Why do Protestants like to argue so much?

[Benjamin_Lorenz]

In all honesty, its for a lot of reasons… The multiple protestant Catechisms, Luther, Calvin, the Sacraments to name a few. But keep in mind that there were a lot of reasonably good protestant Theologians like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, Soren Kierkegaard, and Francis Schaeffer to name a couple. Even though I’m never in 100% agreement with any of these people, doesn’t make me want to have argued with them. Maybe you’ve never met a true follower of God who happened to be Protestant… I’m praying for you in that you may learn from one and grow in faith with one. I grew up protestant, my father was Lutheran. We have our disagreements, but that is how we learn from one another and grow in faith.

 

[USMC_Convert]

Not sure this is a fair statement, there are plenty of Catholics who are disrespectful and like to argue.

 

[Franciscan_Way]

Whenever Protestants and I are on the topic of religion, I feel like each of us learns something.
I feel like I would be better equipped to stand up for Catholism with even more passion (in a good way!) if I was as familiar with Catholic scripture (chapter and verse) as they are with theirs.
But, the conversation always seems to end with our focus being on the oneness in Christ.

On Friday, I was at a hospital bringing Eucharist. I encountered a man who told me, “I would love to participate in the table.” I was thinking that his choice of words was not something I’ve heard before. He began to tell me that he was a retired Baptist Minister. My first thought was, “What??? How did his name get on the list???” Followed by, “Oh shoot, I’m going to have to tell him he can’t receive, but how?” I have to admit, there was a part of me that wanted to pretend I didn’t hear the"Baptist Minister" part. So I verified that part and asked if he was Catholic now. (Maybe he was a convert??? NOPE!!!)
I told him that I was sorry, but I was not allowed to give him Eucharist because it went against our Faith. I felt really bad and struggled to find the right words. He was very nice about it and said that he understood and that our doctrine doesn’t allow it because Protestants believe it is a symbol and Catholics believe it is the Body of Christ. He gave me the words I couldn’t find! I told him that I felt really bad because I had to say “No”. I think, on some level, it was because I felt like I was denying him Christ. He then said, “We can’t participate in the table together, but we can pray together.” That was my thought exactly! I made the sign of the cross. He extended both hands out to me. We held hands and prayed an Our Father and after, he prayed free verse. I then added to it; free verse.
He said, “We have Christ in common.” It was a beautiful moment.

I have always liked the ability that many Protestants have with memorization of scripture and free verse prayer. I love the passion that have for our Lord! And occasionally, if I’m lucky, I can clear up some misconceptions that they have about Catholicism. We can always learn some thing from one another if we are respectful and open!

 

[Tis_Bearself]

He said, “We have Christ in common.” It was a beautiful moment.

Thanks for sharing that story. That’s really lovely

 

[7_Sorrows]

Whenever Protestants and I are on the topic of religion, I feel like each of us learns something.
I feel like I would be better equipped to stand up for Catholism with even more passion (in a good way!) if I was as familiar with Catholic scripture (chapter and verse) as they are with theirs.
But, the conversation always seems to end with our focus being on the oneness in Christ.

On Friday, I was at a hospital bringing Eucharist. I encountered a man who told me, “I would love to participate in the table.” I was thinking that his choice of words was not something I’ve heard before. He began to tell me that he was a retired Baptist Minister. My first thought was, “What??? How did his name get on the list???” Followed by, “Oh shoot, I’m going to have to tell him he can’t receive, but how?” I have to admit, there was a part of me that wanted to pretend I didn’t hear the"Baptist Minister" part. So I verified that part and asked if he was Catholic now. (Maybe he was a convert??? NOPE!!!)
I told him that I was sorry, but I was not allowed to give him Eucharist because it went against our Faith. I felt really bad and struggled to find the right words. He was very nice about it and said that he understood and that our doctrine doesn’t allow it because Protestants believe it is a symbol and Catholics believe it is the Body of Christ. He gave me the words I couldn’t find! I told him that I felt really bad because I had to say “No”. I think, on some level, it was because I felt like I was denying him Christ. He then said, “We can’t participate in the table together, but we can pray together.” That was my thought exactly! I made the sign of the cross. He extended both hands out to me. We held hands and prayed an Our Father and after, he prayed free verse. I then added to it; free verse.
He said, “We have Christ in common.” It was a beautiful moment.

I have always liked the ability that many Protestants have with memorization of scripture and free verse prayer. I love the passion that have for our Lord! And occasionally, if I’m lucky, I can clear up some misconceptions that they have about Catholicism. We can always learn some thing from one another if we are respectful and open!

that is a beautiful story. you touched each other’s hearts that day.
I am glad he was a Baptist minister and understood why.

