dauntingknight Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 (edited) [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1802275' date='Mar 10 2009, 12:24 AM']Hmm... a friend of mine who became Catholic about a year before me raised this same question on a message board on the web site of our Baptist church, referencing the "pillar and foundation of truth" passage. It ended up being a very long and interesting thread that culminated in a meeting of several of the Baptist church elders and pastors with some of us Catholic-curious folks. And you know how many people we managed to draw towards Catholicism with all our debating and piercing questions? Zeee-ro. My suggestion to you is to take some time, drop back from your immediate concern, and actually listen to your friends. Learn what it is they like about their favorite denominations and pastors, along with the difficulties they have with their practice of Christianity. Find out what sources of authority they do respect. A great many Protestants deeply respect St. Augustine and other Church Fathers, but some couldn't care less, so you gotta play the history with the right people. I don't think going in with guns blazing will do anything but turn people off, though I don't think you need to overly silent either. You can be firm and steady in your beliefs, yet open to conversation and engaging with a patient ear to the honest questions and concerns of others. More than anything, pursue holiness as a Catholic. Protestants know holiness when they see it, so when they meet a holy Catholic, that experience changes their hearts more than anything you can say. If you truly and sincerely want to bring your Protestant friends into the Church, get dead serious about drawing closer to Christ and seeking his grace in practicing the holy virtues.[/quote] I see When I ask them I'll interview them as well. These flexible Christians are also from different denominations. Edited March 10, 2009 by dauntingknight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 [quote name='dauntingknight' post='1802780' date='Mar 10 2009, 04:17 PM']When I ask them I'll interview them as well. These flexible Christians are also from different denominations.[/quote] Not sure if it needs to be an interview kinda thing... might be daunting for them... pardon the pun. But, you know, just chatting over beer, or whatever you're legally permitted to consume in good conscience... I love inviting my Baptist friends to parish picnics and fish fries. It's a great time for fellowship and usually brings about opportunities for some good conversation, especially since most of them were raised Catholic. I'd be surprised if they pay much attention to denominations... for some people it matters more than others, but generally speaking Evangelicalism values doctrines like the Trinity, natures of Christ, and Sola Scriptura above specific denominational beliefs and practices. A Methodist is unlikely to believe Methodism is the "one, true Church." They'll simply affirm that Christianity as a whole is the "one, true Church." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 [quote name='CatherineM' post='1800981' date='Mar 9 2009, 12:16 AM']You could just do a list of when particular denominations were started, and by whom, starting with the Catholic church, Jesus, 33AD.[/quote] I guess that's your beleif. Others feel the "Frankish" Church does not have such a sound claim. I really don't know much about this obviously but it seems like Catholics don't want to accecpt that very good historians, including secular ones, can have a very different understanding of the historical process that led to the formation of the Catholic Church. That's not really to you personally I just see a lot of "Protestants just need to study some history" which seems much to simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 [quote name='Hassan' post='1802842' date='Mar 10 2009, 05:27 PM']I guess that's your beleif. Others feel the "Frankish" Church does not have such a sound claim. I really don't know much about this obviously but it seems like Catholics don't want to accecpt that very good historians, including secular ones, can have a very different understanding of the historical process that led to the formation of the Catholic Church. That's not really to you personally I just see a lot of "Protestants just need to study some history" which seems much to simple.[/quote] I am sure there are revisionist historians out there who claim their own version as history, but as Father Groschel says "Oy, and you were there??" and since the Church WAS there - we do know our own history, warts and all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 [quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1802847' date='Mar 10 2009, 04:31 PM']I am sure there are revisionist historians out there who claim their own version as history[/quote] And that's the problem. [quote]but as Father Groschel says "Oy, and you were there??" and since the Church WAS there - we do know our own history, warts and all.[/quote] You mean since you[i] beleive [/i]the Church was there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 [quote name='Hassan' post='1802850' date='Mar 10 2009, 05:35 PM']And that's the problem. You mean since you[i] beleive [/i]the Church was there[/quote] The Church has been recording its history since the beginning, part of its known as the New Testament, Early Church Fathers etc, so I know the Church was there. If you read Pope St Clement whose letter was read in the churches along with the gospels and epistles you will see clearly the structure of the early Church during the lifetime of St John. Revisionists are the ones trying to deny our history, such as the current ones trying to smear Pope Pius XII. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 AD [i]precedes[/i] the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='Hassan' post='1802842' date='Mar 10 2009, 05:27 PM']That's not really to you personally I just see a lot of "Protestants just need to study some history" which seems much to simple.[/quote] I've addressed this before... there are many Protestants and Evangelicals who know their Church history very well and while they do tend to be more open and accepting of Catholicism as a valid expression of Christianity, learning history isn't a silver bullet to becoming Catholic. Just as Protestants need to learn that Catholicism deserves more respect that many on their side have traditionally given it, we need to hand Protestants a little more respect when it comes to what they know about early Church history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1804666' date='Mar 12 2009, 08:33 AM']I've addressed this before... there are many Protestants and Evangelicals who know their Church history very well and while they do tend to be more open and accepting of Catholicism as a valid expression of Christianity, learning history isn't a silver bullet to becoming Catholic. Just as Protestants need to learn that Catholicism deserves more respect that many on their side have traditionally given it, we need to hand Protestants a little more respect when it comes to what they know about early Church history.[/quote] Exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dauntingknight Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 I talked it over with the newspaper class and they "decided" that I could only do major religions only. Any comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicWing Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Indeed!!! Catholic is True Church because its founded by Jesus and build on Saint Peter (Apostle of Jesus). If Jesus wanted more churches there where 12 Churches in 33 years but Jesus just give the authority to St. Peter. He is the first Pope of the True Church (Catholic Church). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicWing Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Indeed!!! Catholic is True Church because its founded by Jesus and build on Saint Peter (Apostle of Jesus). If Jesus wanted more churches there where 12 Churches in 33 years but Jesus just give the authority to St. Peter. He is the first Pope of the True Church (Catholic Church). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 [quote name='dauntingknight' post='1805318' date='Mar 12 2009, 09:42 PM']I talked it over with the newspaper class and they "decided" that I could only do major religions only. Any comment? [/quote] Catholicism is a major world religion... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thessalonian Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Can I change to Most Definitely Yes? from yes. Be charitable in your discussions. Patrck Madrid's "Search and Rescue" is highly recommended for anyone who wants to evangelize non-catholics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 [quote name='dauntingknight' post='1805318' date='Mar 12 2009, 09:42 PM']I talked it over with the newspaper class and they "decided" that I could only do major religions only. Any comment? [/quote] How do you define major? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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