerful king in Europe at that time. She herself remained a Catholic through all her trials and should, in my estimation, be made a saint.

What schism are you refering to?

The Restorationst Churches…apparently this is a group that hopes to worship as the early believers did in the primitive churches which, if we really wanted to go there, means we’ll all worship in Jewish synagogues. I don’t understand how you would link the RCC with Mormonism.

 

[Bluegoat]

An Anglican may not say it but certainly he’s aware that prior to Henry VIII, all were Catholic in England. They were worshipping in Catholic Churches and accepted the Roman Catholic Church as the one apostolic Church. The unity was visible for 1500 years.

Do you really think the Anglican Church would have come into existence if it hadn’t been for Henry VIII’s ego? Hate to sound so harsh but let’s face it, he was considered a Prince of the RCC, he had been given the highest title of Defender of the Faith by the Pope, he had written a stunning paper denouncing Luther, and he was married to the daughter of the most powerful king in Europe at that time. She herself remained a Catholic through all her trials and should, in my estimation, be made a saint.

What schism are you refering to?

The Restorationst Churches…apparently this is a group that hopes to worship as the early believers did in the primitive churches which, if we really wanted to go there, means we’ll all worship in Jewish synagogues. I don’t understand how you would link the RCC with Mormonism.

OK, I weas trying to answer the question about how Protestants understand themselves. If you want to view that as an attack, please carry on. I suppose if Catholics don’t know about their own religion we can’t expect them to know about any others either.

 

[aicirt]

OK, I weas trying to answer the question about how Protestants understand themselves. If you want to view that as an attack, please carry on. I suppose if Catholics don’t know about their own religion we can’t expect them to know about any others either.

I don’t know how else to express my sentiments other than the way I did. You may see your Church as springing from Pentecost, but that forces me to ask, if that be so, why were your ancestors praying in a Catholic church for 1500 years?

Not all became Anglicans, and Henry VIII wasn’t too tolerant of that even if they were fellow Protestants.

I don’t know how you were answering my questions when you compared the RCC with LDS. I know enough about your church not to compare it to the LDS. Neither your church nor mine has sacraments in common with the LDS.

Yes, there have been schisms. This is why there are 30,000 Christian denominations. Do you accept all of them? The beliefs have been so distilled, I wonder how some can even call themselves Christian. And I am thinking of Rev. Wright. Nothing like a good dose of hate speech to unit us.

 

[Bluegoat]

I don’t know how else to express my sentiments other than the way I did. You may see your Church as springing from Pentecost, but that forces me to ask, if that be so, why were your ancestors praying in a Catholic church for 1500 years?

Not all became Anglicans, and Henry VIII wasn’t too tolerant of that even if they were fellow Protestants.

I don’t know how you were answering my questions when you compared the RCC with LDS. I know enough about your church not to compare it to the LDS. Neither your church nor mine has sacraments in common with the LDS.

Yes, there have been schisms. This is why there are 30,000 Christian denominations. Do you accept all of them? The beliefs have been so distilled, I wonder how some can even call themselves Christian. And I am thinking of Rev. Wright. Nothing like a good dose of hate speech to unit us.

I wasn’t comparing Catholics to Mormons. I said that Mormons were an example of a Resorationist group - they believe the truth of the Church was lost after the age of the apostles and then given again to Joseph Smith and the other Mormon prophets.

The Catholic Church understands itself to be in schism with the Orthodox, but they see Protestant sects as heretical. Protestants tend to see themselves as in schism, and they understand the Catholics and Orthodox to be in schism too. That is, they see all Christendom as fractured.

I don’t know how to put it any more simply. The post-Reformation Churches did not understand themselves to be part of an essentially different Church. What had changed were the human things. They were part of the Western Church, then they were still part of the Western Church, Christ’s Church, but with a political disagreement with Rome. If anything, some might have argued that they were the continuing Church, and the Catholic Church had diverged into something else.

 

[Deconi]

actually learn their Catholic faith better? Why?

If all Catholics learned their faith, they’d ALL COME HOME!..and the protesting denominations would fade from the face of the Earth.

 

[eucharisteo]

If all Catholics learned their faith, they’d ALL COME HOME!..and the protesting denominations would fade from the face of the Earth.

This is assuming that they want to live in the truth. There are some people that only pursue religion as a sort of social club. They do not have a [personal] relationship with Jesus - God.