Is it better to attempt to convert to Protestantism?

[ballin]

Since Protestants are just our separate brethren and does not imply any automatic damnation as a result of belonging to it, is it better to try and convert non-believers to a variation of Protestantism?

A very doctrinally minimal, more appealing form of Protestantism can be very motivational for people to come and get baptized. So is that better than trying to convert to Catholicism? Should the church replace its own work or fund Protestant evangelization instead?

 

[TrueLight]

Since Protestants are just our separate brethren and does not imply any automatic damnation as a result of belonging to it, is it better to try and convert non-believers to a variation of Protestantism?

A very doctrinally minimal, more appealing form of Protestantism can be very motivational for people to come and get baptized. So is that better than trying to convert to Catholicism? Should the church replace its own work or fund Protestant evangelization instead?

Sobering questions.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Since Protestants are just our separate brethren and does not imply any automatic damnation as a result of belonging to it, is it better to try and convert non-believers to a variation of Protestantism?

A very doctrinally minimal, more appealing form of Protestantism can be very motivational for people to come and get baptized. So is that better than trying to convert to Catholicism? Should the church replace its own work or fund Protestant evangelization instead?

I think we shouldn’t be converting people to anything anyway. Only God can convert people’s hearts. We can only help answer some of their questions but ultimately its up to them to go where they find God. We should also always pray for them.

 

[Kevin812]

Interesting trap.

 

[ballin]

I think we shouldn’t be converting people to anything anyway. Only God can convert people’s hearts. We can only help answer some of their questions but ultimately its up to them to go where they find God. We should also always pray for them.

So in terms of the great commission given by Christ, you think we should just wait and pray? Or should we preach? If we should preach, which message should we go for?

I think the Protestant message seems pretty effective considering how we can construct a good stripped down appealing version for most non-Christians, right?

 

[TrueLight]

Interesting trap.

 

[laircy]

I have wondered that as well.

On one hand it seems like a good idea, that having maybe *some *relationship with God is better than having none, and having them take that step first would make them more open to the truth.
On the other hand, it seems deceptive to try to convert someone to a faith that you know isn’t the whole truth, and then later try to tell them that Catholicism is true… Why would they believe you the second time around?

 

[TrueLight]

I think we shouldn’t be converting people to anything anyway. Only God can convert people’s hearts. We can only help answer some of their questions but ultimately its up to them to go where they find God. We should also always pray for them.

I believe in preaching/sharing my faith whenever there is an opening. We are all called to preach in different ways. For some, it is more their charism, but at some point we all have an opportunity to speak of the joy of the Lord.

Now I’m going to see how long it takes for someone to quote St. Francis, who by the way, was an awesome preacher.

 

[corsair]

Yes, the temptation to put my foot in my mouth is really strong. I’ll pass for now.

 

[ballin]

I have wondered that as well.

On one hand it seems like a good idea, that having maybe *some *relationship with God is better than having none, and having them take that step first would make them more open to the truth.
On the other hand, it seems deceptive to try to convert someone to a faith that you know isn’t the whole truth, and then later try to tell them that Catholicism is true… Why would they believe you the second time around?

Well if salvation is the end goal, and salvation is indeed possible by being a good Protestant, it would seem like the best way to reach the goal. There would also seem to be no deception since the Catholic Church would be asking them to convert to Protestantism for salvation which according to many, is what the church is saying as possible today anyway.

 

[ConstantineTG]

So in terms of the great commission given by Christ, you think we should just wait and pray? Or should we preach? If we should preach, which message should we go for?

I think the Protestant message seems pretty effective considering how we can construct a good stripped down appealing version for most non-Christians, right?

What do you think the Great Commission says? Obviously in scripture the Apostles never forced anyone to become Christians. Preach, sure. But preaching isn’t converting. People can listen and they can decide if they want to convert or not. Then again, some people think they are preaching when in fact they are just proselytizing. I don’t consider that preaching at all.

Why not follow St. Francis of Assisi? Preach with your actions, use words only when necessary. Acts of love has brought conversion to more people than rhetorical debates.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I believe in preaching/sharing my faith whenever there is an opening. We are all called to preach in different ways. For some, it is more their charism, but at some point we all have an opportunity to speak of the joy of the Lord.

Now I’m going to see how long it takes for someone to quote St. Francis, who by the way, was an awesome preacher.

