Ok to read Protestant authors?

[rfournier103]

I struggled with this when I first converted. I still do a bit to be honest. I kept all of my protestant items for two reasons. One, they are still valid in many ways. I have a book that talks about forgiveness. The author is Protestant, but the points are still valid and helpful for me on my path. Second, it helps for me comparisons, particularly when people begin to question my conversion decision.

I have found that many things people think are “different” are actually the same or similar, and the things people think are the same are actually different. I have met cradle Catholics who have no clue that the Catholic bible has different books. I can show them my KJV and NIV as proof. I have met life long Protestants, who swear that Protestants “don’t do” confession, but always have the cat butt face when I point out that several Protestant denominations have a history of making people confess to the church body as a whole when they have sinned greatly.

If it makes you feel any better, I have a copy of the Koran also. LOL Long story there, but it was purely academic and now I keep it to defend my Muslim friends when someone says “their book says…”. Obviously, I don’t read it on a regular basis and can’t quote things from it, but I don’t think understanding others is bad. In fact, I think it helps me to understand MY faith better because I can reply in CONTEXT when someone asks me things.

Your question makes perfect sense to me though as a convert. There is a study group here at the military base where I live currently. It is hosted by the Protestant women’s group. They have women of all faiths attending (Protestant, Catholic, Mormon) and they are proud of this as it shows how “welcoming” they are. I disagree. Maybe it’s just my old Protestant habits, but Bible study to me, means an in-depth study. So I don’t see how deep they can get when the faiths are different in their beliefs about how the Bible is interpreted. I am pretty sure it’s an excuse for some of the women to get together, but a small part of me wonders how many people are trying to convert the non-Protestant attendees.

I think that even re-reading some of those things from a “fresh” perspective as a convert can be quite eye-opening. My husband and I have actually gotten stronger from re-analyzing things we were taught as children. We say often, “see THIS is why I converted”.

I did not know that there were seven books in the Catholic Bible that were not in Protestant versions until less than one year ago, when my Protestant girlfriend and I were at mass and there was a reading from the Book of Wisdom. I wish I had a picture of her face when THAT reading was announced!!!

I am a lifelong Catholic, and I live in Massachusetts, which has the highest percentage of Catholics of any state in the Union. Somewhere between 40 and 50% of Mass. residents are Catholic. When I was growing up, almost all of my friends were Catholic; and religion was never discussed with my Protestant friends. It was always sports, music, and girls; and not always in that order.

I always had a Catholic Bible because I wanted the Church’s translation, and I was unaware that actual books may be different. But I am not surprised, as there are a zillion versions out there.

Also… I’d never trade the confessional for having to stand in front of everyone. I think THAT would make me have an “accident”.

 

[robwar]

it depends on the author and you have to very careful. As many had mentioned CS Lewis
while he was not Catholic, his writings do not go against anything the Catholic Churches teaches and a number of his views are very Catholic. If you are reading stuff that is either anti-Catholic or have that underlining themes then no. if you into the health/wealth stuff which is heresies then no, throw them out and move on. some protestant authors while maybe not anti-catholic are teaching things that are heresies such as Joyce Meyers and Joel Osteen.
So since you are trying to convert, It would be better to focus on sound Catholic teaching, conversion stories etc. i still have my Protestant Bibles, I just have moved one from the other stuff.

 

[DoxieMama]

That’s what I was most curious about. I have many Joyce Meyer books. I never got into Osteen. I was wondering if the principles of forgiveness, etc would still be beneficial to read from Protestant authors. But, I agree I should check out the Catholic ones. It makes sense since that’s what I want to convert to.

 

[GraceSofia]

Why not just put the Protestant books on the side for a while and try some Catholic authors?
There are many good ones, but you just have to find which ones resonate with you.

