IMO... It's better to be Protestant, but tell me why it's better to be Catholic

[Roblox84]

Why wouldn’t you apply John as it was written? To me what Jesus is saying is plain.
Why wouldn’t you embrace the Real Presence?

You do have life, physical life. Are you sure you have eternal life without the Real Body and Blood of Jesus?

Because Christ himself told us that there will be people that will not believe in the real presence and will walk away. Just as it happened in the bible!

These people later formed there own belief system and just disregarded the real presence but preached other things that the Apostles taught. Kind of cherry-picking what they believed was right.

 

[Teneas]

IMO…it’s better to be Protestant, but tell me why it’s better to be Catholic. But remember, Catholics and Protestants are one in Christ for those who actually are known by God through Christ. Please try to keep your responses grounded in official Catholic teaching. I’ll start:

1. It’s better to be Protestant because historic Protestant theology rest in the finished work of Christ for our eternal standing before God, We are justified by the person and work of Jesus Christ who earned our complete forgiveness and reconciliation for us, We are saved from God to God, and for God on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, historic Protestant theology teaches that we have eternal peace with God because of the merit of Jesus Christ.

Simply put, if it can be simply put, Protestants come from the Catholic Church. So, why not be more what Christianity was originally, than what it has become. No offense meant of course, just responding.

 

[One_in_Christ_1]

Why wouldn’t you apply John as it was written? To me what Jesus is saying is plain.
Why wouldn’t you embrace the Real Presence?

You do have life, physical life. Are you sure you have eternal life without the Real Body and Blood of Jesus?

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. - John 6

If you take this literally, then only Catholics and Orthodox Christians have life in Christ. Since Protestants do not believe that the elements are actual flesh and blood, they cannot have life in them or will receive eternal life according to Jesus with the Catholic view. Do you see the dilemma since Protestants are considered separated brothers and sisters by the Catholic Church. The only way around it is to acknowledge that Protestants do actually have life in Christ and will have eternal life with their view of communion.

 

[One_in_Christ_1]

I am very glad that I became Catholic all those years ago. However, I am very grateful for what I received/learned as a child from various Protestants. I was raised to believe in God, and I appreciate that. I was raised to love others. I learned to read the bible and listen to Jesus. I was told to worship God, not just in my room, but together with other Christians. Things like this. God used these and other things to lead me to be confirmed in the Catholic Church. Once here, I learned so many things that I am so happy I learned! I belong here. I always wanted to sit at the Master’s feet, and here I can do that best, plus more than I ever imagined. He is the way and the truth and the life. There is no reason to leave such a place, until He takes me home.

If you are looking for a specific thing that is “more” for me here, it is the Eucharist and communion with the Trinity. As a result, I have more appreciation of heaven than I did as a Protestant. I used to not care about it, because I only looked upon it as a place with no tears. I didn’t see that as offering much more than total oblivion did. I’m trying to think of concrete terms, rather than a theological description, to help you see what it means to me. I guess you could say that before, despair lurked on my doorstep. Understanding God’s plan of salvation changed that.

Thanks for the very nice post. A quick theological question. When do you think you were born again, as a Protestant or a Catholic?

 

[One_in_Christ_1]

Because Christ himself told us that there will be people that will not believe in the real presence and will walk away. Just as it happened in the bible!

These people later formed there own belief system and just disregarded the real presence but preached other things that the Apostles taught. Kind of cherry-picking what they believed was right.

I think several Protestant traditions believe in the real presence of Christ while partaking in the Lord’s Supper.

 

[One_in_Christ_1]

Simply put, if it can be simply put, Protestants come from the Catholic Church. So, why not be more what Christianity was originally, than what it has become. No offense meant of course, just responding.

Nice point, and yes Protestants trace back to the Catholic Church. I guess you have to determine if the 16th Century Catholic Church was similar to the 1st century church. What actually needed to be changed or reformed in the 16th century? I think the Protestant Reformers called for reform first and not splintering.

 

[mark_a]

IMO…it’s better to be Protestant, but tell me why it’s better to be Catholic. But remember, Catholics and Protestants are one in Christ for those who actually are known by God through Christ. Please try to keep your responses grounded in official Catholic teaching. I’ll start:

1. It’s better to be Protestant because historic Protestant theology rest in the finished work of Christ for our eternal standing before God, We are justified by the person and work of Jesus Christ who earned our complete forgiveness and reconciliation for us, We are saved from God to God, and for God on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, historic Protestant theology teaches that we have eternal peace with God because of the merit of Jesus Christ.

If I for some reason couldn’t accept the teachings of the Catholic Church, I believe it is better to be Orthodox than Protestant. Judaism would come before Protestantism on my list too.

 

[One_in_Christ_1]

If I for some reason couldn’t accept the teachings of the Catholic Church, I believe it is better to be Orthodox than Protestant. Judaism would come before Protestantism on my list too.

Your last statement really puzzles me. Why would Judaism come before Protestantism. One rejects Jesus as the Christ, and the other receives Jesus as the Christ. Did you know Jesus called unbelieving Jews as children of the devil? Could you please explain why Judaism comes before Protestantism?

 

[Teneas]

Nice point, and yes Protestants trace back to the Catholic Church. I guess you have to determine if the 16th Century Catholic Church was similar to the 1st century church. What actually needed to be changed or reformed in the 16th century? I think the Protestant Reformers called for reform first and not splintering.

I agree on both points. The splintering was a result, unfortunately, of things the Church did that many didn’t like for to long. Once the gate was opened, it was to late. It’s a shame…

Not taking anything away from the reformers or any Protestants these days when I say it’s a shame.

