What was the turning point in your conversion to Catholicism?

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Sundiver

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I am in dialogue with a protestant minister and we talk about every aspect of the Catholic faith. She says we teach false doctrine, including: Trinity, confession, Mother of God, consecration of the Eucharist, Petrine Primacy, tradition, etc,…

I am looking for a touchstone of truth, in Catholic doctrine, that might help her get a foothold in reality.
It would have to be a doctrine of the church that is based primarily on sola scriptura. It is difficult to get her to think beyond sola scriptura.
I think, anyone who has converted to the Catholic faith would remember what it was like to convert based on some truth in the bible.
Are there any former protestants or atheists who can remember what led to your conversion?

What would be a simple doctrine of Catholicism that is based on the bible that she might grasp?
 
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Since she is a “sola” person I would show her James 2:13-24. That passage completely obliterates Sola Fide. After seeing that she may start to question the other sola doctrines.

For me I could no longer fight John chapter 6 on the Eucharist and I finally had to admit that it truly is the Body and Blood of Christ. However many Protestants are happy to twist themselves into a logical pretzel to convince themselves otherwise.
 
She thinks the words of Jesus about the Body and Blood of Christ is figurative or metaphorical. However, she asks, “Why can’t anyone consecrate the bread and wine?”
 
Of course she does. Most Protestants do.

1st Corinthians 11:29 - For whoever eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks a sentence against himself, not discerning it to be the body of the Lord.

Show her this and ask her why Paul, an Apostle, condemns people for NOT believing it to be the body of Christ.
 
I know it’s not scripture but show her St. Justin the Martyr’s first apology. Specifically chapter 65 until the end. It describes how the earliest Christians celebrated the Eucharist and describes the Mass as it is still celebrated 2000 years later.
 
Yes. St. Justin the Martyr’s first apology could be useful at some point in our dialogue.
 
Sundiver said:
She thinks the words of Jesus about the Body and Blood of Christ is figurative or metaphorical.
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So why then did Jesus let the crowd leave when they took Him literally when it was all over them misunderstanding it?
Sundiver said:
“Why can’t anyone consecrate the bread and wine?”
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Who were in the room with Jesus during the Last Supper when He said “Do this in memory of me”? Who chose from among the disciples for who would take over Judas’ spot after His suicide? Who did Jesus breathe on and say the sins they forgive will be forgiven? Did Jesus say that to the crowds? No.
 
Oh thanks. I am very patient with anyone who asks me about the Catholic faith.
I consider each person on their own path. At least she believes in God.
 
Sundiver said:
It is difficult to get her to think beyond sola scriptura.
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Yes, there is a biblical basis for pretty much everything we profess, but if you don’t accept church authority you won’t see a reason to convert.

Start with authority. Establishing authority will cause Sola Scriptura to fall.
 
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There are four of us talking to her. One is protestant and even he is saying she is not interpreting the bible correctly.
We are pointing out that Peter is the Rock and all popes are the successor of Peter. We are, also,stating the history of the bible and it was, essentially, given to us by the Catholic church.
 
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My turning point was I sent my children to a Catholic school, my now husband signed the papers for the boys prefential enrollment ( he is a cradle Catholic and also my 11 year olds biological father) my in-laws also signed the paper work for my youngest. My then partner was always at work so it was my job to help with and explain the children’s homework ( he would work 16-18 hours a day so it wasn’t like I could tell the kids to wait till dad came home)
Mr 6 was then so excited about learning about God we included saying grace before meals and reading the bible every night before bed
And one day after school he brings me a notice and tells me mum mum mum I want to get baptised so I rang the school made an appointment and realised I wanted to be baptised too. My husband may have been a Cradle Catholic but he never once pushed the issue of me not being Catholic, it wasn’t until my 6 year old who was 5 at the time ( not his biological son) was so excited about God and church and me learning so much to help the kids with there homework that brought me to the Catholic faith
 
Yes I know, it is confusing. She does not say she is with any church. She was with the local Baptist community but she said they are teaching false doctrine too.
 
She says Jesus had a,“flesh suit,” and that when he was talking to the Father that Jesus is the Father. It sounds like a New Age Avatar concept.
 
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I told her the ,“flesh suit,” idea was similar to an old heresy.
 
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If she thinks the Trinity is a false doctrine, she isn’t really “Protestant”. Either that or she is confused. She may be a oneness pentecostal, who baptize in the name of Jesus only and think that Jesus is the same as the Father.
 
I’ve heard of oneness Pentecostal. It is strange. She doesn’t believe in baptism either.
She tries to tell us that we need to go directly to the Father.
She says if you pray the rosary you are praying to demons because Mary does not have the power to answer prayers. She says we can’t ask for intercession from the saints, Mary, angels, or the Trinity. She says they are false gods.
I pointed out some of the places in the bible where angels interceded and she does not believe those events were intercessions.
 
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I strongly recommend explaining Matthew chapter 16 verse 18. I also recommend Steve Ray, after listening to his talks I was really convinced I should become Catholic. You need to establish authority,then Sola Scriptura will fall. Also explain how Our Lady is the new Eve. She believes that Catholics worship Mary,that is not true, we honor her and respect her.The priest is a representation of Christ, that’s why no one else can consecrate the bread and wine. If the words of consecration were metaphorical, then Jesus would not have said, “This is my body,this is my blood”.
 
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