Why do so many protestants not consider church attendance an important part of their faith?

[chrisman27]

I did not get the post three up.
God “forcing himself or forcing his blessings on people”

alot of people are blessed who don’t know god

 

[PRmerger]

I did not get the post three up.
God “forcing himself or forcing his blessings on people”

alot of people are blessed who don’t know god

The “forcing himself” referred to heaven. God gives the Divine Marriage Proposal to all, but He is a gentleman and will never force this invitation on anyone who finds it distasteful.

 

[KathleenGee]

RevKevin,

In reference to your past post where you shared your knowledge of our faith in the Eucharist, wouldn’t you also agree that this concept of worship is different and would require a different approach than Sunday services where there are hymns and preaching the Word of God?

I enjoy listening to ministers preach Scripture. And I also believe in the Sacraments and the Mass. But they are like two different cultures…apples and oranges…

I think Protestant ministers do alot of good in building up the morale of their people, of working for a more animating congregation, and a more personable one.

I pray for a merge of the two some day.

 

[ralphy]

I think what it all really boils down to is really the primary difference between Catholics and Protestants - the Eucharist. We attend Mass every week to receive Jesus. He is the center of our worship. But in protestant Churches, it COULD just as easily be held in the basement, the home, or wherever. Of course a Catholic Mass could be held anywhere, too. But when it is, Jesus is still truly present.

I was an RC for 34 years until I read the Bible and found out that I could receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior by Believing in Him and who He is, repenting of my sins and trusting completely in Him for the salvation of my soul. I received Him spiritually, not through a piece of bread or a drink of wine, but through the Word of God (the bible), I am a born again Christian, born from above, covered by the Blood of Jesus, and ready to enter heaven. Praise His name. In Christian love. Ralph

 

[chrisman27]

the flood gates are gonna open now!

 

[Loboto-Me]

Strange how Catholics also believe the very same thing… BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!!!

For the price of Jesus’ death on the Cross and the knowing that Christ did no lie when He told us to eat His flesh and drink His blood which He made sure we knew they were actually His flesh and blood, Catholics will be in physical presence AND spiritual presence of Him!!!

Now isn’t that the greatest deal there is??

We accept accept baptism in the name of the trinity, RCIA, and acceptance of Papal authority

Oh and this is a limited time offer cause the end is drawing near

I forgot another benefit of the Eucharist…we are not only covered by the blood of Christ, we are actually transformed and cleansed by the blood of Christ.

What a sweet deal!

 

[PRmerger]

I could receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior by Believing in Him and who He is, repenting of my sins and trusting completely in Him for the salvation of my soul.

That’s very Catholic of you to say that, Ralphy!

I received Him spiritually, not through a piece of bread or a drink of wine,

Exactly. You can only receive Him “spiritually”, not “physically” as we do. It’s like you’re “spiritually” united to your spouse, but you can’t ever be physically united to her. Very unfortunate!

 

[tweetymom]

I was an RC for 34 years until I read the Bible and found out that I could receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior by Believing in Him and who He is, repenting of my sins and trusting completely in Him for the salvation of my soul. I received Him spiritually, not through a piece of bread or a drink of wine, but through the Word of God (the bible), I am a born again Christian, born from above, covered by the Blood of Jesus, and ready to enter heaven. Praise His name. In Christian love. Ralph

Exactly I fit in your catagory

 

[crazzeto]

I was an RC for 34 years until I read the Bible and found out that I could receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior by Believing in Him and who He is, repenting of my sins and trusting completely in Him for the salvation of my soul. I received Him spiritually, not through a piece of bread or a drink of wine, but through the Word of God (the bible), I am a born again Christian, born from above, covered by the Blood of Jesus, and ready to enter heaven. Praise His name. In Christian love. Ralph

I’m sad to read that for 30/29 (not sure when you learned to read) years you opted not to read the bible despite the fact that the Church emphatically encourages the faithful to read the bible.

Vatican II - Apostolicam Actuositatem:

1. There are many aids for lay persons devoted to the apostolate, namely, study sessions, congresses, periods of recollection, spiritual exercises, frequent meetings, conferences, books, and periodicals directed toward the acquisition of a deeper knowledge of sacred Scripture and Catholic doctrine, the nourishment.of spiritual life, the discernment of world conditions, and the discovery and development of suitable methods.(8)

1. The most holy council, then, earnestly entreats all the laity in the Lord to answer gladly, nobly, and promptly the more urgent invitation of Christ in this hour and the impulse of the Holy Spirit. Younger persons should feel that this call has been directed to them especially and they should respond to it eagerly and generously. Through this holy synod, the Lord renews His invitation to all the laity to come closer to Him every day, recognizing that what is His is also their own (Phil. 2:5), to associate themselves with Him in His saving mission. Once again He sends them into every town and place where He will come (cf. Luke 10:1) so that they may show that they are co-workers in the various forms and modes of the one apostolate of the Church, which must be constantly adapted to the new needs of our times. Ever productive as they should be in the work of the Lord, they know that their labor in Him is not in vain (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58).

