Why do Protestants become Catholic?

[Church_Militant]

Y’know, I see a lot of people getting on here and saying that they blame the church for their lukewarmness or their ignorance of the faith, but that just doesn’t wash to me.

I have always known that I was part of an ancient church and been surrounded by books and things that would have readily lead me to know my faith. (Cripes I was 12 years in Catholic school! Did I pay attention? NOPE!)

I have to wonder if those who say that they were faithful Catholics really bothered to get into the faith. There is such a HUGE wealth of godly material that we can avail ourselves of, that I simply cannot exhaust the supply that is on my bookcase today, much less acquire more. Yet I am constantly impressed with the exploration of our most holy faith.

I spent a solid week reading and studying Ecclesia de Eucharistia and it has deeply affected my love for the Eucharist, which is one especially vital part of the Catholic faith that I cannot understand any one (who knows what it’s about) ever giving that up for some other church. To me that is like going to a restaurant that advertises a great meal only to find an empty plate with the same price tag.

My Testimony is here, and I suppose that we “re-verts” count as n-Cs becoming Catholic. I spent over 34 years outside the church and now I look back and see so many errors. I also can see the hand of God leading me “home” to the Catholic Church. I was about as non-Catholic as any other member of any Southern Baptist or Assemby of God church (or any other “Jesus Freak”) and I just set aside all the times that I read passages in the Bible that seemed to teach Catholic things, because I guess I just figured “they just can’t be right if they’re Catholic”.

I’ll never blame the church for my ignorance. It was always there if I had sought it out, and when I finally did, I was confronted with the need to adhere to the fullness of truth.
Nothing else will do…
Pax vobiscum,

 

[MariaG]

Church Militant:

I’ll never blame the church for my ignorance. It was always there if I had sought it out, and when I finally did, I was confronted with the need to adhere to the fullness of truth.
Nothing else will do…
Pax vobiscum,

Yeah, I really wonder about that too. It is the kind of attitude,

“Well I never heard it in the (fill in the blank) years I
went there. So it must not be there. (Or not taught very
well)”

Instead of confronting the log in their own eye, their inattention to Christ, they want to try to find one in the Church’s eye in order to shift the blame and not take responsibility for their own lack of attention.

The Church does have responsibility in this in individual cases (sins of those in the Church), but to say that the saving Grace gospel of Christ is not presented at Mass is truly ludicrous.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[Alfie]

Church Militant:

Y’know, I see a lot of people getting on here and saying that they blame the church for their lukewarmness or their ignorance of the faith, but that just doesn’t wash to me.

I have always known that I was part of an ancient church and been surrounded by books and things that would have readily lead me to know my faith. (Cripes I was 12 years in Catholic school! Did I pay attention? NOPE!)

I have to wonder if those who say that they were faithful Catholics really bothered to get into the faith. There is such a HUGE wealth of godly material that we can avail ourselves of, that I simply cannot exhaust the supply that is on my bookcase today, much less acquire more. Yet I am constantly impressed with the exploration of our most holy faith.

I spent a solid week reading and studying Ecclesia de Eucharistia and it has deeply affected my love for the Eucharist, which is one especially vital part of the Catholic faith that I cannot understand any one (who knows what it’s about) ever giving that up for some other church. To me that is like going to a restaurant that advertises a great meal only to find an empty plate with the same price tag.

My Testimony is here, and I suppose that we “re-verts” count as n-Cs becoming Catholic. I spent over 34 years outside the church and now I look back and see so many errors. I also can see the hand of God leading me “home” to the Catholic Church. I was about as non-Catholic as any other member of any Southern Baptist or Assemby of God church (or any other “Jesus Freak”) and I just set aside all the times that I read passages in the Bible that seemed to teach Catholic things, because I guess I just figured “they just can’t be right if they’re Catholic”.

I’ll never blame the church for my ignorance. It was always there if I had sought it out, and when I finally did, I was confronted with the need to adhere to the fullness of truth.
Nothing else will do…
Pax vobiscum,

It was always there yet you were duped into becoming an Evangelical for over thirty years…yada, yada, yada.

Why do you criticize me and other Protestants when we read religious books about our faith and yet you have a whole library of Catholic books that you study? So you didn’t gain knowledge of the Catholic religion through osmosis? I’ll bet there are plenty of anti-protestant books in your library. A little advise… just stick to the Bible.

I do however agree with your statement about luke warm Catholics. Few Catholics who know their faith will convert to another religion. They are true blue.

 

[Mickey]

Alfie:

Why do you criticize me and other Protestants when we read religious books about our faith and yet you have a whole library of Catholic books that you study?
I do however agree with your statement about luke warm Catholics. Few Catholics who know their faith will convert to another religion. They are true blue.

