What is the best way to spread the Good News

[Joanna]

Gunner:

Your point is noted, but you missed mine, I first of all stressed that example and virtue are very important, however nowadays with 33,000 different protestant sects, it would be most uncharitable to act well and remain silent, leaving no one the wiser that there is One, Holy , Catholic and Apostolic Church and letting them find the truth with no assistance. You would be culpable, Ezekiel 3.16.

I hear you.

In the Church, God has placed apostles, prophets, teachers, and all tend to need words. Apologetics especially needs knowledge, thought and assimilatiion, and the example of a Christ-centered life lived in union with His Church.

 

[Joanna]

Gunner:

Your point is noted, but you missed mine, I first of all stressed that example and virtue are very important, however nowadays with 33,000 different protestant sects, it would be most uncharitable to act well and remain silent, leaving no one the wiser that there is One, Holy , Catholic and Apostolic Church and letting them find the truth with no assistance. You would be culpable, Ezekiel 3.16.

I hear you.

Apologetics especially needs knowledge, thought and assimilatiion, and the example of a Christ-centered life lived in union with His Church. In the Church, God has placed apostles, prophets, teachers, and all tend to need words.

 

[Joanna]

Gunner:

Your point is noted, but you missed mine, I first of all stressed that example and virtue are very important, however nowadays with 33,000 different protestant sects, it would be most uncharitable to act well and remain silent, leaving no one the wiser that there is One, Holy , Catholic and Apostolic Church and letting them find the truth with no assistance. You would be culpable, Ezekiel 3.16.

I hear you.

In the Church, God has placed apostles, prophets, teachers, and all tend to need words. Apologetics especially needs knowledge, thought and assimilatiion to engage people open to the Truth. All need the example of a Christ-centered life lived in union with His Church.

 

[Pace]

trogiah:

I have to add my voice to those recalling the wise words of St. Francis.

The world being what it is today, I think that most times words get in the way of preaching the gospel.

Perhaps it is worth considering the negative of the original Poll:

That is - “What would be the best way to turn people off of Jesus and keep God’s kingdom from coming.”

I think there is nothing happening in the world today that keeps people from turning to Jesus more than the actions of those who call themselves followers of Jesus but who do not live Christ-like lives.

peace
-Jim

I think both your posts are right on the money, Jim.

In fact, It would almost seem an obvious thing at this point that the ‘sight’ of the Western World (everything short of the very heart of the Catholic Church) has been restored to us by a non-Christian: film director David Lynch.

Muholland Drive is the Word of God (The Bible/Jesus Christ) disguised as a (pagan) movie.

Have you seen it?

 

[PaulDupre]

Pace:

In fact, It would almost seem an obvious thing at this point that the ‘sight’ of the Western World (everything short of the very heart of the Catholic Church) has been restored to us by a non-Christian: film director David Lynch.

Muholland Drive is the Word of God (The Bible/Jesus Christ) disguised as a (pagan) movie.

Have you seen it?

You’re kidding, right?

 

[Pace]

PaulDupre:

You’re kidding, right?

I couldn’t be more serious, Paul. What are your thoughts on this subject?

One example of what I mean about MD: In the current issue of Film Quarterly , there is an article 12 pages long, dense with information and interpretation, about only one scene from this movie. And the article only itself scratches the surface of all of the possiblities of this one scene.

To see more of this type of investigation of the mystery of Mulholland Drive , go to the rotten tomatoes MD forum. discussin has been going on there, non-stop, since the movie’s release in 2001.

I suppose that I should have put “non-Christian” in quotes, because it seems as if Lynch did experience some of this as a youngster.

 

[shannin]

Gunner:

Waht do you think from experience is the best way nowadays to wake people up to Jesus, his Church and the eternal consequences of it.

By prayer and example.
Shannin

 

[trogiah]

Pace:

I think both your posts are right on the money, Jim.

In fact, It would almost seem an obvious thing at this point that the ‘sight’ of the Western World (everything short of the very heart of the Catholic Church) has been restored to us by a non-Christian: film director David Lynch.

Muholland Drive is the Word of God (The Bible/Jesus Christ) disguised as a (pagan) movie.

Have you seen it?

I have not seen the movie nor heard anything about it. Is it something of an allegory along the lines of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe?

-Jim

 

[trogiah]

Gunner:

Your point is noted, but you missed mine, I first of all stressed that example and virtue are very important, however nowadays with 33,000 different protestant sects, it would be most uncharitable to act well and remain silent, leaving no one the wiser that there is One, Holy , Catholic and Apostolic Church and letting them find the truth with no assistance. You would be culpable, Ezekiel 3.16.

I agree that the division among Christians into various sects creates enormous difficulty for many people in many situations. The unity of all Christians will be a fantastic thing and it will, I believe, give due recognition to the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Peter.

I remain unconvinced that there is a lot I could say to my neighbor who is a Methodist or a Baptist or whatever - that would speed the attainment of that unity. There is much I can do. Every day I can live as close to the example of Christ as possible. I can practice my faith and I can pray for unity. I can do those things I strongly believe those things are worth doing.

However, I don’t think discussions about why they should “convert” to Catholicism will be fruitful unless, by some circumstance, they are really open to that possibility. (Perhaps a falling out with their own parish or some other crises. Even then, I think I could offer them “a share in my faith community” with all the advantages that would provide, but I don’t think it would be as helpful to offer them "a chance to finally do things right.)

