Proselytizing Gifts

[mikecash]

My mother is heavily involved in Word of Faith churches. From what I can tell, it is a very “name it and claim it” and antinomianism kind of theology. Over Christmas, she met us at my future in laws house. She presented my fiancée and me with some devotional cards. The idea is you read one a day to show that you are under the grace covenant…. They are personalized, inserting your name into Bible verses, very antinomianism. I’m in law school and live at home. When I returned home from break, she had nicely placed the little cards on my night stand, unopened. Of course, I’ve not used them, but now I don’t know what to do.

I feel like she has at least somewhat of a sense of what Catholics believe based upon our conversations. I guess that is why I was so offended by the gift. I don’t want to close off communication with her about faith because I figure at some point she will be searching for the truth and I want to be there to help. But, I’ve been maybe feeling like some sort of boundary needs to be set. When she started asking hostile questions about the faith to me, I let her borrow my copy of Marcus Grodi’s “What Must I do to be Saved?” She wrote all over it, and still hasn’t returned it.

I don’t want her proselytizing my fiancée, but I especially don’t want her proselytizing my future children. From what I can tell, her attitude is basically that if I keep seeking God, he’ll lead me out of the Catholic Church or at least to disagree with its theology. Her method of discerning the truth is by reading the Bible and praying for inspiration of the Holy Spirit. She tells me all the time that God has shown her the true path…

So, here I am at a loss. Do I just keep on living my Catholic faith, throw the cards away, and love her? Or, do I explain that Catholics have a different understanding of Christ’s passion, explain that I will be professing to believe all that the Catholic Church teaches, and ask her not to give any more devotional materials to my family? I feel like my choices are at odds with the notion of do no harm when evangelizing and setting appropriate boundaries. She is on a mission to spread this antinomianism theology, buying up books and giving them to everyone she knows. I just wish I could help her see the light.

 

[pianistclare]

My mother is heavily involved in Word of Faith churches. From what I can tell, it is a very “name it and claim it” and antinomianism kind of theology. Over Christmas, she met us at my future in laws house. She presented my fiancée and me with some devotional cards. The idea is you read one a day to show that you are under the grace covenant…. They are personalized, inserting your name into Bible verses, very antinomianism. I’m in law school and live at home. When I returned home from break, she had nicely placed the little cards on my night stand, unopened. Of course, I’ve not used them, but now I don’t know what to do.

I feel like she has at least somewhat of a sense of what Catholics believe based upon our conversations. I guess that is why I was so offended by the gift. I don’t want to close off communication with her about faith because I figure at some point she will be searching for the truth and I want to be there to help. But, I’ve been maybe feeling like some sort of boundary needs to be set. When she started asking hostile questions about the faith to me, I let her borrow my copy of Marcus Grodi’s “What Must I do to be Saved?” She wrote all over it, and still hasn’t returned it.

I don’t want her proselytizing my fiancée, but I especially don’t want her proselytizing my future children. From what I can tell, her attitude is basically that if I keep seeking God, he’ll lead me out of the Catholic Church or at least to disagree with its theology. Her method of discerning the truth is by reading the Bible and praying for inspiration of the Holy Spirit. She tells me all the time that God has shown her the true path…

So, here I am at a loss. Do I just keep on living my Catholic faith, throw the cards away, and love her? Or, do I explain that Catholics have a different understanding of Christ’s passion, explain that I will be professing to believe all that the Catholic Church teaches, and ask her not to give any more devotional materials to my family? I feel like my choices are at odds with the notion of do no harm when evangelizing and setting appropriate boundaries. She is on a mission to spread this antinomianism theology, buying up books and giving them to everyone she knows. I just wish I could help her see the light.

You have your answer right there. The truth is always the most compassionate way.
Pray for her. Be an example of humble obedience to God. I know all here will pray for your journey. God bless you. Stand your ground. Pray to Padre Pio for strength and patience. She is your mother. Go to your Mother Mary in the rosary and pray for her conversion. :bible1:

Peace,
pianist

 

[Allegra]

The cards don’t sound so bad to me, but I didn’t see them. I do know of Catholic devotional books and guides that turn passages of Scripture into personal prayers, similar to what you described. Maybe they are her idea of a non-denominational gift? I have an Protestant aunt who often gives me religious gifts, but I don’t think she wants me to leave the Catholic Church, but she wants to encourage me in my own faith journey. On the other hand, if you have other evidence that her intent is to proselytize you, then the best thing is to chalk it up to good intentions and throw the cards out if you don’t want to use them.

 

[EasterJoy]

She’s your mother and she’s not the one who had you baptized Catholic? And you are living with her? I’d take witnessing her beliefs to you as almost a given. You can endure it. You can also use it as an opening to evangelize to her, gently and sincerely. You will not win her over in one sitting, but she is giving you an opening to talk to her about your faith. Take it!

 

[glendab]

Hello Mike and welcome to the Family! I’m a covert too and had fun in RCIA.

You’ve already answered some of your question yourself. She’s your mom and will remain your mom after you’re Catholic. Your job as a son is to love her and pray for her, but to try and change her isn’t. That’s entirely up to her and God.

And it seems as if she’s trying to get to know Him even if it is in a misguided way. He got hold of you didn’t He? Well, what’s to say He won’t get ahold of your mom too? Give it time. You’re still young. Life is long. Trust Him with her and all your loved ones. Work on being the best Catholic you can be and learn what you need to know so that if she gets curious and asks you about what you believe, you’ll be able to give her correct and heartfelt answers.

If you try to argue with her about what it is *she believes *you could do harm. Certainly protect your wife-to-be and your future family, but do so with charity. As for those weird cards, assume good will and buy some of our prayer cards and offer them to her in exchange. You aren’t required as a son to believe what they contain only to respect her as a person.

Once again, welcome to the Family. I’m sure our Church will be a better place for having you, your future bride and your children. Maybe in time it will be home to many of your family members.

Glenda