He is not criticizing you. Here is the difference:
Most devout Catholics read books about the lives and Scriptural teachings of the earliest Christians. They were Catholic–and some of them were actual disciples of the Apostles. Much of your reading pertains to theology that has been revised to conform with the thinking of the reformers.

 

[Jeanette_L]

Alfie:

Why do you criticize me and other Protestants when we read religious books about our faith and yet you have a whole library of Catholic books that you study? So you didn’t gain knowledge of the Catholic religion through osmosis? I’ll bet there are plenty of anti-protestant books in your library. A little advise… just stick to the Bible.

From what I’ve seen around here, it’s generally the Protestants who criticize the use of any readings other than the Bible, especially the writings of the Church Fathers, (where the proof is in the pudding), not the Catholics. The Catholics may, in turn, use the Protestants’ own arguments against them if they then quote others after having argued for Bible alone apologetics.

But, the Catholic seems to have plenty of leg to stand on in Bible alone territory, for he does not have to take verses out of context to make his case, and he also has the entire Bible at his disposal, he doesn’t have to skip over great portions of scripture or come up with extemely unfeasible explainations of them in order to hold his position.

So the Catholic apologist seems generally quite comfortable no matter what rules are imposed on them in the debate.

This has just been my observation.

 

[rayne89]

believers:

Unbelievable, will you please stop already with the condemnation? No one is condemning you. If you feel condemned, that’s your own fault.
What will it take for you to understand that there are people in mass every Sunday that have no idea about salvation? Why don’t you stop referring to God’s shoes. How do you even know He has shoes? Have you seen Him? My point is, get the news about salvation into the ears of those who don’t know about it. You’ll find many sitting in the pews each and every Sunday who don’t fully understand. It would only take a minute at the very end of mass with all the other announcements.

I’m not sure I even want to step in the middle of this firestorm but here goes…
I do not understand how a person sitting in the pew doesn’t know about salvation. Even growing up in the 70’s and 80’s when catechism class taught very little and was all feel good “let’s all be nice to each other” I knew about salvation. We hear the bible read every mass, you had to zone out just about every Mass to miss it.
What exactly would like the exact wording of the announcement to be? What is it do you think we are missing?

Those coming from evangelical protestant thinking see things very differently and say things that come off as insulting. My manager whom I’ve know over ten years is a Baptist. After years of debating religion and faith he said to me, “I believe you are saved.” I smiled and said is that because I belong to the Catholic church or despite of it? He is look gave me my answer. He meant his statement to be a compliment so I took as such but truly it insulting to basically say well depsite your Catholic upbringing I believe you are saved like me.

 

[Alfie]

Mickey:

He is not criticizing you. Here is the difference:
Most devout Catholics read books about the lives and Scriptural teachings of the earliest Christians. They were Catholic–and some of them were actual disciples of the Apostles. Much of your reading pertains to theology that has been revised to conform with the thinking of the reformers.

CM, has a number of times made wise cracks about my use of references from a book written by Loraine Boettner. Just because he doesn’t approve of the book does not mean Boettner is wrong. In all honesty I never heard of Boettner’s book until Scott Hahn mentioned it on ETWN. I remember Hahn refered to Boettner as a she and not a he. Hahn didn’t even know that Boettner was a male of the species and yet he tore his book apart.

 

[javelin]

Alfie:

a book written by Loraine Boettner. Just because he doesn’t approve of the book does not mean Boettner is wrong.

Actually, it is just the opposite. He doesn’t approve of the book because it contains gross errors, and is definitely wrong on many points.

If you want a counter to that book, to get a fuller perspective and understanding of why many Catholics hold no respect for it, read Karl Keating’s Catholicism and Fundamentalism. He devotes a large amount of time to pointing out glaring errors on Boettner’s part, and his work wasn’t meant to address all of them. I know Keating’s reasoning would be difficult for you to accept, but it would help your understanding of the issues at hand.

You can probably get a copy through inter-library loan, or by purchasing it from a place like Catholic Answers.

Peace,
javelin

 

[Batjacboy]

Alfie:

CM, has a number of times made wise cracks about my use of references from a book written by Loraine Boettner. Just because he doesn’t approve of the book does not mean Boettner is wrong.

Boettner’s book is wrong because it’s wrong.

It has nothing to do with anyone’s “approval.”

It’s not an issue of personal taste; it’s an issue of truth.

 

[javelin]

Alfie:

CM, has a number of times made wise cracks about my use of references from a book written by Loraine Boettner.

By the way, if you want people to take your points seriously, you should really be referencing more primary sources. Lorraine Boettner’s book is really just his personal opinion. He is not generally regarded as a leading historian or theologian and there are many other books written by much more widely accepted professionals (Catholic and protestant) that counter his claims. Really, as far as I’m concerned, his book has no more weight than the Book of Mormon or the Koran (which is none, IMHO).