Divisions among Denominations occured when people in powerful leadership postions did stupid things. I think those divisions will only heal when people in such positions are ready to do the right thing. If I am in such a position, then I would be culpable to at least some extent if I failed to speak up. To the extent that I am simply someone’s neighbor, I believe that what I do will count for much more than what I say.

Thanks for clarifying your position.

peace

-Jim

 

[Gunner]

trogiah:

I agree that the division among Christians into various sects creates enormous difficulty for many people in many situations. The unity of all Christians will be a fantastic thing and it will, I believe, give due recognition to the Bishop of Rome as the successor of Peter.

I remain unconvinced that there is a lot I could say to my neighbor who is a Methodist or a Baptist or whatever - that would speed the attainment of that unity. There is much I can do. Every day I can live as close to the example of Christ as possible. I can practice my faith and I can pray for unity. I can do those things I strongly believe those things are worth doing.

However, I don’t think discussions about why they should “convert” to Catholicism will be fruitful unless, by some circumstance, they are really open to that possibility. (Perhaps a falling out with their own parish or some other crises. Even then, I think I could offer them “a share in my faith community” with all the advantages that would provide, but I don’t think it would be as helpful to offer them "a chance to finally do things right.)

Divisions among Denominations occured when people in powerful leadership postions did stupid things. I think those divisions will only heal when people in such positions are ready to do the right thing. If I am in such a position, then I would be culpable to at least some extent if I failed to speak up. To the extent that I am simply someone’s neighbor, I believe that what I do will count for much more than what I say.

Thanks for clarifying your position.

peace

-Jim

Quite a few members appear to believe that by giving example with no words can do the trick. I remain unconvinced. I have spoken with many Protestants (I live in the UK - Catholic minority of 7%) and from experience I can share the fact that they are all open to questions and dialogue such has:

I admire the fact that you can truely believe in a religion that history proves is man made, what is it about this religion that convinces you. I as a Catholic, would love to believe what you do but my research into history especially the Church Fathers indicates that the Catholic Church is the only one true Church.

This type of dialogue, sows the seed. It is not forcing our view on them, but it allows the Holy Spirit to maybe move them. If we never give them doubts, how can they ever realise they may be in error.

“Evangelise always and always use words” (In charity and where appropriate)

God Bless

 

[Pace]

trogiah:

I have not seen the movie nor heard anything about it. Is it something of an allegory along the lines of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe?

-Jim

It’s up to you now to decide whether or not to get inside the mystery.

 

[trogiah]

Gunner:

Quite a few members appear to believe that by giving example with no words can do the trick. I remain unconvinced. I have spoken with many Protestants (I live in the UK - Catholic minority of 7%) and from experience I can share the fact that they are all open to questions and dialogue such has:

I admire the fact that you can truely believe in a religion that history proves is man made, what is it about this religion that convinces you. I as a Catholic, would love to believe what you do but my research into history especially the Church Fathers indicates that the Catholic Church is the only one true Church.

This type of dialogue, sows the seed. It is not forcing our view on them, but it allows the Holy Spirit to maybe move them. If we never give them doubts, how can they ever realise they may be in error.

“Evangelise always and always use words” (In charity and where appropriate)

God Bless

Re-reading your posts, I am considering the possibility that the difference between our countries makes some difference in our perception of the best way to answer your original poll.

The Catholic Church, while not the majority here, is, I think, the largest single denomination. When the group you are speaking up for is the largest group, I think it is harder to no seem overbearing.

Also, there is generally a negative sentiment here towards anyone who would try to “convert” you to something. Most people regard Jehovah’s witnesses or Mormon missionaries who come door to door to be rather annoying. (I have actually had some interesting conversations with them. There visits are one time where I will actually speak up and say why I think the Catholic Church is the best place to be.)

I wonder if these cultural quirks happen in London as they do here.

If dialogue is possible, I am all for it. I hope yours continue to go well. I will try to look for more possibilities in my life.

peace

-Jim

 

[PaulDupre]

Pace:

It’s up to you now to decide whether or not to get inside the mystery [of Mulholland Drive].

Well Pace, I think most Catholics would have a hard time getting past all the profanity and the gratuitous lesbian sex scenes.

There are far better movies in which Catholics could invest their time.
Paul

 

[kepha1]

We should hold tent revivals

 

[Pace]

PaulDupre:

Well Pace, I think most Catholics would have a hard time getting past all the profanity and the gratuitous lesbian sex scenes.

There are far better movies in which Catholics could invest their time.
Paul

Paul,

I appreciate you responding to my post. I think we should discuss just exactly what it is we are seeing in this movie.

My point has been in the past that Lynch uses sin in the exact same way that God uses (allows) sin.

It is very, very important that we don’t discourage others from seeing things the value of which we ourselves aren’t sure of.

For the record:

There is barely any profanity, there is no lesbian sex, and if there is something that appears to be lesbian sex, it is by no standard “gratuitious”. In fact the ‘sex’ scenes are very tame and brief and it would be difficult to imagine them being more necessary to the film.

The movie itself is about the way we percive things, and how it happens that we can believe we have seen something when in fact we haven’t seen that thing at all. Perhaps we have even seen the opposite of what we thought we were seeing.