Questions to ask Protestants

[sixofseven]

What sorts of questions are good ones to ask Protestants? Not as a way of stumping them in an agressive form but just to get them to think?

My husband accuses me of bombarding with information, quotes and articles instead of enagaging and asking questions.

I guess I don’t really know what I want to or should ask? I’m used to being asked the questions so I’m always just giving answers and not asking questions back.

For example I’m currently in discussions with a non-Catholic colleague about the purpose and function of the papacy. What sort of questions could I ask that might get this person to think/consider outside the protestant square?

 

[septimine]

Re the purpose of the papacy

I dunno, I think one thing that protestant don’t think about is the way we actually got the Bible. It’s kind of a problem to reject church authority because if you reject church authority, you have very little basis for saying which specific books belong in the Bible. In other words, if the early church was wrong about Peter and succession, how do you know they were right about Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John? Why are those books part of the Bible and not say Phillip or Thomas?

 

[Suslar]

I like to invite my Protestant friends to come to Mass. No, they cannot receive Our Lord in Holy Eucharist, but it’s an amazing thing when people can find common ground in the similarities of our beautiful Mass to their services. It could even lead into a conversation about where the traditions, prayers, rituals, etc come from . . . and the answer, of course, is from Jesus and Judiasm.

I think many people would be open to learning more about our Faith when it comes across as warm and inviting, and not “in your face” with who has the right answers. I’ve had to learn that the hard way. I may have “won” countless debates with Protestants, but what good is that if they don’t come to see the Truth because I turned them off with my arguments?

Good luck to you! May God give you the words to say to turn hearts back to Him.

 

[TraditonRules]

Interesting, being that Protestants have adopted Catholic beliefs and practices and vice versus other last century. In the end we have so much more in common than differences.

In the end both sides have compelling arguments that they stand for truth.

Peace,

 

[InspiritCarol]

Your common ground is scripture.

Use that. Point out Catholic customs and such. E.g., I just had the opportunity to enlighten a Baptist friend about how Peter is our first pope.

Say, I was reading such and such passage from holy scripture this morning and I was just kind of wondering what your take is on it.

Listen politely; then very gently see if they are open to your interpretation. Or mention some exciting parallel you’ve just noticed between scripture and Catholic tradition. Ask them about their traditions. There are some really neat ones. Be open to listening about their world. You should never feel like you have to force your world-view on anyone. Trust that God will call them.

As a wise priest said repeatedly: you must be gentle with the lambs.

It’s so much better when they can describe one of their traditions and have it turn out to be a Catholic one. They re-invent the wheel so much- . Be loving and look for those opportunities to find common ground.

With the Love of Christ there, all the rest is just details.

If you can, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

[InspiritCarol]

I may have “won” countless debates with Protestants, but what good is that if they don’t come to see the Truth because I turned them off with my arguments?

Amen to that. Someone recently accused me of always having to be “right”.

That is far from true, but I realized it came across that way to her because I was so much more informed on the subject matter.

In the end I pushed her away all unknowingly.

 

[sixofseven]

Your common ground is scripture.

Use that. Point out Catholic customs and such. E.g., I just had the opportunity to enlighten a Baptist friend about how Peter is our first pope.

Say, I was reading such and such passage from holy scripture this morning and I was just kind of wondering what your take is on it.

Listen politely; then very gently see if they are open to your interpretation. Or mention some exciting parallel you’ve just noticed between scripture and Catholic tradition. Ask them about their traditions. There are some really neat ones. Be open to listening about their world. You should never feel like you have to force your world-view on anyone. Trust that God will call them.

As a wise priest said repeatedly: you must be gentle with the lambs.

It’s so much better when they can describe one of their traditions and have it turn out to be a Catholic one. They re-invent the wheel so much- . Be loving and look for those opportunities to find common ground.

With the Love of Christ there, all the rest is just details.

If you can, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Great advice, thanks. I think sometimes I’m not a good listener - but it’s just that I want to shake them and say, ‘can’t you see the truth here!!!’. I’m passionate yes, but need to work on my gentleness…

 

[sixofseven]

Amen to that. Someone recently accused me of always having to be “right”.

That is far from true, but I realized it came across that way to her because I was so much more informed on the subject matter.

In the end I pushed her away all unknowingly.

This is exactly what I come across, especially with my husband. He thinks I spend all day on my high-horse, high moral ground looking down on non-catholics. Far from it, I’m always learning and I just want to share what I now know in the hope that it will lead others ‘home’.

 

[sixofseven]

Re the purpose of the papacy

I dunno, I think one thing that protestant don’t think about is the way we actually got the Bible. It’s kind of a problem to reject church authority because if you reject church authority, you have very little basis for saying which specific books belong in the Bible. In other words, if the early church was wrong about Peter and succession, how do you know they were right about Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John? Why are those books part of the Bible and not say Phillip or Thomas?

I haven’t talked about where we got the bible from…yet. But I think with the arguments I’ve put forward, it could possibly lead down that path. Thanks.

 

[David]

Some of my favorites

Why is the canon of Scripture not a tradition of man?

Why do Protestants believe everything has to be in the Bible? And then read them 2 Thes 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

What is the pillar and foundation of the truth? They will answer “the Bible”, then have them read 1 Tim 3:15 from their own NIV version.

I noticed Ephesians 4:5 teaches there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” why to Protestants have multiple baptisms? Some baptize babies and others refuse to baptize babies.