Peace,
javelin

 

[Mickey]

Alfie:

CM, has a number of times made wise cracks about my use of references from a book written by Loraine Boettner.

Boettner’s book is the ultimate error filled anti-Catholic manual–and easily refuted may I add.

 

[Church_Militant]

Alfie:

It was always there yet you were duped into becoming an Evangelical for over thirty years…yada, yada, yada.

Why do you criticize me and other Protestants when we read religious books about our faith and yet you have a whole library of Catholic books that you study? So you didn’t gain knowledge of the Catholic religion through osmosis? I’ll bet there are plenty of anti-protestant books in your library. A little advise… just stick to the Bible.

I do however agree with your statement about luke warm Catholics. Few Catholics who know their faith will convert to another religion. They are true blue.You’d be dead wrong. (again) there are a great many very Catholic books in my library…none that I would consider anti-anybody else.

I’m critical of the stuff you have believed about the Catholic Church which, again and again I (and others!) have shown you both from church teachings and the Word of God is not accurate…yet you persist in attacking the faith of Catholics and get all frustrated and mad at me when I show that you have believed a load of bunkum.

But then you tell us that you haven’t got the simple fortitude to drag yourself into a Mass in order to see it for yourself, yet you persist in your attacks. Most of us are starting to wonder if you are honest…or else are just one of those people who says, “My mind’s made up…don’t try to confuse me with the facts.”

Don’t blame me for what I know to be truth if you haven’t got the courage and integrity to check it out for yourself. That’s nobody’s fault but yours my friend.
Pax tecum,

 

[sadie2723]

Alfie:

CM, has a number of times made wise cracks about my use of references from a book written by Loraine Boettner. Just because he doesn’t approve of the book does not mean Boettner is wrong. In all honesty I never heard of Boettner’s book until Scott Hahn mentioned it on ETWN. I remember Hahn refered to Boettner as a she and not a he. Hahn didn’t even know that Boettner was a male of the species and yet he tore his book apart.

Alfie, you are my FAVORITE Protestant! I love it. I love how you take a crack pot like Boettner, who wrote one of the more inaccurate books in history and use that to justify where you are coming from. There is nothing wrong with calling an author out on printing something that is wrong. It does not matter if Hahn refered to Boettner as a he or a she…the point is that (he/she) was wrong. Let’s not forget that…say it with me…Boettner was wrong and wrote an anti-Catholic book that was founded in prejudice and not evidence. Now, don’t you feel better?

Here is the thing Alfie. I have read a lot of what one might call anti-Catholic books. The thing is, I have yet to find one that was founded in fact. I have, however, read a ton of them that were founded in propaganda that was designed to do one thing: justify a mistake that the Protestants made 500 years ago. Let us remember that if the militant Protestants quit writing lies about the Catholic Church that there would no longer be a need for Protestant churces to exist. Futher, those writers write for one reason…to keep people from the truth. For, all those that seek truth find Rome.

Cheers!

 

[believers]

rayne89:

I’m not sure I even want to step in the middle of this firestorm but here goes…

I do not understand how a person sitting in the pew doesn’t know about salvation.

rayne, but how could you not understand? In your next statement you mentioned the very problem.

rayne89:

Even growing up in the 70’s and 80’s when catechism class taught very little and was all feel good “let’s all be nice to each other” I knew about salvation.

Then you’re one of the few that got the message. I was part of the 70-80’s crowd. You’ve just confirmed my position on the matter. Do you think the problem just disappeared? Those people who were taught back then are now parents of kids who are probably just like their parents in regards to salvation. What if this lukewarm attitude started way before our parents. That would certainly explain CCD classes back then.

rayne89:

We hear the bible read every mass, you had to zone out just about every Mass to miss it.
What exactly would like the exact wording of the announcement to be? What is it do you think we are missing?

We all know that just reading the scripture doesn’t save you. I’m referring to the message of salvation.

rayne89:

Those coming from evangelical protestant thinking see things very differently and say things that come off as insulting. My manager whom I’ve know over ten years is a Baptist. After years of debating religion and faith he said to me, “I believe you are saved.” I smiled and said is that because I belong to the Catholic church or despite of it? He is look gave me my answer. He meant his statement to be a compliment so I took as such but truly it insulting to basically say well depsite your Catholic upbringing I believe you are saved like me.

Do you honestly believe that you’re saved because you belong to the Catholic church? I probably would have said… you must believe I’m saved because I believe that Jesus paid for our sins in full with His blood on the cross. You must also know that I believe and obey Him every day of my life as a faithful Christian. Maybe that’s what your manager was referring to.

 

[sadie2723]

believers:

Do you honestly believe that you’re saved because you belong to the Catholic church? I probably would have said… you must believe I’m saved because I believe that Jesus paid for our sins in full with His blood on the cross. You must also know that I believe and obey Him every day of my life as a faithful Christian. Maybe that’s what your manager was referring to.