Take note I wrote my previous post before I got to read your post. I’m convinced at this point that while we argue a lot and differ in many opinions, the core of our faith and way of thinking is the same

Yes, we should preach and teach. But as I said, its not what directly leads to conversion. We shouldn’t preach with conversion as the goal. If we do, then we’re just marketing, we’re just proselytizing. Our goal should be always to tell the truth and proclaim the Good News. We shouldn’t be worried about converting other people, God will take care of that.

 

[The_Curt_Jester]

Protestants won’t have access to the plethora of graces that Catholics can receive through the sacraments. What you’d be trying to do is giving them half-truths in the hopes that they might be able to sneak into heaven on the bare minimum. That’s kind of like trying to go on a cross country journey using a doughnut tire.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Protestants won’t have access to the plethora of graces that Catholics can receive through the sacraments. What you’d be trying to do is giving them half-truths in the hopes that they might be able to sneak into heaven on the bare minimum. That’s kind of like trying to go on a cross country journey using a doughnut tire.

Then again, maybe becoming Protestant is just part of the journey that leads them to Catholicism.

Also, consider that I have seen a lot of good works from Protestants. Who’s to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is any less theirs than the myriad of nominal Catholics?

 

[ballin]

What do you think the Great Commission says? Obviously in scripture the Apostles never forced anyone to become Christians. Preach, sure. But preaching isn’t converting. People can listen and they can decide if they want to convert or not. Then again, some people think they are preaching when in fact they are just proselytizing. I don’t consider that preaching at all.

Why not follow St. Francis of Assisi? Preach with your actions, use words only when necessary. Acts of love has brought conversion to more people than rhetorical debates.

Well, you have to preach ‘something’ right? I am saying that ‘something’ would be more attractive in the form of Protestantism.

So when someone says, I really like your attitude in life, and what must I do to follow your faith, you can say be a Protestant and here are the set of things you must adhere to. With such a minimal set of requirements, I can’t see them refuse. Think of how many Christians with issues on same sex marriage etc that you can convert by simply suggesting them to join a Lutheran parish.

We would have a fully Christian world in no time.

 

[ballin]

Protestants won’t have access to the plethora of graces that Catholics can receive through the sacraments. What you’d be trying to do is giving them half-truths in the hopes that they might be able to sneak into heaven on the bare minimum. That’s kind of like trying to go on a cross country journey using a doughnut tire.

But they are our separated brethren and we are not even suppossed to get them to be Catholic anyway. They can’t be missing out on anything, right? If they are missing out on something, shouldn’t we actively try to convince them to come in to the Catholic Church?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Well, you have to preach ‘something’ right? I am saying that ‘something’ would be more attractive in the form of Protestantism.

So when someone says, I really like your attitude in life, and what must I do to follow your faith, you can say be a Protestant and here are the set of things you must adhere to. With such a minimal set of requirements, I can’t see them refuse. Think of how many Christians with issues on same sex marriage etc that you can convert by simply suggesting them to join a Lutheran parish.

We would have a fully Christian world in no time.

Why do we have to tell them where to go? I will tell them what the right teaching is according to what I am taught myself. Whether they go to the Catholic Church for that or the Orthodox Church or an Evangelical community, its up to them. I don’t get why “preaching” should have to include “go to this specific community or Church”.

 

[ballin]

Why do we have to tell them where to go? I will tell them what the right teaching is according to what I am taught myself. Whether they go to the Catholic Church for that or the Orthodox Church or an Evangelical community, its up to them. I don’t get why “preaching” should have to include “go to this specific community or Church”.

well, lets think about it this way. When Apostles went and “preached”, and the ones who heard them said, “we are going to go become Jews now after hearing what you had to say”, should they clarify or just tell themselves that is where God called them to go?

 

[TrueLight]

Why not follow St. Francis of Assisi? Preach with your actions, use words only when necessary. Acts of love has brought conversion to more people than rhetorical debates.

Ha ha. I knew that was coming.

 

[LilyM]

Why even go so far as Protestantism? Don’t we believe that anyone who sincerely tries to follow God as they understand Him can be saved, as long as their lack of knowledge of Christ is through no fault of their own? Surely it would be even more attractive to say ‘just be a good person as you perceive goodness to be, and follow God as best you can’?

Bah humbug. We who know the truth have an obligation, I think, to communicate that truth to others as fully as possible. To do less would be a serious misuse of our gifts, no?