Protestantism, Catholicism, and Salvation

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Hello!

I’m relatively new to the Church (I entered this past Easter vigil), but I’ve been trying to be dutiful in studying it. I was raised in the Presbyterian church and my family (save an aunt on the far end of the country) is Protestant.

The question that’s been bugging me is the concept of salvation. Mainly, I worry for my family. They have been amazing and supportive (though I worry my Dad is not 100% aware of what I did when I chose to enter) and I’ve been grateful for that. My question is focused on that of invincible and vincible ignorance. When does invincible ignorance shift and become vincible ignorance? While most of my family has chosen not to ask me questions about some of my new habits (crucifix above the door, crossing myself, prayer to the Saints), I’ve gotten a few questions, and I’m not sure when their ignorance becomes stubbornness.

I love my family and I would love for them to experience the joy and…well, just everything that I have since I decided to join the Church, but I know for them, it is more difficult as they are…well, older, and more set in their ways in attending their home church than I was, especially when I left to college.

So to sum up, is my family in trouble?

Thanks in advance for any help! Sorry if things are less than coherent. I’m a little tired and concepts like salvation always make me feel like a babbling idiot.
 
Are they in trouble? Nope. God gives each of us a means of salvation. For you your salvation comes from the teachings of the Catholic church. Now that you realize this truth, you would be in trouble if you turned away from that absolute truth.

Many people have not (for one reason or another) been given the same gifts as you. It doesn’t mean they haven’t been given any gifts. In fact, many protestant religions teach a great deal of truth, but not to the degree of the Catholic Church. Our Church has had, in many cases a thousand or so more years to figure things out a little bit more.

God calls us to unity. To recognize our similarities with our brothers and sisters in Christ and not focus on our differences. We all love God and are doing what we feel in our hearts to be true and right. We are fighting for the same team. God knows better than all of us what we do and why we do it. If your family is following the truth as God has revealed it to them. They are not doomed. God loves them for doing what was true to their hearts.

You can pray for them to see the truth as you see it. As they may likely pray for you to see the truth as they see it. I’m sure God just smiles, because there is only one truth and we’ve all probably God little bits of it mixed up. He’ll straighten us out the rest of the way when we get to Heaven. Be a witness to the truth as you know it. Answer any questions with kindness and charity. Never criticize, even if they criticize you, turn the other cheek. Most importantly, if you don’t know the answer, tell them. Then find the answer and followup. You never know how your actions may be working inside them.

Might I also suggest the audio recording of the Tim Staples conversion story? It’s titled, “How Jimmy Swaggert made me Catholic”. He talks about how one of the people that played a huge part in his conversion had absolutely no idea that he was having any effect on him. That he tried as hard as he could to not be Catholic. How he ultimately became Catholic and how his very protestant family responded to his conversion. It’s a wonderful story and Tim Staples is a very gifted speaker. His story draws you in. shop.catholic.com/product.php?productid=170&cat=0&page=1. I got it and it was worth every bit of that $19.95. I don’t even have it in my possession because I keep passing it around to all those that are interested. 👍
 
some people are just can’t reconcile themselves to the belief in God or more rightly Jesus as God.It would have to be due to their upbringing and the relations in their life.Most people even if they are brought up in christian homes stilll have some trouble believing in Christ or at least many of the things that they are taught about Him.IMO the invincible are few.Just as the Church believes some people are predestined for Hell.In a small amount of cases some people from early childhood cannot accept the grace which God bestows on all of us.They never respond to those graces and fight and end fighting against them and God.Many people have vincible ignorance.They don’t see God in the things around them or the people around them.They have to be told about God and He has to be explained.
 
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