I want to help end the Protestant Revolution

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Hi all. I was thinking today. As a former adherent, I want to help end the Protestant Revolution. The best way it seems to me to do this (when I don’t angrily want to destroy it), is to convert its sons and daughters, in reality it’s victims. I often despair because I remember myself when I professed it - we all think we’re right and have the truth. Anyway, I was thinking the only way to practically evangelize is to make one’s argument from the Bible. They won’t listen to the Catechism. I’ve started and have gotten pretty far in a book that aims to do this, correcting common misunderstandings about Catholic salvation teaching. I think this might be my vocation - but it’s not a living. If I forgo college this fall (I’m 28) I think I can focus on this book and finish it. If I don’t go to college I’m afraid I might just “waste” another year that I should focus on becoming independent. There’s no garauntee anyone will listen if I write this but even the possibility thy might makes me think I should finish he book. Have you had similar experiences or decisions to make and how did hey work out?
 
I think that is a very personal discernment. I would sit down with a priest and talk about it.
 
id say work on the book and stay in collage. if the book takes a little longer you can just make it better. and still have your education. Id also say pray about it and talk to a priest too.
 
Both as a personal reminder and as an epigraph for the book, you might refer to Psalm 126 (Douay)/127 –
[1] Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it. [2] It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved, [3] Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb. [4] As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken. [5] Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.*

You rightly refer to the Protestant Revolution, becuase like all revolutions, it’s parent was pride, and much of the resistance of Protestants has to do with that inherited pride in the long-held belief that they rescued the Bible from the hands of a wicked corrupt Church. That’s the foundation of all the rest.

Remember to that Protestantism acts like a virus that adapts – its victims can always point to the last Protestant church or congregation or group that dissolved and say "Well, of course THEY collapsed . . . "

There was a time in the 19th century when hundreds of English converts preceded and followed Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman’s path to Rome and it appeared as if all England would become Catholic. It didn’t happen at that time.

St, Paul’s attitude was that it was God causing all the growth.
 
Jaysuitical said:
Both as a personal reminder and as an epigraph for the book, you might refer to Psalm 126 (Douay)/127 –
[1] Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it. [2] It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved, [3] Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb. [4] As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken. [5] Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.*

St, Paul’s attitude was that it was God causing all the growth.
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A good reminder.
 
The thing is I’d also be working so I don’t foresee being able to do all three. I guess I’ll try to set up a meeting with a priest. I’m not always good when it comes to praying about things - I usually confuse my will for God’s.
 
Jaysuitical said:
You rightly refer to the Protestant Revolution, becuase like all revolutions, it’s parent was pride, and much of the resistance of Protestants has to do with that inherited pride in the long-held belief that they rescued the Bible from the hands of a wicked corrupt Church. That’s the foundation of all the rest.
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Sigh.
Some of the things I read here said by Catholics about non-Catholics just amaze me.
 
josephback said:
The thing is I’d also be working so I don’t foresee being able to do all three. I guess I’ll try to set up a meeting with a priest. I’m not always good when it comes to praying about things - I usually confuse my will for God’s.
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Joseph, just my two cents…there are already loads of Catholic apologetic materials aimed at Protestants.
 
AbideWithMe said:
Sigh.
Some of the things I read here said by Catholics about non-Catholics just amaze me.
Click to expand...
I speak as an ex-Protestant who got his education at one of the primary evangelical colleges in the US. The fundamental principles of ‘sola scriptura’ and ‘sola fide’ are in fact appeals to the individual ego – one needs only one’s Bible and one’s own faith, and the rest is just window-dressing. It’s why evangelicals church shop or don’t even bother with church-going.
 
Jaysuitical said:
The fundamental principles of ‘sola scriptura’ and ‘sola fide’ are in fact appeals to the individual ego –
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You’re entitled to hold this as your opinion, but that’s what it is—an opinion, not a fact.
 
Jaysuitical said:
Both as a personal reminder and as an epigraph for the book, you might refer to Psalm 126 (Douay)/127 –
[1] Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it. [2] It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved, [3] Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb. [4] As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken. [5] Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.*

You rightly refer to the Protestant Revolution, becuase like all revolutions, it’s parent was pride, and much of the resistance of Protestants has to do with that inherited pride in the long-held belief that they rescued the Bible from the hands of a wicked corrupt Church. That’s the foundation of all the rest.

Remember to that Protestantism acts like a virus that adapts – its victims can always point to the last Protestant church or congregation or group that dissolved and say "Well, of course THEY collapsed . . . "

There was a time in the 19th century when hundreds of English converts preceded and followed Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman’s path to Rome and it appeared as if all England would become Catholic. It didn’t happen at that time.

St, Paul’s attitude was that it was God causing all the growth.
Click to expand...
Very good quote on the necessity of God in all things. What does sitten mean? I used to be reasonably confident in my vocabulary, but this one has me stumped!
 
AbideWithMe said:
Joseph, just my two cents…there are already loads of Catholic apologetic materials aimed at Protestants.
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It would be to a general audience and my family. Without yet talking to a priest, it occurred to me that I’m not actually certified in dogma. I’ve done a lot of self study and think I understand the general parts, but to make sure maybe schooling would be good. I’ve been looking at that after a four year degree too.
 
josephback said:
It would be to a general audience and my family. Without yet talking to a priest, it occurred to me that I’m not actually certified in dogma. I’ve done a lot of self study and think I understand the general parts, but to make sure maybe schooling would be good. I’ve been looking at that after a four year degree too.
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Helping your family understand Catholicism better is certainly a worthy idea. I’m just not convinced that another book is needed as the way to do that.
 
