Protestant Best Friend Mad/Upset With Me

[Catholic15]

I don’t know what to do I had perviously posted before and asked if I should attend Harvest the Mega church event and the results only supported my personal perference of not to attend because I did not feel right or comforable going to Harvest with so many Protestants. However when I told my Best Friend that did not want to go she kept insisting that I should go and she sounded upset and mad at me for not going. Am I wrong for not going with her. Comments, concerns please.

 

[waxwing]

I don’t know what to do I had perviously posted before and asked if I should attend Harvest the Mega church event and the results only supported my personal perference of not to attend because I did not feel right or comforable going to Harvest with so many Protestants. However when I told my Best Friend that did not want to go she kept insisting that I should go and she sounded upset and mad at me for not going. Am I wrong for not going with her. Comments, concerns please.

Not sure about the nature of this event? The mere fact that it is Protestant shouldn’t keep one away, but need to know more about who runs the event, the content/purpose of the event etc to decide whether to go to this particular event. If your friend see’s Protestant - Catholic relationship as just another Church within Christianity, ie she is not hostile to the RCC and its place in the Christian faith, she may be scratching her head as to why you wouldn’t want to go…that’s the only thing I can think of …unless of course her desire is that you join a Protestant Church, only you and her know which one it might be.

 

[FabiusMaximus]

I don’t know what to do I had perviously posted before and asked if I should attend Harvest the Mega church event and the results only supported my personal perference of not to attend because I did not feel right or comforable going to Harvest with so many Protestants. However when I told my Best Friend that did not want to go she kept insisting that I should go and she sounded upset and mad at me for not going. Am I wrong for not going with her. Comments, concerns please.

Could you clarify? You’ve gone before and didn’t feel comfortable?

Personally, if I wasn’t comfortable with it, I probably wouldn’t go. At least you’re being honest with her.

 

[Catholic15]

I’m sorry harvest is an event that takes place in a basball stadium it is a large event and there is christian music which i love and don’t have a problem with but after the concert the paster Greg Laurie preaches to all the people there about salvation and persuades the non Protestants there to convert to Protestants and I told her why I did not want to go but she doesnt want to take no for an answer and she got up set with me.

 

[starsmurf]

Your “best friend” is not being a friend at all. If this event is aimed at converting Catholics and other “non-protestants” to the pastor’s church then you have every reason not to go. Any real friend would understand this and would probably never have invited you in the first place. I think it sounds like she was hoping to convert you.

You have to say to your friend that you do not want to attend this event, because you are happy in your Catholic faith and believe that it is right. Ask her how she would feel about going to a similar event at which Protestants were pressurised into becoming Catholic. If she is still upset or angry with you, then she is not a true friend. I know it is hard, but in that case, your best bet may be to walk away. Whatever you do, don’t give in and go, as you will come under even more pressure to convert at the event. Is your friend going to get mad and sulk if you refuse to renounce your faith and convert? Friends respect each other, they don’t try to force each other to convert.

I’ll be praying for you, God bless you.

 

[FabiusMaximus]

I’m sorry harvest is an event that takes place in a basball stadium it is a large event and there is christian music which i love and don’t have a problem with but after the concert the paster Greg Laurie preaches to all the people there about salvation and persuades the non Protestants there to convert to Protestants and I told her why I did not want to go but she doesnt want to take no for an answer and she got up set with me.

I don’t think that’s really fair on her part. Clearly you’re uncomfortable with it. She should simply accept it and let it go.

If I went to a Catholic event and knew I was going to be prosletyzed, I’d be very uncomfortable and probably would not want to stay. Why should you have to stay? You have your faith.

I don’t think she’s thinking clearly in terms of your faith. She probably sees it as you rejecting her and her faith, even though it seems obvious that it’s not the case.

I think you’re 100% in the right.

 

[Suslar]

The mega church near me is ALWAYS trying to get their members to “save” the Catholics. When one joins this mega Church, they are required to attend “anti-brainwashing” classes where they learn what is “wrong” with Catholicism. Sadly, about 70% of the congregation are lapsed or former Catholics. And they TRULY believe Catholics are not “saved.”

