Jess Duplantis

[BOBKAT]

I am in need of some advice. I work with a wonderful person who of course is saved. We have some really great conversations, I gave her the book " Jesus of Nazereth" IMO this books is good for all people of real faith. I say that because when she gave it back all she said was very nice, and handed me a dvd of this guy named Jesse Duplantis and insisted that I listen to him. She knows very well that I am Catholic and that I practice my faith. I did start to listen and I didn’t finish because IMO they are all the same. Did I do her a dishonor by not fully watching this as I really think she never even read the book I gave her. How could she and respond like she did. This book knows no faith in that sense it is a Catholic view of Jesus on that reaches all of us. She should have be in awe of at least wow I didn’t know Catholics thought that way, but nothing all she could do is talk this guy up like is has something you need. I want to give it back, however I need something to say in defense of our church. Help me.

God Bless
Kathleen

 

[sandraladeda]

Here is my opinion on the matter.

I believe your friend thinks she responded in kind - you provided a book that was meaningful to you, she responded with something that was meaningful for her.

I believe that, what your friend sees is your common ground, that is, your Christianity, not Catholic vs Protestant. I believe she was likely offering you the Duplantis CD in all sincerity, with pure motives.

Perhaps your common ground is what you will need to focus on with her, in the hopes that one day, by your witness, maybe she will become more curious about the Catholic church. Pray for those opportunities, but for now, meet her where she is.

I was at a party on the weekend, and got into a deep discussion with a Christian couple who are very active in a local Alliance Church. We shared stories of God’s grace in our lives, shared ideas for youth ministry, family prayer, etc. They are not Catholic, but they are still “brethen”, imo. Perhaps one day, they might ask me something about my Catholic faith - “what is it with you Catholics and Mary anyway?” or “do you really pray the rosary?” or “Do you really believe Christ is present in the Eucharist?” and that will be my chance to share more deeply with them my Catholic faith.

I am sure your friend considers you to be more or less “on the same page”, or “brethren”. That is, imo, something that you can build on over time, with patience, prudence…

imho

 

[strngrnrth]

I’d probably just tell her I listened to it and that I lost interest because he just didn’t say anything that grabbed me. Then I’d ask her what she found interesting about the CD. It would be up to her to talk about things that you have more in common or less.

 

[robgrassley]

Jesse Duplantis is quite entertaining. He and I have a lot in common. I used to live a life very steeped in sin much as he did. We have to be able to step back for a minute and just look at it without out such threatening eyes. Much like Thomas Merton does in all his correspondance with the Dali Lama and Tik Naht Hahn. He wasn’t at all threatened by them but was engaged by there love of there faith whether he agreed or not. I believe Jesse Duplantis loves Christ and so does your friend. The thing that bugs me is they probably don’t return the favor. Oh well.
What I have been trying is being straight up with Evangelicals, “Ask me anything you want about Catholicism, your not going to hurt my feelings”. I believe in real dialogue, not dancing around the pink elephant. Most of them only want to try to convince you your wrong and don’t really want to listen but boy have I deepened my faith telling them.
Prayer, prayer, prayer