Why are you Protestant?

[chessmane4e5]

I was thinking about why are Protestants the denomination they are? And then why are they not Catholic?

I am a convert, and while my mom is Protestant (Nazarene) I was agnostic up until college. I was 21 when I met my future wife, who is a cradle Catholic. I converted to Catholicism because it seems to be the religion that Christ founded.

I am just curious, probably because I just finished “Upon This Rock” by Stephen Ray

 

[Wesley7]

Why are you Protestant?

For the most part someone is Protestant because you had attended Protestant services your whole life and had not been confirmed traditionally in the Catholic rites . .

 

[gtrenewed]

I was thinking about why are Protestants the denomination they are? And then why are they not Catholic?

I am a convert, and while my mom is Protestant (Nazarene) I was agnostic up until college. I was 21 when I met my future wife, who is a cradle Catholic. I converted to Catholicism because it seems to be the religion that Christ founded.

I am just curious, probably because I just finished “Upon This Rock” by Stephen Ray

For the same reason Jesus overturned the tables in the temple - corruption of God’s way by men in authority. The reformers broke ties because the church became lawless and they determined that being a disciple of Jesus does not mean being a member of a church. Today people are just born into a particular way, some stay, some do not.

Your agnosticism does not disprove the Nazarene’s just as your wife’s catholicism does not prove the RC church. If you have found Christian spiritual enlightenment in the RC good for you but many cradle catholics never had enlightenment until they went outside of the church for Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.

It is a long journey, love God and your fellow man in practical ways and honor your mother and father and you will do well.

 

[Publisher]

It’s not that I am Protestant…It’s that I am a Friend. I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene…but always felt something was lacking. When I was 18 and in college I came across a small volume called “Testament of Devotion” by Thomas R. Kelly. It “spoke to my condition”…and I wanted to know more of these “People called Quakers”.

After much study…and experiencing the meeting for worship at the Friend’s Meeting I attended in San Jose, Calif, I was “convinced”. I petitioned the meeting for membership and after the interview and discernment process became a Friend.

I transferred to a Quaker college and continued my education. My finance too was “convinced” and several years later we were “married after the manner of Friends”.

Through my own spiritual search and study, I came to believe in the message of the gospel as held by Friends. God in Christ has done away with all rituals and rites and in Him we share in His Priesthood to approach the “throne of grace with boldness”. There is no need for an intermediary to act for and on my behalf by performing or “confecting” a sacrament FOR me…all grace and mercy are His to dispense.

The message of the gospel was amazingly liberating…life itself became the sacrament…each act and each word and each meal provided the opportunity to transform it into a vehicle of grace for this world…we are His Body…our hands and feet and words are all that He has in this world.

The Church is the living embodiment of His Presence in this world…direct and immediated experience with the Eternal is a Living Reality. He is truly present at each meeting for worship. His people seek to “be holy as He is holy”…we become new creations in Him and through “standing in the Light” and “walking in the Light” we share in His incarnation.

That was over 30 years ago…and I have never regretted the decision…

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you…”

 

[chessmane4e5]

For the most part someone is Protestant because you had attended Protestant services your whole life and had not been confirmed traditionally in the Catholic rites . .

Then maybe I should have asked, why are they still Protestant

I know I am biased, but Matt 16:13-19 seems pretty clear to me.

So does 1 Cor. 11:2 - Paul commends the faithful to obey apostolic tradition, and not Scripture alone.

Since it is only the Catholic Church (and the Orthodox Church ) that have the Traditions of the Apostles and Early Church Fathers, why stay (or how do they justify staying) Protestant?

I am sure that 99% of Protestants might answer because they were born Protestant (Just as my Catholics might say the same thing). This answer always frustrates me, because I am the kind of person that wants to understand what I believe. Hence the reason I was Agnostic in my youth. I was uneducated in Christian History and what little I did know, I didn’t really understand.

 

[rev_kevin]

I was thinking about why are Protestants the denomination they are? And then why are they not Catholic?