Peace
David

 

[Link0126]

How does the Holy Spirit guide the protestant churches into all truth if they all disagree?

Without an infallible interpreter how do you know you aren’t following the doctrines of men?

 

[Link0126]

Without an infallible interpreter how do you know you aren’t following the doctrines of men?

before this question above you can ask: Do you believe God left us an infallible interpreter of His word on earth?

also you can ask:

1. (a) Do you believe that the Holy Spirit guides some individuals to the truth?
2. (b) If so, are those individuals, on those particular issues, infallible?
3. What good does it do for God to provide us the Truth if we can’t discern it without confusion?

 

[puzzleannie]

I would begin with asking them to share their perception of their own relationship with Jesus Christ, and being open to share your own. Then I would begin by faith sharing with the Sunday scripture readings or any scriptures you both mutually select. The as questions arise you can explore them together using the catechism or other resources, but by giving short answers at first, not book length dissertations.

 

[pablope]

What sorts of questions are good ones to ask Protestants? Not as a way of stumping them in an agressive form but just to get them to think?

My husband accuses me of bombarding with information, quotes and articles instead of enagaging and asking questions.

I guess I don’t really know what I want to or should ask? I’m used to being asked the questions so I’m always just giving answers and not asking questions back.

For example I’m currently in discussions with a non-Catholic colleague about the purpose and function of the papacy. What sort of questions could I ask that might get this person to think/consider outside the protestant square?

I would usually ask a question with the aim of getting them to think.

One I always use to get them started…is ask them "Why do you believe the Gospel of Mark should be in the Bible?..Where does St. Mark claim authorship of the gospel of Mark? Provide me the chapter and verse, and when you find this chapter and verse, now why do you accept the Gospel of Mark as inspired? Why do you accept the authorship of Mark? How do you know? How do you know it is the right Mark, and not just anybody named Mark?

Answer, of couse, is there is no such chapter and verse. It is the testimony of the early church, and the authority of Catholic bishops that we accept the Gospel of Mark as scripture. The Bible did not come with a table of contents.

Then cite the proclamation of Pope Damasus in the Council of Rome, AD 382, where he proclaims the first canon.

 

[Nicea325]

What sorts of questions are good ones to ask Protestants? Not as a way of stumping them in an agressive form but just to get them to think?

My husband accuses me of bombarding with information, quotes and articles instead of enagaging and asking questions.

I guess I don’t really know what I want to or should ask? I’m used to being asked the questions so I’m always just giving answers and not asking questions back.

For example I’m currently in discussions with a non-Catholic colleague about the purpose and function of the papacy. What sort of questions could I ask that might get this person to think/consider outside the protestant square?

Ask: Where the Apostles given a position of authority or without it?

 

[sixofseven]

Some of my favorites

Why is the canon of Scripture not a tradition of man?

Why do Protestants believe everything has to be in the Bible? And then read them 2 Thes 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

What is the pillar and foundation of the truth? They will answer “the Bible”, then have them read 1 Tim 3:15 from their own NIV version.

I noticed Ephesians 4:5 teaches there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” why to Protestants have multiple baptisms? Some baptize babies and others refuse to baptize babies.

Peace
David

In a round about way I have stated the catholic answers to these in my discussions - but if they disputed I will just come out and ask. These are good, thanks.

 

[sixofseven]

How does the Holy Spirit guide the protestant churches into all truth if they all disagree?

Without an infallible interpreter how do you know you aren’t following the doctrines of men?

In my colleague’s dispute about the papacy he ask me if the church would continue without a Pope (his answer of course, was yes). My answer was that the very fact that there are thousands of christian churches all claiming to be led by the Holy Spirit yet all differing in belief and practice tells me that something is missing…a leader to determine was is right and wrong, true and false.

I will keep this second question up my sleeve, thanks!

 

[sixofseven]

before this question above you can ask: Do you believe God left us an infallible interpreter of His word on earth?

also you can ask:

1. (a) Do you believe that the Holy Spirit guides some individuals to the truth?
2. (b) If so, are those individuals, on those particular issues, infallible?
3. What good does it do for God to provide us the Truth if we can’t discern it without confusion?

Great lead up questions, thanks.

 

[sixofseven]

I would begin with asking them to share their perception of their own relationship with Jesus Christ, and being open to share your own. Then I would begin by faith sharing with the Sunday scripture readings or any scriptures you both mutually select. The as questions arise you can explore them together using the catechism or other resources, but by giving short answers at first, not book length dissertations.

It’s the shortness I struggle with!!! There’s so much to say!

 

[sixofseven]

I would usually ask a question with the aim of getting them to think.

One I always use to get them started…is ask them "Why do you believe the Gospel of Mark should be in the Bible?..Where does St. Mark claim authorship of the gospel of Mark? Provide me the chapter and verse, and when you find this chapter and verse, now why do you accept the Gospel of Mark as inspired? Why do you accept the authorship of Mark? How do you know? How do you know it is the right Mark, and not just anybody named Mark?

Answer, of couse, is there is no such chapter and verse. It is the testimony of the early church, and the authority of Catholic bishops that we accept the Gospel of Mark as scripture. The Bible did not come with a table of contents.

Then cite the proclamation of Pope Damasus in the Council of Rome, AD 382, where he proclaims the first canon.