Protestant Q&A for Catholics

[inChristAlone33]

For Catholics to answer:

1. Were you raised Catholic?
2. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?
3. How are you saved?
4. In what way is the Protestant deceived (I use this word purposely because one would have to be to reject the claim that the catholic church is the only true Church, which is Christ, and to deny Him is to deny salvation…found in repentance, baptism and Eucharist. Paraphrasing from the catholic website).
5. What is your favorite Bible verse?
6. What is your favorite quote by a saint?
7. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?
8. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

None of these responses will be debated but rather reflected upon.

Thank you and God Bless!

 

[PRmerger]

For Catholics to answer:

1. Were you raised Catholic?

Yes.

1. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?

He gave me a Lutheran roommate in college who kept asking me questions I didn’t know the full answer to, and also gave me an inquisitive nature.

Oh, and that, coupled with a kind of competitive nature (I want to win! I like to be right!) made me investigate the teachings of the Church better.

1. How are you saved?

By Christ alone through His Body, the Church alone.

1. In what way is the Protestant deceived (I use this word purposely because one would have to be to reject the claim that the catholic church is the only true Church, which is Christ, and to deny Him is to deny salvation…found in repentance, baptism and Eucharist. Paraphrasing from the catholic website).

Protestantism is a behemoth of beliefs–to the tune of tens of thousands of denominations, each claiming that their interpretations of God’s Word are the correct one, so it’s impossible to answer the above question.

I will say that to the degree that a Protestant has divorced himself from the truth given, once for all, to the apostles, is the degree to which he has been deceived.

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Depends upon the day. Today it is: as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, from Joshua.

 

[Jitterbug]

1. No
2. Through grace, faith and logic.
3. By Christ. But to be more specific, by dying in a state of grace.
4. I’ll need you to elaborate…

5 James 2:24

6 St. Catherine of Siena. “Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire.”

7 No.

8…that I honestly can’t answer at face value. It depends on what’s implied.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

1. Baptized but not raised.
2. it was one of the many graces that God has bestowed upon me.
3. Grace through faith working in love and charity.
4. Depends on the Protestant. I stopped looking at Protestantism as some monolithic entity a long time ago.
5. Romans 13:4; “for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.”
6. “Repent and be baptized” St. Peter
7. No

God bless you

 

[PRmerger]

1. What is your favorite quote by a saint?

Depends upon the day. Today it is: We do not read in the Gospel that the Lord said, “I am sending you the Holy Spirit that he may teach you about the course of the sun and the moon.’ He wished to make people Christians, not astronomers.—St. Augustine

1. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?

Absolutely not!

And to declare that it is is to contradict the Bible.

1. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

Only in the same way that St. Paul declares that HE (Paul) saves. (Yes, folks, St. Paul does declare that he can save some people).

We understand these statements (St. Paul saves, and that we place in Mary all of our hopes) only when we understand that they are made when we are in UNION with Jesus Christ.

None of these responses will be debated but rather reflected upon.

I invite you to debate my responses, friend. For only through dialogue will true Christian unity be apprehended.

 

[jonathan_hili]

Hi, interesting questions:

1. Were you raised Catholic?

Yes.

1. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?

Through various means: prayer, study, the experience of the Church in my life, just the overall intuition (?) of “sense” that looking at the world through Catholic eyes makes to me.

1. How are you saved?

Initially through the merits of Christ’s salvific activity and the grace to accept those merits through faith, work and the sacraments throughout my life, entering more deeply into the Body of Christ and becoming part of the covenantal family of God.

1. In what way is the Protestant deceived (I use this word purposely because one would have to be to reject the claim that the catholic church is the only true Church, which is Christ, and to deny Him is to deny salvation…found in repentance, baptism and Eucharist. Paraphrasing from the catholic website).

I wouldn’t say “deceived” necessary, for that implies a deceiver, where there may be none. Ignorance is involved too. Nevertheless, I think fundamentally some Protestants don’t fully understand the - and this is going to sound strange - culture of Christianity. Having also had experience with Orthodox Christianity, you begin to realise the faith isn’t so much about reading your Bible, believing propositions about Christ, having evidence for the Resurrection, etc. but more about being part of a mystical family. I can go into more detail if you life.

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?

John 16:31-33:
Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

and John 21:21-22:
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!"

1. What is your favorite quote by a saint?

Probably from Aquinas: God asks St Thomas what he will have as his reward for his hard work, prayer and life, and Thomas replies in a heartfelt way, “Only Thyself Lord!”

Or Augustine: “Thou hast made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee!”

1. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?

If by this you mean that is the Bible all one needs for being a fulfilled Christian, the answer is no. As mentioned above, Christianity is about being part of a family. With the Bible alone, it’s analogous as having a family history book. Good and edifying and necessary to read to understand the family but it doesn’t make you part of the family.

1. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

It depends what you mean by it. If you mean, “I know you are my saviour so I trust fully in you” the answer is “No”. If you mean, “I trust that you will help bring me to salvation, and so I trust you fully (that is, honestly and completely)” the answer is “Yes”. As the Body of Christ, we help one another towards salvation through Christ. This is more true of the Blessed Virgin than anyone, since (i) she is his mother (!!!), (ii) she is very close to him, (iii) she lived such a fulfilled and holy life, and (iv) she is more fully in his presence than any other saint.

Hope that helps!

God bless.

 

[eonporter]

1. Were you raised Catholic?

Baptized, yes. Not raised as a practicing catholic, though.

1. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?

First he put some very good people in my life, then I was physically healed and restored by Him.

1. How are you saved?

By the grace of God, of course. No man can save himself.

1. In what way is the Protestant deceived (I use this word purposely because one would have to be to reject the claim that the catholic church is the only true Church, which is Christ, and to deny Him is to deny salvation…found in repentance, baptism and Eucharist. Paraphrasing from the catholic website).

Not all protestants are deceived, some of them are true followers of Christ who are not in the right church for several different reasons, and rest assured they will be saved by their rightful intentions, for God knows their hearts.

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?

No such thing as favorite verse here. Could mention the prodigal son as my favorite parable, though.

1. What is your favorite quote by a saint?

“Do what you ought and put your heart into it”, Josemaria Escriva

1. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?

My faith doesn’t come from the bible, it comes from my confidence in Jesus as my savior and Lord.

1. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

That is not a prayer, but two phrases isolated from a bigger prayer that mean nothing without the rest. So no, you can’t say that, but perhaps you could in a broader context.

God bless you!

 

[Razanir]

1. Were you raised Catholic?

Yes

1. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?

Among Christianity? 2000 years of church history.

1. How are you saved?

By dying in a state of grace. Unlike most Protestant groups, however, we don’t have assured salvation. I actually like this because it seems more logical than just believe in God for a guaranteed ticket into Heaven.

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?

1 Corinthians 1:15
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
John 6:35

1. What is your favorite quote by a saint?

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words” –Incorrectly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

1. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?

Yes and no. All my beliefs about God are Biblical, but I trust in the Magisterium to help interpret it.

1. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

Yes and no. With what I assume your implications are, that you trust your salvation entirely to Mary, then no. But with Catholic implications that she’d be interceding to Jesus on your behalf, then sure, I suppose so, but it wouldn’t be too common.

 

[adrift]

For Catholics to answer:

1. Were you raised Catholic?

yes

1. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?

Through inquiry, study and much prayer.

1. How are you saved?

Not until the race is won so I will work out my salvation with fear and trembling.

1. In what way is the Protestant deceived (I use this word purposely because one would have to be to reject the claim that the catholic church is the only true Church, which is Christ, and to deny Him is to deny salvation…found in repentance, baptism and Eucharist. Paraphrasing from the catholic website).

They are deceived that the Catholic Church was not established and give authority by Jesus.

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?

“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

1. What is your favorite quote by a saint?

“Yes Lord you know that I love you”

1. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?
   Jesus didn’t say go an write but go and preach. In it’s present form it did exist until around 300. Those who were martyred by the Romans did not have it. Yet their faith was sufficient.

1. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

Taken out of context. From the same prayer.

And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations; or rather, obtain for me the strength to triumph over them until death.

None of these responses will be debated but rather reflected upon.

You may request others may rightfully ignore you.

 

[adrift]

In case anyone is interested the prayer that he is quoting from is
PRAYERS OF ST. ALPHONSUS

 

[Daizies]

For Catholics to answer:

1. Were you raised Catholic?

No, I was raised Baptist

1. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?

Long story, But basically, I had doubts about things taught in Church, and my denomination-hopping didn’t answer anything. I actually gave up on being a Christian at one point and was a pagan for a while. I turned to the Catholic Church in desperation, because I felt so lost. My thought was literally “Well, it can’t get any worse than Catholic.” Well, my questions were answered, and I found home

1. How are you saved?

By the Grace of God, through His Sacraments.

1. In what way is the Protestant deceived

IMO most protestants object to their misunderstandings of Catholic teaching, rather than the actual teachings

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Romans 5:6-8 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (I memorized it in NIV so that’s the version I posted )

1. What is your favorite quote by a saint?

I don’t have one

1. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?

No

1. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

I’m not well versed in Marian doctrine, but I guess it depends on how the person saying it meant it (like other posters said), but it is not something I would personally be comfortable saying

 

[inChristAlone33]

Thank you for all your responses!

Added question:

1. What would an individual lack without the sacred tradition?

 

[Razanir]

1. What would an individual lack without the sacred tradition?

*Eucharist
*Apostolic succession
*IMO, some church stability. (Referring to the 1000s of Protestant groups)

Those are the first few things that come to mind

 

[Jitterbug]

1. The Bible. After all, it IS a product of tradition.

 

[inChristAlone33]

*Eucharist
*Apostolic succession
*IMO, some church stability. (Referring to the 1000s of Protestant groups)

Those are the first few things that come to mind

Is a person saved without the Eucharist?

