My Non-Catholic Fiance

[Domino427]

Hi Everyone,

I’m still getting used to the site and trying to find my niche here, but one thing that I know I would like to talk about is some ideas/tips/thoughts on how to explain certain things to my fiance, who was baptized in a Protestant church (not sure which one) but never practiced. She has begun attending Mass with me, and we intend to marry in the church of my youth.

There are a number of specific things that are very hard for me to explain–like the Blessed Trinity, for example–as they can be difficult for even adults like me who studied the faith for 13 years of Catholic education.

But one I hear her say all the time is: God hates me. Now she says it sarcastically, but it always leads to the conversation of “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” and “If He didn’t stop it, He allowed it to happen.”

She’s a very technical/logical person who doesn’t need every ounce of data, but an explanation that is highly plausible and logical.

Any advice on how to explain this one?

Thanks and God Bless!

-Jason

 

[pablope]

Hi Everyone,

I’m still getting used to the site and trying to find my niche here, but one thing that I know I would like to talk about is some ideas/tips/thoughts on how to explain certain things to my fiance, who was baptized in a Protestant church (not sure which one) but never practiced. She has begun attending Mass with me, and we intend to marry in the church of my youth.

There are a number of specific things that are very hard for me to explain–like the Blessed Trinity, for example–as they can be difficult for even adults like me who studied the faith for 13 years of Catholic education.

But one I hear her say all the time is: God hates me. Now she says it sarcastically, but it always leads to the conversation of “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” and “If He didn’t stop it, He allowed it to happen.”

She’s a very technical/logical person who doesn’t need every ounce of data, but an explanation that is highly plausible and logical.

Any advice on how to explain this one?

Thanks and God Bless!

-Jason

On the “Search” tab of this site, just type in the subject matter you like/want to know about and it will show links to the topic.

God bless…if you still need help, just ask specific questions and start threads.

 

[dsmantz]

The issue with bad things happening to good people was something very hard for me to overcome, especially coming from my 911 medical background. I remember seriously doubting the notion of a loving God after working my first car accident, when a young mother and her two children lost their lives. I never struggled with the existance of A god, but the Christian God was something to be overcome after years of traumatic experiences.

An excellent resource for that particular question is C.S. Lewis’ “The Problem of Pain”. It’s a rather short read (about 150 pages) and you fly through it, due to his novelistic writing style. But don’t let that fool you, he addresses the point square in the face, and allows no room for error.

To explain it simply, and give her something to sit around and ponder is this: We’re told time and time again that God is perfect. Therefore, if God is perfect, his will is for the ultimate good. Now we, in our feeble, finite, human nature have a strong misconception of “good” and “love”, due to our experiences and emotions. We’ve become a moral relativist society that “love” is what we want it to be. Now, if we’re to call something good or bad, there must be an absolute standard at which to judge by, and that standard is God. And just because we don’t like what he’s doing, or the way he must carry out his all-good, all-perfect plan, doesn’t make it any less good or perfect.

More writings can be found by Norman Geisler and Ravi Zacharias. While all three apologists I mentioned are Protestant (as am I, for the time being, anyway), that should not, and does not detract from the truth and validity of the statements made.

I’ll pray for you, my friend. If she’s truly serious, and isn’t just throwing around excuses, she’ll come to see the Truth eventually.

 

[Domino427]

The issue with bad things happening to good people was something very hard for me to overcome, especially coming from my 911 medical background. I remember seriously doubting the notion of a loving God after working my first car accident, when a young mother and her two children lost their lives. I never struggled with the existance of A god, but the Christian God was something to be overcome after years of traumatic experiences.

An excellent resource for that particular question is C.S. Lewis’ “The Problem of Pain”. It’s a rather short read (about 150 pages) and you fly through it, due to his novelistic writing style. But don’t let that fool you, he addresses the point square in the face, and allows no room for error.

To explain it simply, and give her something to sit around and ponder is this: We’re told time and time again that God is perfect. Therefore, if God is perfect, his will is for the ultimate good. Now we, in our feeble, finite, human nature have a strong misconception of “good” and “love”, due to our experiences and emotions. We’ve become a moral relativist society that “love” is what we want it to be. Now, if we’re to call something good or bad, there must be an absolute standard at which to judge by, and that standard is God. And just because we don’t like what he’s doing, or the way he must carry out his all-good, all-perfect plan, doesn’t make it any less good or perfect.

More writings can be found by Norman Geisler and Ravi Zacharias. While all three apologists I mentioned are Protestant (as am I, for the time being, anyway), that should not, and does not detract from the truth and validity of the statements made.

I’ll pray for you, my friend. If she’s truly serious, and isn’t just throwing around excuses, she’ll come to see the Truth eventually.

Thank you, d. That is an interesting way to look at it, a way in which I never though before.

 

[dsmantz]

Hey, no problem. I’m here to be helped, and should do some helping while I’m at it. You might want to also check out a book called The Portable Seminary, which can help explain some of the things you mention, as well as many of the writings from the early Church Fathers. There’s plenty of information to be had here, as well. I’m sure that no matter what question may arise, it can be answered in a manner that leaves no room for question.