Translating Protestant to Catholic

[JustaServant]

Hey, now you’re speaking my love language!

What used to irritate my wife was when we had a guest evangelist who would draaaaaaag the invitation on and on (“the piano will play one more verse…”).
Yep, she was the piano player.

 

[losh14]

My son is auditioning for a non-denominational (but predominately protestant) performing arts troupe.

One of the questions on the application is: When did you accept Jesus as your personal lord and savior?

I’m trying to translate that into Catholic. I could make a convincing case for the date of his First Holy Communion, or the date of his Confirmation.

Whaddyathink?

That’s a good way to phrase it, ‘translate’, because in Catholicism we recognize that one’s relationship with Christ begins in the womb and goes for the rest of one’s life. We progressively understand Christ more as we mature in our faith, so that as children we can give mental assent to the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and we can love Him as we love our parents, but our understanding of Christ continues to grow. Even in my 30’s, I know I have room to grow.

I think a couple of responses could be good:

1. Was there a first time that it EMOTIONALLY hit home? This for me was in December 1993 during a performance at our parish by a charismatic Catholic group. I was profoundly moved by their theater and felt ‘cut to the heart’ for my sins. I sought reconciliation and it was the first really good confession I had made (I was about 16 at the time).
2. Was there a first time your son VERBALIZED it in words that Protestants would understand? When we Profess the Faith or say the Our Father, this is communal verbalization. I think Protestants look for something like the so-called ‘Sinner’s Prayer’. That for me was October 12th 2006 when I was in college. I said the prayer with an evangelical buddy and then we started arguing over what it meant now. So I took him to Mass with me and afterwards he was like “Oh, you were already saved. You just needed a reminder.”
3. Was there a definitive time when deep personal STUDY began? This for me was in 2002 when I was challenged by a friend on Church doctrine and I seriously researched it. I started David Currie’s “Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic” at 10 p.m. one night and finished it around 4 a.m., reading straight through with pauses to pray. That was a profound experience for me, and it was the night before Ash Wednesday so that I went to an ‘ecumenical’ (really, Protestant) Ash Wednesday service at 6 a.m. (no ashes, by the way) and then went to Ash Wednesday at our parish at 8 a.m., still tired but those ashes had so much meaning to me. I think that was the point where, though I had always been Catholic, I really committed to seeking Christ through Catholicism and I stopped bouncing from group to group.

So tell your son to pick a point that was spiritually significant for him.

Also, in my experience, all non-denominationals are Protestant and mainly evangelical in the sense of embracing an evangelical (as opposed to Reform, Orthodox or Catholic) theology. Once in a while you’ll find a ‘non-denominational’ church that is actually denominational (some of my PCA friends started one locally) but lacks the form of the denomination’s worship, retaining the substance. Their theology is often very much about that initial conversion, while I think they tend to miss out on the continuing conversion that we undergo as we grow in Christ.

May the Lord bless you and your son and continually convert your inner persons to Him.

 

[losh14]

I think it’s so they know who their kids will be hanging out with and if this person will be a negative influence on the group. They might not even have anything against Catholics…they just believe that a Catholic wouldn’t be interested in the group since many Protestants may think Catholics are sort of closed group

I have to second this thought. I’ve gone with an evangelical friend (converted away from the Catholic Church) to visit other friends, and their parents would honestly block me at the door and ask if I knew Christ. In these situations you have to stifle the urge to say “Yeah, just had dinner with Him on Sunday” and give an honest answer.

Unless you’re just going through the motions at Mass, Catholics know Christ even if we don’t approach Him in the same emotional sense that our some of our non-Catholic brethren do.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I can see them asking if he has accepted Jesus as his savior, but why do they need to know the date he did, unless it is to screen for catholics?

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

What used to irritate my wife was when we had a guest evangelist who would draaaaaaag the invitation on and on (“the piano will play one more verse…”).
Yep, she was the piano player.

LOL!!!

 

[losh14]

I can see them asking if he has accepted Jesus as his savior, but why do they need to know the date he did, unless it is to screen for catholics?

When they ask for a date it belies an OSAS mentality, which can be dangerous but fortunately often isn’t.

