Protestant saying hello

[justasking4]

Originally Posted by justasking4
What attracts you to the catholic church? Have you studied their doctrines?

guanophore
Is it your goal here to attempt to dissuade those who are interested in learning about Catholicism?

i’m curious about those who once were protestants and make such a significant change and the reasons for it. What were the factors that would lead someone to this and how well do they know what they are embrace are critical issues.

 

[CatholicCajun]

bienvenu redshock. GOd Bless.

 

[guanophore]

i’m curious about those who once were protestants and make such a significant change and the reasons for it. What were the factors that would lead someone to this and how well do they know what they are embrace are critical issues.

What makes you say it is such a significant change? There are many Protestant bodies that do not have a “Bible alone” approach. I have noted that passionate Pentecostals who begin to study church history seem to have an easier time embracing Aposolic faith when they realize that it has been unbroken over the last two millenia.

Perhap the issues that are “critical” to you (stumbling blocks) are not for others?

 

[redshock]

What makes you say it is such a significant change? There are many Protestant bodies that do not have a “Bible alone” approach. I have noted that passionate Pentecostals who begin to study church history seem to have an easier time embracing Aposolic faith when they realize that it has been unbroken over the last two millenia.

Perhap the issues that are “critical” to you (stumbling blocks) are not for others?

It’s exactly that for me. The church goes way back:

An anology:

A guy comes along saying “I don’t like this doctine. Come, follow me, for what I fixed is indeed the true Church that God intended.” Then a follower of his disagrees with a few doctrines. He says, “come people, follow me, for I have fixed the doctrines making my church the True Church.” A chain reaction occurs over and over again - someone continues to try to “fix” the church. Now everyone believes they are the True Church. But still, disagreements will happen, and I wouldn’t be suprised if a full 360 happens and end up with Catholic doctrine again.

 

[justasking4]

It’s exactly that for me. The church goes way back:

An anology:

A guy comes along saying “I don’t like this doctine. Come, follow me, for what I fixed is indeed the true Church that God intended.” Then a follower of his disagrees with a few doctrines. He says, “come people, follow me, for I have fixed the doctrines making my church the True Church.” A chain reaction occurs over and over again - someone continues to try to “fix” the church. Now everyone believes they are the True Church. But still, disagreements will happen, and I wouldn’t be suprised if a full 360 happens and end up with Catholic doctrine again.

If this happens as you say then the church will be in a perpetual state of error.

 

[redshock]

If this happens as you say then the church will be in a perpetual state of error.

Yes, and due to that, the corrupted churches become catholics because it’s the only Christ-intended church that is still standing. It’s probably no question that we’re already seeing this. The catholic church went from 800 million people to 1 billion over the last 20 years. I believe it’s the place where not just cradle catholics are placed, but now folks that were previously Adventists, Jahovah witnesses, Methodists, etc. They are united at will under one true Holy church. I think that is quite amazing

 

[justasking4]

Yes, and due to that, the corrupted churches become catholics because it’s the only Christ-intended church that is still standing. It’s probably no question that we’re already seeing this. The catholic church went from 800 million people to 1 billion over the last 20 years. I believe it’s the place where not just cradle catholics are placed, but now folks that were previously Adventists, Jahovah witnesses, Methodists, etc. They are united at will under one true Holy church. I think that is quite amazing

Where do you get the idea that catholic church is the “only Christ-intended church that is still standing”?

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Where do you get the idea that catholic church is the “only Christ-intended church that is still standing”?

Hate to jump in, But since the Catholic and Orthodox are the only churches that date all the way back to the founding By the Apostles That they are the Church that Christ commissioned them to found.

All protestant churches are the result of a single man or group that said I did like that and so started there own church

If Jesus had What we find today in the protestant churches they would have come about from the apostles not 14 0r 15 hundred years later.

 

[redshock]

Exactly. Btw, had my fourth mass today It was awesome.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Exactly. Btw, had my fourth mass today It was awesome.

