Refuting Protestant Arguments

[catholic03]

Hello,

I have a dear friend, who is an Evangelical Protestant. He will not listen to any reason. He claims that while Catholics are Christians (how kind of him!), we are part of the ‘universal body of believers’ which he says encompasses Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians. He also says that we Catholics are saved by faith alone!

He won’t give up trying to convert me. He says that because I am wise and clever, one day I will realise that ‘Protestantism is the truth’. How could he ever support this heretical movement?

I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that the Catholic Church is the one true Church, and I believe in complete loyalty and support to the doctrines of the Church.

I am very knowledgeable on doctrine as I have studied it intensely. But, despite my very deep theological knowledge, he still does not believe me.

I want him to come home to the Holy Mother Church, but no matter what I say or do, and no matter what videos, articles, scripture, and catechism references I show him, he still does not understand. He is so indoctrinated.

How am I to convert him? He is a such a good, kind friend, but is always trying to convert me to the point that I feel uneasy due to his constant desecration of the faith.

Sincerely Yours in Christ and His Blessed Mother

 

[catholicray]

How am I to convert him?

Only God converts hearts. Your responsibility is to share the truth to him in all mercy and all kindness. The rest of the process can be left entirely in the loving hands of our merciful, loving, LORD.

 

[ewohdrol]

Don’t convert him. And don’t accept his attempt to convert you.

Agree to disagree on some aspects of your faith. And rejoice in the many facets and similarities that you do share.

 

[po18guy]

Ask him one last question: Which bible did Jesus found His Church on?

Then withdraw from him for a time while praying constantly for him - before our Lord at adoration if possible.

 

[sudy]

He also says that we Catholics are saved by faith alone!

I’m not particularly skilled in evangelising but this faith alone issue really depends very much on how he understands its meaning. For example, if you read 1 Corinthians 13:2 it shows clearly that faith can never be just a simple statement of belief, and is never alone.

 

[sudy]

‘works come naturally with faith and that is what this is referring to’.

I’d only quibble with ‘naturally’… it’s grace from God and not from human nature.

I think it’s better to find the common ground instead of feeling under pressure to convert him, as he is already a follower of Christ and we are to show love and mercy and understanding rather than look for animosity. Perhaps focus instead on defending your own faith position instead of attacking his… lead by example perhaps

 

[catholic03]

He believes that no matter how bad your sins, you are still saved only by belief in Christ. He believes that when you believe in Christ, you naturally do good works, which are not at all necessary for salvation, but are still good for leading a Godly life.

I may not be describing it properly. I don’t Understand Protestant doctrines.

 

[sudy]

If we belong to God we can’t continue in our sins… Scripture makes that very clear. Perhaps find passages that reflect this… St John covers it very well.

After saying that though, love does cover a multitude of sins, and in showing mercy and forgiveness we will receive mercy and forgiveness.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

How am I to convert him? He is a such a good, kind friend, but is always trying to convert me to the point that I feel uneasy due to his constant desecration of the faith.

Your friend may be a good and kind person, but his friendship with you has a serious defect in that he is refusing to respect your religious boundaries even after you presumably have told him a) he is wrong and b) you are not interested in converting, ever.

I would suggest the following:

1. Explain to this friend that while you think he is a great person, you no longer want to hear his proselytizing and if he can’t lay off and stop talking about it with you, you will need to distance yourself from him. Then follow through on your statement. If he keeps bringing it up, you keep ending the conversation or not making plans with him.

If you permit him to keep this up he will just think it’s okay behavior and continue harping about Protestantism being the “right” way, which would have caused me to end the friendship long ago - and if I had a Protestant friend but I spent all day harping at him about how Catholicism was right and his way was wrong, I would expect the Protestant friend to distance himself from me too. It’s fine to have a discussion of faith beliefs once in a while, but this should not be a constant topic of argument between friends.

1. With respect to converting this person to Catholicism, it doesn’t sound like his mind is really open to being converted at this time. I would suggest that you cite one or two good books on Catholicism and then just leave it alone and pray for the person. Pray to the Holy Spirit to come into his heart, and to St. Joseph, the patron of conversions, to intercede. Pray daily. If the person does not convert during his life, then Jesus might convert him upon death (I’ve been told by a priest that God can do this).

He believes that no matter how bad your sins, you are still saved only by belief in Christ. He believes that when you believe in Christ, you naturally do good works, which are not at all necessary for salvation, but are still good for leading a Godly life.

I may not be describing it properly. I don’t Understand Protestant doctrines.

This is common Evangelical Protestant belief. It’s called Sola Fide (“Faith Alone”). As you note, it’s wrong.

 

[Gorgias]

Ask him one last question: Which bible did Jesus found His Church on?

Answer: none.

Jesus founded His Church on the apostolic witness of those whom He chose to lead His Church.

He believes that when you believe in Christ, you naturally do good works, which are not at all necessary for salvation

If “good works are not necessary”, then why are they the basis for the divine judgment found in Matthew 25:31–46…?