Writing about your faith?

[JerBear_Meaux]

does anyone else find it difficult to write down on paper your beliefs and how you feel about your beliefs and what it means to you? why is it difficult for some people
and why is it hard to discuss your faith among yourself in your own thought
could it have to do with personal objections your unaware of? and is that just a normal part of faith? are all your personal objections supposed to have been gone before your baptism?
and what does that mean if you do object to some parts of the gospel or find it hard to discuss?

 

[Angela77]

My theory: Because we live in such a secular society where talking religion is “politically incorrect,” we don’t know how to go about communicating our faith. Just a thought.

 

[Gertabelle]

Great questions!

Using my last five brain cells that are awake…

I think writing about the faith is difficult for me because I don’t have the knowledge to back it up. That is, I know the Catholic Church teaches something, but unless I take the time to look up the official teaching – usually in the Catechism of the Catholic Church – and then look up the scriptures referenced therein, and then perhaps also cross-reference that with teachings of the early Church Fathers… well, I just sound (to myself) like one more deluded opinion-monger.

That’s how it is for me if I’m trying to write about apologetics – just not my area of expertise.

As for personal objections and doubts…

As a Catholic, I have a practice that I like to follow. If I have a serious problem with something the Catholic Church teaches, I make a deliberate choice to assume the Church is correct, and I am not. Then I prayerfully research what exactly the Church teaches – and WHY it teaches that. I read the scriptures, I do the research (early Church Fathers are great, and their writings can be found on this website), and I pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

The teachings of our faith can be backed up by Scripture, Tradition, archeology, reason, etc.

Dig a little – heck, dig a LOT – face those things you’re questioning head on! Don’t be afraid of your doubts, don’t let them control you.

And one last thing. Whenever a serious doubt confronts me (“there’s nothing after death”), I quickly make an Act of Faith – “Jesus, I trust in You” – and move on. It really does help!

God bless you!

Gertie

 

[JerBear_Meaux]

My theory: Because we live in such a secular society where talking religion is “politically incorrect,” we don’t know how to go about communicating our faith. Just a thought.

angela its doesnt seem like that we are supposed to be like this though, isnt our religion supposed to be all we talk about? and i dont even like this stuff about politically incorrect because they deny the truth whether its religious or not.

 

[JerBear_Meaux]

Great questions!

Using my last five brain cells that are awake…

I think writing about the faith is difficult for me because I don’t have the knowledge to back it up. That is, I know the Catholic Church teaches something, but unless I take the time to look up the official teaching – usually in the Catechism of the Catholic Church – and then look up the scriptures referenced therein, and then perhaps also cross-reference that with teachings of the early Church Fathers… well, I just sound (to myself) like one more deluded opinion-monger.

That’s how it is for me if I’m trying to write about apologetics – just not my area of expertise.

As for personal objections and doubts…

As a Catholic, I have a practice that I like to follow. If I have a serious problem with something the Catholic Church teaches, I make a deliberate choice to assume the Church is correct, and I am not. Then I prayerfully research what exactly the Church teaches – and WHY it teaches that. I read the scriptures, I do the research (early Church Fathers are great, and their writings can be found on this website), and I pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

The teachings of our faith can be backed up by Scripture, Tradition, archeology, reason, etc.

Dig a little – heck, dig a LOT – face those things you’re questioning head on! Don’t be afraid of your doubts, don’t let them control you.

And one last thing. Whenever a serious doubt confronts me (“there’s nothing after death”), I quickly make an Act of Faith – “Jesus, I trust in You” – and move on. It really does help!

God bless you!

Gertie

Im just trying to understand what everything is about because it all seems so interesting i dont see that what they teach is that difficult to understand it seems pretty simple, it couldnt possibly be to difficult to understand but trying to live life as a christian and uphold your duty pretty much means your correcting everybody on doctrine which would be fine except im not that familiar with doctrine only partially familiar. and not everyone is that knowledgable concerning the bible and it seems that some christians don’t go to church
and others dont even read the bible and they just seem to believe what ever they want about the gospel.

