My girlfriend is a Baptist

[Sophiethenerd]

Christianity is a revealed religion. We either believe what God revealed (Catholicism), or we can decide for ourselves what we think is true based on our own or someone else’s interpretation of the Scriptures (Protestantism). If we choose the latter, it’s opinion, not Revelation, except in those areas where our opinion may coincide with Catholicism.

The Catholic Faith was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) by Christ through His Apostles.

Peace be with you. Jim Dandy

I think Judge 3 is talking about the salvation that comes to everyone who believes ((in Luke a saint is described as anyone who believes in Christ, so really and real Christian.)

 

[Sophiethenerd]

Of course that sacraments change your relationship with Christ! The sacraments aren’t merely man-mad rituals, they are efficacious signs of God’s grace!

I’ve still taken communion for heaven’s sake.

 

[Sophiethenerd]

This is not a misunderstanding, as has been pointed out by another poster here. Point in fact, I understand very well this theology, and again, without getting into the particulars it has been rejected by the Catholic Church. In our view, it attempts to take the extrodinary, make it ordinary, and throw out normative salvation.

This is a big problem for a Catholic, very big indeed. If you would like to discuss the particulars of our differences in view of Salvation and Justification then I invite you to start a thread on this topic. Pertinate to this topic, it is enough to say the differences are grave enough to cause serious problem with the relationship with out a fair amount of constant effort on the part of both partners.

It might be possible for this relationship to work out, but it would require several things that might be difficult to accept.

1. The Childeren are raise Catholic
2. While the husband may (perhaps should) attend services with his wife at her church, this can not ever replace his attendance at a Catholic Service.
3. In the interests of familiar unity, she perhaps should also attend Catholic Mass.
4. There needs to be extrodenary respect among both people for the theological differences.

If they are each other’s God decided spouses, then I would think with enough prayer and compromise they could make it work. =)

 

[Sophiethenerd]

The difference between the relationship I had with Christ as a Protestant and now as a Catholic is comparable to the distance from earth to the moon. Then, I “knew” Him. Now, I not only “know” Him, but I share His Own Divine Life through the Sacraments He gives to me and all His children through His Church. Imagine the joy of sharing the Divine Life of God! That’s the way it was in original Christianity – and still is in His Church – world without end, Amen. Oh, Lord, I am not worthy . . .

Thanks for asking.

I don’t see how, being Catholic changes that: we all recieve the same Holy Spirit, and the same “amount” of Holy Spirit, you could say. Our closeness with GOd depends on how often we pray and read the Bible. =)
I have trouble believing this, I’m sorry: most of the CAtholics I know seem to hardly care about Christ at all. =(

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

I have know idea what the 1005 theta is.

We were saved by grace: Jesus took our punishment for us, on the cross. Christ promised all we have to do is believe ( John 5:24) to be saved.

Actually, there is some Biblical evidence for the rapture: the word just isn’t there. Like the word Bible isn’t in the Bible.

You can not start and stop at any one verse. If you continue down to verse 29 you read
" And they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life: but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

Unto the resurrection of judgment. . .That is, condemnation."

Douay-Rheims Translation
Challoner Revision, 1749-1752

more than belief is involed.

 

[jpink1019]

I don’t see how, being Catholic changes that: we all recieve the same Holy Spirit, and the same “amount” of Holy Spirit, you could say. Our closeness with GOd depends on how often we pray and read the Bible. =)
I have trouble believing this, I’m sorry: most of the CAtholics I know seem to hardly care about Christ at all. =(

I have to ask the same question.
There has been so much emphasis on the sacraments.
We have gone so far to say that it makes a huge difference in the relationship we have with Christ Jesus. So the people who have a relationship with Christ Jesus who are not in the catholic Church, no matter what is reflected of their life in Christ, are we saying that they are not nearly as close as the people who have experienced the catholic sacraments?

 

[CWBetts]

I have know idea what the 1005 theta is.

We were saved by grace: Jesus took our punishment for us, on the cross. Christ promised all we have to do is believe ( John 5:24) to be saved.

Actually, there is some Biblical evidence for the rapture: the word just isn’t there. Like the word Bible isn’t in the Bible.

The “rapture” the way it is understood by evangelicals is a complete fabrication based on taking a couple of verses out of their literary and cultural context

 

[4Squarebaby]

I’ve still taken communion for heaven’s sake.

You missed the part of belief that says God isn’t really there unless an authorized human guardian serves the communion.

 

[CWBetts]

You missed the part of belief that says God isn’t really there unless an authorized human guardian serves the communion.

That is a misrepresentation of the faith of the Church. Only a validly ordained priest may consecrate the Host, and since no Protestant denomination has valid Holy Orders, then ther imitation of the Holy Eucharist is invalid.

