Why Are Evangelicals Converting to Roman Catholicism?

[pablope]

Why Are Evangelicals Converting to Roman Catholicism?
By Michael J. Vlach

theologicalstudies.org/page/page/1572353.htm

On weekends I occasionally channel surf and end up on EWTN, a network devoted to promoting Roman Catholicism. One show that often catches my attention is The Journey Home. Hosted by former Presbyterian pastor turned Catholic, Marcus Grodi, this program features the testimonies of people, mostly Evangelicals, who have converted to Catholicism.

My curiosity was stimulated even further when I received the September 2002 edition of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. In it was an insightful article by Scot McKnight called, “From Wheaton to Rome: Why Evangelicals Become Roman Catholic.” This article was the result of McKnight’s research in which he surveyed the accounts of thirty Evangelicals who had converted to Roman Catholicism (McKnight calls these converts ERC’s—Evangelicals who converted to Roman Catholicism).

McKnight’s purpose is mostly that of observation, not critique. Instead, he is pointing out trends and patterns among those who have converted from Evangelicalism to Catholicism. His findings, though, are interesting…

[click on link above to read entire article]

 

[tlimon]

History was a big deal for me. After converting to Christianity I was worshiping with an “emerging church” kind of congregation. They are all about “having a conversation about God.” At a certain point I wanted to have a conversation about the 1500 years of Christian history before the reformation. So, I started with the Church fathers. I was on the march toward Catholicism within a couple months.

 

[Sarahforgiven]

Yes, I see the major themes represented here. Truth wins again

 

[AntalKalnoky]

Great Posting Thread, Pablobe. A couple of comments: (1) It is the Reasoning, the Biblical History, The Traditions and the “Why’s” of Catholic and Christ’s Teachings Only fully done in His Roman and Orthodox Church that any Study Leads to The Church. Only we have the 7 Sacraments Our Lord gave us. (2) It is The Authority of Peter and The Apostles that decides, resolves problems, issues. Our Thousands of sects Protestant Brothers have no such, often resorting to popular opinion of men, not Our Lord’s Teachings. (3) As you pointed out, The Fullness of Christ and His Teachings is Only in His Church. (4) Proof is in The Catholic Church Attitude of Respect for all Faiths and Peoples, delicatelly explaining errors; The Church Teaches “It Can Be a Sin” to look down on any other Faith (don’t have time for the Cathecism reference)

 

[Prague]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[KansasGirl]

Wonderful read! As a convert-to-be, this article conveys my feelings exactly!

 

[jason3477]

Well, I came back home to the Catholic church as a revert/convert… and I came back Home to the Catholic Church because of the sacraments and Tradition and Church history=the Early Church Fathers.

And the evangelical churches don’t have any real substance. They copy the culture around them a whole lot.

 

[tlimon]

And the evangelical churches don’t have any real substance. They copy the culture around them a whole lot.

Yep. When the Church faithful are firing on all cylinders we have an incredible transformative power. We have to be on guard to avoid slipping into the pattern of being influenced by culture versus influencing culture.

 

[tlimon]

Wonderful read! As a convert-to-be, this article conveys my feelings exactly!

I’m excited for you! Was there one definitive moment that you can remember that “broke the ice” so to speak?

 

[Jack_Bauer]

I assume you mean fundamentalist evangelical Christians. Well, its history, theology, bible and a whole lot of prayer and the bringing of the mind and heart together that triggered conversion for us. I left Catholicism for reasons I’ve mentioned briefly on several threads. I even went to the seminary. I judged the Church by the leadership of the Church, which was very disappointing. What I believed before becoming Catholic the first time never jibed with what i believed when I started practicing Catholicism. Ultimately, lack of catechesis lead me out the door believing I’d be damned to hell continuing like that.

As a fundamentalist, church restoration movement Christian, I always said that if we could find documents written by Christians in the early Church other than in the bible we could get a decent snapshot of history. I did not know about the writings of the early church fathers, particularly what is known as the patristic fathers. That simple discovery, particularly in combination with finding the Didache, changed my life. I never trusted half bits of information as was previously presented in my youth. I read the bible on my own by the time I was a senior in high school. I was always a bible only Christian who happened to be Catholic at the time. What I didn’t understand then I put together on my own (with the help of God every step of the way).

The wrong or bad choices of my life came to a head and put me in a hopeless situation. I couldn’t understand how I could be in such a predicament as a faithful Christian. I had issues with invetro fertilization, birth control, sterilization, etc. But my fundamentalist faith leaders were not equipped or willing to dig deeper into the subject. Had they scratched the surface, they would have discovered the traditions of the Jews and realized that these were and are considered immoral - at least back then. There is actually not enough space on this forum to describe in detail what went on in my mind during my life that led me here to the Catholic Church. But I can assure you, in spite of the things I say (for emphasis), I will remain Catholic all my life now. I believe that it is the true Church established by Christ.