 

[18trouble]

1. Yes
2. As I searched to learn more about my faith (starting moreso during college years with discussions with friends) and continuing on during my adult years. Continually being drawn closer and more in love with my Savior. Have recently decided to make time to adore My Lord in the Blessed Sacrament (going to an Adoration Chapel and spending time with Him).
3. By God’s Grace through the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Especially frequent reception of Reconciliation and Eucharist to remain in God’s Grace.
4. I think the “deception” is perhaps in not being open or able to experience the fullness of Christ. Each Protestant denomination chooses the part that makes most sense to them without embracing ALL that is given to us by Christ through His Bride, The Church.
5. Romans 8:28
6. “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry.” -Padre Pio
   Others can be favorites for a time such as. . .“Everywhere in this world we notice action. . .departure and return; going away and coming back; separation and reunion. The separation always looks forward to union, which is creative. All this is simply an image of the Blessed Trinity in the activity of creatures.” -Maximilian Kolbe
7. The Bible along with the Tradition of the Church (which discerned which books are in the Bible) is sufficient for my faith.
8. In the context of asking Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus to intercede for us and plead for us, yes.

Thanks for asking!

 

[maryj]

Is a person saved without the Eucharist?

Not me! I am weak, but He is strong.

 

[ccmnxc]

1. Were you raised Catholic?

Yes.

1. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?

A love for theology, philosophy, and apologetics

1. How are you saved?

Well, I believe in justification through faith and works. This question is relatively open-ended, though. Martyrdom, perhaps (although that may simply fall under the previous criteria). I feel that those who have not heard of Christ but have followed the moral nature planted in them by God also have a pretty good shot.

1. In what way is the Protestant deceived (I use this word purposely because one would have to be to reject the claim that the catholic church is the only true Church, which is Christ, and to deny Him is to deny salvation…found in repentance, baptism and Eucharist. Paraphrasing from the catholic website).

I’d say my biggest area as far as “deceived” is the fact that personal interpretation is both plausible and permissible.

1. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Matthew 28:19-20
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

1. What is your favorite quote by a saint?

Still searching…

1. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?

Not exactly sure what is being asked here. I believe Scripture to be the infallible Word of God. I also believe nothing in Catholic Church teaching is in direct conflict with the messages of the Bible. However, I do believe there are things outside of the Bible that merit belief, although I don’t feel they are all strictly necessary for salvation.

1. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?

I’m not expert myself, but I’d guess not.

1. What would an individual lack without the sacred tradition?

It seems like an exhaustive list would be quite difficult. I feel I would lack the certainty needed to believe the Bible, since the Bible itself does not say it is the final authority or even that it is the infallible Word of God.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

**1. Were you raised Catholic? **
No, I was raised Protestant.

2. How did God lead you to believe the Catholic faith is true?
I was exposed in writings, liturgy, and culture to early and Medieval Christianity, and found continuity between that and the Catholic Church. I found that the faith of our fathers was bigger than the “solas,” and that the Church was identifiable as a particular visible body in the world.

3. How are you saved?
God saves me, but I have to cooperate. This cooperation involves not only faith but also obedience; and this obedience requires, in part, submission to the shepherds he has set over me. (It is possible to believe but not obey, as the devils, and to share their lot.)

4. In what way is the Protestant deceived?
He fails to see that he, too, relies on tradition and a hierarchy to define his beliefs; that his tradition is a mixture of Christianity and the doctrines of various rebels; and that his hierarchy has no authority to teach.

5. What is your favorite Bible verse?
I don’t think I have a favorite verse. If I had a favorite book, it would probably be the Gospel according to St. John.

6. What is your favorite quote by a saint?
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” --the B.V. Mary (Lk. 1:38)

7. Is the Bible all sufficient for your faith?
No, but the specifics of the answer depends on what you mean by “your faith.”
– If you mean supernatural belief and trust in Jesus, grace is necessary, and usually a teacher; having a copy of the Bible is not.
– If you mean what Catholics mean by faith, i.e. a supernatural virtue by which we assent to all God has revealed, the answer is the same as above.
– If you mean “the one true faith,” i.e. what I’m assenting to, no, Sacred Tradition is also necessary, and a Magisterium to interpret both Scripture and Tradition.

8. “I place in you all my hopes; I confide my salvation to your care.” Can this prayer be said to Mary?
Yes! (Not in the sense we would mean it to God, but in the sense of the best intercessor there is.)

 

[sowinskija]

Thank you for all your responses!

Added question:

1. What would an individual lack without the sacred tradition?

A foundation of understanding for Holy Scripture that is not taken out of context and accepted by early followers of Christ.