 

[Big_Dummy]

Try a church exchange, you take a course, class at her church for membership and she take one at your church. One week you worship at her church and the next at his for a year.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

so probably the biggest difference would be the sacraments that you have now?
And this changed your relationship with Christ?

It’s the difference between believing and experiential knowing. For only one example, I used to read about the crucifixion – now I kneel at the foot of Calvary. Christ is really, truly present. I can touch Him – and be touched by Him. Catholics experience Christ with all five senses.

Leona Choy, well-known evangelical missionary and author, in her 32nd book – this one recounting her conversion to Catholicism at the age of 80 – described it as *My Journey to the Land of More. *

 

[Jim_Dandy]

I think Judge 3 is talking about the salvation that comes to everyone who believes ((in Luke a saint is described as anyone who believes in Christ, so really and real Christian.)

Is your interpretation of Scripture infallible? If not, you could be wrong. The totality of Scripture has to be considered, not just a verse or two. This is an example of the erroneous Protestant practice of “proof-texting.”

The Catholic Church wrote the New Testament. She alone is its rightful interpreter.

On earth we’re saints; in heaven we’re Saints.

Peace, Jim Dandy

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I have know idea what the 1005 theta is.

It’s a typo. I believe it should read “100% that” if I’m not mistaken.

We were saved by grace: Jesus took our punishment for us, on the cross. Christ promised all we have to do is believe ( John 5:24) to be saved.

Belief is more than just mental assent, and Jesus Christ had a bit more than that one passage to say about how we’re saved.

Actually, there is some Biblical evidence for the rapture: the word just isn’t there. Like the word Bible isn’t in the Bible.

Catholics believe that Jesus is coming again, to judge the living and the dead. What Catholics (and quite a lot of non-Catholics) do not affirm is the pre-tribulation rapture school of thought made popular by the Left Behind series. If you’re interested in a different take on those Scripture passages used to support the “rapture” you might like this article.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Try a church exchange, you take a course, class at her church for membership and she take one at your church. One week you worship at her church and the next at his for a year.

Sounds good…Except the Catholic should be attending Mass every week. It’s possible that he could attend a Saturday Vigil Mass and then go to the Baptist church on Sunday morning when it’s “her” turn, but alternating Sundays would not work for a faithful Catholic. :tsktsk:

 

[Jim_Dandy]

I have to ask the same question.
There has been so much emphasis on the sacraments.
We have gone so far to say that it makes a huge difference in the relationship we have with Christ Jesus. So the people who have a relationship with Christ Jesus who are not in the catholic Church, no matter what is reflected of their life in Christ, are we saying that they are not nearly as close as the people who have experienced the catholic sacraments?

Yes, that’s what I’m saying. The Sacraments are Christ’s gift to His children through His Church to help us get to heaven. Through them, Catholics participate in the Divine Life of God. Former Presbyterian minister and Catholic convert Scott Hahn, Ph.D., puts it this way: Protestants read the menu; Catholics enjoy the meal.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Try a church exchange, you take a course, class at her church for membership and she take one at your church. One week you worship at her church and the next at his for a year.

Even the meaning of “worship” is different in Catholic and Protestant churches. A Catholic kneels in adoration at Calvary during the Sacrifice of the Mass; in most Protestant churches, “worship” is a song or two, a loooooong sermon, and a whole lot of “fellowship.”

Again, there are many thousands of Protestant denominations; this doesn’t describe all of them. But it does describe most, I think, including Baptists, where the GF of the OP belongs.
Oh, with the exception of snake-handling groups.

Jim Dandy, ex-Protestant

 

[FaithG]

There are all kinds of Baptists and all kinds of Catholics.

 If you both are determined to remain Baptist and Catholic, it could be that trouble is ahead.

 Otherwise, you could compromise. The Episcopal and Lutheran churches are middle ground between Baptist and Catholic. Catholicism, as I understand it, actually recognizes the valid ordination of Episcopal priests. .

  God isn't nearly as concerned about the name of our church as with our hearts. When the lawyer asked him how to inherit eternal life, his response was love God and love your neighbor. He said nothing about churches, creeds or whatever. 

   I think a wise couple of different Christian affiliations can work it through so that they can live happily together. After all, we have one Lord. This dogmatic notion that seems to keep popping up - you have to be Cathoilic or your soul is in danger - is silly.

