Why Be Catholic And Not A Protestant/Evangelist?

[Bporte00]

If the tool you use to bring people to the Lord is the latest popular book from the Christian book store then I would say you have a problem with what your god may be. An atheist may read the book you’ve mentioned to his benefit, but may I remind you that it is the Holy Spirit which brings someone to God.

If this is your case, pray tell me why the Protestant faith has entire bookstore chains (i.e Lifeway) to sell their faith. I am willing to wager that there are more books written by modern protestants in an attempt to sell their faith and values than there are Catholic books written by lay persons.

Also, I’d love you to point me to two educated people who chose a faith simply be reading the Bible. It happens, sure, and for that we are Blessed, but the vast majority of people like to verify and see testimony of other people thus forms such as these. OH, and how many protestant churches hold meetings and class specifically on how to sell your “testimony” to others…Those in the Catholic Church are much more likely to say “let me show you my faith” than to tell you a sob story and their reason for clinging to something.

 

[attaway]

The only person saying that is you. It is the Holy Spirit that converts the heart. Rome Sweet Home is a well written account of how the Spirit worked in a couples hearts.

God bless

It may be, but I was addressing the fact that when someone asked the best way to bring someone to the Catholic faith, the answer was to read this book.

A very fragile mortal tool it would seem…

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

It may be, but I was addressing the fact that when asked the best way to bring someone to the Catholic faith the answer was to read this book. A very fragile mortal tool it would seem…

This is not what your uncharitable posts in this thread have suggested. In one post you insinuated that a faith that has been around for nearly 2,000 years “needs” a book that was written under 20 years ago. You spoke about facts in a previous post; maybe you should get yours straight before you get your dander up. They don’t make enough head a shoulders for that.

God bless you

 

[justtryin]

For the OP…

A small booklet by Paul Whitcomb
You can read it here:

olrl.org/apologetics/confessrc.shtml

CONFESSION OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC

A former Protestant minister’s story on how he was led to the Catholic Church by reading his Bible.

I also saw this. It may be of help:

The Catholic Religion
Proved By The Protestant Bible

ANSWERS TO 25 QUESTIONS ON THE
HISTORY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
WHICH COMPLETELY REFUTE THE “BIBLE ONLY” THEORY

It can be read here:
olrl.org/apologetics/cathprot.shtml

Follow this link:
olrl.org/apologetics/
Articles Regarding Protestantism

 

[attaway]

If this is your case, pray tell me why the Protestant faith has entire bookstore chains (i.e Lifeway) to sell their faith. I am willing to wager that there are more books written by modern protestants in an attempt to sell their faith and values than there are Catholic books written by lay persons.

Also, I’d love you to point me to two educated people who chose a faith simply be reading the Bible. It happens, sure, and for that we are Blessed, but the vast majority of people like to verify and see testimony of other people thus forms such as these. OH, and how many protestant churches hold meetings and class specifically on how to sell your “testimony” to others…Those in the Catholic Church are much more likely to say “let me show you my faith” than to tell you a sob story and their reason for clinging to something.

Excellent point! And just because the Protestants do this, Catholics should as well?

The marketing of Jesus is not pleasing to the Father I would venture to say.

 

[attaway]

This is not what your uncharitable posts in this thread have suggested. In one post you insinuated that a faith that has been around for nearly 2,000 years “needs” a book that was written under 20 years ago. You spoke about facts in a previous post; maybe you should get yours straight before you get your dander up. They don’t make enough head a shoulders for that.

God bless you

Why does it get your “dander up” when I think a person of faith should have better equipment than the latest best seller to lead people to their faith?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

To the OP. You asked what can be done to convince her and I offer what I explained earlier; conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit. Take her to Mass, be there for her and try to answer any questions she may have. Read the Bible with her, the Early Church Fathers and the Catechism. She will come to understand that a faith that has all of it’s beliefs so open and public couldn’t possibly be a cult. Above all, keep her in your prayers.

God bless you

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Why does it get your “dander up” when I think a person of faith should have better equipment than the latest best seller to lead people to their faith?

I said “your” dander and by that I mean you took one post about a book meant as a suggestion to help the OPs friend and went to the drastic conclusion that our 2,000 year old faith hinges on a book written in 1993. Like I said, get your facts straight.

God bless you

 

[CopticChristian]

I have found that if a certain faith needs a book written by humans for the sake of royalties or literary fame to spread their message, then it probably is a cult. Rome Sweet Rome can hardly be compared to the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture as a means for leading people to God.

And if we follow the other advice that someone wrote here about explaining that the Catholic Church wrote and was responsible for the Bible, then you will also have to explain why Peter it’s leader was married, and how the Old Testament was written when there was no Church at all, and how if God the Holy Spirit inspired the writing perfectly and accurately then the church did not “inspire” anything, or it would be blasphemy would it not?