I am happy to hear that you are receiving so much from the Mass. May God Bless you on your journey to the Church. To get back to your OP Just be very respectful of your parents as I am sure you already are. Do not be confrontational and if they come to you listen to them answer their questions to the best of your ability and I am sure that though they may not understand this will not change how your family lives its daily life other than you will be worshiping differently. Most all my family is of various protestant denominations I go to mass most every week by myself ( every once in awhile my brother or mother will join me). At family gatherings if there is prayer I am the only one that crosses myself. I will join them for services at their church only if I have the opportunity to go to Mass either for before or after. But that can be dangerous and I do not partake in communion outside to the Catholic church.

 

[johnnydigit]

Where do you get the idea that catholic church is the “only Christ-intended church that is still standing”?

Hate to jump in, But since the Catholic and Orthodox are the only churches that date all the way back to the founding By the Apostles That they are the Church that Christ commissioned them to found.

All protestant churches are the result of a single man or group that said I did like that and so started there own church

If Jesus had What we find today in the protestant churches they would have come about from the apostles not 14 0r 15 hundred years later.

exactly. i learned this in my secular college class, World Religions. it’s in the book. this is basic history. this is fact. on top of that, my professor was a pastor of “the most liberal” Christian Church around, and even he wouldn’t deny it. no professor would. they’re more into using “apostasy”. there are countless books, online texts, and time lines available.

Exactly. Btw, had my fourth mass today It was awesome.

you’re hardcore. i’ve done maybe 2 or 3 Masses in one day. is there something “special” happening that would cause you to go that often?

 

[Deconi]

exactly. i learned this in my secular college class, World Religions. it’s in the book. this is basic history. this is fact. on top of that, my professor was a pastor of “the most liberal” Christian Church around, and even he wouldn’t deny it. no professor would. they’re more into using “apostasy”. there are countless books, online texts, and time lines available.

you’re hardcore. i’ve done maybe 2 or 3 Masses in one day. is there something “special” happening that would cause you to go that often?

I think he means ‘today’ was the fourth time s/he’d been to Mass. Not four times today. At least, I hope that’s what s/he means…or the priest is gonna need some help!!

 

[guanophore]

A guy comes along saying “I don’t like this doctine. Come, follow me, for what I fixed is indeed the true Church that God intended.” Then a follower of his disagrees with a few doctrines. He says, “come people, follow me, for I have fixed the doctrines making my church the True Church.” A chain reaction occurs over and over again - someone continues to try to “fix” the church. Now everyone believes they are the True Church. But still, disagreements will happen, and I wouldn’t be suprised if a full 360 happens and end up with Catholic doctrine again.

If this happens as you say then the church will be in a perpetual state of error.

Let me get this straight…you are saying that, if all the Protestants come around again to being Catholic, then the church will be in a perpetual state of error?

What makes you think this? How is it that your concept of the sinfulness of man is STRONGER than the Power of GOD!

You seem to believe that Jesus is too weak to preserve His bride in the truth!

 

[guanophore]

Where do you get the idea that catholic church is the “only Christ-intended church that is still standing”?

Jesus did not found “churches” , ja4. He founded One Church.

" I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and **one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 5 one **Lord, one faith, **one **baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all." Eph 4:1-6

All who are in unity with the Truth are members of that one Body. This is why I say, when you tear at the Catholic Church, you tear at the Body of Christ, and wound yourself as well. We are all members one of another, and your constant fault finding with Catholicism is divisive, not unifying.

 

[Steadfast]

There is only one church, it is true, but it is bigger than just that one which is in communion with the Bishop of Rome.

 

[justasking4]

guanophore;3382758]
Originally Posted by redshock

A guy comes along saying “I don’t like this doctine. Come, follow me, for what I fixed is indeed the true Church that God intended.” Then a follower of his disagrees with a few doctrines. He says, “come people, follow me, for I have fixed the doctrines making my church the True Church.” A chain reaction occurs over and over again - someone continues to try to “fix” the church. Now everyone believes they are the True Church. But still, disagreements will happen, and I wouldn’t be suprised if a full 360 happens and end up with Catholic doctrine again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by justasking4
If this happens as you say then the church will be in a perpetual state of error.

guanophore
Let me get this straight…you are saying that, if all the Protestants come around again to being Catholic, then the church will be in a perpetual state of error?

The Roman Catholic church would have to renounce many of its unbliblical doctrines and practices as would protestant churches that also hold to false doctrines.