And they have gone so far as to offer a penary (complete) indulgence to the lay who read scriptures for just one half hour:
ourladyswarriors.org/indulge/g50.htm

Do this daily (in conjunction with everything required to receive an indulgence) and the Church is basically calling you a saint… Just for reading the bible a half hour a day (and going to confession regularly etc…). Not too shabby if you ask me.

Ralph, if it is not too bold might I offer you this challenge to read the scriptures in conjunction with say, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.shtml). I think what you’ll find very quickly is not only is the Catholic Church 100% bible based, but you’ll also find that Christ did in fact instruct Christians to do about everything the Church instructs the faithful to do. The only things not covered are church disiplines which fall under the heading of “faith and morals”

 

[jmcrae]

I was an RC for 34 years until I read the Bible and found out that I could receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior by Believing in Him and who He is, repenting of my sins and trusting completely in Him for the salvation of my soul. I received Him spiritually, not through a piece of bread or a drink of wine, but through the Word of God (the bible), I am a born again Christian, born from above, covered by the Blood of Jesus, and ready to enter heaven. Praise His name. In Christian love. Ralph

Where is the term “personal Saviour” found in the Scriptures?

And where is it written that those who receive Jesus in the appearances of bread and wine are not receiving Him spiritually into their hearts, as well as physically into their bodies?

 

[chrisman27]

PR merger, do you enjoy putting down ralph?

Several of your posts have been quite rude.

Some born again christians are ten times better christians then some catholics I know.

 

[KathleenGee]

We do have to be watchful how we come across…

Likewise, there are good Christians out there who think we have no personal relationship with Jesus because of the formality of our worship or the Church dictates how we think about Christ. If I think about this, it will start to personally hurt.

We can’t come into the Church without being in a personal relationship with Christ.

Again, it is the images, the filters…they are hard to remove so we can dialogue and go forward.

 

[PRmerger]

PR merger, do you enjoy putting down ralph?

Several of your posts have been quite rude.

Oh! I apologize, then, to Ralphy for being rude.

Was it calling his views Catholic that seemed offensive to you, chrisman?

Some born again christians are ten times better christians then some catholics I know.

Indeed. :sad_yes:

 

[chrisman27]

no, it was your snideness and better than you attitude that came across in your posts.

and , the fact you called him “ralphie”

 

[rev_kevin]

RevKevin,

In reference to your past post where you shared your knowledge of our faith in the Eucharist, wouldn’t you also agree that this concept of worship is different and would require a different approach than Sunday services where there are hymns and preaching the Word of God?Yes

I enjoy listening to ministers preach Scripture. And I also believe in the Sacraments and the Mass. But they are like two different cultures…apples and oranges…

I think Protestant ministers do alot of good in building up the morale of their people, of working for a more animating congregation, and a more personable one.

I pray for a merge of the two some day.

 

[freerf]

I don’t think that the subject is true in the slightest. If anything, i’ve found the exact opposite, especially the 20-40 year olds.

I attended a prot. church for ten years and have recently been attending mass (6 mo or so).

If you care about the Catholic Church, consider posting this: “why do so many Catholics not consider church attendance important?” Isn’t that the more important question?

 

[rev_kevin]

I don’t think that the subject is true in the slightest. If anything, i’ve found the exact opposite, especially the 20-40 year olds.

I attended a prot. church for ten years and have recently been attending mass (6 mo or so).

If you care about the Catholic Church, consider posting this: “why do so many Catholics not consider church attendance important?” Isn’t that the more important question?

Start a thread about it.

 

[freerf]

BTW, I didn’t find PRMerger rude or offensive.

 

[PRmerger]

BTW, I didn’t find PRMerger rude or offensive.

:blushing:

Thank you for that, freerf.

 

[callmecharles]

What I believe to be the cause of the growing ‘unchucher’ movement is perhaps best summed up by a favorite saying of my grandpa’s fifth wife: “Denomination ain’t gun carry ya to heaven. You gotta go by what’s in that Bible and nuthin’ else.”

A much newer, but equally relevant quote: “I don’t believe in religion. I believe in Jesus.”

Since everyone is saved by faith and nothing else, church works like baptism and communion are entirely optional. The logical conclusion of this line of thought is that the church itself is also optional.

As for out and out anti-church sentiment, I honestly think it’s been used as a sort of evangelization tool. There’s a perception out there that churches will “make you do stuff”. Since most protestant theology teaches that “stuff” isn’t really necessary, getting distance from it might help an evangelist’s cause.