why our denomination over others?

[crazydyl]

Hello!

Hmm, I was born into Catholicism and then I decided to go with this religion/denonimation after searching for the truth I know that it has all the miracles, eucharist, confession etc. But I don’t know how to put it to this woman who I like and I like that it’s the true denomination. We both like each other and she said that she may convert but that it won’t make her a better christian and that she’d do it if she had to, so how do I say to other types of Christians that our denomination is the true denomonation?

As far as I know it came from Jesus and the apostles, so any denomination that deviates from the Catholic teachings is wrong? But was Catholicism started by a Roman man? I’m not really exactly sure how The Catholic Church started. I’m sure that it was wthrough Peter, but wasn’t that before Catholicism? Argh!

And we are the only denomination with confession, the eucharist and we clearly follow on from Judaism with our attendance of mass on the sabbath

Any help here? And any help with things that I can say to other Christians to explain why our denomination is the one that we should all be part of?

God bless

Dylan

 

[StrawberryJam]

Hello!

Hmm, I was born into Catholicism and then I decided to go with this religion/denonimation after searching for the truth I know that it has all the miracles, eucharist, confession etc. But I don’t know how to put it to this woman who I like and I like that it’s the true denomination. We both like each other and she said that she may convert but that it won’t make her a better christian and that she’d do it if she had to, so how do I say to other types of Christians that our denomination is the true denomonation?

As far as I know it came from Jesus and the apostles, so any denomination that deviates from the Catholic teachings is wrong? But was Catholicism started by a Roman man? I’m not really exactly sure how The Catholic Church started. I’m sure that it was wthrough Peter, but wasn’t that before Catholicism? Argh!

And we are the only denomination with confession, the eucharist and we clearly follow on from Judaism with our attendance of mass on the sabbath

Any help here? And any help with things that I can say to other Christians to explain why our denomination is the one that we should all be part of?

God bless

Dylan

Realize that I am not one of yours, but can feel for you. Show her by your actions. They do really speak louder than words.

 

[ausculta]

Hello!

Hmm, I was born into Catholicism and then I decided to go with this religion/denonimation after searching for the truth I know that it has all the miracles, eucharist, confession etc. But I don’t know how to put it to this woman who I like and I like that it’s the true denomination. We both like each other and she said that she may convert but that it won’t make her a better christian and that she’d do it if she had to, so how do I say to other types of Christians that our denomination is the true denomonation?

As far as I know it came from Jesus and the apostles, so any denomination that deviates from the Catholic teachings is wrong? But was Catholicism started by a Roman man? I’m not really exactly sure how The Catholic Church started. I’m sure that it was wthrough Peter, but wasn’t that before Catholicism? Argh!

And we are the only denomination with confession, the eucharist and we clearly follow on from Judaism with our attendance of mass on the sabbath

Any help here? And any help with things that I can say to other Christians to explain why our denomination is the one that we should all be part of?

God bless

Dylan

My first suggestion to you is to stop referring to our Church as a denomination. To denominate means to take a piece away from the whole, much like a slice of a pie. We believe that our faith is the whole of Christianity, the fullness of truth. Each break in the Church throughout history is a denomination from the whole. Thus, all other Christian communities are the true denominations; our Church is the true whole. It’s the distinction between Mere Christianity and More Christianity (Or ALL of it, in total).

When I am asked which denomination I belong to I usually respond with: the original one, or the whole one. I then explain how the Catholic Church has apostolic succession, constancy in doctrine and moral teaching; how we trace our history and leadership through the ages; how heresy and rebellion have splintered the Church throughout the ages, etc. Once you’re faced with history it’s hard not to see the whole picture.

In Christ,

 

[gretahope]

Realize that I am not one of yours, but can feel for you. Show her by your actions. They do really speak louder than words.

It’s funny…I’m a Catholic convert…and in the end what you say here is exactly what clinched it for me

I knew all the doctrine was truth and the CC had the fullness…and I wouldn’t trade the study part for the world, but the most important part is living it.