My wife chose it because the it was the first time she heard real Catholic teaching and it made sense to her. In fact, she explained the importance of Mary to me. Every Catholic and clergy in my past just assumed I accepted it and understood it. I never understood any of it. But I did have hunches that were never confirmed. I heard mostly heresy.

 

[KansasGirl]

I’m excited for you! Was there one definitive moment that you can remember that “broke the ice” so to speak?

I can’t really say I’ve had “broke the ice” moment, but I have had LOTS of little things along the way. I am the youngest of my siblings, and my parents, though wonderful, Godly people, never took me to church. By the time I was born, they had had enough of the “battles” within the church so they just didn’t go. The local Catholic church was just a couple of blocks from my house, and it was always open for people to come in and pray. That is what I would do. I would ride my bike down there, go in, and pray. In 1978, when the Blessed Pope John Paul II was appointed, I watched the coverage, not because I was told to, but because something inside me said “this is important stuff.”

Long story short, I have always had an understanding within me of Catholic teachings. I don’t really know how to explain it, but when I have heard Catholic doctrine, or teachings, or beliefs, I understand it in my heart. Sometimes my head argues now, but my head is coming around to my heart’s way of thinking.

Oh, and I do believe God has a sense of humor. I know we are not supposed to ask for signs when we pray, but one day, as my husband and I were driving on the highway, I was praying, and I told God that I understood He wasn’t supposed to give signs, but if He would just point me in the direction He wanted me to go (join the Catholic church or not), I would do it. When I opened my eyes, a semi was merging next to us. The letters on the side of the trailer said “POPE.” The company was Pope Trucking.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

I can’t really say I’ve had “broke the ice” moment, but I have had LOTS of little things along the way. I am the youngest of my siblings, and my parents, though wonderful, Godly people, never took me to church. By the time I was born, they had had enough of the “battles” within the church so they just didn’t go. The local Catholic church was just a couple of blocks from my house, and it was always open for people to come in and pray. That is what I would do. I would ride my bike down there, go in, and pray. In 1978, when the Blessed Pope John Paul II was appointed, I watched the coverage, not because I was told to, but because something inside me said “this is important stuff.”

Long story short, I have always had an understanding within me of Catholic teachings. I don’t really know how to explain it, but when I have heard Catholic doctrine, or teachings, or beliefs, I understand it in my heart. Sometimes my head argues now, but my head is coming around to my heart’s way of thinking.

Oh, and I do believe God has a sense of humor. I know we are not supposed to ask for signs when we pray, but one day, as my husband and I were driving on the highway, I was praying, and I told God that I understood He wasn’t supposed to give signs, but if He would just point me in the direction He wanted me to go (join the Catholic church or not), I would do it. When I opened my eyes, a semi was merging next to us. The letters on the side of the trailer said “POPE.” The company was Pope Trucking.

:bluelite: I’m a Revert, returned to The Church after Decades, after discovering Mother Angelica’s now Worldwide, Every media Real Catholic beauty Culture, Wisdoms, Life, even Humor 24/7. It’s a great source of Information, inspiration, Wisdoms, and Humor. You’ll discover How Ideal The Church of Christ and a Billion Catholics is. I’m growing in love with The Church/Our Lord/Blessed Virgin yearly. The Church is the most Ideal thing on Earth, with The Last Supper Feast (Mass) and Real Presence Bread/Wine (Holy Eucharist) Our Lord told His Apostles to do In His Remebrance At the Last Supper. [SIGN]1 Corr 11:19-29[/SIGN] EWTN.com

 

[Jack_Bauer]

I can’t really say I’ve had “broke the ice” moment, but I have had LOTS of little things along the way. I am the youngest of my siblings, and my parents, though wonderful, Godly people, never took me to church. By the time I was born, they had had enough of the “battles” within the church so they just didn’t go. The local Catholic church was just a couple of blocks from my house, and it was always open for people to come in and pray. That is what I would do. I would ride my bike down there, go in, and pray. In 1978, when the Blessed Pope John Paul II was appointed, I watched the coverage, not because I was told to, but because something inside me said “this is important stuff.”

Long story short, I have always had an understanding within me of Catholic teachings. I don’t really know how to explain it, but when I have heard Catholic doctrine, or teachings, or beliefs, I understand it in my heart. Sometimes my head argues now, but my head is coming around to my heart’s way of thinking.

Oh, and I do believe God has a sense of humor. I know we are not supposed to ask for signs when we pray, but one day, as my husband and I were driving on the highway, I was praying, and I told God that I understood He wasn’t supposed to give signs, but if He would just point me in the direction He wanted me to go (join the Catholic church or not), I would do it. When I opened my eyes, a semi was merging next to us. The letters on the side of the trailer said “POPE.” The company was Pope Trucking.

