Stay strong and keep your eyes on Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I too am a convert in the same situation. My parents have strong objections to the Catholic faith. Up until my confirmation this year at the Easter Vigil, I struggled with feelings of guilt, as if I were somehow betraying my parents and throwing everything they had taught me back in their face. Satan will do everything he can to try to convince you that you are making a mistake. Now that I am confirmed, I can say that I am at total peace with my decision and I know that I am in the path of grace. Stay fervent in prayer; God will give you the grace necessary to overcome any spiritual attack that blocks you from coming into the fullness of His Church. I will pray for you as well. :)
Welcome to the journey, welcome home...you are on your way, don't let anything stop you. Pray for your parents to understand...When you enter the church and receive the sacraments, your life is bound to change and your parents are bound to notice and then they might become more open to what is happening to you.
I was a very strong, Scripture memorizing, Bible study champion Protestant....I just joined The Catholic Church this past Easter Vigil! My husband and two of our four children also joined! Our two younger kiddos are being baptized soon! I literally researched my way into the church. I was trying to prove Catholicism wrong... but right in front of me, in my very own Bible, was the Scriptural truth. I own a copy of The Faith of The Early Fathers (Vol. 1). It’s hard to argue with dudes that learned from The Apostles. I went kicking and screaming because I didn’t want to be Catholic. And now I am overwhelmed with the fullness of the faith. I was so excited to finally receive the Holy Eucharist. I LOVE being Catholic and I hope my testimony as I share it, will bring others to the fullness of the faith OR at the very least get more people to stop believing the myths about Catholicism. Scott Hahn’s books, Tim Staples, Fulton Sheen... they helped me so much!!! Also all of the UA-camrs sharing videos like these on your channel - super helpful. I hope none of you stop because these videos are converting!!!
I LOVE this post. YOU are exactly my inspiration to make these videos. I would love to have a segment where I can interview people like you and why you moved into the Catholic Church on your journey.
SaltyTribeCo yeah...actually I only met Fulton Sheen in youtube 😅 thanks to those souls who shared it in youtube it really helps me a lot in my catholic faith... I hope I can have a book about the church farthers... I wanna know more about them..
Mabuhay! Watching from the Philippines where there is a fast growing Protestant/ Evangelical presence. I am a revert. I am also a millenial (born in 1988). I was born Catholic but in college, attended "non-denominational" groups which lead me avoiding the mass. What brought me back to the Catholic Church are the lies Protestants make and their complete rejection of tradition.
In the Philippines, Protestant use the Spanish Inquisition and colonization of the Philippines to persuade Catholics to convert. I get mad when they troll pir Catholic festivals with posters bearing Bible verses twisted to accuse us of idolatry yet they also enjoy the benefit of the Philippines becoming a Hispanized Catholic nation in Asia.
lester andes sa college...dyan talaga aalugin pananampalataya mo esp. pag alam nila catholic ka...ako muntik na talaga ma convert sa evangelical.. buti nlng may mga kaibigan ako na devoted as a catholic at malaki tulong din ang prayer ng lola ko.. palagi sya nag rorosary she always included me in her prayers.. I believe it's one of the reason hindi ako na convert... ngayon wala na si lola pero dala2 ko ang mga tinuro nya sakin about sa simbahan.. lalo na ang pag rorosary which is very powerful if u pray it heartily..
Not to generalize but Catholics are poorly catechized including me. I used to attend mass as just an obligation or tradition of the majority here in the Philippines. Attended Catholic university but i could not remember what was taught in our theology subjects(i was there just to pass the subject) until i landed a job after graduation. At work i have protestant officemates who are always asking questions about catholics i couldn't answer. Instead of being persuaded, with God's grace I started searching for answers, thanks to the internet. I came across a testimony of a muslim convert to Christianity the late Dr. Nabeel Quoreshi(protestant). In his videos I did not hear him attack the catholic church instead he focused on how he finds and loves Jesus so I followed his story until I discovered conversion stories of Steve Ray, Scott Hann, Roy Schoeman, David and Rosalinda Moss etc. I viewed almost all the conversion stories on Journey Home. For almost a year, my view of the Catholic church became so clear that it is the fullness of the Christian faith. It deepen my faith and fully understand why we believe what we believe. My references are videos like this, catholic answers, debates and other online sources. I'm proud to be catholic and I defend my faith who ever comes to question it. As Catholics we must arm ourselves with deep knowledge of our faith. When time comes that it will be tested, we will not be shaken because the foundation is strong. With the grace of God the father the son and the holy spirit, we'll be able to defend our faith and the Holy Catholic church. We need more efforts to catechize our brothers and sisters in this part of the world. God bless!
