why do some people think Catholics don't know Jesus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 4EverHis
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
kalt said:
We are Christians when we are Baptized. Of course we’re all expected to be in constant conversion–It’s not a one-time event. You are a Christian through Baptism, even if you don’t feel all bubbly about it. Warm fuzzies are nice, but those feelings aren’t evidence of conversion. Lots of non-Christians get the same warm fuzzies watching Green Bay. 😉
Click to expand...
And all that is nice and wonderful. Still, everybody must make a personal decision for Jesus Christ, even if you do not get to feel all bubbly and get nice warm fuzzies.
 
NotTooSmart said:
And all that is nice and wonderful. Still, everybody must make a personal decision for Jesus Christ, even if you do not get to feel all bubbly and get nice warm fuzzies.
Click to expand...
As someone said before and as someone who follows the Roman Rite, I also make a personal decision for Jesus Christ every time I eat His Holy Body and drink His Most Precious Blood. You can’t get any more personal than that! We, who are members of the founding Christian Churches, (Roman, Orthodox), have our Lord with us in the physical manifestation of the Eucharist. Ours is not just a spiritual Church, but one of the here and now, right before our eyes.
 
Adonia said:
As someone said before and as someone who follows the Roman Rite, I also make a personal decision for Jesus Christ every time I eat His Holy Body and drink His Most Precious Blood. You can’t get any more personal than that! We, who are members of the founding Christian Churches, (Roman, Orthodox), have our Lord with us in the physical manifestation of the Eucharist. Ours is not just a spiritual Church, but one of the here and now, right before our eyes.
Click to expand...
Then I am glad that you have made a personal decision for Jesus Christ.

But I know and have read of some Catholics who have not.

Now, if I decide to get ambition I am sure that I can find stories of Catholics over the internet who never made a decision for Jesus Christ as a Catholic, made one in a “Protestant” setting, attended a Protestant church for the while, and eventually made their way back to the Catholic church. And these are folks who are genuinely thankful for their “Protestant” church to lead them to Jesus Christ.

And yes, this would be on a Catholic web site so you don’t have to fear getting Protestant cooties or something like that.

Come to think of it a while back I was watching some show on EWTN to that very same effect (I don’t fear getting Catholic cooties:))
 
NotTooSmart said:
Then I am glad that you have made a personal decision for Jesus Christ.

But I know and have read of some Catholics who have not.

Now, if I decide to get ambition I am sure that I can find stories of Catholics over the internet who never made a decision for Jesus Christ as a Catholic, made one in a “Protestant” setting, attended a Protestant church for the while, and eventually made their way back to the Catholic church. And these are folks who are genuinely thankful for their “Protestant” church to lead them to Jesus Christ.

And yes, this would be on a Catholic web site so you don’t have to fear getting Protestant cooties or something like that.

Come to think of it a while back I was watching some show on EWTN to that very same effect (I don’t fear getting Catholic cooties:))
Click to expand...
Amen! ( on your not fearing to get “Catholic cooties” chuckle, chuckle…) And I am not afraid of the “Prostestant cooties” either.( I worship with Southersn Baptists on occasion.) In reality though, all Catholics are making that personal decision for Christ when they try to follow the Faith, especially when taking Communion. Some of us are more aware of it than others, but Christ is still working within them nonetheless. I have learned much from my other Christian brothers and sisters and in many instances they have caused me to embrace the teachings of my Church more deeply. What is that passage of the body of Christ being made up of different parts? Of us all having our special gifts? I believe that wholeheartedly.
 
Adonia said:
In reality though, all Catholics are making that personal decision for Christ when they try to follow the Faith, especially when taking Communion.
Click to expand...
Just one little nitpicky comment.

I think it is wonderful that Christ moves through your Communion service to draw you closer to Him.

However, I don’t believe that you should assume that the same thing is happening in the hearts of everybody elses as is happening in yours.

In any Christian setting, mine, yours, or the Baptist church down the block, it is possible to be just going through the motions and never, really, ever, making a personal, heart-felt decision for Jesus Christ.
 
NotTooSmart said:
Just one little nitpicky comment.

I think it is wonderful that Christ moves through your Communion service to draw you closer to Him.

However, I don’t believe that you should assume that the same thing is happening in the hearts of everybody elses as is happening in yours.

In any Christian setting, mine, yours, or the Baptist church down the block, it is possible to be just going through the motions and never, really, ever, making a personal, heart-felt decision for Jesus Christ.
Click to expand...
You had introduced the word Christianese; first time I heard that but I do figure what you’re trying to say. Well, making personal decision for Christ IS your Christianese and in this you are probably right.

We do not speak in this term. As Catholic we made personal decision for Christ by virtue of the fact that we are Catholics by virtue of our baptism. How intense we live and practice our faith is another thing. The Eucharist has a healing effect on its own regardless of what a Catholic believes. We can harness the power of the Eucharist by actively participating in it. But whether we are active or not, God has His own way of bringing his people to himself.

Making personal decision for Christ is ongoing in a life of a Christian which is like many layers of onion. Committing oneself to regular prayer life, repentance and deciding to forgive, all need personal decision to begin with. It is by the grace of God that we are able to do all this but, yes, a personal decision has to be made in order that the ensuring action will be a reality. One does not have to leave the Church to being able to do that because there are avenues and facilities for this to happen within the Church.

But I can understand your point and you are probably right. There are many Catholics who left the Church and found greater zeal and joy in their new found church.

God bless.
 
Reuben_J said:
You had introduced the word Christianese; first time I heard that but I do figure what you’re trying to say. Well, making personal decision for Christ IS your Christianese and in this you are probably right.