I gather that you are a member of the Church of Christ by what I’ve read on this thread. My family is rooted in non-denominational Christianity. My wife’s side and my childhood exposure is and was Church of Christ. As a Catholic, I saw what I knew about Catholic teaching, figured out Catholic teaching but rarely saw Catholic teaching being adhered to properly. Catechesis in the 70’s was horrendous and I hardly had enough training in it to know what was up or down. I figured things out on my own, though I struggled to find clergy that would expose me to the right sources for learning. After I left to join the Church of Christ with my wife, it was like something pricking at me the entire time. I repeatedly told God that if I had made a mistake, though not convinced, that I need Him to lead me back home, but with my wife so that I would know the truth.

As I said in my previous posts. I had many issues with bishops not standing up for truth. And when I met my father-in-law, bishop and elder, I was amazed at his determination to practice what he preached. He made such a major impact upon my faith and mimicked what I saw as Christ going into the world to serve. I served with him several times, going to help people in need - benevolence. It was a remarkable thing to experience. His title and position never went to his head. I was convinced that “by their works you shall know them.”

It was not only my reverstion to truth but the Catholic Church’s reversion to teaching truth that brought me back home. Now I know. I actually understand it as much as one can. I get it. But I do fight for justice now, not just peace and justice but the justice of bringing the truth to people in love, not this watered down PC faith.

PAX

 

[KansasGirl]

I gather that you are a member of the Church of Christ by what I’ve read on this thread.

I have bounced back and forth to different denominations. I haven’t attended the COC, though. I take that back. We did attend a COC service ONCE. We were not greeted at all by anyone at the service and found the church to be cold and unwelcoming.

That is another reason for my up-coming conversion. I just feel at home at the Catholic church. I pray my family follows suit, but they are totally supportive of my decision.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

I have bounced back and forth to different denominations. I haven’t attended the COC, though. I take that back. We did attend a COC service ONCE. We were not greeted at all by anyone at the service and found the church to be cold and unwelcoming.

That is another reason for my up-coming conversion. I just feel at home at the Catholic church. I pray my family follows suit, but they are totally supportive of my decision.

God will help you through it. But Satan will definitely attack you to cause you doubt. It happened much to my wife. But she is by far the most Catholic woman I’ve ever known, including my Catholic family. She truly believes.

In 2006 I Googled "ancient christian documents’ to find the ancient documents written by the first few generation of Christian leaders. What I discovered convinced me to return to Catholicism. The hard part was getting over my pride of thinking I knew more than what I did. I used that as my penance for having left. Welcome Home, I pray that your prayers are answered in time.

PAX

 

[KansasGirl]

Thank you for the prayers and support. That is one thing that I haven’t researched yet is the Early Church writings. I need to do that. I am all ready convinced, but as you said, Satan will/has lauched all sorts of attacks my way.

 

[Jack_Bauer]

earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html

This might be of help. It’s not a Catholic website, which is what helped convince me. I found out that many graduate degree clergy have little knowledge about the ancient church writings. If they did, I’m convinced that they’d either be Catholic or denying the validity of them.

 

[tlimon]

I have had LOTS of little things along the way.

I know what you mean. My experience was pretty similar in some ways. My mom gave me a Virgin Mary medalian when I was a small child. I wasn’t Catholic and neither was she but it seemed like a nice gesture. My heart always had a devotion to Mary. She was Jesus’ mom and I knew that she was my mother too. I don’t know how I knew but I knew.

That said, I remember one moment in particular. I had been reading Church fathers and I knew that the church I was attending was incompatable with the early Church. I was drawn to liturgy, mystery, Mary, and lots of externals of R. Catholic, Anglican, E. Orthodox, and even high Luthern services. But, I refused to study Roman Catholicism in any kind of depth. I thought that I should be anything liturgical BUT Roman Catholic. I came across an online forum, I can’t remember the name, but some random poster said, “Do not choose E. Orthodoxy simply because you refuse to give Roman Catholicism a real chance.” I realized that I wasn’t giving the Church a real chance. So, I gave it a real chance and here I am.

@Jack. B. I know what you mean about the Church returning to the teachings. I essentially read my way into the Catholic Church. It was the Church’s consistency and doctrinal beauty and elegance through which God’s grace spoke and brought me to the Church. If the salt looses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? If the Church becomes the Episcopal Church, then was is the point of being Catholic?

p.s. Hey Kansas, Jack gave great advice about reading early Church documents. I think he’s right; people who read them probably become Catholic or take upon the herculian effort of trying to “debunk” their authenticity.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

If you read the church fathers as a whole (not pick and choose), Catholicism is what they were apart of doctrinally (no contest). It helped me a ton in finding out the the Catholic Church is the Church of God.

 

[KansasGirl]

Thank you for the link, Jack. I have it bookmarked and I’ve all ready began my reading.