 

[Angela77]

angela its doesnt seem like that we are supposed to be like this though, isnt our religion supposed to be all we talk about? and i dont even like this stuff about politically incorrect because they deny the truth whether its religious or not.

I WISH it was normal to talk about our faith in secular places. I mean, I guess we could and should, but sometimes, in the work world and the school world, it would be a bit out of place. I’ve heard that in places like France, they talk about religion and politics and everything controversial all the time in cafes and everywhere. But in the U.S. …

 

[Gertabelle]

Im just trying to understand what everything is about because it all seems so interesting i dont see that what they teach is that difficult to understand it seems pretty simple, it couldnt possibly be to difficult to understand but trying to live life as a christian and uphold your duty **pretty much means your correcting everybody on doctrine **which would be fine except im not that familiar with doctrine only partially familiar. and not everyone is that knowledgable concerning the bible and it seems that some christians don’t go to church
and others dont even read the bible and they just seem to believe what ever they want about the gospel.

If I’m understanding you correctly, you are saying that as Christians we are called to go around correcting everyone’s misunderstanding of doctrine?

I don’t see it that way. First of all, people around me aren’t always discussing doctrine – very rarely, in fact. So how can I possibly be correcting their mistakes? On rare occasions, I have asked my son’s godparents doctrinal questions, such as is it possible for the souls in purgatory to pray for us? The answer is yes, they can, but they weren’t really correcting my incorrect thinking, but rather answering MY question.

Going around correcting other people with unsolicited information – unless they are VERY good friends and your friendship is open to unsolicited corrections – is the fast path to having people run the other way when you come near.

But perhaps I am not understanding you position.

God bless you!

Gertie

 

[JerBear_Meaux]

If I’m understanding you correctly, you are saying that as Christians we are called to go around correcting everyone’s misunderstanding of doctrine?

I don’t see it that way. First of all, people around me aren’t always discussing doctrine – very rarely, in fact. So how can I possibly be correcting their mistakes? On rare occasions, I have asked my son’s godparents doctrinal questions, such as is it possible for the souls in purgatory to pray for us? The answer is yes, they can, but they weren’t really correcting my incorrect thinking, but rather answering MY question.

Going around correcting other people with unsolicited information – unless they are VERY good friends and your friendship is open to unsolicited corrections – is the fast path to having people run the other way when you come near.

But perhaps I am not understanding you position.

God bless you!

Gertie

or correcting people regarding doctrine, sometimes you can descern what someone believes by what they say i guess sometimes its not always possible to correct people because its not the right time and you should wait for the right time to correct people, some times its good to just inspire people in ways for them that are unknown.
do you think that it is necessary to go around and inform people about what you believe?
and whats right? and whats wrong? and why do you think people walk away as christians when another christian tries to correct them for their actions? its our duty right?

 

[JerBear_Meaux]

I WISH it was normal to talk about our faith in secular places. I mean, I guess we could and should, but sometimes, in the work world and the school world, it would be a bit out of place. I’ve heard that in places like France, they talk about religion and politics and everything controversial all the time in cafes and everywhere. But in the U.S. …

i believe we totally should talk about our faith in public and in school and be able to talk about god at work!!! why not? we are supposed to love our god why make ourselves subject to society! doesnt it suck? dont we say when we dont enjoy something that it sucks? and that its not supposed to be that way? why not change the way society works
no one thinks it works and we all do not like it.

 

[Gertabelle]

or correcting people regarding doctrine, sometimes you can descern what someone believes by what they say i guess sometimes its not always possible to correct people because its not the right time and you should wait for the right time to correct people, some times its good to just inspire people in ways for them that are unknown.
do you think that it is necessary to go around and inform people about what you believe?
and whats right? and whats wrong? and why do you think people walk away as christians when another christian tries to correct them for their actions? its our duty right?

You ask excellent questions?

Are you familiar with St. Francis of Assisi? He is famous for saying, “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

His point was that it is not our WORDS that tell others who we are and what we’re about – it’s our ACTIONS!

My colleagues at work, for example, know that I am Catholic. I don’t go around telling them every moment of the day, or reading aloud the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the lunch room. Rather, I joke about the big candy jar on the prinicipal’s desk during LENT – oh, the temptations! Or in conversation I mention that I play the organ for mass, or that we’re having a party for my son’s First Holy Communion. I don’t have to go out of my way for people to know that I’m Catholic.

