Why be Protestant? I would like to know

[The_Iambic_Pen]

On my way:
I’m sorry if I have offended you by what I have posted, but what I was posting was not my personal opinions about the Catholic Church, but rather some common beliefs Protestants have. If you had read my other posts on this forum, you would know I have never been condemning of Catholicism. I have many questions, to be sure, but they have been and are being answered. I believe I have asked them respectfully, and they have been answered respectfully. I had thought that my statement at the end of my last post would have made it clear that what I posted was not necessarily my own opinion. As it turns out, there was still some confusion, and for that I apologize.

And in defense of my fellow Protestants, I haven’t really seen anyone in this thread “getting on their high horse,” or anything of the sort. I see this thread as a good opportunity for Protestants to explain why they believe what they do. I admit the possibility that we are wrong, and to be truthful, the more I study, the more I believe Catholicism is true. That being said, I do not believe my previous Protestant faith was completely illogical and irrational. There were reasons for believing as I did, and hatred of Catholics was never one of them.

I believe that with an attitude of charity and patience on both sides of the debate, we can learn more about each other and come to an understanding of the truth. God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, and if it is His desire for we seekers to come to the Catholic Church, then we will do so. Until then, I believe that mutual understanding and a willingness to listen will avail much.

I apologize again for any confusion. God Bless!

 

[On_my_way]

Lambic pen, I didn’t mean to single you out and generalize. I should have watched my words, but I was just typing away and what ever popped into my head was what I typed. I understand that you are trying to educate yourself about the Catholic Church so you can get a better understanding of why the Catholic Church is the Catholic Church. Whats upsetting and becoming redundant, is it is the same questions and challenges by protestants everytime. I think every Catholic has answered every question with fact, either from the Sacred Scripture (Bible) and Sacred Traditions. It is just becoming to repetitious.

Sola Scriptura is not in the Bible but Protestants relie on it as the soul source of belief, but it is not in the Bible. It is so pointless at times to continue to debate with any denom.

Once again I didn’t mean to single you out. :tiphat:

 

[Fox]

A protestant is a protestant, better to be called that than a heretic now isn’t it? Maybe the word protestant might get them to look and educate themselves in Church history on why they are called such, and maybe perhaps look into the Catholic Church like that.

 

[Angainor]

dennisknapp:

Why be Protestant?

Why not?

I know that sounds frivolous, but that really is my best answer. I don’t know of a reason why I shouldn’t be Protestant.

That answer doesn’t tell you much, so I’ll answer another: Why not be Catholic?

It all comes down to the keys. If I thought Catholicism held the keys, I would sign right up. As it is, I don’t believe Catholicism holds the keys.

 

[Valtiel]

EA_Man:

I suppose the answer would be different for different people.

But in my case I wanted to attend a church where the gospel of Jesus Christ was preached, where there was fellowship among the members of the Congregation in the Holy Spirit, and where Jesus Christ was worshiped enthusiastically.

My experience being raised as a Catholic was of an emphasis on the outward conformity of religion. No Catholics of my acquaintance, either family or friend, ever read the Bible, spoke of the importance of Jesus Christ to them, spoke of what the Holy Spirit was doing in their lives, or ever witnessed to anyone on the importance of being saved.

So feeling that these things were indicators of an unhealthy (or dead) faith, I decided to seek out people that had an open and enthusiastic Christian testimony. Maybe it’s just a function of where I live, but the ‘Fundamentalists’ outstrip the Catholics in the enthusiasm department.

My experience with the Catholic church was of dead, repetitious, ritual. No fire, no desire, no fellowship, no Bible study, no evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. The only time there was ever anyone new in the congregation was when a new family moved into town. But at least the Mass never went more than 45 minutes.

Peace

then why not go to another orthodox then going to an out right watered down man made lie…

 

[On_my_way]

Angainor:

Why not?

I know that sounds frivolous, but that really is my best answer. I don’t know of a reason why I shouldn’t be Protestant.

That answer doesn’t tell you much, so I’ll answer another: Why not be Catholic?

It all comes down to the keys. If I thought Catholicism held the keys, I would sign right up. As it is, I don’t believe Catholicism holds the keys.

So who holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven? Luther, Calvin or Zwingli the fathers of protestantism? Wrong Jesus gave the keys to Peter. You should remain a protestant for you do not believe in Scripture. You think you know the truth you have no idea what truth is. Again Mt 16:18-19 read it and it tells you who has the keys. I’m pretty sure it was the first Pope Peter. Seems to be in Scripture and yet protestants believe in Scripture. If so then why not believe that part of the Gospel? :whacky:

 

[sparkle]

I think all my family is because they have never been evangelized by a Catholic.!!! They have never known about the True Presence, or read very deeply into Matthew 16:18-20, Peter and the Keys. They have no idea!!!Hummmmm do I have a role here to play??? I’ve tried but have been told, "Ridiculous!–“don’t sent me any more Catholic stuff”, etc., “this or that person on the tape is an idiot”, “it doesn’t matter what church one goes to as long as they believe in Jesus”, etc., etc., and many things of this sort. Oh well, I’m a seed planter, and God is the harvester right?

 

[Angainor]

On my way:

So who holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven? Luther, Calvin or Zwingli the fathers of protestantism? Wrong Jesus gave the keys to Peter.

If so, than Peter still has them.