Lets be careful to separate fact from faith and to also make sure the two line up together.

Rome Sweet Rome is a book written by a Convert. It is a story about what someone did. Protestants read books by Protestant writers and are encouraged not to read anything but. The alternative is just lock someone in their room with a bible or put them in a bible study? Then the question is who leads the Bible Study? Get real.

How we got the bible is one thought. Ask yourself where it came from and let me know when you have the answer.

The Old Covenant is the Old testament Church, the people of God, Romans 7, for if the spouse dies is not the spouse free to marry another, the New Covenant, the Church.

The inspiration was through Joseph Smith if you are Mormon and through the Catholic Church if you are Christian. It was through them. Otherwise you are stuck with trying to explain the following english translations of the bible with deuterocanonicals

Tyndale
Matthew’s
Cloverdale’s
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop’s Bible
King James

and who and why they removed them. Was it the Holy Spirit?

As far as Peter is concerned what’s love got to do with it? Someone else help this guy. As far as facts are concerned get your facts straight and then question.

 

[Bporte00]

Excellent point! And just because the Protestants do this, Catholics should as well?

The marketing of Jesus is not pleasing to the Father I would venture to say.

I’ll hold my tounge and not speak in frustration

 

[attaway]

Rome Sweet Rome is a book written by a Convert. It is a story about what someone did. Protestants read books by Protestant writers and are encouraged not to read anything but. The alternative is just lock someone in their room with a bible or put them in a bible study? Then the question is who leads the Bible Study? Get real.

How we got the bible is one thought. Ask yourself where it came from and let me know when you have the answer.

The Old Covenant is the Old testament Church, the people of God, Romans 7, for if the spouse dies is not the spouse free to marry another, the New Covenant, the Church.

The inspiration was through Joseph Smith if you are Mormon and through the Catholic Church if you are Christian. It was through them. Otherwise you are stuck with trying to explain the following english translations of the bible with deuterocanonicals

Tyndale
Matthew’s
Cloverdale’s
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop’s Bible
King James

and who and why they removed them. Was it the Holy Spirit?

As far as Peter is concerned what’s love got to do with it? Someone else help this guy. As far as facts are concerned get your facts straight and then question.

With all that said…what best seller did Paul use?

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

With all that said…what best seller did Paul use?

Paul quotes ancient philosophers in an attempt to get the Gospel to the lost. One Instance that comes to mind I believe is in Acts 17 when he is in Athens. By your standards we should conclude that Paul’s faith was weak because it “needed” ancient philosophies.

The reality is that Paul did not “need” the ancient philosophies but that he used them to reach the lost. Much in the same way the Church does not need a book written in 1993 but can use it to reach the lost. You’ve created a strawman.

God bless

 

[attaway]

Paul quotes ancient philosophers in an attempt to get the Gospel to the lost. One Instance that comes to mind I believe is in Acts 17 when he is in Athens.
God bless

Where is this story you refer to? I couldn’t find it…

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

Hi everyone. I’m posting this question is also for a friend who wishes to know Jesus but she is confused regarding the different denominations of Christianity.

I myself find myself to be siding with Catholicism as the true way, but she is afraid that Roman Catholicism is a cult, as she has been into a Mormon Church and somehow found that RC is similar to theirs (based on an evangelist website, which of course does not speak the full truth regarding the Catholic Church and her teachings.) and do not want to be misled.

I am also not yet a Catholic but I still believe that God has led me to defend His one true way and so I tried to refute the points stated by the evangelist protestant regarding the Catholic Church (which are not uncommon - the ‘worship’ of Mary, salvation through good works, authority of the Church vs. sola scriptura, etc etc.) from what I myself have learned, having going through the Apologetics forum…

But she is still not yet convinced, but by refusing to take up any denomination, by praying at home and not going to Church and just reading the Bible, is that not also a Protestant way??
Just wondering…

And if so, what can be done to convince her?

I was hoping we could maybe go through RCIA together…

Thanks for your help and God bless uu all!!

Question, has she been to Mass? Not even to worship but just to observe. As an atheist(and a former protestant) I went to Mass several times with my wife(who was raised Catholic) and I treated it as an academic exercise. That may be all she needs to allay her fears. Even Jesus, when He was questioned, simply said, “Come and see.”

Secondly, I wouldn’t bogg her down with a bunch of reading about doctrine. I don’t know if it will do any good at this time. Maybe you could direct her to more of the spiritual works of saints like Theresa of Avila. More often than not love-in-action speaks louder than documents on dogma and doctrine.