 

[Heather914]

I told him that I was sorry, but I was not allowed to give him Eucharist because it went against our Faith. I felt really bad and struggled to find the right words. He was very nice about it and said that he understood and that our doctrine doesn’t allow it because Protestants believe it is a symbol and Catholics believe it is the Body of Christ. He gave me the words I couldn’t find! I told him that I felt really bad because I had to say “No”. I think, on some level, it was because I felt like I was denying him Christ. He then said, “We can’t participate in the table together, but we can pray together.” That was my thought exactly! I made the sign of the cross. He extended both hands out to me. We held hands and prayed an Our Father and after, he prayed free verse. I then added to it; free verse.
He said, “We have Christ in common.” It was a beautiful moment.

Wow! That is truly moving! I love it

 

[Heather914]

I would stop visiting these media source since they are a distraction and time will allow these feelings to subside and become distant. Being there doesn’t seem to be making you happy.

You have a really good point there!

 

[po18guy]

Perhaps better to say “Bible Christians” as that is less polarizing, methinks.

Anyway, when the ego is in charge of interpreting and determining truth, arguments naturally ensue. Arguments began the reformation and arguments continue it. Luther argued with Calvin who argued with Zwingli who argued with Luther who…

Look at such charlatans as John MacArthur in his $10,000 Hugo Boss suits, who dares accuse the Catholic Church of heresy! That is just rich. And he declares Billy Graham to be wrong. What a slug. I’ll bet he lies awake at night, asking over and over, “Lord, am I alone correct?” You know what the answer is: the same one that Luther received. Ah, but neither tested the spirits.

The incessant obsession with justification is a prime example when the average Catholic gives not a thought to it. We have the Sacraments.

All of which leads me to a conclusion that was inspired by the words of Monsignor Ronald Knox. Namely, that protestantism/bible Christianity is not founded on Christ, but rather on controversy surrounding Christ.

Look at the name: Protestant.

 

[Padres1969]

He can’t find his home.

This is true. If he truly felt at “home” in any of those churches he’d be a regular there and not feel the need to jump around.

Then again, it could just be that he goes to the various churches for the community aspect he doesn’t get at his actual home. He does his own bible study at home on Sunday mornings.

 

[7_Sorrows]

This is true. If he truly felt at “home” in any of those churches he’d be a regular there and not feel the need to jump around.

Then again, it could just be that he goes to the various churches for the community aspect he doesn’t get at his actual home. He does his own bible study at home on Sunday mornings.

maybe he is really looking for fellowship more than a place to belong.
I know before I became Catholic I would visit different protestant churches but eventually always left disappointed.

 

[Padres1969]

maybe he is really looking for fellowship more than a place to belong.
I know before I became Catholic I would visit different protestant churches but eventually always left disappointed.

It could be. I mean why else would he keep going back to 3 churches regularly. He’s not typically a “comparison” shopper so I don’t think he’s going simply to see if this or that one fits.

 

[Peter_J]

May I suggest to you all, Protestants especially but Catholics too, that the best solution might be to let each person (or organization) be responsible for their own assertions?

 

[Darryl_B]

I just don’t understand it. Go to any Catholic website, or Youtube, and there will always be someone telling Catholics how wrong they are. It’s like some of them are constantly trying to start an argument. I don’t go to Protestant sites or videos and try to pick a fight. It can be really tiresome at times.

The answer to your question is reasonably obvious. The bottom line is that through the Holy Spirit all peoples of this earth are being drawn towards the Catholic Church, but when one develops resistance to that prompting, the result is what you see. I see this not only in protestants, but also in secular culture. It becomes an unholy obsession with the Catholic Church and will often also lead to stealing things Catholic or even usurping the Church’s heritage.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

All of my extended family are still protestant (for the time being). They all claim they’re “very happy”. They’ve all changed churches at least once in the last year. I point out to them that they are so happy with their churches that they regularly abandon them to find a new one, and they look at me like I’ve got three heads. They don’t even KNOW they are miserable, because they’ve got nothing to compare it to.

It’s true.

There’s a conditioning that takes place there. Church hopping is the norm in that branch of Christendom.

I must say that my grandparents have been a part of the same protestant church for 20 years, though. So doesn’t apply to everyone

 

[steve_b]

I just don’t understand it. Go to any Catholic website, or Youtube, and there will always be someone telling Catholics how wrong they are. It’s like some of them are constantly trying to start an argument. I don’t go to Protestant sites or videos and try to pick a fight. It can be really tiresome at times.

Isn’t that how it has always been? Someone has always been against Catholics and the Catholic faith.

I gladly take the verbal slings and arrows today in conversation, rather than being thrown to the lions in early days, or bloody persecution(s) today in other parts of the world. Either way, It’s all a test.