Only Catholic In The Group

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='saintwannabe 777' post='1829495' date='Apr 8 2009, 11:55 PM']That maybe true. But chances are our Princess will not be able to run or change the subject all the time.[/quote]

I think the question is, if this is a literature discussion group, what's so significant about everyones' religious affiliations? I was waiting for Princess to clarify what it is about the people in the group or maybe a particular book they're discussing that will bring the conversation around to apologetics or religion.

[thessalonian]

Stand your ground in charity. If they don't like what you have to say put it in the Lord's hands.

[johnnydigit]

[quote name='unloud' post='1828669' date='Apr 8 2009, 05:36 AM']You asked for suggestions and mine is this: based on my experience, rather than trying to stay hung up on theology try to focus on how Christ has been very present in your life in Church, in the sacraments, in your family. If there is anything that protestants recognize it's the joy of Christ in a person's life.[/quote]

i agree at this point in time. don't try to convert them. unless you're a skilled apologist, don't try to tackle any issues, as it will lead to an endless circle of nonsense. instead, live your Catholic faith the best you can. learn apologetics on your own, but don't whip out the guns yet. live the faith so wonderfully that it exudes from your being, that it's what brings you joy, and they will see it. inevitably they will attack everything you know and don't know about Catholicism, but don't give in. you may not know the answers now, but it's ok. they may even make you look like a fool in the group, but have courage and persevere in the joy and peace that is the truth.

"hey. how was your day? "IT WAS GREAT! I GOT TO GO TO MASS THIS MORNING."

"what's that?" "IT'S A BOOK ABOUT MOTHER TERESA. IT'S SO INSPIRING."

"how can we get more young people here?" "OH IT'S NOT THAT BAD. POPE JOHN PAUL II GOT ALMOST 7 MILLION PEOPLE TO COME TO WORLD YOUTH DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES, ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!"

"what's wrong?" "OH I WAS READING ABOUT THE SAINTS THIS MORNING, AND THE THOUGHT OF CHILD MARTYRS BEING BRUTALLY MURDERED FOR CHRIST IS SO SAD.."

pray for patience. pray before, during, after. pray for courage to speak when needed. pray for restraint when silence is needed. pray!

[dauntingknight]

[quote name='thessalonian' post='1829908' date='Apr 9 2009, 01:08 PM']Stand your ground in charity. If they don't like what you have to say put it in the Lord's hands.[/quote]
Agreed

[princessgianna]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1828743' date='Apr 8 2009, 09:18 AM']Ifs its a literature group why are you discussing theology unless you are reading a theology book a the point of the discussion?[/quote]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1829906' date='Apr 9 2009, 12:06 PM']I think the question is, if this is a literature discussion group, what's so significant about everyones' religious affiliations? I was waiting for Princess to clarify what it is about the people in the group or maybe a particular book they're discussing that will bring the conversation around to apologetics or religion.[/quote]

Sorry realize I need to clarify some things.

We were reading Pilgrim's Progress and use a Christian base answer study guide thing. so there would be questions concerning Whore of Babylon, Salvation,Authority ( they said theirs was the Bible I said the Church

But I really don't mind! If I don't know the answer I tell them I ll find it and get back to them.

Besides they think they have me reading Calvin

Elaborate more later

got to go!


princessgianna

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='princessgianna' post='1830225' date='Apr 9 2009, 07:46 PM']We were reading Pilgrim's Progress and use a Christian base answer study guide thing. so there would be questions concerning Whore of Babylon, Salvation,Authority ( they said theirs was the Bible I said the Church [/quote]

Ah... I need to read that myself because I haven't. There should be a number of good commentaries on the book, if not by Catholic authors, then at least an Evangelical perspective that doesn't have an axe to grind so you could gain a more fair perspective. Do you know what the study guide is titled that your group is using?

FWIW, you can simply affirm that Scripture is a basis of authority for your faith. I find it much easier to begin by affirming everything we agree on.

Now, I did a Google site-specific search on bunyanministries.org for "[url="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site%3Abunyanministries.org+catholic"]catholic[/url]" and found a pretty interesting paper titled "[url="http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:seHxn8hbRIYJ:www.bunyanministries.org/articles/neglected_bunyan_gospel.pdf+site:bunyanministries.org+catholic&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us"]The Neglected Gospel of John Bunyan in The Pilgrim's Progress[/url]." And if you do a Ctrl+F for "Cathoilc," you eventually find this paragraph:

"At this point, those today who merely have a sentimental, and broad evangelical regard for The Pilgrim’s Progress will, when they correctly understand what Bunyan’s gospel doctrine is all about, find themselves on the horns of a dilemma. Either they will have to walk away from their literary hero since their contemporary grasp of the gospel is admitted to be radically different from that portrayed in the famous allegory, or else they will have to change their understanding of the gospel in such a way that it will be likened to a theological Copernican revolution. For instance, the contemporary terminology that expresses Christian conversion as, “inviting Jesus Christ into your heart” will not mesh with Bunyan’s representation of the Gospel. It is more akin to the Roman Catholic gospel where justification is by infused grace."

Hmmm... sounds like a road worth exploring

Edited April 10, 2009 by LouisvilleFan

[princessgianna]

Thanks to all for responding.

Louisville,
That is very interesting thanks for bringing that up! I did ask where in the Bible does it say "make one act of faith one point of your life and you are saved" silence was followed!

My main concern is that I don't become pushy. I don't want to walk in the room and they go in their heads "agh here is ms. pushy and every time she opens her mouth is condemning us".

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='princessgianna' post='1830962' date='Apr 10 2009, 04:15 PM']Louisville,
That is very interesting thanks for bringing that up! I did ask where in the Bible does it say "make one act of faith one point of your life and you are saved" silence was followed! [/quote]

Hopefully they also know better than this. Most of my Evangelical friends (and perhaps since many of them are Baptist seminarians, it's not exactly an "average" group I'm around) understand that remaining in God's grace is not a one-shot deal. Well known pastors like John Piper also preach against this attitude. Salvation is by grace alone, as are all good works, when they are acts of faith. Most Evangelicals think we believe in salvation by faith and works, but I suppose you need to clarify what is meant by "salvation." Simply to be saved -- to be justified -- is purely by God's grace. Growing in holiness and sanctification requires good works motivated by faith, which is our cooperation with grace, but we have to emphasize that we are always receiving from God and giving back what God gave to us. Hopefully none of this is news to them, but just as all Christians believe in salvation by grace alone, we also share that common fleshly desire to try and make it (like Adam and Eve) on our works.