Looking to become a catholic but have some questions that are blocking my journey to truly following Jesus.

R

ripo

New member
Dear all,

I am in the process of considering becoming Catholic, but I have a few important questions that I would greatly appreciate your insight on:

1. Empirical Evidence and Faith:
- As I seek to follow Jesus, I find it challenging to embrace faith in His divinity and the Bible’s divine inspiration, particularly because there is no direct scientific proof. How does the Church address the need for faith in the absence of empirical evidence, especially when verses like John 20:29 encourage faith without seeing?

2. God’s Rest:
- In Genesis 2:2-3, it says that God “rested from all His work” on the seventh day. Since God is spirit and does not experience fatigue (Psalm 121:4), what does it mean that God rested? Is this rest symbolic, and if so, what does it signify about His nature and creation?

3. Salvation and Extraterrestrial Life:
- The Bible teaches that salvation is through Jesus (John 14:6), but if there is intelligent life on other planets, they would not know Jesus and His sacrifice. How does the Church reconcile this, especially given that Earth is presented as central to God’s plan of salvation (Genesis 1:1)?

4. Salvation Beyond Earth:
- If intelligent life exists on other planets, how would the teachings on salvation in Christ apply to them? Does Catholic theology address the possibility of extraterrestrial beings, and how would their relationship with God and salvation be understood?

Thank you very much for your time and guidance. I greatly appreciate your help as I continue on my faith journey.

Thanks,
Adam
 
Glad to hear of your seeking.
1. It is a set of beliefs rather than a limited academic field of endeavor. Rather than being discovered by man, it has been revealed to man in the metaphysical realm. Truly supernatural. As it is with gravity, we cannot observe gravity, but only its effects. consider a thought. It is immaterial, yet we must think to function. Saint Anselm of Canterbury exhorted seekers to believe so that they might understand rather than to demand understanding before they would believe. The Catholic church is the most difficult to join and the easiest to leave, as it should be. False "churches" are easy to join and difficult to leave.
2. We are limited by finite human understanding, further complicated by the vagaries of human language. "Rest" for this purpose may be taken as a cessation of creative activity without any diminution of God's sustaining activity. We teach that we are held in created state, breath given, hearts beating at the will of God.
3. Hypotheticals are pure academic endeavors, being thought and perception exercises. Since there is no hard evidence, and none has been revealed, we can speculate either way and remain Christian.
4. Honestly, we have our plates full with the challenges and tribulations of earthly life. You might contact the Magis Center which studies faith, science and all created matter.

Magis Center | Science, Reason, and Faith

Discover the intersection of science, reason and faith. Learn from Fr. Robert Spitzer on happiness, suffering, and evidence of God from science and reason.
www.magiscenter.com www.magiscenter.com
 
po18guy said:
Glad to hear of your seeking.
1. It is a set of beliefs rather than a limited academic field of endeavor. Rather than being discovered by man, it has been revealed to man in the metaphysical realm. Truly supernatural. As it is with gravity, we cannot observe gravity, but only its effects. consider a thought. It is immaterial, yet we must think to function. Saint Anselm of Canterbury exhorted seekers to believe so that they might understand rather than to demand understanding before they would believe. The Catholic church is the most difficult to join and the easiest to leave, as it should be. False "churches" are easy to join and difficult to leave.
2. We are limited by finite human understanding, further complicated by the vagaries of human language. "Rest" for this purpose may be taken as a cessation of creative activity without any diminution of God's sustaining activity. We teach that we are held in created state, breath given, hearts beating at the will of God.
3. Hypotheticals are pure academic endeavors, being thought and perception exercises. Since there is no hard evidence, and none has been revealed, we can speculate either way and remain Christian.
4. Honestly, we have our plates full with the challenges and tribulations of earthly life. You might contact the Magis Center which studies faith, science and all created matter.

Magis Center | Science, Reason, and Faith

Discover the intersection of science, reason and faith. Learn from Fr. Robert Spitzer on happiness, suffering, and evidence of God from science and reason.
www.magiscenter.com www.magiscenter.com
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I truly appreciate your explanation, especially regarding "rest"—it’s much clearer to me now. Your insights on faith and belief have been really helpful. I’ll definitely look into the Magis Center as you suggested. Also, I’m excited to share that I’ll be joining the local church here soon. My questions are all aimed at better understanding the Church, the Bible, and drawing closer to Jesus and God.
 
ripo said:
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I truly appreciate your explanation, especially regarding "rest"—it’s much clearer to me now. Your insights on faith and belief have been really helpful. I’ll definitely look into the Magis Center as you suggested. Also, I’m excited to share that I’ll be joining the local church here soon. My questions are all aimed at better understanding the Church, the Bible, and drawing closer to Jesus and God.
Click to expand...
Laus Deo!

Welcome to the Church. This just goes to show the true worth of websites and forums such as this one. It's worth it even for one conversion.
 
ripo said:
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I truly appreciate your explanation, especially regarding "rest"—it’s much clearer to me now. Your insights on faith and belief have been really helpful. I’ll definitely look into the Magis Center as you suggested. Also, I’m excited to share that I’ll be joining the local church here soon. My questions are all aimed at better understanding the Church, the Bible, and drawing closer to Jesus and God.
Click to expand...
“IF” you have not already, please consider going to Adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament (also known as “Holy Hour”). Call your local parish and find out when they offer it. Then, just go and sit in silence in Christ’s Presence. Take your bible. Read scripture, pray, contemplate. Tell the Lord of your search for truth, of your doubts, worries, even fears. Then, be as patient with Him as He has been with you. When you receive the grace to know that HE IS THERE, you will be forever changed. Miracles occur in Christ’s presence - of that I can personally attest.
 
po18guy said:
“IF” you have not already, please consider going to Adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament (also known as “Holy Hour”). Call your local parish and find out when they offer it. Then, just go and sit in silence in Christ’s Presence. Take your bible. Read scripture, pray, contemplate. Tell the Lord of your search for truth, of your doubts, worries, even fears. Then, be as patient with Him as He has been with you. When you receive the grace to know that HE IS THERE, you will be forever changed. Miracles occur in Christ’s presence - of that I can personally attest.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice.
 
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