Why do some non-Catholic Christians avoid Christian devotions and practices? Is it simply because these practices are observed or performed by Catholi

[Cat]

It is in the Bible. I’m at work and can’t lay my hands on the verse, but it’s the one about “Height and Depth and Length and Breadth.”

There are other verses that suggest that people are marked or signed with a cross. Arggh! Work!

It is becoming more popular among even evangelicals to make the Sign of the Cross.

In his great book, Being the Body, the revered evangelical (Baptist) Chuck Colson (my hero!!) says that it’s perfectly OK for all Christians, including Protestants, to make the Sign of the Cross. If Colson says it, I believe it, that settles it!

 

[mikew262]

Jimmy virtually every thread that you have started on this forum that I can tell is meant to inflame and accentuate the differences between those that are Catholic and those that are not.
You can defend your faith but that is not what you are doing.
What you are doing is a subtle atack on those you disagree with.

Jimmy, I kind of agree with this poster. I think you are so convinced that the Catholic Church is the only way, that you just can’t believe why anybody would follow a different path, thus the tone of your questions. I’ve even had those feelings from time to time, so I do understand where you are coming from. However…

I’m sure you mean well, but remember, many (other Christians and non-Christians) believe just as strongly about their path as you do yours.

If their path is pleasing to God (which only he knows), then so be it, if you think it’s not, then pray that God will give them the wisdom someday to choose the right one.

 

[ChristianRoots]

The bible does not authorize it. Therefore we will not do it.

Where in the Bible does it say to celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

 

[ChristianRoots]

So the sign of the cross was not part of first century Christiandom.

Were the 27 current books of the New Testament (and no other) part of first century Christendom?

 

[Hisalone]

Were the 27 current books of the New Testament (and no other) part of first century Christendom?

Yes the 27 books were part of Christendom?
The 1st century Christians went to Synagogue to learn the Tanauk.

 

[Hisalone]

Where in the Bible does it say to celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

Very good point.
Christ was born in the fall late September early October we should celebrate it then.

 

[Hisalone]

Jimmy, I kind of agree with this poster. I think you are so convinced that the Catholic Church is the only way, that you just can’t believe why anybody would follow a different path, thus the tone of your questions. I’ve even had those feelings from time to time, so I do understand where you are coming from. However…

I’m sure you mean well, but remember, many (other Christians and non-Christians) believe just as strongly about their path as you do yours.

If their path is pleasing to God (which only he knows), then so be it, if you think it’s not, then pray that God will give them the wisdom someday to choose the right one.

Another term for it is a lack of charity.

 

[Jennifer_G]

Why don’t other Non-Catholic Christins make the Sign of the Cross?

Lutherans do, actually (It seems some Methodists practice it, too.). (On occasions) There was a youth retreat from my old Lutheran church, and in part of their video, it showed how to make the Sign of the Cross. (One guy in the video did it the Eastern Rite

Now, there are two things I’ve heard why Lutherans (and other denominations) don’t have any Catholic practices.

1 - “It’s too Catholic!!!” (As if it’s something bad. )
2 - “It’s not in the Bible!” (Or, at least that denomination’s translation of the Bible)

Now, here’s the rub. In protestantism, we are pretty much encouraged to make our own interpretation. Of course, my interpretation of the Bible was part of what lead me to becoming Catholic.

Here’s the other thing – the Bible wasn’t compiled few a few hundred years later, and the first books of the New Testament weren’t written until a few decades later. So, the first generation (or even several generations) of Christians only had the Old Testament. So, the “It’s not in the Bible!” argument wouldn’t fit, since they had no New Testament, and the epistles were just being written (much less it hadn’t even been translated and distributed yet).

 

[Rightlydivide]

I wouldn’t have gone to his link, if I had known it was a “Protestant” link. He had indicated that he was “Catholic” in his profile and that is the only reason I went to his link… Good one…He got me… and you don’t have a problem with that?