I learn a lot from all of these people. I am just giving one “thing” from each so you can get an idea.

youtube.com/watch?v=m4MpBPMWCWE Father Benedict Groeschel on forgiveness.

amazon.com/Cross-Beatitudes-Lessons-Love-Forgiveness/dp/0764805924/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345879995&sr=1-5&keywords=catholic+books+forgiveness Fulton Sheen.

store.wordonfire.org/product-p/wf-08.htm Father Barron.

 

[ProdigalSon1211]

Hello all! I have recently decided to convert to Catholicism, and start the RCIA classes next month. I am now wondering if it is considered immoral to continue to read books or newsletters by popular Protestant pastors/authors. Do I also need to get rid of my non-Catholic bibles?

Don’t Catholic apologists read books by Protestant pastors and authors to defend the Catholic Church? Sometimes you have to know your opponent and see what they are saying about you. Does this make sense? Like it is good to read, study, and learn your opposing side to see what viewpoints they have against Catholics. Then, when you have read Catholic books you will be able to refute them. I am not a expert or anything but I have read some stuff on the internet on what Protestants think about Catholics. I can probably counter some Protestant arguments geared towards Catholics. Most Protestants will say that Catholics should only believe in the Bible and that Confession to a priest is not necessary. After reading both sides (Catholic & Protestant) on authority and repentance I have a better understanding of what is being debated or discussed. I think I read somewhere that Catholic apologists are supposed to read Protestant and anti-Catholic literature just to gauge what non-Catholics are saying about Catholics.

 

[robwar]

Don’t Catholic apologists read books by Protestant pastors and authors to defend the Catholic Church? Sometimes you have to know your opponent and see what they are saying about you. Does this make sense? Like it is good to read, study, and learn your opposing side to see what viewpoints they have against Catholics. Then, when you have read Catholic books you will be able to refute them. I am not a expert or anything but I have read some stuff on the internet on what Protestants think about Catholics. I can probably counter some Protestant arguments geared towards Catholics. Most Protestants will say that Catholics should only believe in the Bible and that Confession to a priest is not necessary. After reading both sides (Catholic & Protestant) on authority and repentance I have a better understanding of what is being debated or discussed. I think I read somewhere that Catholic apologists are supposed to read Protestant and anti-Catholic literature just to gauge what non-Catholics are saying about Catholics.

This question is from someone in the process converting to the CAtholic faith. She needs to study and learn about the CAtholic faith and stop reading or getting confused by Protestants. This is not a question about studying for apologetics.

 

[robwar]

That’s what I was most curious about. I have many Joyce Meyer books. I never got into Osteen. I was wondering if the principles of forgiveness, etc would still be beneficial to read from Protestant authors. But, I agree I should check out the Catholic ones. It makes sense since that’s what I want to convert to.

While Joyce Meyers often seems helpful and practical and not anti-catholic, she does come from the word of faith/name it claim it charismatic movement. Her view about the role of suffering and health and wealth is not at all Catholic and even a number of Protestants view her teaching as false. This is why at this time it is very important for you to study and learn as much as you can about Catholic teaching etc. You should get the CCC and read it, especially the parts about the role of suffering plays in our lives. I use to be into that stuff and while it was before she came into prominence. While you may have books that are not anti-Catholic, there are alot of heresies out there and you have to very careful. Heresy can ruin your faith.

 

[DoxieMama]

While Joyce Meyers often seems helpful and practical and not anti-catholic, she does come from the word of faith/name it claim it charismatic movement. Her view about the role of suffering and health and wealth is not at all Catholic and even a number of Protestants view her teaching as false. This is why at this time it is very important for you to study and learn as much as you can about Catholic teaching etc. You should get the CCC and read it, especially the parts about the role of suffering plays in our lives. I use to be into that stuff and while it was before she came into prominence. While you may have books that are not anti-Catholic, there are alot of heresies out there and you have to very careful. Heresy can ruin your faith.

Thanks for the advice! I definitely want to avoid falling into those kinds of traps.