I attended once with a friend - and the music and entertainment are awesome! But it was missing all that we have - missing Real Presence. At the end of the show, the pastor did a Bible Call where he asked for those wo had not been saved to come forward. My friend was pointing at me and trying to push me forward. So the pastor came over and asked, "Child, have you been saved?’ I stood up and practically yelled, “Yes sir - each and every day!” and sat back down again.

Afterwards, my friend said she was embarrassed by my behavior. She truly hoped to convert me. So we had several conversations about the grace of God and salvation. I think standing up for myself and for my Faith has made it so she doesn’t ask me to go with her anymore.

 

[mark_a]

I don’t know what to do I had perviously posted before and asked if I should attend Harvest the Mega church event and the results only supported my personal perference of not to attend because I did not feel right or comforable going to Harvest with so many Protestants. However when I told my Best Friend that did not want to go she kept insisting that I should go and she sounded upset and mad at me for not going. Am I wrong for not going with her. Comments, concerns please.

Don’t go. A “friend” that pouts to get her way is probably not such a good friend after all.

 

[thequeen]

Continue to stand up for the faith’

 

[PaulDupre]

If your “friend” is angry with you for not attending this evangelical rally whose mission is to convert you, then her love for you is conditional, not absolute. She is not much of a friend.

There are many religious systems in which love is conditioned on your agreeing with them. I was in Mormonsim for 11 years, and one of the things I found very disappointing about Mormonism was that their love is highly conditional. If you stop agreeing with them, they stop loving you.

Your “friend” sounds like that. I don’t know if all of Greg Laurie’s disciples are like that, but your “friend” sure sounds like she is. If the object of her friendship is only to convert you, then you should find better-quality friends.

A friend would not try to force you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

God love you,
Paul

 

[7_Sorrows]

it sounds like your friend is using you to feel good about herself if she thinks that you are “unsaved”.

these types of churches do a lot of brainwashing about Catholics and Catholicism.
yes, the music is great and you can get caught up in the moment with the big crowd at the stadium, but, in my opinion, their protestant version of Christianity is shallow compared to what we have in the Catholic faith.

i am not trying to be mean. i feel sorry for the fallen away Catholics that have left the
Church for the evangelical churches. hopefully, someday they will return to the Eucharist and the Real Presence.

 

[CopticChristian]

I don’t know what to do I had perviously posted before and asked if I should attend Harvest the Mega church event and the results only supported my personal perference of not to attend because I did not feel right or comforable going to Harvest with so many Protestants. However when I told my Best Friend that did not want to go she kept insisting that I should go and she sounded upset and mad at me for not going. Am I wrong for not going with her. Comments, concerns please.

In my experience with Protestants and Catholics being invited to “harvest” events they are attempts to convert. If only we can get him to Promise Keepers, Or to Harvest Crusade or to whatever. There is the inevitable altar call and sometimes I have gone down and said “don’t bother, solid Catholic, can’t join a new religion, how’s it going”.

You may want to clear the air and ask. Ask the question. Is this an attempt at conversion? If I go and there is an altar call will you be upset if I leave? If I go and someone insults my Catholicity can I leave?

If you don’t ask you won’t know.

 

[Cat]

My husband and I are converts to Catholicism from evangelical Protestantism.

Don’t use the word “uncomfortable” around your friend. I know you are trying to be polite, but that word is a particularly poor choice, and here’s why.

Your friend and her fellow evangelicals think that your “discomfort” is because the Holy Spirit is working in your heart to get you to leave the false Catholic Church (a cult, in their view) and come home to the truth, the REAL Christian Gospel, which is asking Jesus into your heart to be your personal Lord and Savior (getting “saved”).

They think that you are uncomfortable because you are “quenching” the Holy Spirit. (I Thessalonians 5: 19).