I am a convert, and while my mom is Protestant (Nazarene) I was agnostic up until college. I was 21 when I met my future wife, who is a cradle Catholic. I converted to Catholicism because it seems to be the religion that Christ founded.

I am just curious, probably because I just finished “Upon This Rock” by Stephen Ray

I was a Catholic but did not agree with a lot of the teachings. I went through the whole 10 yards as a Catholic. The thing is I did not have a choice to be Catholic. When your born and you are baaptized as a infant you are automacily a Catholic and will always be Catholic even if you go to another denomination. There are a lot of reasons why I am no longer Catholic but now Baptist. I feel Jesus more in a Baptist church then I ever had in a Catholic church. I see and feel a strong fellowship with other believers. I see the Joy of Jesus present during worship service. I feel closer to God then I ever have.

 

[chessmane4e5]

For the same reason Jesus overturned the tables in the temple - corruption of God’s way by men in authority. The reformers broke ties because the church became lawless and they determined that being a disciple of Jesus does not mean being a member of a church. Today people are just born into a particular way, some stay, some do not.

Your agnosticism does not disprove the Nazarene’s just as your wife’s catholicism does not prove the RC church. If you have found Christian spiritual enlightenment in the RC good for you but many cradle catholics never had enlightenment until they went outside of the church for Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.

It is a long journey, love God and your fellow man in practical ways and honor your mother and father and you will do well.

But I do not think Jesus wanted many paths to Him. I think Jesus wanted One Church, built upon Peter, the rock. He gave Peter the Keys to the Kingdom. He gave Peter the power to bind and loose. For 1500 years their was one Catholic Church.

Believing or having a good feeling about something does not make it right or True. Jesus Christ’s own words are the Truth. I know I hear of lot’s of people that say they do not like this church, so they are going to a different one. This just baffles me. I have never thought of going to Church because I like it, but because God wants me to go to church, to worship Him and give Him thanks. To receive the Bread of Life that He instituted at the Last Supper.

I did not intend to disprove the Nazarene, but to question how people can just pick and choose what to believe.

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

I think most people are Protestant for the same reason most people are Catholic. They were born that way. Some people change denominations, I even changed religion.

I am Episcopalian. I was born Methodist, became Episcopalian at age 14, became Baha’i at age 19, left the Baha’i Faith at age 49, went back to the Episcopal Church and am still there.

Obviously my life has involved spiritual search. Whether I become Roman Catholic or not is yet to be seen. I accept many Roman doctrines, such as Purgatory (I actually believed in that as a Baha’i), the Marian doctrines, Real Presence (Transubstantiation). I have a problem with “the whole enchilada” however.

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

For the same reason Jesus overturned the tables in the temple - corruption of God’s way by men in authority. Matthew 23:2-3: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Where does it say to abandon the hierarchy God has given?The reformers broke ties because the church became lawless and they determined that being a disciple of Jesus does not mean being a member of a church. Today people are just born into a particular way, some stay, some do not.

I agree. Most people stay where they were born. But quite a few protestants come back to the truth. Some Catholics flee the truth. The one shows the Glory of God, the other, the wickedness and hubris of man

Your agnosticism does not disprove the Nazarene’s just as your wife’s catholicism does not prove the RC church. If you have found Christian spiritual enlightenment in the RC good for you but many cradle catholics never had enlightenment until they went outside of the church for Jesus is the way, the truth, the life.

It is a long journey, love God and your fellow man in practical ways and honor your mother and father and you will do well.

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

I think most people are Protestant for the same reason most people are Catholic. They were born that way. Some people change denominations, I even changed religion.

I am Episcopalian. I was born Methodist, became Episcopalian at age 14, became Baha’i at age 19, left the Baha’i Faith at age 49, went back to the Episcopal Church and am still there.

Obviously my life has involved spiritual search. Whether I become Roman Catholic or not is yet to be seen. I accept many Roman doctrines, such as Purgatory (I actually believed in that as a Baha’i), the Marian doctrines, Real Presence (Transubstantiation). I have a problem with “the whole enchilada” however.

