Is Catholicism too complex?

[goodcatholic]

That idea of many diverse paths that lead to the same objective might be what seems like “out of whack” priorities. That however, is the nature of the RCC. I guess it is like, what makes a good Thanksgiving Dinner. Go to a dozen households, and you’ll probably get a dozen answers. But in the end, it’s all good.

Actually I do like complexity and depth in a way. Just playing devils advocate really.

 

[goodcatholic]

People only have to understand the basic doctrines of the faith and the obligations of their state in life.

Ok fair enough. But the more we understand the complexities and fine detail, the better, right? The better Catholic we are?

 

[goodcatholic]

The core of Catholic teaching is pretty simple and everything else is just kind of like commentary on said core. I don’t know your case but at our parish our priest puts a ton of emphasis on having a relationship with God.

That is good to my way of thinking. And yet it is similar to the Protestant way. (minus sola scriptura)

 

[joeybaggz]

Actually I do like complexity and depth in a way. Just playing devils advocate in a way.

I agree re the complexity of Catholicism. A good priest I know once described the Catholic religion as like an onion. Peel a layer and there is another, peel that and another, and so on and so on.

Shalom

 

[Ioana]

Defo check out the EC church, they are very similar in a lot of ways to the attractive bits of Orthodoxy. The thing about CAF and stuff is that eloquence doesn’t make a strong argument or a complicated one and I do think at times the language used even in official church documents can be a bit too eloquent sounding in English but I get it because the Italian formal tone sounds more like something most Italians are more used too so thus it isn’t as pretentious in original.
God bless you too; and yes grass is always greener on the other side

 

[Ioana]

I mean expression-wise (potential Protestant coinage) and American wise maybe but I’m pretty sure the CCC states the whole purpose of man is literally to have a relationship with God and how much more personal and sweet can you get than Holy Communion?

 

[jas84173]

Sometimes I feel like if you read the CCC, one could feel it utterly impossible to follow all of the rules. However it’s the only Church. Protestantism was founded by heretics.

 

[goodcatholic]

Oops. we have to be careful using the h word around here, so I’m told.

 

[jas84173]

Well seeing as a papal bull was issued saying exactly that I don’t see why.

 

[goodcatholic]

Don’t worry. I certainly wont be bullying such a humble soul who seems to me to represent the real essence of our Catholic and Christian faith.
Sometimes I think an intellectual approach to Catholicism is superficial and overrated. The bottom line is we need a quality prayer life and are walking the talk of gospel truths. You seem to be doing that better than of us who are pretenders to being the next Tommy Aquinas.

 

[goodcatholic]

We arrive at that rightly ordered and intimate relationship with God by way of the Church that Jesus the Son of God founded, not by going it alone, and charting our own course.

I’m not a Protestant by the way.
I think what you’ve just said there is debateable. Sure Protestants go it alone too much trying to interpret the Bible by themselves… We need the Church for guidance . But in a sense our faith journey is alone with Jesus Christ. We cant have the Church with us all day, when we live in the Secular world going about our business. The quality of our relationships with others will be guided by our relationship with JC.

 

[TigerLily-1]

a humble soul who seems to me to represent the real essence of our Catholic and Christian faith.

You seem to be doing that better than of us who are pretenders to being the next Tommy Aquinas.

Oh dear, if only that were true but it’s not!

I’m far, far from humble, become easily impatient and sometimes angry with others, am easily discouraged and struggle mightily with prayer.

Please pray for me!

Prayers for you goodcatholic!

 

[meltzerboy2]

I’m not sure that is the case. Catholicism does emphasize faith in action, and that faith alone without good works is sterile or dead. The Vincentian University where I teach puts a premium on social justice.

 

[goodcatholic]

and that faith alone without good works is sterile or dead.

what about good works alone, without faith?

 

[meltzerboy2]

We need both; however, good works, if sincere, are, in my view, an important aspect of true faith.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

what about good works alone, without faith?

At this point, “good works” needs to be defined. The way you have the sentence worded, “good works” is not probable without faith.

Faith means that you believe what you are doing is what God wants you to do when, like ‘the good Samaritan’, you are not benefiting from your good deed, but may even be putting your own well being in danger. Someone who doesn’t believe in a God of justice and forgiveness, is not likely to do those sorts of “good works”.

 

[Hereiam]

Dogma, doctrine, teaching and canon law is first and foremost connected and supported to Gospel. If its not, its not being interpreted correctly…or, its simply wrong…and fortunately in Catholicism, it is always correct…although the interpretation is often skewed…so to the poster who wondered if they were good enough or smart enough (sorry I don’t remember the exact wording), no worries…the Gospel was made simple so that the simple could be wise.

 

[anon65111186]

Relationship with Jesus should always come first.

Though Jesus should be first, that kind of Protestant emphasis on all that is important is our relationship with Jesus often devalues other aspects which influence our relationship with Jesus, like just going to church for one.

Many American Protestants subscribe to overly simplified spirituality.

In recent decades, “personal relationship” theology has crept subtly into Catholic circles. It can be found especially in Catholic youth ministries as well as apostolates directed toward college students.

What’s often not made explicit—and perhaps often not even realized by those who promote it—is that “personal relationship” theology portrays Jesus primarily as a friend. After all, one doesn’t usually have a personal relationship with a king or a ruler, or even with a teacher. We most commonly have personal relationships with equals.

But this image of Jesus as a friend is not based in Scripture nor does it follow time-tested methods of evangelization. In the Bible, Jesus is called “friend” once: in Matthew 11:19, Christ notes that people say he’s a “friend of tax collectors and sinners.”

Note that the Gospels do not shy away from giving Jesus titles and names. In Matthew’s Gospel alone he is referred to as “carpenter’s son,” “King of the Jews,” “Lord of the Sabbath,” “Physician,” “Son of David,” and “Son of God,” among a host of other designations. Most of his titles are prophetic or kingly, and “friend” is notably absent.

 

[chieft]

Saints come in all capacities and sizes. From Thomas Aquinas to the children of Fatima.

 

[goodcatholic]

emphasis on all that is important is our relationship with Jesus often devalues other aspects which influence our relationship with Jesus, like just going to church for one.

It just puts it front and centre which IMO is where it should be.