That’s why your friend is upset. She is convinced that you will go to hell if you don’t receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. She is concerned for your soul…

She is not just worried about your eternal destiny, but she is concerned for your life here on earth . She and her evangelical friends are convinced that you are caught up in a church that teaches a gospel of “good works to get to heaven,” and that you have no freedom in the Lord because you are “under obligation” to do these “good works.” They want you to be free (John 8: 31 and 32). They want you to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and not worry about doing good works, since Jesus has already paid the price for you to go to heaven. They want you to accept His “free gift of salvation.”

Your friend and all her friends think that if you come to the event, you will yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and ask Jesus into your heart and give up the “works-based religion of man, Catholicism.” Then you won’t be “uncomfortable” anymore.

Boy, it’s amazing the way the evangelical language comes back to me, even after seven years!

Here’s my suggestion. Instead of using the word “uncomfortable,” use the word "unBiblical."

**Tell your friend that you do not wish to attend an event that where the preachers teach blatently unBiblical things. **

Tell her that you are a Christian, and that it makes you angry (it’s OK to be angry–see Ephesians 4:26) to hear men twist the Scriptures around. If you don’t want to be angry, say that it makes you upset.

Challenge your friend to show you a verse or passage in the Bible that actually says, “Ask Jesus into your heart to be your personal Lord and Savior.” (There is no such passage.)

You sound like someone who is well-grounded in your Catholic faith. If you haven’t already done so, get yourself a good apologetic that shows how Catholicism is Biblically-based. Tim Staples has written a couple of good books and has several good CD series out that show where Catholicism is in the Bible. So has Jeff Cavins. (Both of these men are converts from Protestantism.)

I realize that you probably don’t have time to get an entire book read, or CD series listened to, before you talk to your friend again. But try your best to get hold of these good books. CAF has some good stuff, too.

For me and my husband, one Biblical passage that really helped us was John 6. And to this day, the best apologetic for the Eucharist came to us from our non-Catholic daughter, who was just a teenager at the time. She said that Jesus used a lot of material objects to describe Himself–He said, “I am the Light.” “I am the Door.” “I am the Shepherd.”

But He never said, “That light is Me.” “That door is Me.” “That shepherd is Me.”

However, He did say, “That Bread is Me. That Wine is Me.”

It’s right there in the Bible, in Luke 22. My husband and I couldn’t get around this apologetic. My daughter, who is still not Catholic, believes completely that the Eucharist is Jesus Christ, Truly Present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, because Jesus SAID SO, in the Bible.

Another Biblical passage that helped me a lot is a reading of the entire Book of Acts. I came to see that throughout this book, the Church was not just a “body of believers all over the world,” but an actual organization, with appointed leaders, and Peter in charge. Chapter 15 of Acts was especially meaningful to me–this passage is about the Council at Jerusalem, and it is clear that there is no “Bible” yet to guide the apostles and others present at the Council. Instead, the CHURCH makes the decision about the status of non-Jewish believers.

This was a huge eye-opener for me. I had been taught all my life that the Bible was our guide. But when I read this chapter in the context of the entire book of Acts, I realize that Jesus established a CHURCH, a real, earthy organization of men, to be “in charge” until He returns.

I hope that some of this is helpful to you. Keep bringing your friend back to the Bible. So much of evangelical Christianity is based not on the Bible, but on personal interpretations of the Bible by mere men and women through the centuries. Have your Bible ready and open it constantly and point your friend to different passages and verses. Don’t even try to talk about the Catholic Church–your friend doesn’t accept the authority of the Catholic Church. Instead, use the Bible for everything you say. Remember, the Bible points to the Catholic Church.

BTW, this means that you should have the books of the Bible memorized, and no fair cheating with those plastic tabs! Those are good for children who are learning the books of the Bible. But you and other Catholic adults should KNOW those books of the Bible. It’s just a simple thing, but it can make a huge difference. Trust me on this–evangelical Protestants will NOT believe you if you demonstrate ignorance of the books of the Bible. If you can memorize the entire Rosary and many other Catholic prayers, you can memorize the books of the Bible. This will make evangelical Protestants take you seriously.

