What is it?

[PJM]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It seems perfectly logical that you found this Catholic Answers site or were led to it by the Holy Spirit.

Because there is but One True God; what is it friend that is holding you back from becoming a Catholic?

God Bless you,
Patrick

 

[dronald]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It seems perfectly logical that you found this Catholic Answers site or were led to it by the Holy Spirit.

You’ve posted this before, haven’t you? Haha.

Because there is but One True God; what is it friend that is holding you back from becoming a Catholic?

God Bless you,
Patrick

For me, it’s what God is doing through the Church I’m involved with. It’s hard to believe it’s just a giant heresy with all the good it does while maintaining conservative, Biblical teachings and shows great love.

Is it from God or Satan or just nothing? If it’s from God, then it’s good. If it’s from Satan then it’s evil. If it’s from nothing, then why doesn’t God be a little more clear that He wants all of us to become Catholic?

 

[MaryT777]

 

[Kmon23]

What prevents me from becoming Catholic is that I’ve found my home in the Orthodox church. To be honest I’m a much better apologist for Catholicism than for Orthodoxy (thx to the Catholic Answers tracts and numerous forums I’ve read:thumbsup. Even so I do believe Orthodoxy is the continuing church Christ established, and is why I’m an Orthodox catechumen.

However I love sticking around Catholic Answers because of the numerous useful resources in defending Apostolic Christianity in general, and because I have a very special respect for the Catholic church and it’s place in the world in being the Apostolic church of the Western world. I consider my Catholic brethren to be my very close Christian brothers and sisters, and besides the doctrinal disputes, I especially rejoice in our shared apostolic heritage.

 

[CatholicHockey7]

What prevents me from becoming Catholic is that I’ve found my home in the Orthodox church. To be honest I’m a much better apologist for Catholicism than for Orthodoxy (thx to the Catholic Answers tracts and numerous forums I’ve read:thumbsup. Even so I do believe Orthodoxy is the continuing church Christ established, and is why I’m an Orthodox catechumen.

However I love sticking around Catholic Answers because of the numerous useful resources in defending Apostolic Christianity in general, and because I have a very special respect for the Catholic church and it’s place in the world in being the Apostolic church of the Western world. I consider my Catholic brethren to be my very close Christian brothers and sisters, and besides the doctrinal disputes, I especially rejoice in our shared apostolic heritage.

Kmon, so grateful to have you in the family. Our shared apostolic heritage is so important, and hopefully we’ll soon see the day when East and West are reunited as “One Holy, catholic (‘of the whole, universal’) and apostolic church” just as we once were.

 

[Rhubarb]

Erm. Fundamental disagreements about a great many topics?

 

[Lou2U]

Erm. Fundamental disagreements about a great many topics?

Yep.

Lou

 

[PJM]

=dronald;12745384]You’ve posted this before, haven’t you? Haha.

For me, it’s what God is doing through the Church I’m involved with. It’s hard to believe it’s just a giant heresy with all the good it does while maintaining conservative, Biblical teachings and shows great love.

Is it from God or Satan or just nothing? If it’s from God, then it’s good. If it’s from Satan then it’s evil. If it’s from nothing, then why doesn’t God be a little more clear that He wants all of us to become Catholic?

My friend God can make “good” out of anything

But because God is ONE, one God can have only One set of Faith beliefs, which is why He founded only One Church. Today’s Catholic Church.

I’m not sure what “good” your speaking of; BUT if it’s saving Souls, I’m for it.

While this remains a possibility outside of the Catholic Church; it is nevertheless highly conditional.

Salvation can only take place as God Himself has ordained. Amen:thumbsup:

God Bless you,

Patrick

 

[Servant19]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It seems perfectly logical that you found this Catholic Answers site or were led to it by the Holy Spirit.

Because there is but One True God; what is it friend that is holding you back from becoming a Catholic?

God Bless you,
Patrick

Because I firmly and sincerely believe that Jesus has returned with His “new name”

.

 

[PJM]

=Kmon23;12745543]What prevents me from becoming Catholic is that I’ve found my home in the Orthodox church. To be honest I’m a much better apologist for Catholicism than for Orthodoxy (thx to the Catholic Answers tracts and numerous forums I’ve read:thumbsup. Even so I do believe Orthodoxy is the continuing church Christ established, and is why I’m an Orthodox catechumen.