 

[Pug]

Thanks for the very nice post. A quick theological question. When do you think you were born again, as a Protestant or a Catholic?

I became an adopted child of God, and thus an heir, when I was baptized. It was then that I was clothed in Christ, and received the Holy Spirit. I took a long time to seem much like a new creature, though. My baptism was when I was Protestant. I’m saying I was born from above while Protestant.

You are right to notice that I changed some after becoming Catholic. I became more obedient in my heart. I yielded within, somehow, and submitted my mind more. In the hard things, and not just the easy.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Thanks so much for your kind words, Centurion. May God grant you a happy Lent!

**:thumbsup:NOW HERE’S A TRUE CATHOLIC!!!

Thanks For Stepping Up To The Plate. Beautifully expressed. Thank You**

 

[One_in_Christ_1]

I became an adopted child of God, and thus an heir, when I was baptized. It was then that I was clothed in Christ, and received the Holy Spirit. I took a long time to seem much like a new creature, though. My baptism was when I was Protestant. I’m saying I was born from above while Protestant.

You are right to notice that I changed some after becoming Catholic. I became more obedient in my heart. I yielded within, somehow, and submitted my mind more. In the hard things, and not just the easy.

Okay, would you agree that being born from above is not a Catholic nor Protestant issue. Maybe we are talking about which tradition grows us closer to God through Christ, or how we mature as Christians, or how do we grow in obedience. How do we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ once we were converted seems to be the issue.

 

[MartinJordan]

Nice point, and yes Protestants trace back to the Catholic Church. I guess you have to determine if the 16th Century Catholic Church was similar to the 1st century church. What actually needed to be changed or reformed in the 16th century? I think the Protestant Reformers called for reform first and not splintering.

A One Charles Borromeo during the time of Martin Luther, also tried to reform the Church and that’s exactly what he did. More importantly he faced severe scrutiny by the Catholic clergy even some tried to kill him( directly or otherwise). However, he fought the race to the finish, helped make countless changes, yet remained Heart and Soul in the Catholic Church. That to me speaks huge volumes on how a person if steeped in the Faith should really emulate.

MJ

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I agree on the Orthodox statement, not so much on the whole Judaism thing. If I had to be Protestant I’d be Anglican or LCMS Lutheran. There’s no way I’d be anything else!

If I for some reason couldn’t accept the teachings of the Catholic Church, I believe it is better to be Orthodox than Protestant. Judaism would come before Protestantism on my list too.

 

[Vile_Servant]

IMO it’s better to be Catholic. No other religion enrages the Devil and his angels more with its beliefs, traditions, teaching, prayers and devotions, so we must be on the right path.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Between the seven sacraments, Mary, the sacramentals, the pope, tradition, and exorcisms, the Devil isn’t a fan of Catholicism by any stretch! I’m convinced the Devil is a Unitarian lol

IMO it’s better to be Catholic. No other religion enrages the Devil and his angels more with its beliefs, traditions, teaching, prayers and devotions, so we must be on the right path.

 

[Vile_Servant]

Between the seven sacraments, Mary, the sacramentals, the pope, tradition, and exorcisms, the Devil isn’t a fan of Catholicism by any stretch! I’m convinced the Devil is a Unitarian lol

The Devil is absolutely terrified of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who shall crush his head with her heel, and who conquers his pride by her humility. No wonder the Devil reserves his greatest rage for Marian devotions, especially the rosary.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Answer to OP’s question:

The Real Presence. It’s obvious when I enter a Catholic Church with a tabernacle, vs. a Protestant church. The latter has no sense of transcendence whatsoever. I like Protestants as people; I respect them and all, but their churches are just buildings to me, no matter how may I enter, no matter how beautiful the architecture.

Reason #2 is the sacramental life.

Reason #3 is the incredibly rich history of prayer life.

Reason #4, linked somewhat to #3, is the communion of saints.

But if I had to choose one, it would be the first I named.

 

[JeanneH]

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. - John 6

If you take this literally, then only Catholics and Orthodox Christians have life in Christ. Since Protestants do not believe that the elements are actual flesh and blood, they cannot have life in them or will receive eternal life according to Jesus with the Catholic view. Do you see the dilemma since Protestants are considered separated brothers and sisters by the Catholic Church. The only way around it is to acknowledge that Protestants do actually have life in Christ and will have eternal life with their view of communion.

You keep answering your own question. Yes the Protestants do have a dilemma. As a child I was taught in Catholic school that only Catholics had eternal life and I see no reason to change my beliefs now. Yes Protestants are separated along with other non Catholics. As another poster mentioned before, all outside of Catholicism are separated brethren. All are branches of the true faith, religions started by a mortal man. Why one would follow a mortal man’s ideas on scripture is beyond me.

So come join us in Catholicism and enjoy the fullness of truth that Jesus has offered/given us, and don’t throw his gift of himself(Real Presence) back in his face by not believing in the Real Presence.

God Bless

 

[Zundrah]

Hiyas

It’s better to be Catholic, for me because I am Catholic :clapping::dancing::extrahappy:

I don’t believe Catholicism needed reformation - and you can’t prove it did

As always, just my thoughts

LOL - It didn’t need to be reformed at all! …but, let me share something contrary to that statement I just made…

1 - The protestant churches can deal with people individually (the minister will talk to you).

2 - The catholic church deals with people in the masses (the priest will just tell you to attend RCIA to ask questions).

3 - Some people need more than to just attend a auto - pilate religious service, some people need one to ones about faith crisis, you will get this in protestant churches.

…I don’t have time to write more…