 

[Bearontherun]

For me and my husband, one Biblical passage that really helped us was John 6. And to this day, the best apologetic for the Eucharist came to us from our non-Catholic daughter, who was just a teenager at the time. She said that Jesus used a lot of material objects to describe Himself–He said, “I am the Light.” “I am the Door.” “I am the Shepherd.”

But He never said, “That light is Me.” “That door is Me.” “That shepherd is Me.”

However, He did say, “That Bread is Me. That Wine is Me.”

Your whole post was great! That is the first time I have heard our belief in the Eucharist defended in that way. Lots of great advice here.

 

[Kristin234]

I’m sorry harvest is an event that takes place in a basball stadium it is a large event and there is christian music which i love and don’t have a problem with but after the concert the paster Greg Laurie preaches to all the people there about salvation and persuades the non Protestants there to convert to Protestants and I told her why I did not want to go but she doesnt want to take no for an answer and she got up set with me.

I went to Harvest Crusade last year and this event is NOT about converting Catholics.

The fact that people actually think that made me laugh since most of the people that do attend it are Protestant.

Greg Laurie does not say “if you are non Protestant then you need to convert.” He never not once mentioned anything about converting.

At the end of his message he asked if anyone wanted to come to Christ and learn about Christ to come down and he would pray for them, He never said Non-Protestants or even non believers. Actually, even the believers who had a burden on their heart were going down there. My Catholic friend was the one who told me she wanted to go and she had no problem with the message.

 

[MSSheBear]

One possibility is that your friend has been pressured by her church to bring an unsaved friend, you. When you refused to go, she got mad. I have attended churches where inviting an “unsaved” person was almost a requirement.

I would stay away from anything labeled “Harvest.” That indicates it is intended to gather converts.

Why don’t you invite your friend to Mass? Her reaction may tell you something.

 

[CopticChristian]

I went to Harvest Crusade last year and this event is NOT about converting Catholics.

The fact that people actually think that made me laugh since most of the people that do attend it are Protestant.

Greg Laurie does not say “if you are non Protestant then you need to convert.” He never not once mentioned anything about converting.

At the end of his message he asked if anyone wanted to come to Christ and learn about Christ to come down and he would pray for them, He never said Non-Protestants or even non believers. Actually, even the believers who had a burden on their heart were going down there. My Catholic friend was the one who told me she wanted to go and she had no problem with the message.

I have been to Harvest Crusade. I disagree. If you to to the website the purpose is clearly stated in the questions tab.

harvest.org/crusades/general-information/frequently-asked-questions.html

What is Harvest Crusades?
Our vision is to create an environment and setting where community churches can join together and invite their unsaved friends and relatives to comfortably come and hear a clear and precise presentation of the gospel; and then respond and be given direction and materials to assist in their new faith

The purpose is to get people to come and respond to another gospel, not that there is another gospel.

 

[Farsight001]

I have been to Harvest Crusade. I disagree. If you to to the website the purpose is clearly stated in the questions tab.

harvest.org/crusades/general-information/frequently-asked-questions.html

The purpose is to get people to come and respond to another gospel, not that there is another gospel.

This stuff, from their own website, is great for you to use, OP. You can take that quote about their mission to your friend and ask her, flat out, what her reason for inviting you is and if she thinks you are unsaved. Inform her (in charity and love of course) that you have no need (not desire, need) to convert as you already belong to the Lord. You might also point out how being viewed as unsaved, especially by a friend, makes you feel. Ask her how she would feel if you did this very thing to her.

And above all, have this conversation in person. It would be a lot to explain why, but the psychological effect of having a face to look at is immense. This is why getting cut off by another person walking down the street is often brushed off, while getting cut off in a car can illicit a very angry response - no face to look at to remind you that you are dealing with another human being. Thoughts are more logical and people are far more likely to be willing to look at things from another perspective if the conversation is done in person. I don’t see my suggestion above, or the vast majority of the other suggestions having much of any impact if sent by e-mail.

