Random happenings - positive or negative, what do you think?

[Princess18]

My finance’s mother, sister, and brother-in-law are Southern Baptist. I’m fairly certain they don’t know anything about Catholicism except that others have told them it’s horrid and bad, which I doubt they believe. My priest recommended I read the book Home Sweet Rome because it’s about a Presbyterian minister who essentially converted himself to Catholicism by intensely studying the Bible. I read it and felt that I would keep it to offer to his family if they asked questions I could not explain well. I’m not trying to convert them, just trying to help them understand what their son/brother is marrying into.

Lo and behold, his mom hands me a copy of the same book. My fiance’s brother-in-law asked her to give it to me … she’s pretty sure he read it but doesn’t know how or why he got it, nor does she have any idea what it is about.

I was completely startled … wondering if this should mean something to me, some sort of sign or something. So I fish a little bit, and tell her what the book is about. She essentially tells me that she has no problem with anyone following whatever religion they want, but she feels the Bible is all you need and she’s not ok with anyone but God telling her what to do or how to interpret the Bible.

Ok, I respect that. Like I said, I’m not trying to convert her. So what do I do? Ask that she read the book anyway, so she’ll understand my faith? Or is that pushing too hard when she clearly said she doesn’t agree and might think I’m trying to convert her? Do I ask my brother-in-law (who initially seemed a little afraid that my fiance’ might convert when we married) if he read it and what he thought, or do I just wait and see if he ever brings it up?

I don’t want to be pushy. I’ve never been a fan of anyone who, while well-meaning, tried to show me a “better” religion and convince me of its superiority to the Catholic Church, so I’m tempted to just drop it and wait for them to bring it up. However, the book showing up again like that was kind of creepy and I’m not sure what to make of it.

If nothing else, if you could just toss a quick word in your prayers for my inlaws to keep an open mind, that would be great.

Thanks!

 

[kage_ar]

Rome Sweet Home is a good book.

One thing to remember when reading Conversion stories or giving them to others - not all Protestant groups have the same core beliefs.

Baptists are from the Evangelical side of the world, perhaps a book like “Born Fundamentalist Born Again Catholic” or “Evangelical is not Enough” would more speak a language that your H2B’s family would understand.

Another suggestion is this video and study guide ninevehscrossing.com/Order-CommonGround.html

Baptists and Presbyterians (what Scott Hahn was ) are vastly different in some beliefs.

Prayers for all of you!

 

[newbetx]

My finance’s mother, sister, and brother-in-law are Southern Baptist. I’m fairly certain they don’t know anything about Catholicism except that others have told them it’s horrid and bad, which I doubt they believe. My priest recommended I read the book Home Sweet Rome because it’s about a Presbyterian minister who essentially converted himself to Catholicism by intensely studying the Bible. I read it and felt that I would keep it to offer to his family if they asked questions I could not explain well. I’m not trying to convert them, just trying to help them understand what their son/brother is marrying into.

Lo and behold, his mom hands me a copy of the same book. My fiance’s brother-in-law asked her to give it to me … she’s pretty sure he read it but doesn’t know how or why he got it, nor does she have any idea what it is about.

I was completely startled … wondering if this should mean something to me, some sort of sign or something. So I fish a little bit, and tell her what the book is about. She essentially tells me that she has no problem with anyone following whatever religion they want, but she feels the Bible is all you need and she’s not ok with anyone but God telling her what to do or how to interpret the Bible.

Ok, I respect that. Like I said, I’m not trying to convert her. So what do I do? Ask that she read the book anyway, so she’ll understand my faith? Or is that pushing too hard when she clearly said she doesn’t agree and might think I’m trying to convert her? Do I ask my brother-in-law (who initially seemed a little afraid that my fiance’ might convert when we married) if he read it and what he thought, or do I just wait and see if he ever brings it up?

I don’t want to be pushy. I’ve never been a fan of anyone who, while well-meaning, tried to show me a “better” religion and convince me of its superiority to the Catholic Church, so I’m tempted to just drop it and wait for them to bring it up. However, the book showing up again like that was kind of creepy and I’m not sure what to make of it.

If nothing else, if you could just toss a quick word in your prayers for my inlaws to keep an open mind, that would be great.

Thanks!

Interesting. Rome, Sweet Home was the book that got me off my butt and, really, brought me to CAF… I only recommend it to those that will get some relational meaning out of it. Like those converting but the wife is not, or as inspiration that the Catholic faith is justified. For your MIL, I think you are better not to push it… She’s right where you need her right now. And, I’m sure for every Protestant to Catholic Conversion story there’s an equal number of Catholic to something else stories. Best to leave that be.

As for the BIL. I would call him and thank him for the book and ask how he came across it and how he felt about it. I’m not sure why it came via your MIL… convenience or lack of desire to give it to you personally… That might be some clue. Good luck!

Glad to see you and PC are still around!