Jaysuitical said:
I speak as an ex-Protestant who got his education at one of the primary evangelical colleges in the US. The fundamental principles of ‘sola scriptura’ and ‘sola fide’ are in fact appeals to the individual ego – one needs only one’s Bible and one’s own faith, and the rest is just window-dressing. It’s why evangelicals church shop or don’t even bother with church-going.
Click to expand...
I’d be careful on making assumptions on the part in bold. I realize you are an ex-Protestant, but I think that there are many reasons besides ego for Protestant belief. Evangelicals often church shop because there is a wide variety in what you get between Evangelical churches-more so than Catholic. You have to scout out ministers and find one that is in line with your personal beliefs-for example is this one too pro-gay? Is that one a woman and I’m uncomfortable with female ministers? Does this church use praise and worship music off the radio and I prefer the traditional Protestant hymns?

No, Evangelicals do not believe it is a serious sin to miss their services on Sunday, but the devout ones will also tell you that one’s faith is weak if one is not going regularly-so really, they are pretty much on board with Catholics, but stated in a different way.

I only come to the defense of your Evangelicals because my mom’s side of the family is Protestant. Yes, there are differences from us, but it is not necessarily ego-based. In many ways, they could call us ego-based. “The word of God is all written down in the Bible. Who do Catholics think they are to add to it with a man-made Catechism?”
 
WingsOfEagles said:
I’d be careful on making assumptions on the part in bold. I realize you are an ex-Protestant, but I think that there are many reasons besides ego for Protestant belief. Evangelicals often church shop because there is a wide variety in what you get between Evangelical churches-more so than Catholic. You have to scout out ministers and find one that is in line with your personal beliefs-for example is this one too pro-gay? Is that one a woman and I’m uncomfortable with female ministers? Does this church use praise and worship music off the radio and I prefer the traditional Protestant hymns?

No, Evangelicals do not believe it is a serious sin to miss their services on Sunday, but the devout ones will also tell you that one’s faith is weak if one is not going regularly-so really, they are pretty much on board with Catholics, but stated in a different way.

I only come to the defense of your Evangelicals because my mom’s side of the family is Protestant. Yes, there are differences from us, but it is not necessarily ego-based. In many ways, they could call us ego-based. “The word of God is all written down in the Bible. Who do Catholics think they are to add to it with a man-made Catechism?”
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Thank you!

A little charity and respect goes a long way towards helping non-Catholics to be respectful and charitable likewise towards Catholicism.
 
josephback said:
Hi all. I was thinking today. As a former adherent, I want to help end the Protestant Revolution. The best way it seems to me to do this (when I don’t angrily want to destroy it), is to convert its sons and daughters, in reality it’s victims. I often despair because I remember myself when I professed it - we all think we’re right and have the truth. Anyway, I was thinking the only way to practically evangelize is to make one’s argument from the Bible. They won’t listen to the Catechism. I’ve started and have gotten pretty far in a book that aims to do this, correcting common misunderstandings about Catholic salvation teaching. I think this might be my vocation - but it’s not a living. If I forgo college this fall (I’m 28) I think I can focus on this book and finish it. If I don’t go to college I’m afraid I might just “waste” another year that I should focus on becoming independent. There’s no garauntee anyone will listen if I write this but even the possibility thy might makes me think I should finish he book. Have you had similar experiences or decisions to make and how did hey work out?
Click to expand...
If your goal is to write a book about the Catholic teachings on salvation, there are tons already like “A Father who keeps His Promises” by Scott Hahn, which I really liked.

If you are planning a “this is why you’re wrong” book. Then I won’t read it anyway.

Because I am not interested in someone’s opinion about why I am wrong. Especially someone who already considers me a “victim”.

Why don’t you spend some time getting to know us, and helping people where you can. You know, preach the gospel, use words when necessary. You would get a lot farther with me, personally, if you take that approach, rather then referring to me as a victim, with a this is why your wrong type book.

My $.02
 
well it’s interesting to see how far your passon will take you-- and it should be a good experiment to determine how and if you understand how to be led by the Spirit–

there are plenty of truth projects out there that bring correction–

i would suggest starting by – seeing how the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit work thrugh you–

start praying for people and see how many the Holy Sprit will heal through–

or pray for the Spirit of Prophecy – and see what form the Spirit will use you as in 1 cor 14-- edification excortation, and confort–

these are basic spiritual leadings-- that require the Holy Spirit –

and now just our natural mind–
 
Salusa said:
If your goal is to write a book about the Catholic teachings on salvation, there are tons already like “A Father who keeps His Promises” by Scott Hahn, which I really liked.

If you are planning a “this is why you’re wrong” book. Then I won’t read it anyway.

Because I am not interested in someone’s opinion about why I am wrong. Especially someone who already considers me a “victim”.

Why don’t you spend some time getting to know us, and helping people where you can. You know, preach the gospel, use words when necessary. You would get a lot farther with me, personally, if you take that approach, rather then referring to me as a victim, with a this is why your wrong type book.

My $.02
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I would not be writing a “this is why you’re wrong” book. The first three chapters, if or when it’s written, would not be unlike Mr. Hahn’s book.
 
Salusa said:
And the rest of the chapters?
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They would set out to explain the Catholic doctrine more than attack others. I would only point out distinctions where absolutely necessary. Anyway I’m starting to think a better start would be a written testimony, explaining how I came to be Catholic.
 
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