See matthew Chapter 6 (from the DR)

60 These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum.
61 Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it?
62 But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you?
63 If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
64 It is the spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life.
65 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe, and who he was, that would betray him.
66 And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father.
67 After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him.
68 Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away?
69 And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
70 And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.

Following the truth of Christ is hard. It was hard when he was Physically present. How much harder must it be today with all the noise of our modern culture?

I pray that you may find the truth and come home.

FSC

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

I pray that you may find the truth and come home.

FSC

Your post suggests that I am having trouble following Christ. Christ knows I am. But I am a Christian, and no Christian should disparage the faith of others.

And I pray you may experience the fullness of Anglican Faith

(actually that is more than a joke. I really hope that the Anglican Use Ordinariates will provide the spur to greater spirituality in all Catholic masses. It may be the best of all possible worlds.)

 

[Garyjohn2]

Believing or having a good feeling about something does not make it right or True. Jesus Christ’s own words are the Truth. I know I hear of lot’s of people that say they do not like this church, so they are going to a different one. This just baffles me. I have never thought of going to Church because I like it, but because God wants me to go to church, to worship Him and give Him thanks. To receive the Bread of Life that He instituted at the Last Supper.

Well put.

 

[dzheremi]

It is interesting, I think, that the tendency among many Catholics on this board is to see the Protestant-Catholic division as the one that is so in need of healing, not the Catholic-Orthodox division which is so much older, deeper, and more profound in terms of its impact on the liturgy and theology of the Catholic Church. While some of the actions undertaken “in the spirit of Vatican II” have arguably “Protestantized” the Church, thereby theoretically making it easier for such overtures as the recent outreach to disaffected Anglicans to meet with some measure of success, with each new reduction of some historically indispensable tradition in the name of making the liturgy “more accessible to the people” (i.e., more people-centered), the prospects for unification of the western and eastern churches seem less and less likely. It seems that Roman Catholics, for their part, are content to point to the Eastern Catholic Churches as evidence of the universality of the Roman communion, but if catholicism is to be understood as that which is found throughout the whole, rather than simply present to some degree in a plethora of locations, then the only thing that I can honestly say that I see as “catholic” about the Catholic Church is the corporeal union of the various sui juris churches under the supreme authority of the Bishop of Rome.

So I think a second question would be just as valuable, as I am currently asking myself this same question: Why aren’t you Orthodox?

 

[EmergencyOps]

I was raised in the Baptist faith, including the church’s Baby Dedication, Sunday School, asking Christ to be my Savior and subsequent Baptism as a public profession of faith, participating in Royal Ambassadors, youth group, college group…

I am learning about other denominations and the CC especially, ever since beginning to date my wife back in 2006. It began partly as a way to convert her to my Baptist faith, admittedly. I wanted to teach her what her Church really teaches (because of her weak faith as a cradle Catholic) and prove it wrong. What I uncovered was how many myths and misunderstandings my family and fellow Baptists held about the CC. I do still disagree with some doctrines and beliefs while I am still reading up on them. Not sure what the future has in store for me regarding my faith. I will keep reading, keep asking, and keep attending Baptist service and Mass (sans Communion).

 

[chessmane4e5]

So I think a second question would be just as valuable, as I am currently asking myself this same question: Why aren’t you Orthodox?

I believe that Jesus wanted Peter (and all the Popes that followed him) to lead the Church. From my understanding (and it is limited so if I am wrong, please correct/educate me) the Orthodox view the position of Pope as one of honor and not of authority.

IF Jesus gave Peter the Keys to the Kingdom and the Power to Bind and Loose (Matt 16:19), then truly Peter’s position is more than just honor. This is also evident in Luke 22:31-32 where Peter is singled out and John 21:15-17. Tradition also shows the Authority of the Early Popes.

