Sister's in a Protestant bible study

[stceolfrithtx]

My little sister in college just joined a women’s Bible study that is otherwise entirely made up of girls from *one * local Protestant bible church. I’m suspicious of their intentions but I don’t want to say anything.

She asked me something about where to find a bible verse wherein it is said that Jesus reveals himself to every person at some point in their lives. I’m not sure it exists. I told her that we believe as Catholics that those who never hear about Jesus in their lives through no fault of their own can be saved, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TheQuestioner]

You should get to her before they do. Show her this site and ask her to sign up. Let her learn a bit about the differences between the Catholic and Protestant faiths so that she will be able to catch their tricks, but most of all so that she will realize that it’s not “all the same” and there are differences that are major. Teach her about the History of Christianity so she will learn that the Catholic Church really is the Church Christ founded. If she signs up on this site she can ask everyone questions. Most of all learn more yourself so you can adequately answer her questions when they come…and they will.

 

[cmscms]

I would be more of a smarty pants. I would tell her ‘If this group knows so much why not get them to show you the verse’

CM

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

It is your duty to say something, they are not teaching Catholicism in that bible group they are teaching false things about God.

 

[Apollos]

My little sister in college just joined a women’s Bible study that is otherwise entirely made up of girls from *one *

local Protestant bible church. I’m suspicious of their intentions but I don’t want to say anything. She asked me something about where to find a bible verse wherein it is said that Jesus reveals himself to every person at some point in their lives. I’m not sure it exists. I told her that we believe as Catholics that those who never hear about Jesus in their lives through no fault of their own can be saved, etc.

Although I’m not aware of a verse that establishes exactly what you are talking about, still in my opinion there are three passages that establish that there is no such thing as someone who has never heard:

1. 
   ]J***ohn 1:3,9: “All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made… That was the true light, which enlightens every man that comes into this world.” The second person of the trinity is the rational principle behind the universe, through whom all things were made. Therefore anyone who wonders about causes knows him.
   
   *]Romans 1:19-20: “Because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God has manifested it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. His eternal power also and divinity: so that they are inexcusable.” Knowledge of God can be had through reason alone through reflection on the universe. Therefore everyone knows there is a God.
   *]Romans 2:14-16: “For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature those things that are of the law; these, having not the law, are a law to themselves. Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them: and their thoughts between themselves accusing or also defending one another, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” Natural law is already hardwired into our consciences; therefore everyone knows right and wrong.
   
   Also, no Bible church is going to support your sister in her Catholic beliefs. The day will come, if it has not already, when they will attempt to show her that her Catholic beliefs are contrary to scripture. They will eventually present her with a decision that she must make on her own, and that will determine her future religious affiliation.

 

[Cable]

You should get to her before they do. Show her this site and ask her to sign up. Let her learn a bit about the differences between the Catholic and Protestant faiths so that she will be able to catch their tricks, but most of all so that she will realize that it’s not “all the same” and there are differences that are major. Teach her about the History of Christianity so she will learn that the Catholic Church really is the Church Christ founded. If she signs up on this site she can ask everyone questions. Most of all learn more yourself so you can adequately answer her questions when they come…and they will.

I second this completely. Great suggestions. Have experience with non-Catholic Bible study/interpretation groups and am aware of the potential for negative impact on fellow Catholics who might be vulnerable for whatever reason. Although it may be helpful for a Protestant, it’s really no place for a Catholic Christian and her precious faith. Our faith differs radically on the Eucharist, the sacrifice of the Mass, the perpetual virginity of Mary, the seven sacraments, and our Holy Father, for starters.

Is there a Catholic Bible group she can join instead, or perhaps begin one of her own, not as a substitute for reading Sacred Scripture on her own, however. God bless you and your sister.

 

[stceolfrithtx]

Is there a Catholic Bible group she can join instead…

Gee I really wish that was an option…all I know about her college parish is that she said she tried to join their choir three years ago and they turned her away because she wasn’t a trained vocalist. I’ve asked a couple of grad school friends at her school but I’m not sure how she could choose a group of strangers over a group with her best friend in it. I have to be careful how to, or whether to oppose her making this effort to learn more about God.

When someone makes an effort to draw closer to God, I believe He draws closer to her. My sister is making an effort to get to know God, I need to be praising what is praiseworthy here. I’ve encouraged her to look for Marian typology since they’re studying women of the Bible, and I told her a little bit about it.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Way back before there was a Catholic bible study in my parish I went to a protestant one. I finally left because they were always going on about accepting Christ as your personal savior (yes, I do, whenever I receive communion) and I got tired of being preached at.

Maybe you could get your sister a Catholic book about women of the bible and she could read up in advance and get our perspective, especially about Mary.

Where does she go to school? Maybe someone knows of a better parish nearby or a Newman Club on campus with a good bible study.

 

[stceolfrithtx]

Maybe you could get your sister a Catholic book about women of the bible and she could read up in advance and get our perspective, especially about Mary.

I would love a recommendation! I checked out Ascension press, but no dice.

Where does she go to school? Maybe someone knows of a better parish nearby or a Newman Club on campus with a good bible study.

I’m not going to place her location. She’s outside of Texas, but good news! Someone I know might be starting a Theology of The Body(ToB) study group at her school!

 

[danonwaveland]

Welcome to CAF!

I would strongly reinforce the notion that she be introduced to this site. Unless she is strongly grounded in her faith (meaning strong in apologetics), the good-hearted people in the study group are likely to hit her with questions and bible quotes that will have her head spinning. You might also acquaint her with Steve Ray’s website, catholicconvert.com, David MacLeod’s site davidmacd.com/catholic/index2.htm, or the Coming Home Network site chnetwork.org/. Those sites not only give good answers to Catholic questions, but also provide many testimonies of Protestants who have come home to the RCC. That may be encouragement she may need.

On the other hand, she may be just fine. She will surely grow in her appreciation of Scripture and her love for our Lord. However, it never hurts to be careful and her witness may even open the hearts of others in the group. In any case, prayers will go up for her and the group. Just my two cents. . .

God bless,
Dan