RCIA Experience - ss

[ssms27]

I started the attending RCIA a few weeks ago. The first two weeks were introductions and they went well and the first lesson was on Scripture and Tradition with a short overview of what Catholic’s believe. The class is run but a deacon within the Church.

My intention is spend the year thinking through the teaching of the Church and if all goes well the plan was to do my confirmation in the spring. I was Baptized Catholic but had a born again experience at 13 and attended Protestant churches since. I’ve been considering going to RCIA for a number of years and have read numerous books on the topic over the years.

So I was a bit disappointed by the first lesson where the Deacon leading the class made a few assertions.

First he asked is the Church bible based. My answer was yes in light of the fact that Church is based on the word of God, which includes scripture and tradition. He said I was wrong and that the church is based on tradition, since the Bible is part of tradition, and wasn’t compiled until hundreds of years later.

Second he mentioned that apostles were unlearned, and the Church fathers were needed to clarify the meaning of scripture and instruct the church. He said they were so smart compared to the disciples that they barely needed the Holy Spirit. Not really sure what he though of Luke, John, and Paul but I didn’t feel like asking.

The second thing he said I would suspect would be contradicted but the Church fathers themselves along with the Church magesterium.

The first is a bit of a more nuanced discussion but I didn’t feel like the Deacon was prepared to have that discussion so I let it go.

Does this sound like a typical RCIA class ? I was hoping for more but will give it another chance.

 

[TheHolyTrinity]

I am no Theologian here and do not work closely with those who are in the RCIA vocation.

I understand that both the Word of God and Tradition is inseparable. Meaning that the scriptures are read within the Tradition of the Church. Also interpretation of the Bible with accordance to the Spirit.

I am sure others will pipe up soon.

 

[CelticWarlord]

First he asked is the Church bible based.

I suspect his answer was based on the fact that the Church existed long before the bible did as we know it today. While many of my fellow Protestants will claim to be in a church which is “bible based”, averring an air of superiority, the church of the first century was still over 300 years from having a complete New Testament.

 

[TheLittleLady]

As there is no defined curriculum for the RCIA preparation instruction sessions, there is no such thing as typical.

Have you talked to your Pastor? RCIA Prep is not intended for those who are baptized. Yes, I know many parishes do not have the bandwidth to offer a “Sacramental Instruction for the Baptized” track so they put everyone in an RCIA Prep, it is worth asking your priest about private or other instruction.

It sounds as if you have a Deacon who has very specific opinions and does not want to have nuanced discussions, and I am sorry for that.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

On the first point, I agree with the deacon, as does Church teaching on scripture. The Church isn’t Bible-based; the Bible is Church-based.

On the second, I would think there’s room for debate and those in the discussion need to bring evidence of their positions.

 

[Dan_Defender]

On the first point, I would agree with the Deacon for the reason he gave.
On the second point, it is more nuanced. The Apostles post-Pentecost were certainly guided by the Holy Spirit. There is no doubt in my mind that they were witnesses to the Assumption of Mary for example. But over time, some knowledge was lost and heresies sprang up, so the Church Fathers had an important role to play.

 

[Brian_K]

It’s certainly different from the one we offer at our parish. I’m on our RCIA team and the focus is on the candidates and catechumens, whether they’re baptized or not. The deacon teaching yours may be technically right on most points, but it sounds like you don’t feel the inviting spirit of charitable discussion, which I helped me through the process a lot.

At the same time, you might make notes of points he makes that leave you with questions and research them on your own. He does sound knowledgeable. As you get deeper into the process and get more familiar with everyone you might well end up having some in-depth and enjoyable discussions.

As for what you absolutely must believe to become Catholic, the list isn’t very long and those dogmas are clear cut. As to things like how educated the apostles were versus the church fathers, his opinions likely tell you more about him than absolute historical fact.

But given you were interested enough to follow up and clarify these things, you might be a breath of fresh air for him by showing genuine interest in understanding the faith more specifically.

 

[Dlee]

I suspect your mind needs to “flip” from protestant thinking to Catholic thinking. I know mine had to. I remember a question that I answered wrong - “is the Bible meant to be read or to be heard?” Of course, as a former Baptist, I answered read. Wrong. Jesus told the disciples and people to listen to what he had to say - follow what I teach you. Oral tradition plays a huge part in what we believe. So, the first Church was not based on the Bible as we know it because it had not been written down.

 

[ssms27]

Thanks, the RCIA program is advertised for the unconfirmed at this church along with the unbaptized, but I didn’t realize that it’s really not the intent.

 

[Convert3]

I was baptized, but wanted to go through RCIA to learn what Catholics believed. I also did a lot of reading and searched YouTube for RCIA videos. That helped a lot.

 

[TheLittleLady]

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-te...e-of-christian-initiation-of-adults/index.cfm

What is meant by coming into full communion with the Church?​

Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for already baptized Christians. In most cases, these individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called Candidates, usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Although some preparation may be with Catechumens preparing for baptism, the preparation for Candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities. The Candidates may be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil or at another Sunday during the year depending on pastoral circumstances and readiness of the Candidate.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I am writing you about these matters, although I hope to visit you soon.

But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth 1 Timothy 3:15

The Church is the pillar of truth, not the Bible alone

Perhaps this will help ?

Jim