 

[Bearontherun]

If your friend gets mad at you for not doing as she wants, she is trying to control you. Clearly from the website, this crusade is meant to share the gospel with people who have never heard it (your friend thinks that you believe in a false gospel IMHO). I can feel your pain as I deal with evangelicals trying to convert me all the time. You can assure your friend that you have a genuine personal relationship with Jesus Christ as a Catholic and you put all your trust for salvation in His Grace. I hope that helps.

 

[CopticChristian]

If your friend gets mad at you for not doing as she wants, she is trying to control you. Clearly from the website, this crusade is meant to share the gospel with people who have never heard it (your friend thinks that you believe in a false gospel IMHO). I can feel your pain as I deal with evangelicals trying to convert me all the time. You can assure your friend that you have a genuine personal relationship with Jesus Christ as a Catholic and you put all your trust for salvation in His Grace. I hope that helps.

I agree with all of the above. I believe that you have a perfect opportunity to evangelize your friend into the one true gospel. I posted this elsewhere. I believe it is relevant. Get hold of Scott Hahn, audio Book of Romans. Discuss your concerns. Say that you have been reading your bible. Ask about the significance of Romans 10:9. Once you have your friends interest, with the hope you have a handle on the book of Romans you can then evangelize with questions about the book of Romans.

Do you know when it was written?
Do you know where Paul was when it was written?
Do you know if Paul had ever been there?
Do you know who Pauls teacher was?
Do you know if the letter was addressed to Christians or non Christians?
Is there an underlying theme to this letter?
Does Paul ever say faith alone?

Ask if based on Romans, that no one is righteous under the law. Their answer will be no. Then say that you have looked at Phillipains 3:6

As far as righteousness in the law is concerned, I was blameless.

Paul was blameless and yet not righteous. You then have full control to lead your friend through an accurate understanding of the truth.

Scott will teach you Covenant Theology, Salvation history, he will teach you to look up passages. To read Romans you have to know that Paul quotes Genesis, story of Abraham, Deuteronomy, Psalms and Isaiah. He will show you how to examine texts in context. He tells you to notice the word therefore and ask what is it therefore. Paul never pits faith against action or faith against works and in fact uses the word faith the first and last time in the epistle by coupling it with the word obedience. Paul never says Faith alone.

You will learn where Protestants misinterpret the Bible and as you point out the proper understanding as Scott Hahn says “he thought so, he taught so” but with understanding he had to become a Catholic because Protestants are making Paul say something no Jew would listen to and after all this letter is written to primarily address Judaizing Christians.

Romans 1
5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

Romans 16
revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith

Paul tells you what the purpose of his letter is, tells you, and then concludes with the purpose of his letter. He never says Faith alone.

Romans 1 the bad news

Romans 2 requirement of the moral law, Paul says doing at least 6 times and says that works… judgment of God, 6who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:

Romans 2,3, 4 the good news…this is where Hahn points out and compares and contrasts Protestant understanding and his prior understanding and how he could not support Protestant thought after careful study and had to become Catholic.

Quote:
Romans 3
1Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Whenever you read first, don’t you expect second, third, fourth. There is an answer to this in Romans 11.

Romans 4 the good news
Romans 5 Original Sin

Romans 6 Baptism, how to get out of Original sin
Romans 7 Old Covenant Dead as in marriage & concupisence
Romans 8 The Holy Spirit, our purpose, redemptive suffering
Romans 9 The promise of an impartial God
Romans 10 Paul pleads just like Moses to the People of God, the Judaizing Christian and opens in 11 with…

Quote:
Romans 11
1I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.

If every Catholic did this study they would be able to meet anyone on a better level than trading verses. If a Protestant comes to me and tells me that I should confess with my lips and believe with my heart as in Romans 10 or faith comes by hearing or there is no one righteous or all have sinned… I say lets sit down and talk about you understanding of this book…I think I might help you understand how I and many others through time have seen this epistle.

This is a perfect tool to evangelize anyone that believes the bible is the word of God. Knowing how to properly read and understand the book of Romans is an aid.