Struggling Evangelical Here

[Goya]

My best friend considers himself a non-denominational Christian who “only happens” to go to a Baptist church. Anyways…he does not believe in any type of authority figure in Christendom. He wants to seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ without the use of a Church. I tried to tell him there is a difference between a “personal” relationship and an “individualistic” relationship with Jesus but I don’t think he understood.

I have yet to go full bore apologetic on him because I am still studying and preparing myself for the task but it does trouble me how he believes any average Joe can preach the Gospel, and that seminary or advanced theological study is not necessary to do so.

^^^yep.

“Jesus & me.”

On MY terms. Just as Christ designed it.

Good luck with your friend.

 

[KathleenGee]

BA11…It does bring notice to me when non-Catholics come on here with the Holy Name of Jesus or that they are ‘Christian’.

Problem with evangelical and non-denominational congregations is that they have lost the roots of their faith.

Nationalism coincided with the Reformation. You lose the roots of your faith, you can believe anything about the Catholic Church. Just because it is big does not mean it is made up of non thinking, sensitive, human beings. We love Christ and see ourselves as Christian just as Protestants do.

 

[simspt]

Brand new to this forum. I hope I have posted in the right place. I have been a student of theology, philosophy and apologetics for years, even completing a year of seminary in an Evangelical denomination. Over the last few years, I’ve become increasingly disenchanted with Evangelicalism. I’ve had my fill of biblicism, fundamentalism and Evangelicalism’s lack of anything remotely similar to an intellectual curiosity in answering the questions of our day. To that end, I’ve grown more curious about Catholics. Pope John Paul II, and perhaps Pope Francis, for lack of a better phrase, seem to not only contemplate, but grasp, the deeper issues, and to have a great gift for communicating needed words to the masses. This has intrigued me.

To start, I’d love to have some guidance on two questions. (1) How does the Catholic view of scripture differ from that of Evangelicals (e.g. “authority” and “inspiration”), and (2) How/why are Catholics seemingly more comfortable with uncertainty (e.g. in regard to suffering and “the problem of evil” – is there a history/doctrine/philosophy behind this?

I am a former Evangelical myself and joined the CC 2 years ago. As another poster already recommended I would also strongly recommend the called to communion website. The writers are former Protestants. This has been enormously helpful in answering questions on most topics that differentiate Catholicims from Protestantism clearly and well articulated.

In Christ

 

[simspt]

Gotta disagree with you when you said the Bible is a Catholic book … they didn’t proclaim it, but rather canonised it. They chose books A and B does not equal They can choose how to interpet A and B.

The Catholic Church’s interpretation should be an option for christians, not forced upon them. Having an auhority is liberating, but here is no such thing as a sole interpreter because the bible wasn’t written by Catholics and is open to many interpretations.
.

Historical nonsense. To argue otherwise is to redefine what constitutes a Catholic historically. Of course it was authored by those who in continuity with the Catholic Church would guard it, interpret it and canonize it. Every time it was used by those outside the CC it was a source of heresy. Authority helps preserve and protect and can be abused at times but nonetheless it is hitorically clear that the means of transmitting Gods revelation was through the Episcopate, Scriptute and Tradition. Not some marcionite or arian etc claiming their interpretation was right or even worse today with those who accept doctrinal relativism. Accepting doctrinal relativism is liberating for some but logically painful for most.

In Christ

 

[Michael_Francis]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Off topic posts deleted. Please return to topic and remain there so thread can remain open.