What makes you think this? How is it that your concept of the sinfulness of man is STRONGER than the Power of GOD!

God evidently in this church age is allowing some false doctrines to remain at the present time.

You seem to believe that Jesus is too weak to preserve His bride in the truth!

Does any believer have a total and complete understanding of the truth without error? I suspect not. All have some error. Some individuals and churches have more than others.

 

[tiffinwood]

Welcome to both!!

My niece by marriage swam the Tiber her senior year in high school. Her mother works in the Presbyterian missions field. That side of the family was concerned and upset for a while but they never gave Barbara a hard time. Hope your experience is as happy as hers.

btw my husband converted the year after we were married. I attended all the RCIA classes with him and really learned a lot even though I’m a cradle Catholic. That was 18 years ago.

 

[guanophore]

The Roman Catholic church would have to renounce many of its unbliblical doctrines and practices as would protestant churches that also hold to false doctrines.

God evidently in this church age is allowing some false doctrines to remain at the present time.

The problem with this is that these doctrines are not “Roman”. They are Apostolic, and are shared by the Orthodox, and the non-Roman Catholic Rites. I don’t think that unity would require that everyone abandon their devotional practices. On the contrary, I think it would require people such as yourself to be able to tolerate the fact that other Christians worship God differently, and have cultural differences.

Another problem with this view is that non of the Catholic doctrines are based on the Bible, so giving up “unbiblical doctrine” does not make sense, since the doctrine came before the scripture.

Does any believer have a total and complete understanding of the truth without error? I suspect not. All have some error. Some individuals and churches have more than others.

I don’t think I am qualified to measure that. I am sure that some of the saints had a much more pure and complete understanding of Truth than I do, but I don’ t think it is possible for human beings, limited as we are, to be able to comprehend all there is of God. But God did not make the promise of Truth to individuals. He made it to the Church. Those that hold to the Apostolic Teachings and are in union with the successor of Peter inherit this promise.

 

[justasking4]

guanophore;3387370]
Originally Posted by justasking4
The Roman Catholic church would have to renounce many of its unbliblical doctrines and practices as would protestant churches that also hold to false doctrines.

God evidently in this church age is allowing some false doctrines to remain at the present time.

guanophore;
The problem with this is that these doctrines are not “Roman”. They are Apostolic, and are shared by the Orthodox, and the non-Roman Catholic Rites.

The marian doctrines are not Apostolic in the least.

guanophore;
I don’t think that unity would require that everyone abandon their devotional practices. On the contrary, I think it would require people such as yourself to be able to tolerate the fact that other Christians worship God differently, and have cultural differences.

Unity must be based on truth and so long as false teachings are promoted as truth there will never be true unity for which Christ prayed for.

guanophore;
Another problem with this view is that non of the Catholic doctrines are based on the Bible, so giving up “unbiblical doctrine” does not make sense, since the doctrine came before the scripture.

Can you give me an example what you mean here?

 

[jmcrae]

Can you give me an example what you mean here?

The first example that comes to mind is the Resurrection.

First, Jesus rose from the dead.

Then, Mary Magdalene, and also some other women, found that the tomb was empty.

Then, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.

Then, Mary Magdalene told the Apostles.

Then, various things happened and the Apostles came to know that Jesus had risen from the dead, and met with Him, and received their last instructions from Him.

Then, the Apostles starting telling everybody. They went all over the known world at that time, and spread the news that Jesus had conquered death, and that human beings can now go to Heaven.

Then, after about 20-30 years had passed, the Apostles and their followers started writing down the sayings and miracles of Jesus, including the Resurrection. A great many of these books were written - most of them have since been lost, or badly copied. Some were preserved intact.

In 405 AD, Pope Innocent I chose four of those books of sayings and miracles (called “Gospels”) - he chose those particular ones and not others, because the teachings found in those particular ones correspond to the teachings of the Church - and he included them in the Bible, so that they can be read out at Mass during the teaching part of the Mass, aka the Liturgy of the Word.

So, first the event happens. Then, the Church teaches it. Then, it gets written down. Then, the books get included in the Bible, based on the fact that their contents correspond to what the Church already teaches.