Very well said, agnostic.

 

[crazydyl]

My first suggestion to you is to stop referring to our Church as a denomination. To denominate means to take a piece away from the whole, much like a slice of a pie. We believe that our faith is the whole of Christianity, the fullness of truth. Each break in the Church throughout history is a denomination from the whole. Thus, all other Christian communities are the true denominations; our Church is the true whole. It’s the distinction between Mere Christianity and More Christianity (Or ALL of it, in total).

When I am asked which denomination I belong to I usually respond with: the original one, or the whole one. I then explain how the Catholic Church has apostolic succession, constancy in doctrine and moral teaching; how we trace our history and leadership through the ages; how heresy and rebellion have splintered the Church throughout the ages, etc. Once you’re faced with history it’s hard not to see the whole picture.

In Christ,

Thank you for your help. I’ve decided to not go with this woman now because she thinks that it is OK to be gay and… I don’t want her telling my kids that Plenty of other Catholic women I know who are looking for a good Catholic man, so I will stick to the top quality Catholic birds from now on

Ps. Cool that you like Mr Kolbe because my mum chose him to be my confirmation saint when I was younger

 

[crazydyl]

Realize that I am not one of yours, but can feel for you. Show her by your actions. They do really speak louder than words.

Not to a woman who thinks that all Christian denominations and The Catholic Church are the same so you can pick what you want and that it’s OK to have a gay relationship

 

[Lief_Erikson]

While Jesus was present on Earth, He passed on many teachings about doctrine and morals. He passed many of these on to the crowds around Him, but He also taught His 12 apostles in particular. He also gave them special authority to be leaders of the Church He was creating. He appointed singled out Peter to be the visible head of the Church on Earth, after Christ Himself.

There was just one Church, the Church Jesus founded, which was the community of baptized people who believed and practiced the teaching of the apostles, under their authority. After Christ rose into Heaven, the apostles passed on this faith to others and passed on their authority to them as well. These successors were the bishops. The bishops were the visible leaders of the Church, and the successor to Peter remained the head of the Church. These bishops, in turn, appointed their own successors, more bishops who would spread the teaching of Christ to the nations.

The teaching of Christ was preserved infallibly by the Holy Spirit so that it would not change. This one community, the Church, maintained one faith, the original faith of the apostles, the understanding the men closest to Jesus had of what Jesus believed. The Apostolic Tradition was, as I said, preserved infallibly from all error by the Holy Spirit. When serious divisions over what exactly was Sacred Tradition arose, the bishops would meet in councils and, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, told the Church and the world what the truth was. Their decrees were infallible too, and dogmatic.

However, many people have split off from the Catholic Church over the centuries. There are the Protestants and the Orthodox. The Orthodox Christians have almost all the correct teachings, and they also have real and valid sacraments, and a true Apostolic Succession of bishops. The Protestants have very few of the sacraments and no Apostolic Succession.

There always has been and will be one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

My first suggestion to you is to stop referring to our Church as a denomination. To denominate means to take a piece away from the whole, much like a slice of a pie. We believe that our faith is the whole of Christianity, the fullness of truth. Each break in the Church throughout history is a denomination from the whole. Thus, all other Christian communities are the true denominations; our Church is the true whole. It’s the distinction between Mere Christianity and More Christianity (Or ALL of it, in total).

When I am asked which denomination I belong to I usually respond with: the original one, or the whole one. I then explain how the Catholic Church has apostolic succession, constancy in doctrine and moral teaching; how we trace our history and leadership through the ages; how heresy and rebellion have splintered the Church throughout the ages, etc. Once you’re faced with history it’s hard not to see the whole picture.

In Christ,

Dear Bro. Kevin,
Thank you so very much for pointing out that the Catholic Church is NOT a denomination.
This is a common mistake, and as a new convert, after enduring several Protestant denominations, it’s important to me that people realize the difference.
Blessings in Christ
Kathryn Ann

 

[ausculta]

Dear Bro. Kevin,
Thank you so very much for pointing out that the Catholic Church is NOT a denomination.
This is a common mistake, and as a new convert, after enduring several Protestant denominations, it’s important to me that people realize the difference.
Blessings in Christ
Kathryn Ann

Kathryn,

Thank you for your kind words.