A good response in such a situation is “I have been saved, I am being saved, I will be saved” which Scott Hahn wrote a good column on.

 

[grace_singh]

it may be helpful for your son to answer with “i was raised in a Catholic family, was taught the faith from a young age, and have beleived it and practiced it since”.

not every person comes to a point where they can divide their life into “before Christ and after Christ”. many were simply raised in the faith and it stuck with them, like Timothy.

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:5-6)

so if you don’t have any hestitation about letting your son join this acting troupe, go for it. my only concern would be the other kids and adult leaders possibly using language and ideas which would exclude your son as a Catholic, or even put his Catholic faith in a bad light. do you know for sure how he’d be treated as a Catholic there?

 

[Bluegoat]

I have been asked this occasionally, or “are you saved” and it is always a bit of a difficult one. In the latter case, I say “I hope so”!

But I guess you need to think about what they are really asking - when do you feel you really accepted inside of yourself the message of Christ? What was your personal journey as a Christian? I think you could say accepted either intellectually or emotionally/experientially.

Personally, I would say that I was baptized as a baby, decided Christianity was true at a certain time, and was confirmed as a result of that. And that each day I remake that decision and try to live it out. If I had to pick one date, I would say the time I decided Christianity was true and I would commit myself to it.

Why not ask your son? He might have a definite idea about when he made this decision about his belief/faith, or it may be that it was more of a gradual process.

Also, some of the answers here are pretty offensive - Protestants have an understanding of the objective nature of Christ’s sacrifice. They aren’t looking for a lesson in theology, they want to know something about the person doing the audition.

 

[GraceSofia]

I have been asked this occasionally, or “are you saved” and it is always a bit of a difficult one. In the latter case, I say “I hope so”!

In most cases, I would imagine what they really wanted to know is if you “have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour,” and to this a serious Catholic can whole-heartedly affirm, “Yes.” There are times when it would be appropriate to just leave it at that. If, on the other hand, they are really pressing about “being saved,” then that is a good time to answer, “I have been saved, I am being saved, I will be saved,” or “every day” or “continously,” – and get ready for an interesting discussion.

 

[michaeldaniels]

How about…At his Baptism…then every day thereafter…we constantly make a choice daily to follow Christ

My son is auditioning for a non-denominational (but predominately protestant) performing arts troupe.

One of the questions on the application is: When did you accept Jesus as your personal lord and savior?

I’m trying to translate that into Catholic. I could make a convincing case for the date of his First Holy Communion, or the date of his Confirmation.

Whaddyathink?

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

Unless you’re just going through the motions at Mass, Catholics know Christ even if we don’t approach Him in the same emotional sense that our some of our non-Catholic brethren do.

Well…not all catholics are this way. I personally DO have an emotional relationship with my saviour…

 

[GraceSofia]

I have to second this thought. I’ve gone with an evangelical friend (converted away from the Catholic Church) to visit other friends, and their parents would honestly block me at the door and ask if I knew Christ. In these situations you have to stifle the urge to say “Yeah, just had dinner with Him on Sunday” and give an honest answer.

Unless you’re just going through the motions at Mass, Catholics know Christ even if we don’t approach Him in the same emotional sense that our some of our non-Catholic brethren do.

Wow. And what would the parents say/do if somebody answered, “no”?

 

[losh14]

Well…not all catholics are this way. I personally DO have an emotional relationship with my saviour…

I’m really glad to hear that. This is a grace that waxes and wanes for me. It’s like marriage, you don’t always feel in love although you always love your spouse.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

I’m really glad to hear that. This is a grace that waxes and wanes for me. It’s like marriage, you don’t always feel in love although you always love your spouse.

Exactly!!!

I battle between two extremes it seems sometimes. The focus of the catholic church is not emotional. There is no discussion really of FEELING love for God, just that you do. Then, I come from an evangelical background where you were COMMANDED to always “feel in love” with God at all times. That mentality really messed me up spiritually. I get scared every time I don’t “feel the spirit” that I’m going to rot in hell. I guess that’s why I found the catholic church. Although they put no emphasis on emotion, I’ve found that it’s kind of a given. You HAVE to love God in mind and emotion. THey just aren’t going to beat you over the head if you aren’t feeling ga-ga constantly.

