Methodist girlfriend

[md_charlotte]

I am looking for some advice on how to approach what is becoming a thorny issue in our relationship. My girlfriend is very religious but also very methodist. I am very sure I want to remain a catholic and raise a catholic family. So, a few questions. 1. Does anyone know a good reference that lays out the fundamental differences between methodism and catholicism. 2. Does anyone that experienced a similar challenge have any advice.

Thanks much.

 

[Aesq]

md_charlotte:

I am looking for some advice on how to approach what is becoming a thorny issue in our relationship. My girlfriend is very religious but also very methodist. I am very sure I want to remain a catholic and raise a catholic family. So, a few questions. 1. Does anyone know a good reference that lays out the fundamental differences between methodism and catholicism. 2. Does anyone that experienced a similar challenge have any advice.
QUOTE]

The methodist church is very near to the Catholic Church in many ways. However, many methodists do not even know it. There are quite likely a great many things your girlfriend does not know about her own church. I spent many years in the methodist church before becoming Catholic. I found it to be the rare person who understood or even knew about the doctrines of the methodist church.

This will be very time consuming, but the best bet is for you to order a copy of the methodist book of Discipline and book of Resolutions these are effectively statements of the doctrine of the united methodist church. Then just compare these to the Catechism. Your girlfriend may find out that she is a lot more Catholic than she thinks.

I may be able to help some more but it would be easier if you just posted her questions or issues and then I can try to address them one at a time.

 

[ProVida]

My boyfriend was raised as a Baptist/non-denominational. Since I am Catholic, it was extremely difficult for us to connect on that deeper spiritual level. By God’s grace, he has enrolled in RCIA and is on his way into the Church. I think if your girlfriend is willing to read a Catholic book, Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn would be my absolute #1 choice. If you haven’t, you should read it too! Since the Hahns are converts from Presbyterianism, they speak in a way that other Protestants can understand and relate. My boyfriend absolutely loved it and really understood Catholicism more. Mr. Hahn, a former Presbyterian minister, explains thoroughly and simply how he found certain doctrines of the Catholic Church to be true AND scriptural. As always, keep up the prayer for God’s Will to shine through. Best of LUck!

 

[Celeste88]

md_charlotte:

I am looking for some advice on how to approach what is becoming a thorny issue in our relationship. My girlfriend is very religious but also very methodist. I am very sure I want to remain a catholic and raise a catholic family. So, a few questions. 1. Does anyone know a good reference that lays out the fundamental differences between methodism and catholicism. 2. Does anyone that experienced a similar challenge have any advice.

Thanks much.

There are some similarities. I spent 12 years as a Methodist before coming back home. The service is rather similar to our mass, but communion is only once a month. It is an “open” communion, meaning anyone can partake. They do not believe in the real Presence. They do not have confession. They do not have apostolic succession. They do have wonderful music! I am not sure what their doctrine is on abortion or euthanasia. Their homiles seemed to be rather watered down, but I’m noticing that in the Catholic church too nowadays. They do have Baptism. Hell was never talked about so I’m not sure what the belief on that is.

 

[ProudArmyWife]

You could always have a great discussion on a topic of belief (for instance - eucharist). Write down/Discuss what you both believe and why - then back it up with each Church teachings - and not what you think you know about it.

I am a convert and I always say there are more Catholics out there that just don’t know they are Catholics yet (just as AESQ said!).

 

[StratusRose]

Celeste88:

am not sure what their doctrine is on abortion or euthanasia. Their homiles seemed to be rather watered down, but I’m noticing that in the Catholic church too nowadays. They do have Baptism. Hell was never talked about so I’m not sure what the belief on that is .

Stances on the above topics are very wishy washy. It’s hard to tell where they stand.

I was raised Methodist and I had no idea what they believed either. When I came into the Church I knew a lot more than what I learned in Sunday School.

Ditto to the Scott and Kimberly Hahn book. I read that after I converted. I related to it on so many levels.