Maybe my post will serve as an 'Alert" to other Catholics here not to follow his “Protestant”, anti-Catholic links around, believing that they are Catholic links.

Some of us do check profiles and respond accordingly, that is why there are profiles. He could have listed anything for his religion, yet he listed “Catholic” and then posted a “Protestant” link.

BTW there was no “nerve” involved, I just won’t trust him anymore…

Look at the chronology of your thread Jimmy. My comment is based upon posts two and three, prior to the link.

 

[anamchara]

I’ve been to Episcopalian services and many of them do it.

exactly, I think many Catholics don’t realize there are some Protestants who do.

One of the problems with the OP’s question is that for some, it can come across as baiting. I don’t believe that is what he meant but over the years I’ve seen many thread topics like this from Catholics who might mean well asking the question but it often comes across more like “Why we are great and #1 and you guys are lame” basically it often seems like baiting and bragging. I don’t believe you can get a simple answer. You have to dive into history and learn more about the reformation and more importantly learn about the different Protestant denominations and thier own history.

Many higher liturgical Protestant faiths due practice devotions ie repetitive prayers etc…As a Protestant we read the same creed every Sunday that I do now as a Catholic and of course the Lords Prayers and even the Holy Holy. I grew up being taught about the Holy Trinity.

 

[cascherman]

thebible.net/searchingfortruth/

Listened to “Authority”

What do you think of it?

Great production and such, but I see very little ability to really impact a person who holds an interpreting Church with the Bible as the authority. He didn’t touch on the fact that the Bible can be interpreted as many different ways as there are interpreters, and likewise he didn’t show from the Bible a preface (or a disclaimer or the like) by the apostles that declares the Bible should have no authority interpreting it, and it should speak only for itself. Actually Peter talks about the opposite when he says the things Paul writes are hard to understand and will be twisted.

Yes the NT is a guideline for our faith written by the original Christians, but what happens when we disagree on the interpretation? As the Gospels simply record, the Father sent the Son (with his authority) and the Son sent his Apostles (with his authority) and the Apostles elected successors (Timothy for example, with their authority). It is a simple and wonderful system, you should try it sometime.

Having the Bible to interpret for yourself or your group of fellow believers is a brooding house for indecision, disunity, and ‘putting verses on the shelf’.

My personal opinion on that video.

 

[Church_Militant]

thebible.net/searchingfortruth/

Listened to “Authority”

What do you think of it?

Hello again panoikei,
I “think” it is not a Catholic site…:knight2:

God Bless You, Take Care

Yep Jimmy, you’re right, it’s not a Catholic site at all.

Look at their opinion of Catholics. TheBible.net: Catholicism
Naturally their “history” is more fiction than anything else.

Their opinion of authority is predictable but maybe panoikei is using that as something that we can respond to and needs refutation. I looked at some of the other articles there and they are eaten up with Church of Christ a-C stuff. The CoC isn’t exactly known for its love for our own most holy faith, so that’s no surprise. Sometimes the simple task of taking such an article and refuting it step by step is a handy way to get into the meat of why we believe what we do, as well as preparing us to respond to it when and if we encounter it again.

 

[bpbasilphx]

The bible does not authorize it. Therefore we will not do it.

The Bible doesn’t authorize hymnals, altar calls, buildings, full tme pastors, or even having a Bible, for that matter. That doesn’t stop pop-evangelicals from doing it.

 

[cascherman]

The bible does not authorize it. Therefore we will not do it.

The Bible doesn’t authorize hymnals, altar calls, buildings, full tme pastors, or even having a Bible, for that matter. That doesn’t stop pop-evangelicals from doing it.

This quote…

The bible does not authorize it. Therefore we will not do it.

puts any sola scripturaist who says it into, more times than not, a walking contradiction.

 

[HannahLisa]

Episcopalians/Anglicans do make the sign of the cross. The Orthodox’s sign of the cross puts the Catholic one to shame – theirs is very large and usually accompanied by bowing.