I converted to the Catholic Faith because God’s grace directed me to study history and in doing so I found the Church. I prayed to God for HIm to direct me where He wants me to be. I didn’t know where that was, and I didn’t care. All I cared about was that no matter where I went and what I believed, that it was the truth. That’s all I wanted and all I prayed for. I recommend that prayer for anyone who is in trouble as I was.

Pray to God for Him to lead her to the truth, and ask her to pray this prayer as well. And more importantly she must be open minded, open-hearted, and docile(that is ‘teachable’); willing to go wherever He may lead her.

Lastly, support her in faith. It may seem at times that the search is fruitless. Even going through RCIA I was insecure and early on much of the time I doubted as to why I was there. But I kept going, which was a grace from God, because otherwise I would have missed out on the fullness that is the Catholic Faith.

God Bless you both. I will keep you both in my prayers.

Mithrandir "|

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Where is this story you refer to? I couldn’t find it…

It starts in Acts 17:16 when Paul is in Athens. In verse 28 he specifically talks about their “poets”

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

God bless

 

[De_Maria]

Hi everyone. I’m posting this question is also for a friend who wishes to know Jesus but she is confused regarding the different denominations of Christianity. …But she is still not yet convinced, but by refusing to take up any denomination, by praying at home and not going to Church and just reading the Bible, is that not also a Protestant way??
Just wondering…

And if so, what can be done to convince her?

I was hoping we could maybe go through RCIA together…

Thanks for your help and God bless uu all!!

The advantage of the Catholic Church to all other religions is in the Sacraments of Jesus Christ.

What we share with the whole world is the Natural Law written in our hearts.

What we share with the Jews and Non Catholic Christians, are the Ten Commandments. The Law of God. Scripture says:
Acts 10:33-35
King James Version (KJV)
33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

And also:
Revelation 22:14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Therefore, the Natural Law is the salvation method common to all people.

The Ten Commandments constitute the salvation method common to all believers in the Judeo/Christian God.

However, Catholics (and the Orthodox) have maintained the Traditions of Jesus Christ, especially the Mass and the Sacraments. Although some of the Protestants have maintained the Sacrament of Baptism, they have discarded all the rest.

And it is only through the Sacraments that we enter in:
Hebrews 12:23
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

For it is not by any works of righteousness which we do, nay not even faith, which is a work:
John 6:28-30
King James Version (KJV)
28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Faith is believing and believing is a work.

No it is by the mercy of God through the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit:
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Yes, the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost is an explicit description of Baptism.

But the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost is also an implied description of every single Sacrament. Because in all the Sacraments we are bathed in the washing of the Holy Spirit which washes away our sins as we call on the name of our Lord.

And the Sacraments therefore are the reason why you and your friend should become Catholic.

Sincerely,

De Maria

 

[CopticChristian]

Why does it get your “dander up” when I think a person of faith should have better equipment than the latest best seller to lead people to their faith?

Are you in on what the Holy Spirit chooses to convict? Let me know how you got the inside scoop.

 

[CopticChristian]

It may be, but I was addressing the fact that when someone asked the best way to bring someone to the Catholic faith, the answer was to read this book.

A very fragile mortal tool it would seem…

If the tool you use to bring people to the Lord is the latest popular book from the Christian book store then I would say you have a problem with what your god may be. An atheist may read the book you’ve mentioned to his benefit, but may I remind you that it is the Holy Spirit which brings someone to God.

attaboy attaway, you are getting it. The Holy Spirit leads.

 

[CopticChristian]

With all that said…what best seller did Paul use?

This is an ignorant question. You may want to investigate the literacy rate at the time of Paul and at the time of the publication of the first english translation of the Bible.

You may want to investigate that the notion of best seller was not known as far as I am aware of at the time of Paul.

Paul interpreted the Old Testament in light of the New Covenant. Would you like to discuss your lack of understanding of the writings of Paul, let’s say the book of Romans?

I doubt you know when it was written, to whom it was written, or the central theme of the letter.

 

[Trebor135]

If the tool you use to bring people to the Lord is the latest popular book from the Christian book store then I would say you have a problem with what your god may be. An atheist may read the book you’ve mentioned to his benefit, but may I remind you that it is the Holy Spirit which brings someone to God.

Why are you putting limits on God? Can he not work through whatever means a given individual is open to accepting so that the seeds of faith may be sown?

Did he not allow Guthenberg to invent the printing press back in 1453? The first work he furnished his compatriots with was the Bible, but that Catholic didn’t stop there.

Should we read nothing but the Bible on spiritual matters–no more reflections of the saints, or homilies of the Early Church Fathers, or (in your case) Protestant devotionals?