However I love sticking around Catholic Answers because of the numerous useful resources in defending Apostolic Christianity in general, and because I have a very special respect for the Catholic church and it’s place in the world in being the Apostolic church of the Western world. I consider my Catholic brethren to be my very close Christian brothers and sisters, and besides the doctrinal disputes, I especially rejoice in our shared apostolic heritage.

Thank you!

However you’re argument for being one seems not to be supported by either Tradition or the bible.

The Great Schism took place around the 11th Century, where Orthodox separated from the Catholic Church of Rome.

That Christ indisputably gave the keys [all of them] to Peter [singular] to establish “MY Church” [singular] is also fact.

May I suggest you prayerfully read in this order, paying close attention to the words Christ choose and the “tense” of these words.

Mt. 10:1-8
Mt. 16;15-19
Mt. 18:18
John 17:11-26
Mt. 28:16-20
John 20:19-23

God Bless you friend, and thanks again for the reply

Parick

 

[adf417]

Erm. Fundamental disagreements about a great many topics?

Yep.

Lou

Are you guys in agreement on the fundamentals in which you disagree?

Peace!!

 

[Lou2U]

Are you guys in agreement on the fundamentals in which you disagree?

Peace!!

Haha, maybe

Either way, there is too much I disagree with to “hold me back”, as the OP put it.

Lou

 

[Aslan10]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

It seems perfectly logical that you found this Catholic Answers site or were led to it by the Holy Spirit.

Because there is but One True God; what is it friend that is holding you back from becoming a Catholic?

God Bless you,
Patrick

I love this site. It is really the only place where I can discuss matters of faith with people who care about their faith/non-faith, and still have an open mind. There are a lot reasons why I am not Catholic, but that does not mean I dislike the Catholic Church. In fact, I tend to be a strong apologist among my peers for it, even though I am not myself Catholic. This mostly to give light to what the CC actually believe. Many people are very ignorant. For example, I had to explain to my father a few weeks ago that the Catholic Church does NOT prohibit its members from reading the Bible.

 

[adf417]

I love this site. It is really the only place where I can discuss matters of faith with people who care about their faith/non-faith, and still have an open mind. There are a lot reasons why I am not Catholic, but that does not mean I dislike the Catholic Church. In fact, I tend to be a strong apologist among my peers for it, even though I am not myself Catholic. This mostly to give light to what the CC actually believe. Many people are very ignorant. For example, I had to explain to my father a few weeks ago that the Catholic Church does NOT prohibit its members from reading the Bible.

This is one of those rare times when I would say - “…and I hope your dad is not Catholic!”

Peace!!!

 

[MaryT777]

What prevents me from becoming Catholic is that I’ve found my home in the Orthodox church. To be honest I’m a much better apologist for Catholicism than for Orthodoxy (thx to the Catholic Answers tracts and numerous forums I’ve read:thumbsup. Even so I do believe Orthodoxy is the continuing church Christ established, and is why I’m an Orthodox catechumen.

However I love sticking around Catholic Answers because of the numerous useful resources in defending Apostolic Christianity in general, and because I have a very special respect for the Catholic church and it’s place in the world in being the Apostolic church of the Western world. I consider my Catholic brethren to be my very close Christian brothers and sisters, and besides the doctrinal disputes, I especially rejoice in our shared apostolic heritage.

What an eloquent post.
Mary.

 

[Rhubarb]

Are you guys in agreement on the fundamentals in which you disagree?

Peace!!

Maybe? I don’t know what specifically Lou disagrees with. I guess the most basic thing is that while I can get behind some of the arguments for God’s existence, I don’t see how it follows from it that the Christian interpretation of God is THE correct one - let alone any one form of Christianity.

And then there’s a handful of other things that stem from this basic problem I have.

 

[Lou2U]

Maybe? I don’t know what specifically Lou disagrees with. I guess the most basic thing is that while I can get behind some of the arguments for God’s existence, I don’t see how it follows from it that the Christian interpretation of God is THE correct one - let alone any one form of Christianity.

And then there’s a handful of other things that stem from this basic problem I have.

Again I say: Yep.

Lou

 

[schaeffer]

what is it friend that is holding you back from becoming a Catholic?

God Bless you,
Patrick

I find this wording interesting.

Nothing particular is holding me back. The issue of becoming a Catholic isn’t on the table.