It’s the same with marriage. GREAT analogy!

 

[jmcrae]

My son is auditioning for a non-denominational (but predominately protestant) performing arts troupe.

One of the questions on the application is: When did you accept Jesus as your personal lord and savior?

I’m trying to translate that into Catholic. I could make a convincing case for the date of his First Holy Communion, or the date of his Confirmation.

Whaddyathink?

He accepted Jesus Christ into his heart (and stomach, and all of his other muscles, too) at the time of his First Holy Communion.

However, given the wording of the question, are you really sure you want your son involved with this group? It seems as if they would want to convert him away from his Catholic faith, if given half a chance.

 

[dcastlen50]

“Let us all stand and sing (37 verses of) “Just as I am” (as slow as we can)”
“As the piano plays (we’re only up to verse 10)…every head bowed, every eye closed…if you were to die today…are you sure you would go to Heaven…? If the answer is no, pray this prayer silently…(insert sinners prayer)”.
“If you prayed that prayer…raise your hand…every head bowed, eyes closed, no looking around…”.
“Glow-ray…you can lower your hand…”

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

 

[aspirant]

Or ask your son. When did he become aware of his commitment to following Christ?

That’s what they want.

I would just not answer the question and explain that the question is not applicable to Catholics.

Which many Protestants might erroneously interpret to mean “Catholics don’t accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.” Not helpful.

He’ll be told the Pope is the antichrist, that Catholics aren’t christians, that he is a cannibal, etc.

Reality check: Not all Protestants think like this. My Protestant family never did. My current Protestant friends don’t.

I can see them asking if he has accepted Jesus as his savior, but why do they need to know the date he did, unless it is to screen for catholics?

Much more likely, I think, it’s to ensure that he is consciously committed to Christ and to have some idea whether this is a recent turn of events.

 

[fabricdragon]

having been raised Episcopalian, visited many many churches, (and many non Christian religious groups) been part of a variety of religions… and then converted to Catholic…

1. no “non denominational” group would EVER ask that. an Episcopalian or Lutheran or even Presbyterian would be left going “wha???” by that. this is PURELY an evangelical question… and only certain types at that! (the question “have you accepted” would be slightly broader… but by putting a date on it it narrows it extremely)
2. given that this question implies that ONLY people who answer it will be admitted (its an application question) i would ask why they are trying to exclude any non evangelicals?
3. frankly… i would question if his participation in this wouldnt just lead to harassment, heartache, and worse… since they are clearly against ANYONE who isnt part of their TYPE of protestant joining.

First of all, i would go talk to the application committee and ask if they REALLY want to exclude all Episcopalians, Lutherans, Catholics, and other churches for whom this makes no sense? is that their intent? or did someone who doesnt know anything BUT evangelical life put this application together?

in other words, is it a simple mistake, and they really are non denominational. or is this a test to weed out “not their kind”

oh, and as to translating…
since the Evangelical community is asking when YOU, as a thinking individual, CHOSE to follow Jesus of your own will…
it would either have to be confirmation, when HE had to say HE agreed…
or it could be later… and he would have to answer that.

an evangelical will not accept the answer of “baptized” to that question unless it was a freely accepted adult baptism.

 

[Bonnie]

When my dh was offered a part-time job teaching Latin at a Protestant school, the contract he had to sign mentioned the Bible as being the highest authority. After praying about it, he crossed out that line & added a statement that as a Catholic he couldn’t agree with that statement, but he did agree that the Bible is the Word of God. He signed it & they accepted it. He’s been teaching there for 4 years now. The token Catholic!

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

When my dh was offered a part-time job teaching Latin at a Protestant school, the contract he had to sign mentioned the Bible as being the highest authority. After praying about it, he crossed out that line & added a statement that as a Catholic he couldn’t agree with that statement, but he did agree that the Bible is the Word of God. He signed it & they accepted it. He’s been teaching there for 4 years now. The token Catholic!

I’m glad he did that. I’d think that God was the highest authority. LOL