 

[MrZetterlund]

Because I don’t know what time mass starts

Because I value digging for the truth too much to be limited to what the Pope says is ok

Because I plan on joining the ministry and would be more useful as a Baptist preacher

Because I love my church family

Because I need to know more about history, because I heard the Roman Cathlic Church was something bad in Revelation but I do find it appealing and lean towards it.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Nevermind. As you were.

God bless

 

[Spencerian]

Because I don’t know what time mass starts

Because I value digging for the truth too much to be limited to what the Pope says is ok

Because I plan on joining the ministry and would be more useful as a Baptist preacher

Because I love my church family

Because I need to know more about history, because I heard the Roman Cathlic Church was something bad in Revelation but I do find it appealing and lean towards it.

Hi, there.

I’m glad you’re on the Forums and are discussing what you believe. But, as you noted and my signature notes–it’s not that you hate the Catholic Church but that you hate what you *think *you believe that the Church teaches.

I think you’re being facetious on some of your answers, like Mass times. But I’d like to answer a few of your replies:

*Because I value digging for the truth too much to be limited to what the Pope says is *ok

The great thing about being Catholic is that there have been millions of people who have done the job of “digging for the truth” already. We know it as the Magistarium, the teaching body of the Church, of which the Pope is the head. But you should not see the Pope as some kind of “king” that sends down proclamations on what people should do. I agree–discovery and personal discernment of God’s word is enriching. But please don’t think that Catholics just take “marching orders” in regards to the Bible. We read it, too, and quite a few of us here might read it more than you. There is nothing at all limiting in being Catholic. I would actually argue that being anything BUT Catholic is limiting, but that’s another topic.

Because I plan on joining the ministry and would be more useful as a Baptist preacher

Serving as a witness of God’s word is always laudable, but be mindful that personal interpretation isn’t something that is mentioned anywhere in Scripture. Throughout it, Scripture has indicated where priests are the ones who are given authority by God to spread the word for one reason: Consistency. Still, I wish all the best in your decision.

Because I love my church family

It’s great to belong to a church where you are comfortable. Catholics feel the same way in their parishes. But Catholics don’t see themselves as limited to one building. *All *Christians are members of the mystical Body of Christ–including the Catholic Church itself, its members, and any and all those who follow Christ. That means, of course, you, too. One thing that is wonderful about the Catholic Church family is that it is worldwide. If I travel, I can enter any Roman Catholic church and hear the same readings and receive the same Sacraments as from home. In that, your faith may be limiting since your church family may not be worldwide or teach or preach the same things to everyone.

 

[BrianH]

I do not believe the Marian dogmas or in elaborate rituals in that they were the practices of the church prior to around 125-150 AD. I believed both developed over time. I am also despite all my prayers and desire not to be; a liberal on matters of innerancy and Christianity. Because of the differences between Luke and Mark and Matthew, I believe that the portion concerning Peter is likely an interpolation. I love the history of it all however. Absolutely love it. On a personal note, after finally getting my wife to come to church with all of the kids and I (it took 11 years), I am in no position to change. She will not go to a Catholic Church (she is an agnostic and finds their stance on many issues objectionable). She tolerates (barely) the church we go to primarily because of the vibrant children ministries and quite frankly the people are nice.

I have no desire to talk anyone into any of my view if I even could. I especially like Catholics and Orthodox because they do respect the history of the Church.

 

[CMatt25]

What is the diffference between having the power to bind and loose and having the keys to heaven? I don’t understand when all the disciples were given the power to bind and loose, the same as Peter, then how they all didn’t have the same keys?

Why was St Joan of Arc a heretic and then later named a saint? Reforms may at times be needed.

There was not one Church headquartered in Rome for 1500 yrs. The Apostles themselves argued over who was the greatest. If it was so clear Peter was, the others didn’t seem to know. There was Jerusalem, Antioch, various sees. Paul corrected Peter. In the 400s the Oriental Orthodox split. Then in 1054? west and east excommunicated each other. Was it really all about Rome for 1500 yrs?