Talking with a friend considering conversion to Protestantism

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Today I’m meeting with a very intelligent friend I have whose studies have led him to seriously consider converting to Protestantism. As a mentally unstable, not-as-smart person seeking to convert to Roman Catholicism but still struggling with doubt and misgivings, I am starting to question the wisdom of trying to intervene. I was thinking of merely making a few suggestions without outright arguing with him, since faith is more a matter of the Spirit than of logical argument alone. Basically, I wanted to suggest that he not set a deadline, and to meet with others to recieve wisdom and counsel. I think both of us need prayer, because I have been getting these delusions that I can “save” him when that is just pride and wishful thinking. I believe he is sincere in his doubts and questions, and I don’t suspect he has any “payoffs” in converting. There is one moral issue I wanted to bring to his attention, but I’m concerned about whether I have the moral authority to give counsel to someone who is largely the reason that I am converting in the first place (seriously, I was going to be Pentecostal and then this man’s vigorous and intelligent witness led me away from it to continue my journey into the Catholic Church).

Please pray that both of us would be led by the spirit of wisdom.
 
You sound very aware of the situation. You recognized the reality that converting someone is in God’s hands (and their own submission to His will). What we CAN do, is witness to the understanding which the Spirit has given us, personally.

Don’t try to answer questions out of your understanding. This will have counter productive results, and rightly so. Its important to share when you don’t know about something, and still are interested to learn the answer for both of your sake.

Be his friend.

I didnt quite understand your comments about the “moral issue”?

Peace
Michael
 
The moral issue was left undefined because I don’t want to talk about it with others without going to him first. Thank you very much for your help and counsel Rewitness.
 
Bdonoho said:
The moral issue was left undefined because I don’t want to talk about it with others without going to him first. Thank you very much for your help and counsel Rewitness.
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got it. very respectable.

Michael
 
Bdonoho said:
Today I’m meeting with a very intelligent friend I have whose studies have led him to seriously consider converting to Protestantism. As a mentally unstable, not-as-smart person seeking to convert to Roman Catholicism but still struggling with doubt and misgivings, I am starting to question the wisdom of trying to intervene. I was thinking of merely making a few suggestions without outright arguing with him, since faith is more a matter of the Spirit than of logical argument alone. Basically, I wanted to suggest that he not set a deadline, and to meet with others to recieve wisdom and counsel. I think both of us need prayer, because I have been getting these delusions that I can “save” him when that is just pride and wishful thinking. I believe he is sincere in his doubts and questions, and I don’t suspect he has any “payoffs” in converting. There is one moral issue I wanted to bring to his attention, but I’m concerned about whether I have the moral authority to give counsel to someone who is largely the reason that I am converting in the first place (seriously, I was going to be Pentecostal and then this man’s vigorous and intelligent witness led me away from it to continue my journey into the Catholic Church).

Please pray that both of us would be led by the spirit of wisdom.
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I think you are giving him too much credit in the brains department. If you are joining the Catholic church, you do not need to answer to him as to why or why not and if his decisions are a stubbling block to you because in your mind you are thinking he is much smarter than you then I think I would find a friend that will support your decisions, never mind his. I am sure you are intelligent, you need to give your self more credit and not play up him as being superior.
 
Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech You, by Your most Sacred Heart, that all the sheep who stray out of Your fold may soon be converted to You, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end.
Amen.
 
Bdonoho said:
Today I’m meeting with a very intelligent friend I have whose studies have led him to seriously consider converting to Protestantism. As a mentally unstable, not-as-smart person seeking to convert to Roman Catholicism but still struggling with doubt and misgivings, I am starting to question the wisdom of trying to intervene. I was thinking of merely making a few suggestions without outright arguing with him, since faith is more a matter of the Spirit than of logical argument alone. Basically, I wanted to suggest that he not set a deadline, and to meet with others to recieve wisdom and counsel. I think both of us need prayer, because I have been getting these delusions that I can “save” him when that is just pride and wishful thinking. I believe he is sincere in his doubts and questions, and I don’t suspect he has any “payoffs” in converting. There is one moral issue I wanted to bring to his attention, but I’m concerned about whether I have the moral authority to give counsel to someone who is largely the reason that I am converting in the first place (seriously, I was going to be Pentecostal and then this man’s vigorous and intelligent witness led me away from it to continue my journey into the Catholic Church).

Please pray that both of us would be led by the spirit of wisdom.
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Praying for you both.
 
Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†
 
robwar said:
I think you are giving him too much credit in the brains department. If you are joining the Catholic church, you do not need to answer to him as to why or why not and if his decisions are a stubbling block to you because in your mind you are thinking he is much smarter than you then I think I would find a friend that will support your decisions, never mind his. I am sure you are intelligent, you need to give your self more credit and not play up him as being superior.
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I don’t think he is asking me to defend my views, not is he taking any sort of adversarial stance towards me. He has actually been very careful to not involve a whole lot of people in this for fear of influencing others and being influenced himself by the fear of losing his friends should he convert to Protestantism. He wants to be objective and rigorous in his pursuit of truth and he is trying not to be biased for the sake of comfort. I don’t know which side he’s leaning towards now as I have not asked him and he has not told me, but I want to be charitable in my assessment of his actions and I would ask others give him the same. He has tried to serve others by being a catechist and apologist for the Church, and in this time of confusion and searching I think he needs prayer, love and understanding.
 
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