We do not speak in this term. As Catholic we made personal decision for Christ by virtue of the fact that we are Catholics by virtue of our baptism. How intense we live and practice our faith is another thing. The Eucharist has a healing effect on its own regardless of what a Catholic believes. We can harness the power of the Eucharist by actively participating in it. But whether we are active or not, God has His own way of bringing his people to himself.

Making personal decision for Christ is ongoing in a life of a Christian which is like many layers of onion. Committing oneself to regular prayer life, repentance and deciding to forgive, all need personal decision to begin with. It is by the grace of God that we are able to do all this but, yes, a personal decision has to be made in order that the ensuring action will be a reality. One does not have to leave the Church to being able to do that because there are avenues and facilities for this to happen within the Church.

But I can understand your point and you are probably right. There are many Catholics who left the Church and found greater zeal and joy in their new found church.

God bless.
Click to expand...
Amen! Well said.
 
NotTooSmart said:
Just one little nitpicky comment.

I think it is wonderful that Christ moves through your Communion service to draw you closer to Him.

However, I don’t believe that you should assume that the same thing is happening in the hearts of everybody elses as is happening in yours.

In any Christian setting, mine, yours, or the Baptist church down the block, it is possible to be just going through the motions and never, really, ever, making a personal, heart-felt decision for Jesus Christ.
Click to expand...
The difference is that other than in the Catholic Church you are always just going though the motions.
 
estesbob said:
The difference is that other than in the Catholic Church you are always just going though the motions.
Click to expand...
You are a very rude and judgmental person. You do not radiate the love of Christ and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Catholics should be thankful that I do not evaluate the Catholic faith by your example. You are going on my ignore list.

I think I am going to retire from these forums for a time period. Posts like the one above are just too upsetting to me.
 
NotTooSmart said:
And all that is nice and wonderful. Still, everybody must make a personal decision for Jesus Christ, even if you do not get to feel all bubbly and get nice warm fuzzies.
Click to expand...
Catholics who are baptized as infants make their Confirmation as teens. They also reaffirm their baptism each Easter. So even the “holiday Catholics” are making a personal decision for Christ.

But not only at their First Communion, Confirmation, and at Easter. Christians should be making a personal decision for Christ every day, even when they don’t feel the warm fuzzies.

If I can find the text of what happens at the Easter Mass, I will post it here.
 
kalt said:
Catholics who are baptized as infants make their Confirmation as teens. They also reaffirm their baptism each Easter. So even the “holiday Catholics” are making a personal decision for Christ.

But not only at their First Communion, Confirmation, and at Easter. Christians should be making a personal decision for Christ every day, even when they don’t feel the warm fuzzies.

If I can find the text of what happens at the Easter Mass, I will post it here.
Click to expand...
Ok, I found it.

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

This sounds like a decision for Christ to me. 🙂
 
NotTooSmart said:
Just one little nitpicky comment.

I think it is wonderful that Christ moves through your Communion service to draw you closer to Him.

However, I don’t believe that you should assume that the same thing is happening in the hearts of everybody elses as is happening in yours.

In any Christian setting, mine, yours, or the Baptist church down the block, it is possible to be just going through the motions and never, really, ever, making a personal, heart-felt decision for Jesus Christ.
Click to expand...
This is true. However, leaving the Sacraments isn’t the answer. It may feel better to a Catholic who didn’t seem to “get it”, but is it truly better? Is not recieving the Sacraments really moving closer to Jesus?
 
kalt said:
The Ten Commandments.

From another board. Answer by Fr. S.

“The Commandment to “Keep holy the Lord’s day” doesn’t specify “only when home.” Deliberately missing Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is a mortal sin. One is excused by illness or if one cannot get to Mass because the Church is too far away or some other reason for one not being able to attend.”
Click to expand...
The Lord’s Day was Saturday and the High Holy days aren’t even mentioned in the 10 big ones.
 
estesbob said:
The difference is that other than in the Catholic Church you are always just going though the motions.
Click to expand...
Can you give us the referrence number in the Cathechism of the Catholic Church where it says that?

Or does the Catechism of the Catholic Church state quite the opposite in fact?

It’s quite frightening just how far out of kilter some catholics opinions are when compared to what the catholic church actually teaches.
 
When Evangelicals say someone “knows Jesus”, they do not mean typically that you know about Jesus, as you might after a good RC catechism, Bible Study class or the CA apologetics. I know about Barak Obama, but I don’t know him.

They also do not mean that you know Jesus in the sense of knowing a friend with whom you get together for coffee once a week (or, for bread and wine, to extend the analogy). I know a lot of friends but for the most part they do not substantially change my life.

No, when Evangelicals talk of “knowing Jesus”, they mean that you have had an encounter with Him and have subsequently entered a relationship with Him, based on prayer, Scripture study and participation in the life of the Church, that has so transformed your life that you will never be the same. Jesus is not just your friend; He is your source of life, your energy. He is making you by grace what he is by nature.

When you meet someone like that who “knows Jesus”, it is like meeting Jesus. You see the Fruits of the Spirit evident in their lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. They do not seem to sin; they don’t use bad language, drink excessively, make prideful comments or gossip. (They probably do not make rude comments on internet boards either). Most of all, they have a joy that is infectious and they can’t stop talking about Jesus.

I live in Spain and we are 99% Roman Catholic. Now, I have met a few Roman Catholics who “know Jesus” in this way that Evangelicals mean. Most are members of a movement such as the Charismatic Renewal, Opus Dei or the Kikos.
But given the RC population here, there are relatively few that I have met, unfortunately.

I have met a disproportionate number of Evangelicals who “know Jesus” in this way.

My anecdotal experience may not be typical, but it certainly makes me wonder why Roman Catholicism doesn’t work so well in practice to help us “know Jesus”.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top