Bible Study with Protestants: yea or nay?

[zabbazooey]

I have been trying very hard to get along with my Protestant relatives, they always argue about Catholic this and Catholic that. Well, they were (for once) being nice to me, and they invited me to go to a youth bible study with my cousin. They said it'd be a nice opportunity to meet others my own age. The thing is, my church doesn't have a program like this. I'd like to get along with them, and I'd be interested in going to the Bible Study, but I'm not sure...

What do you guys think?

[thessalonian]

I voted no, but it is a qualified no. I do think that one who is well grounded in his own faith might attend a Protestant study to evangelized. But he would have to be very well grounded. I do think as a general rule the average catholic should not.

[Anastasia13]

Sooner or later, you will probably run into things that contradict what you believe and might not know how to respond to. How likely are you to have the chance to discuss those things with someone Catholic that you respect and has knowledge and wisdom? (Places like phatmass are good, but you would probably be best to have someone particular to dialogue with.) Do you know what the Bible study is going to be on or how agressively protestant those leading it might be? I don't mean just if they are anti-Catholic or not, but how much they might try to theologically emphasize non-Catholic teachings. How up to having your faith challenged are you?

[Nathan]

I wouldn't, and I wouldn't advise it. Why subject yourself to what will almost assuredly be mostly incorrect teachings on Sacred Scripture when you don't have to?

[zabbazooey]

Well, they only want me to go one time. It's the first night, so I suspect most of it will be introduction games, snacks, and that kind of stuff.

[sweetpea316]

Hmm, well I'm not sure of the exact situation or anything, but here's my two cents. I come home on the weekends and go to church with my family and we have Bible study afterwards too. Even though our situations are different, I've just gotta say that you need to be prepared. It has gotten very hard for me to be there and concentrate on God's word while people there are making anti-Catholic remarks. I just want to set them straight, but well...none of them know my feelings towards Catholicism yet, so that would be out of line and awkward on both parts. I guess the point that I'm trying to make is (like said by others before) is that yes it could be a very effective opportunity, but just make sure you are prepared to prove your points if asked to (which I'm still preping to do...) and know that there will probably be remarks made that might be discouraging. (which I'm sure you already know also)

Anyways, that's just my concern about it. But other than that, I think you're a smart girl with a good head on her shoulders and can deduce what is the right thing to do.

God bless!!

[Brother Adam]

I have to strongly advise against it. I would not go to a Protestant Bible study with relatives and I'm pretty grounded in the Catholic faith. When it comes down to it there really is no reason to. The purpose of a Bible study is to read the Word of God and discover the truths that lie within. In a Protestant Bible study they are going to attempt to lead you away from the Truth we have in the Catholic faith for their lies (even if they believe with sincety it is truth. They clearly will protest Catholic thought, and it seems are setting you up to be converted. I can't see this as an appropriate venue as it is to share the true faith with them.

[White Knight]

Nay.

[Benedict]

I regularly attend Protestant Bible studies run by the Seekers Christian Fellowship at my school. It does them good to know a Catholic can run circles around them in Scripture.

In addition to being the only knowledgeable Catholic (I think one or two others in the club might be nominal Catholics), I am also the only science student among them, so it is my job to give the "science view" on issues like a literal 7 days of creation.

[Brother Adam]

If you are able to use the moment over a long term to evangelize them and help bring them into the Church, I think that's great.

[littleflower+JMJ]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Sep 11 2005, 12:24 PM']I have to strongly advise against it. I would not go to a Protestant Bible study with relatives and I'm pretty grounded in the Catholic faith. When it comes down to it there really is no reason to. The purpose of a Bible study is to read the Word of God and discover the truths that lie within. In a Protestant Bible study they are going to attempt to lead you away from the Truth we have in the Catholic faith for their lies (even if they believe with sincety it is truth. They clearly will protest Catholic thought, and it seems are setting you up to be converted. I can't see this as an appropriate venue as it is to share the true faith with them.
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This is my train of thought as well when protestant friends have invited me to their studies

Benedict, it sounds like you got something very good going on there. sounds like you are very effective and are really showing and teaching a lot by being there. Keep it up! Their blest to have you there!

[Maria]

I think it really depends what it will be like -- whether the study will have more of a doctrinal focus or more of a devotional focus. If it's more devotional, to help people grow in their Christian life, there shouldn't be a problem. If it's very doctrinal in focus, then it depends to some extent on the character of the person leading it, but if you haven't done bible study type stuff in a Catholic context so that you're comfortable and confident in your Catholic faith, I'd recommend against it.

[thessalonian]

[quote name='Benedict' date='Sep 11 2005, 12:29 PM']I regularly attend Protestant Bible studies run by the Seekers Christian Fellowship at my school.  It does them good to know a Catholic can run circles around them in Scripture.

In addition to being the only knowledgeable Catholic (I think one or two others in the club might be nominal Catholics), I am also the only science student among them, so it is my job to give the "science view" on issues like a literal 7 days of creation.
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Yes! Very good!

We can run circles around them if we are grounded in our faith because the truth of the scriptures flows from Catholic tradition. This, they need to see. Once again, I do not recommend any but the most knowledgable in the faith attempt this. Some spiritual dircetion might be in order as well.

Edited September 11, 2005 by thessalonian

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='zabbazooey' date='Sep 11 2005, 12:12 PM']I have been trying very hard to get along with my Protestant relatives, they always argue about Catholic this and Catholic that. Well, they were (for once) being nice to me, and they invited me to go to a youth bible study with my cousin. They said it'd be a nice opportunity to meet others my own age. The thing is, my church doesn't have a program like this. I'd like to get along with them, and I'd be interested in going to the Bible Study, but I'm not sure...

What do you guys think?
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Usually the first thing they want to do is for you to agree that the bible is the sole rule of faith.
Its not and are you ready to defend that position?
If not, then don't go.

Edited September 11, 2005 by cmotherofpirl

[Fides_et_Ratio]

I voted 'no'... my experience with Protestant Bible Studies is that no matter what they say up front, they really will try to "evangelize" and "witness" to you-- whatever they can to get you going to their church... ESPECIALLY (in many cases) if they are aware ahead of time that you are Catholic, or that a Catholic will be in attendence. Even if many Protestant communities are not directly rabid towards Catholicism, most of the same old misconceptions and outright lies about the Catholic Church are held beliefs... they would much rather you (and everyone else) at that Bible Study attend their church.

Some communities are nicer than others with inter-faith dialogue, but it's still not something I'd recommend within a Catholic/Protestant division... if you go, they're going to want you to agree with what they say--since it's a Bible Study and not an apologetics/inter-faith debate.

[zabbazooey]

Yeah I didn't end up going.

My aunt wanted to give me a different bible because mine says "Catholic" on it.

So they were probably going to try to convert me. Or something.

My aunt's very embarrassed to have a Catholic niece, so this is probably just some way to bring me to her church.

Thanks everybody!!

[sweetpea316]

I forget Zabba...are you the only one in your family who is Catholic? Or at least in your immediate family?

[zabbazooey]

in the entire family.

my aunt and three cousins are non denominational christians.

[sweetpea316]

Ah ok, just wondering. Cause that's what it would be like for me too. Must be tough...but worth it.

[zabbazooey]

i'm still shopping for a church....the one i was going to is too far away and it uses too much gas to go there.