 

[dennisknapp]

Angainor:

If so, than Peter still has them.

He still does.

Peter is still in Rome, he just goes by Benedict XVI now. This is what the Petrine ministry is all about.

Peace

 

[Genesis315]

Angainor:

If so, than Peter still has them.

Think about it in light of the Isaiah passage. If that guy who got the keys (I always forget his name ) died before King David got back, would his position just disappear or would he have a successor?

 

[On_my_way]

Thank you G315 and dennis.

 

[Chris_Jacobsen]

Protestant churches are very friendly. It is easy to make friends there. The people are very sociable.

Catholic churches are just the opposite. A Catholic church is just about the most difficult place there is to make friends.

 

[On_my_way]

Chris Jacobsen:

Protestant churches are very friendly. It is easy to make friends there. The people are very sociable.

Catholic churches are just the opposite. A Catholic church is just about the most difficult place there is to make friends.

Thats right protestants have friends. Catholics have brothers and sisters.

 

[Genesis315]

Chris Jacobsen:

Protestant churches are very friendly. It is easy to make friends there. The people are very sociable.

Catholic churches are just the opposite. A Catholic church is just about the most difficult place there is to make friends.

It depends where you go. I’ve made many friends at church–including my girlfriend. Haha, I even have a few old lady friends from daily Mass (I’m a 23 year old guy). There is also a big Methodist church near me where a few relatives go and they say it is quite sterile.

 

[dennisknapp]

Angainor:

Why not?

I know that sounds frivolous, but that really is my best answer. I don’t know of a reason why I shouldn’t be Protestant.

That answer doesn’t tell you much, so I’ll answer another: Why not be Catholic?

Why not be Catholic? We would love to have you!

Peace

 

[Aequitas]

Curious:

Perhaps because Protestants are often raised Protestant and it just doesn’t occur to everyone to check out Catholicism.

I think that’s mostly right. Also, I think there’s heavy anti-Catholicism in many protestant churches.(such as mine.) And it’s not ever outward anti-Catholicism, it’s very sneaky, and sort of hidden, so people accept it as fact.

 

[Sherlock]

Aequitas:

I think that’s mostly right. Also, I think there’s heavy anti-Catholicism in many protestant churches.(such as mine.) And it’s not ever outward anti-Catholicism, it’s very sneaky, and sort of hidden, so people accept it as fact.

There’s also a great deal of “soft” anti-Catholicism out there. I have Protestant acquaintances who don’t think of themselves as anti-Catholic per se, and don’t have any overt hostility, but simply have wrong ideas about Catholicism that they don’t bother correcting (I’m helping them on that front!!!). Such as: Catholics worship Mary; Catholics don’t follow the Bible; etc., etc.—all the usual nonsense. It is all very negative, which is why I’ll term it “anti-Catholic”, but it’s simply the result of accepting, without question, the accepted “wisdom” over the years.

 

[Mouse]

As a Cradle Catholic, I was frustrated with the Church because I had a ton of questions and no one seemed eager to answer them. In university, I started hanging out with members from Campus Crusade for Christ – suddenly questions were getting answered and I was being challenged in my faith! I started attending a Bible Study and later on a small Baptist church that focuses on reaching the students at the university, all the while continuing to attend weekly Mass. Recently I started attending a Catholic young adult group in the community and have had several really great discussions about Catholicism on topics that, had they been addressed earlier, probably would have kept me from exploring other Christian communities.

What attracted me to my non-Catholic friends was their willingness and ability to answer my questions, as well as the sense of belonging that I have with them. Currently, what I find encouraging is their willingness to learn more about Catholicism. They ask me questions and I bring them up at my Catholic group and give them the answers. I have found that many people are intrigued by Catholicism, but when the Catholics themselves are unable to answer their questions, everybody loses.

 

[Iseekthee]

:nope:

kaycee:

That is a false Gospel. Salvation by sacrament of communion? Belief in Jesus as Savior is the Good News! John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and **he who believes in ** Me will never thirst.” Jesus explains the metaphor, coming to Him and belief in him is the reality behind the metaphor of eating and drinking.

:nope:
If Jesus meant this as a metaphor why did many of his disciples desert him…John 6:60 “This is a hard teaching, who can accept it?” Why didn’t Jesus go after them and say wait a minute, it’s only a metaphor?

 

[sparkle]

Mouse:

As a Cradle Catholic, I was frustrated with the Church because I had a ton of questions and no one seemed eager to answer them. In university, I started hanging out with members from Campus Crusade for Christ – suddenly questions were getting answered and I was being challenged in my faith! I started attending a Bible Study and later on a small Baptist church that focuses on reaching the students at the university, all the while continuing to attend weekly Mass. Recently I started attending a Catholic young adult group in the community and have had several really great discussions about Catholicism on topics that, had they been addressed earlier, probably would have kept me from exploring other Christian communities.

What attracted me to my non-Catholic friends was their willingness and ability to answer my questions, as well as the sense of belonging that I have with them. Currently, what I find encouraging is their willingness to learn more about Catholicism. They ask me questions and I bring them up at my Catholic group and give them the answers. I have found that many people are intrigued by Catholicism, but when the Catholics themselves are unable to answer their questions, everybody loses.

Dear Mouse: Keep the Faith! Minister to your Prot. friends, with God’s Help, we will be a better world, and more unified in the Faith. Have you thought about attending World Youth Day in Germany?