I think I would have said something like this…You must believe that I am saved as I am a faithful member of the Catholic Church and obey their teachings. As we all know, the Catholic Church is without spot or blemish and the pillar and foundation of truth. Thus, as I am a follower of the Church that Jesus founded to be without flaws, I am a saved Christian who follows the faith in exactly the manner in which Christ wanted, and embracing all of the tradition and teaching of the church. I have not fallen victim to the heresy of men who had objectives other than the service of God and left the church to form other denominations. Yes, indeed, it should be clear to you that I am a Christian and that I am saved as I walk with Christ in the method that he, himself, ordained.

Something like that. Goodness, that gave me chills to write!

 

[SaintDymphna]

Annunciata posted …Being a convert to the Catholic Church (former Baptist)… I would have to say though I felt a definite call… and acted on it… it was because of the TRUTH

Dear Annunciata,

Your lovely message mirrors my own.

God bless you.

 

[djrakowski]

believers:

you must believe I’m saved because I believe that Jesus paid for our sins in full with His blood on the cross. You must also know that I believe and obey Him every day of my life as a faithful Christian. Maybe that’s what your manager was referring to.

I must ask why you keep emphasizing the phrase “in full.” Do you think that Catholic theology doesn’t agree with you?

Every Sunday, I hear the following at Mass in the Penitential Rite:

I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

How anyone could miss the salvation message in this prayer is quite beyond me.

I think rayne89 would agree with me that the priests at our parish are quite clear about the seriousness of sin and our need of a savior. In our parish, at least, you would have to willfully try to avoid hearing it.

Or, is it just that you’re not hearing it in the evangelical way of “repent, commit yourself to the Lord, and you’re locked in for all eternity, regardless of what you do.” Well, if that’s what you’re looking for, then you won’t find it in the Catholic Church, and furthermore, that concept of “once saved, always saved” is thoroughly unbiblical. I strongly recommend that you read “The Salvation Controversy” by James Akin (available in the Catholic Answers bookstore, or you can have my extra copy, no strings attached).

 

[deb1]

believers:

Do you honestly believe that you’re saved because you belong to the Catholic church? I probably would have said… you must believe I’m saved because I believe that Jesus paid for our sins in full with His blood on the cross. You must also know that I believe and obey Him every day of my life as a faithful Christian. Maybe that’s what your manager was referring to.

Protestant and Catholics need to be very, very careful when we speak to one another. Often we have different words for the same thing so that we think that we disagree when we really don’t. That is why earlier I asked believer to state examples of what he meant when he asked his family how they were saved.

In this instance though, I think that believer means something different then what we do even though, at first, believe and obey, seems a very Catholic phrasing.

Some evangelist are taught stock questions that they expect stock answers from the person questioned. If the person doesn’t answer in the exact correct manner then the evangelist uses this as proof that the person isn’t a Christian and needs to be ‘saved’.

Believer, before I jump to conclusions, I need to know what you mean by the phrase, in full. You highlighted it so it must be important to you. Even among OSAS supporters there are a variety of believes. Some believe that all past, present and future sins are covered by God and forgiven. I even went to children’s meeting at my sister-in-law’s church and the speaker announced that 'our sins are covered by the cloak of righteousness and God can no longer see our sins." This is an extreme view of OSAS that many protestants don’t adhere to.So, please forgive me for asking for further clarification of what you mean by the phrase, in full.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Julia1:

So come on over and ‘enlighten’ us ‘cursed’ Heretics…

Don’t put words in people’s mouths. No one here is calling you “cursed,” at least not that I’m aware of. I’m certainly not.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Alfie:

IT’S DOCTRINE! Where is your testimony about sin and how Jesus changed your life? Even if 99% of Catholic doctrine was correct its that incorrect 1% doctrine that will “damn you to hell”.

What about Protestants who disagree with Evangelical doctrine? For example, supposing you met an Evangelical who still believed in baptising babies. He agrees with you on everything else, as an Evangelical Protestant, but he disagrees on this one issue. Is he going to Hell?

Alfie:

More and more Protestants are becoming Catholic because they are more interested in unity than truth. They are deceived. This “can’t we all just get along” and “we are the world” attitude has got to stop". A relationship with Jesus is about truth…not numbers. If there was only one true Evangelical believer left in this world it would be a threat to Catholicism. That one believer represents the truth and they are terrifed of it. Have you never been taught about the book of Revelations? The world is heading into a one world religion. That means it will be centered in Rome. Someday Rome will be hunting down all of the “true” Christians in the world and killing them. Wise up before it is to late and on this note it has been nice knowing you as I am sure to be banned for this post.

Wow. That’s paranoia. I hope you can sleep well at night.