I have another suggestion for a change in language when talking with non-Catholic Christians (NCC’s). We should refer to them as our “separated brethren (sisters, family)” rather than “protestants”. I think it is both more historically accurate and more charitable in regards to our characterization of NCC’s. Today, I would wager that most (90%+) NCC’s were either born into their particular denomination or experienced their conversion from the evangelism of that denomination, and that maybe a few (10%?) have actually protested against Catholic teaching and left to join one of these denominations.

Just my two cents.

Pax et bonum,

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

**

Kathryn,

Thank you for your kind words.

I have another suggestion for a change in language when talking with non-Catholic Christians (NCC’s). We should refer to them as our “separated brethren (sisters, family)” rather than “protestants”. I think it is both more historically accurate and more charitable in regards to our characterization of NCC’s. Today, I would wager that most (90%+) NCC’s were either born into their particular denomination or experienced their conversion from the evangelism of that denomination, and that maybe a few (10%?) have actually protested against Catholic teaching and left to join one of these denominations.

Just my two cents.

Pax et bonum,

Dear Bro. Kevin,

 That is an excellent idea, to use "separated brethren," or "brothers and sisters"  rather than "protestants," in general.  ( I may reserve the latter for those rabid anti-Catholics who knowingly entice so many away from the Faith handed down by Christ}. 

 Being charitable is always the best path, although often a real challenge when hearing outright lies spread abroad.  In addition to being a supportive listener, one of my favorite helps, when I encounter a friend who is truly open -hearted and seeking answers,  is to  refer the person to  the popular "How Old is Your Church." This is easily  found  on the internet and  plainly lists  the founders of all the major  denominations ( and their subsequent tens of thousands of sects ) and ends with "If you are a Catholic, Jesus Christ founded your Church in 33 A.D. and this Church has been in existence for over 2000 years."  
 This is a firm wake up call and a starting point for a friendly discussion at a critical point in the seeker's life. Loving prayer, and a willingness to listen to people's honest questions, can be the foundation of that person's later conversion. I am so grateful people were patient with me! R.C.I.A. is of course, a true blessing which I would strongly suggest to people seeking answers to their faith questions.

Love and prayers,
Kathryn Ann**

 

[Monica4316]

Hello!

Hmm, I was born into Catholicism and then I decided to go with this religion/denonimation after searching for the truth I know that it has all the miracles, eucharist, confession etc. But I don’t know how to put it to this woman who I like and I like that it’s the true denomination. We both like each other and she said that she may convert but that it won’t make her a better christian and that she’d do it if she had to, so how do I say to other types of Christians that our denomination is the true denomonation?

As far as I know it came from Jesus and the apostles, so any denomination that deviates from the Catholic teachings is wrong? But was Catholicism started by a Roman man? I’m not really exactly sure how The Catholic Church started. I’m sure that it was wthrough Peter, but wasn’t that before Catholicism? Argh!

And we are the only denomination with confession, the eucharist and we clearly follow on from Judaism with our attendance of mass on the sabbath

Any help here? And any help with things that I can say to other Christians to explain why our denomination is the one that we should all be part of?

God bless

Dylan

Dylan, Catholicism isn’t a “denomination”… it’s not just a type of Christianity. It’s the Church that was started by Christ. It wasn’t started by a Roman man… all the Christians prior to the Schism were Catholic. The Catholic Church was started by Christ, when He called Peter the rock. Look at Church history, there was always a Pope; Pope Benedict is the direct successor of St Peter.

Here’s a good website that you can use to introduce someone to Catholicism: davidmacd.com/catholic/index2.htm

God bless

 

[Angela_Tate]

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Thank you to all those who have participated in this discussion. This thread is now closed.