But here’s the flip side of that. Now that they know that I’m Catholic, I have become the face of Catholicism to them. If I started dating and talking about sleeping with my boyfriend, what would that say about the gospel the Catholic Church teaches? And if I go around grumpy and light-headed on days of fasting, what does that show them about the Christian life.

But if, by God’s grace, I can be joyful, compassionate, helpful, kind, hard-working, welcoming – then all these people who know I claim to take my Catholic faith seriously are being “told” (that is SHOWN) the gospel-in-action. I don’t need words… most of the time. A colleague did ask me a very pointed question once about my faith – and I answered her quickly and with a smile.

Preach the gospel at all times – when necessary (and ONLY when necessary), use words.

God bless you.

Gertie

 

[JerBear_Meaux]

You ask excellent questions?

Are you familiar with St. Francis of Assisi? He is famous for saying, “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

His point was that it is not our WORDS that tell others who we are and what we’re about – it’s our ACTIONS!

My colleagues at work, for example, know that I am Catholic. I don’t go around telling them every moment of the day, or reading aloud the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the lunch room. Rather, I joke about the big candy jar on the prinicipal’s desk during LENT – oh, the temptations! Or in conversation I mention that I play the organ for mass, or that we’re having a party for my son’s First Holy Communion. I don’t have to go out of my way for people to know that I’m Catholic.

But here’s the flip side of that. Now that they know that I’m Catholic, I have become the face of Catholicism to them. If I started dating and talking about sleeping with my boyfriend, what would that say about the gospel the Catholic Church teaches? And if I go around grumpy and light-headed on days of fasting, what does that show them about the Christian life.

But if, by God’s grace, I can be joyful, compassionate, helpful, kind, hard-working, welcoming – then all these people who know I claim to take my Catholic faith seriously are being “told” (that is SHOWN) the gospel-in-action. I don’t need words… most of the time. A colleague did ask me a very pointed question once about my faith – and I answered her quickly and with a smile.

Preach the gospel at all times – when necessary (and ONLY when necessary), use words.

God bless you.

Gertie

i’ve heard that quote by St. Francis before, the actions in our lives also help dictate to ourselves what we believe too though and speaking to people about our teachings or what we believe is a great way of discovering what we believe and our own personal limits about
how far we are really willing to go within our faith.As we go through hardships we learn from our struggles and we grow and develop fruits and become more virtuous
and beautiful. what is the ultimate goal of christianity though before salvation?
to learn everything that is possible? to develop as many fruits as possible?
discovering our inner capacity?developing our character?
Is there no goal? should we just be happy we can achieve salvation even though we dont understand it? can we understand salvation? arent we just to sinful? and to far away from god?

 

[Gertabelle]

i’ve heard that quote by St. Francis before, the actions in our lives also help dictate to ourselves what we believe too though and speaking to people about our teachings or what we believe is a great way of discovering what we believe and our own personal limits about
how far we are really willing to go within our faith.As we go through hardships we learn from our struggles and we grow and develop fruits and become more virtuous
and beautiful. what is the ultimate goal of christianity though before salvation?
to learn everything that is possible? to develop as many fruits as possible?
discovering our inner capacity?developing our character?
Is there no goal? should we just be happy we can achieve salvation even though we dont understand it? can we understand salvation? arent we just to sinful? and to far away from god?

Dear one, there is no way I can answer all your questions. Those are the sort of questions you take to prayer and study and spend a lifetime considering.

As to the goal… The greatest commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your mind, with all your heart, and with all your strength. This will be a lifetime goal, yes?

Another view of the same: “There is only one thing to do here below - to love Jesus, to win souls for Him that He may be loved.” St. Therese of Lisieux wrote and lived those words. She was a cloistered nun who died at the age of 24. She won souls for Jesus, to use her words, through prayer and sacrifice, in the hidden life of her family, and then the hidden life of a Carmelite nun.

It’s time for sleep in these parts.

God bless you!

Gertie