I absolutely agree with you. God is concerned with our hearts, and the fact that we love Him. I am Protestant-raised, and in love with a Catholic man, and I can tell you from my own experience that EVERYTHING depends on how flexible your partner is. Does she (and you) emphasize dogma, or theology? – in other words, the spirit of the law, or the letter of the law? Catholics are, forgive me, roped up with laws it seems like, which goes against my grain, yet I really have no dispute with any of the specific laws I have analyzed, because although rigid, they are fairly reasonable when one gets into the underlying philosophy and theology and away from the rote and superficial dogma.
I cannot honestly say that I have worked through this situation myself completely. For me, inlaws are a huge problem – my side, not his. We were dating, and my family reacted violently when they learned I was dating a Catholic man. They said I would be expected to “give up my faith” for the children. Because of the inlaw problems, we broke off dating and now see each other as friends. However, I staunchly believe that God brought him to me in the first place, and I love him with all my heart. Because I am a global-minded person, extremely ecumenical, and I believe that all God-worshipping religions hold a different perspective or portion of the same Truth, I am not repelled by the Catholic faith. In fact, the practices are quite agreeable to me, and our moral ethics are identical. I have had Catholics tell me I should be a nun, because they already think I’m Catholic, because I live my life very religiously and believe in moral purity. It’s the theology I’m struggling reconciling. But I believe that in day-to-day life, a difference in practices will create more arguments than a difference in philosophy. I have spoken with a Catholic priest who presented the Catholic theology almost exactly as I understand it myself, and then I have spoken with some who seem almost unpalatable. The difference in belief between two Catholics of different backgrounds, such as Benedictine or Augustinian, believe it or not, can be greater then the difference between a flexible Catholic and a flexible Protestant in how they think on religion.
A word of warning. Despite what the above poster has told you, she may not be leading you on. She may simply be hesitant herself, and afraid of involving you in a disappointment. I have twice considered joining an RCIA class to learn whether it suits me or not, but the problem is, I would probably not tell my beloved I had joined even if I did. Because I feel that religion has become a conditionality on what ought to be unconditional love, I cannot speak with him properly about religion, or my inclinations for or against it, because if I told him I were joining an RCIA, he might get his hopes up and then be disappointed if I decided it weren’t for me. I can’t say anything until I know for absolute surety. I also feel somewhat hurt by the perspective, because of the conditionality aspect. I have always believed that if God brought you together, and you both worshipped Him and loved each other unconditionally, it was possible to work anything out – that religion and compassion, the ultimate ideals of spirituality, were supposed to unify people, not divide them – this other perspective kind of murders that belief and, in my opinion, weakens the relationship because of it. The non-Catholic woman will be much more receptive and far less resentful and insecure if she doesn’t feel this ultimatum looming over her head: “Accept that my way is right and your way is wrong or I’ll dump you.” If you present that your way is the only way, rather than being flexible, it makes her become rigid and feel that she must stand strong for her beliefs too, because it becomes a power struggle in which you are not valuing her as your equal. If she bends in this instance, she has weak character, and the marriage may later be filled with resentment. If you can at least instead demonstrate some ability to compromise, it helps enormously in communication, and you will then find her willing to compromise, too.
An extra note: I have an aunt and uncle who were Catholic and Baptist. They have been married almost thirty years, have two children who were both raised Catholic, and the family attended each spouse’s church every other weekend. On the other hand, I read in one older Catholic book that in an interfaith marriage, it was possible to apply for a papal dispensation to not raise the children Catholic if the Catholic spouse was not very strong in his faith and the non-Catholic spouse was very upright and devout in hers, especially if the non-Catholic were the woman. Of course, papal dispensations can take years, I understand.
I would leave just this verse in your mind: the Bible says, if you are married to a non-Christian spouse, do not leave, but remain married because the Christian spouse may in time bring the other up.

 

[benidict]

And quite a lot of them don’t. Just cause someone practices NFP, doesn’t put them on a pedestal. I am sure there’s a higher percentage of Catholic couples who don’t practice NFP than those who do. Not saying that it’s right or wrong, but some couples like sex. I am young, so I guess I just look at it differently.

ahh. young idealism. i love it. try not to take someone disagreeing with you, as something personal. and your age is irrelevant. many older liberals look at things the same way as you. and i disagree with them too. peace

 

[benidict]

My beliefs are my beliefs, thats all I can say. If any of you don’t agree with them, that’s your problem not mine.

If he marries a Protestant, Baptist, whatever, he isn’t necessarily going to make his life a living hell. It’s not 1940 anymore, Catholics will marry non-Catholics. It’s just part of life, and not all mixed marriages lead to strife. There are plenty of Catholic couples that have problems as well (though they may not deal with faith), there’s still issues that arise like alcoholism, infidelity, neglect, and abuse.

its really not a matter of agreeing or disagreeing my friend. it is a matter of experience. also religious beliefs and differences are just as intense today as they were in 1940. if not more so. all couples are going to have problems. probably why after alot of trial and error, i myself chose to be single and celibate. but why throw something else into the mix that will just make your marriage and raising children, that much more difficult? Peace

 

[CWBetts]

All debating aside, whether or not it is “allowed” is not at issue, but whether it is advisable. The CC says it is permissible, but it is not advised, and actually needs permission from ecclesiastical authority (CCC 1633-34) I think thes pretty well settles the issue. It is not to be advised . “Rome has spoken; the issue is settled”