Nothing particular is holding me back from buying a volkswagon, or dying my hair black or having Spanish cheese for lunch. Those things are out there in the realm of possibility. If becoming Catholic is out there in the same realm, then the reason is lack of interest, no sense of a need for it, didn’t particularly cross my mind.

 

[VesselofMercy]

I could probably write a book about what’s keeping me from returning to the Catholic Church. Maybe I will one day.

The shortest answer though is the Word of God. Never once after reading the Scripture do I regret or doubt my decision to leave Catholicism. In fact, the more I read and the more I learn from God’s Word the more amazed and overwhelmed I am by His Glory, His magnificence, and His wonderful love. What depth and truth there is to be found in His Word! I love reading the Bible and getting to know Him better and better each time.

My dad bought my husband and I a copy of Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home** and I wrote a 20 page essay in response to it. When Scott and Kimberley talk of leaving their Presbyterian church they talk about the ‘dreams’ they would lose if they were to become Catholic. I write partly in response to that. It’s a bit long, but I think it explains my reasons well.

In the words of Scott Hahn himself, “The Catholic Church is not just another denomination - it is either true, or diabolical.” (142) I have an inkling that many Catholics believe that this PROVES that Catholicism is true, but it does not. What it means, is that you cannot simply claim that Catholicism is just one of many denominations, and that if it is not true, it is diabolical. I agree with this statement that Scott Hahn makes. I believe that Satan’s hand on the Catholic Church is clear, and that Satan has used the Catholic Church to distort and pervert the gospel of Christ. As Paul writes in Galatians 1: 6 – 9,* “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”* I believe that the Catholic Church preaches a different gospel. One contrary to the one preached by the apostles. (ie. CCC 846, 2068, 2010, 2027, 980, 969)

One of the main problems with the Catholic Church is they make too little of God, and too much of man. It would take more than this book to convince me that the truth I have found in the Bible is not complete, or sufficient to make me “wise unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15). I would lose more than ‘dreams’ or ‘hopes’ if I became a Catholic again. I would lose the peace that comes with resting in the completed work of Christ. (John 19:30) The joy that comes with knowing that there is NOTHING I can do that adds to the completed work of Christ on the Cross for my sins. (Galatians 3) I would lose the gratitude that comes from knowing His grace is a gift given freely to me (Romans 6:23) and that I have a Father in heaven to whom I can draw near thanks to the precious blood of His Son that washes me clean from all of my inequity (Hebrews 4:16). I would lose the joy in knowing that He has removed my sins as far as the East is from the West, and He remembers them no more. (Psalm 103:12) The peace in knowing that nothing can ever separate me from the love of Christ, (Romans 8: 35 – 39) and that my name was written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13: 8). I would lose the security I have knowing God is the one who keeps it there and has given me His Spirit as a guarantee (2 Corinthians 1: 22). Oh! What I would have to lose!

Do you see what a mighty and awesome God we serve?! It is all Him. To Him alone be the glory. I have done nothing. It is not of my own doing whatsoever. I praise God for giving us His unchanging word in the Bible so that the gospel message was not lost.

1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 31,* “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”*

To God be the Glory!

I’ll probably be cited for ‘contempt for Catholicism’ for that. But I can assure you that my heart is not filled with contempt, but rather grief and sadness. I have a heart that is broken for Catholics, and I pray for my Catholic family and friends, and even the member of this forum regularly.

 

[JoshuaNY]

I have several concerns, most likely based on being a cradle Lutheran.

Authority of Scripture - Scripture is the basis for Doctrine. We have our own traditions of course, but they do not determine Doctrine.

Justification - I believe that a person is saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The Roman Catholic Church, officially holds that faith, in order to save, must be accompanied by works. Lutherans believe that through faith we do good work, but it is not required for salvation. This is probably my biggest concern.

Purgatory - It seems inconsistent, with the teaching of Scripture that after death the soul goes directly to heaven. Their is no intermediate place.

Sacraments - I recognize 2 as a Lutheran because they were 1 - commanded by Jesus to perform them, 2 - a visible element is used and 3 - they are a means of grace. The other Sacraments the Catholic Church recognizes are blessed things, of course, but I have a hard time seeing them as Sacraments.

Confession - Though I have done it, I do not believe private confession is necessary for forgiveness of sin.

Lutherans and Catholics are so close, I pray for our unification. However, I have my hang ups.