The Curious Protestant

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Well thank you for being the kind of person who wants to go straight to the horse’s mouth. I can’t tell you how refreshing this is to me, as I have dealt with so much anti-Catholicism from so many Protestants, including members of my own family. I think it was G.K. Chesterton who said that probably fewer than 100 people in the world really hate the Catholic Church, but there are many who hate what they think is the Catholic Church. Thank you, thank you for doing research and giving us the benefit of the doubt, and May God bless you and others through you. You remind me of the father of one of my best friends: she’s a Muslim and always told her father they had no reason to hate the Jews. Her father disagreed, until he read the Old Testament. Then he told her she was right.

You may have already found it, but the Vatican has a website: www.vatican.va. You can find tons of Church documents there, including the Compendium (sort of a question and answer format of the Catechism).

God bless you!
 
I, too, was a curious Protestant about 5 years ago. I had been an Evangelical Christian for 55 years, and suddenly through a number of events, felt called to become a Catholic. I was confused and had no idea where to begin, but God! He provided a number of people, EWTN and books that have guided me along the way. I have read most of the books that have been recommended to you, and they are all excellent. There are two more I would like to share that helped me to ‘clinch the deal’. They are: Four Witnesses by Rod Bennett, and Crossing the Tiber by Stephen K. Ray. Four Witnesses is about four of the early Church Fathers and discusses the true early teachings of the Church. I know that in Protestantism there is a great desire to go back to the ‘original’ disciples and construct the church from them, but you will meet Polycarp who was a disciple of John, the disciple of Christ. We have his writings and it is a real eye-opener! In Crossing the Tiber, Ray discusses the two sacraments that the Protestant church still practices, those being baptism and communion. He does an excellent job of discussing both sides and, using Scripture (which is so important in using proof of doctrine by Protestants [and Catholics as well…Protestants just don’t know that!]), shows why the Catholic interpretation of these Sacraments is truth. Enjoy the read! You will learn much.
 
Hi There! I’d like to echo one of the responses above regarding reading Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. I’d like to specifically suggest careful reading of John 6:22-69 - and encourage you to read it literally - noting especially Jesus’ response to the murmurers and what he does when people walk away. Then I’d suggest John 17 - and think about what this means, especially in terms of Church.

Lastly, I’d like to recommend the 16 documents of Vatican II when you want to wade in and see what and how Catholics view the world and what it means to be Church. I would particularly point out Lumen Gentium.

Faithfully,

Frater Bovious**
 
Guyparker said:
I am new to the forums. I hope that this is the best place to ask some questions. First, a bit of background is warranted. I have been a Protestant for over twenty years. In the past three years, I have been through a great deal of searching for more clarity. I have been taught that Catholics are, by and large, worshippers of many things-from relics to The Virgin Mary, and are deceived and Hell-bound. I decided to do some research for myself, and thankfully discovered Patrick Coffin’s radio show. It didn’t take long to dispel much of the preconceptions I had accepted at face value. I would love to dive into some foundational reading that would shed further insight into the Catholic Church. What books would you recommend?
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“For it is not by flesh and blood that these are revealed to you…” God is good! Glory be to Him forever for this!

First, I highly recommend reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church (also its Compendium, both can be found in the vatican website, for free! But there are also hard copies in catholic shops/bookstores).

Second, I also recommend The Faith Explained by Leo Trese for the very humane way of understanding the Catholic Faith.

Thirdly, find any book of Scott Hahn regarding the one that you think is the most repulsive (originally) of the Catholic Faith. For me it was the veneration to Mary, the Indulgences, Confession, and the Real Presence.

Finally, pray pray pray always. If possible, try to visit an Adoration Chapel! Who knows, it might help realize how false the Catholic Faith is? 🙂

A saying says: “To find the truth, follow the lies.” Seemed worked with me and you! God is good!
 
Dear Curious Protestant,
I was in the same place you are now, sixteen years ago! The book that helped me the most was “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn. May God guide your journey! Our family will be praying for you! 🙂
 
Welcome to CAF. And may the Holy Spirit continue to guide you on your journey.👍
 
Guy, It seems like we’re in the same boat…but you’ve been a protestant a little longer.

My family has grown up protestant, my mom and her mom are fallaway catholics…so digging into catholicism is kinda tough.

A few authors that I’ve found really helpful are Devon Rose, Scott Hahn, Karl Keating, Chesterton.

Rome Sweet Home is a great book to start with.
The one thing I can say is, I love the Mass, the liturgy, all of it. I was always taught that catholics worshipped statutes, prayed to Mary, Saints(dead people), that sort of thing. I’d go to my pastor with questions, such as the “keys to the Kingdom”, or “the Lamb of God”, scriptures that never really made logical sense to me. His answers were never concrete. I then turned to commentaries and other pastors, and got different answers from each of them!
Catholicism is truth. I’ve found answers, and evidence to support a logical reasoning behind each question I’ve had.

And if you haven’t been to the Easter Vigil Mass, take the chance and go. It’ll blow your mind. I haven’t been the same since.
 
My dear Brother in Christ:

Thank you for having an open mind and not just listen to what others have to say about Catholics. I hope you find the answers you seek about the Catholic faith.
 
I would recommend a mixture of books, not just apologetics because Catholicism really is a way of life, not just a set of beliefs.
The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction about Catholicism [Hardcover]
Christopher Kaczor (Author)

The Year of Faith: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics [Paperback]
Pacwa Mitch (Author)

Christianity’s Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution–A History from the Sixteenth Century to the Twenty-First [Hardcover]
Alister McGrath (Author)

Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith [Hardcover]
Robert Barron (Author)
 
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