As for other denominations, I don’t know why they don’t do it. I highly doubt that many individual Christians would make a point of not making the sign of the cross because Catholics do it. More likely it’s just that they never learned it because their denomination doesn’t do it.

 

[panoikei]

Where in the Bible does it say to celebrate Christmas on December 25th?

The bible does not authorize us to celebrate Christmas as a religous day of some sort as Christ’s birthday. We all know he was born in the Spring. But we do NOT celebrate Christmas as you do.

Sorry guys, I’m still pulling your legs. This is the faith my wife is from. Unfortunately they got hold of me while spending many years in self exile. I was in the military. Actually I went to the seminary and later wanted to become a bible thumbing preacher…wiiiiiiiiidddddde iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis the gaaaaaaaaaaaate
Sstttttrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaait is the Path that leads to distruction.

I actually listened to a Church of Christ Preacher debate a Catholic Priest. I knew before listening that the Priest was walking into a booby trap.

You should keep you eye on me, especially late at night like that…an on pain medication.

My church of Christ converts to Catholicism take offense to the term Roman in Roman Catholic. Look it up. It’s not used in the sense you use it. I don’t use it.

 

[panoikei]

But if you really want to be useful. Please listen to the tape, take notes and help me build a charitable rebuttle to this material. The man speaking is a friend of mine. He is currently a preacher in a town down in the Hill Country.

He hasn’t come out yet to say it. He even had the nerve to say he’s had some growing experiences that have led him away from some of his youthful mistakes. After listening to the “Authority” part of that DVD it turns out he hasn’t change at all.

If you wish more I will give it. I’ve been playing along in a way to show you how this particular group interprets scripture. You’ve lost before you’ve walked in the door and realize that you walked into a debate trap. I married into a family of this and my wife is the baby of 8 . I loved my dear FIL. He was a very Christian man. But his lack of education are his excuses. This man has 2 graduate degrees. Even Baptists don’t like them. They teach that anything outside of the scriptures is not authorized and will not even talk to you about anything outside the “Rule Book” as this DVD puts it.

Your methods of addressing non-Catholics seems confrontational. What’s up with that. You have to be careful. Many of the people that are not Catholic just don’t have the grounding for this stuff. It’s why the priests typically tell us to leave it alone. It’s not that we shouldn’t evangelize, it’s that we should never shove our faith like they do down another person’s throat. That’s my (name removed by moderator)ut. But I have no problem getting help to address this crazy stuff. I’ve had to deal with this. I debated the very dumb and uncharitable things this guy’s said for years and I was a member of the church of Christ, at least in my mind during that part of my life.

 

[DDClark]

Episcopalians/Anglicans do make the sign of the cross. The Orthodox’s sign of the cross puts the Catholic one to shame – theirs is very large and usually accompanied by bowing.

As for other denominations, I don’t know why they don’t do it. I highly doubt that many individual Christians would make a point of not making the sign of the cross because Catholics do it. More likely it’s just that they never learned it because their denomination doesn’t do it.

I agree. Not anti-Catholic. Just not taught (to a fair number of Protestants).

I’m attending an Anglican church now, and it’s commonly done.

 

[panoikei]

I bow as a Catholic in signing myself and do it just as the Eastern Orthodox /Catholics do. 3 and 2 fingers for the Trinity and the 2 natures of Christ. I’m sure the folks around me are wondering what I’m doing.

earlychristianwritings.com/didache.html

notice the dates. It is now beleived that the didache was written closer to the earlier age rather than the latter. GOOGLE it. Anyway “crossing” is mentioned here. It used to be done on the forehead if I remember correctly.

 

[JReducation]

The bible does not authorize it. Therefore we will not do it.

The Bible doesn’t authorize birth control, abortion, invading a sovereign nation that has not attacked you, a democratic system of government or many other things.

The bible authorizes slavery, submission of women and children, smashing the heads of little ones against stones, sacrificing animals to God, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners, taking in the homeless and widowed, do you do all of these?

JR