Yep! My being a "weak Catholic" allowed to get into Protestantism when I as a teen. The the more I studied the bible and witnessed the state of Protestantism, after 25 years I came back to the Catholic Church for good.
@@rnelson299 You could start with Dr. Scott Hahn's testimony and lectures. Especially in the Coming Network International youtube channel, watch debates and so on.
@@rnelson299 You should become Catholic because the Catholic Church has the Eucharist. It is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Jesus said “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you will have no life in you.” Protestants don’t have the Eucharist. I would never be anything but Catholic because of the Eucharist. It’s my reason for being.
I also was a very anti-Catholic Protestant, I ironically believed that Catholicism wasn't Christian but it was from the devil. Nonetheless I really had a drive to find truth, and in my quest to find arguments to debunk Catholicism, I also listened to a lot of Catholic vs. Protestant debates. I also listened a lot to Catholic apologists to see how to best engage Catholics. Slowy and gradually I found my classic anti-Catholic arguments crumble away, I deferred investing time into reading the Catechism or church fathers (because I didn't want to read any book more than the bible). Somewhere along the line I wasn't so sure about Catholicism being from satan, so I decided to be more neutral in engaging, always prefacing things like "I THINK the papacy is bad because of X,Y,Z, but I'm not certain I don't know enough". Then from there I started realising that a lot of the arguments from Catholicism made sense, and in conjunction with this I started taking a critical look at the foundations of protestantism. I always discarded arguments like Sola Scriptura isn't found in the bible, "Scriptura" doesn't define the canon etc. But now when really critically looking at these "foundations", I noticed they just don't work, and align with the facts. So I decided to start reading the church fathers and really trying to understand the Catholic claims. Soon I found out the principle I later found perfectly described by Cardinal Fulton Sheen: "There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church - which is, of course, quite a different thing." The more I learned about what actually was being taught the more I realised that a lot of these things made sense. They didn't "need" to be true, but I couldn't dismiss them as I have been doing. I started watching some converts Scot Hahn, Steven Ray, Keith Nestor and learned a lot from these. I started to want to become Catholic, yet everything still conflicted (and still does for a little) with my protestant mindset. One day the elders from my church were coming to my house because they wanted to talk to me. Here I told them that I had my doubts with Sola Scriptura, and wished to investigate Catholicism. This started a 4 hour discussion about them just repeating arguments against Mary like: Jesus had brothers, Purgatory makes Christ work on the cross incomplete, and more arguments I already knew didn't hold ground. I tried to remain neutral, but I defended that their claims didn't have to be true, they could be wrong. Next day they gave me an ultimatum, I was to repent from investigating Catholicism "because I was being deceived by satan" and to reject the Catholic teachings. I declined and was excommunicated because of this. This atleast gave me plenty of time to think, but it was a very difficult time for me, the entire congregation to this day has blocked me and ignores me and my wife. Fortunately my wife follows me where I go. Then after watching a lot of debates and being cast around like waves of the sea because of so many intelligent people from all sides, I decided the only way I really KNOW, is to dive even deeper into the things myself. Two books really helped me, Brand Pitre's: Jesus and the Jewish roots of the Eucharist, and his other book: The Jewish roots of Mary. After I was fully convinced about the Eucharist being Jesus' actual body, and I intellectually understood the teaching about Mary. I started searching for a Catholic parish nearby, and I'm not yet in full-communion (I will be), but I've since than started RCIA. The more I learn about the faith, I notice that I'm really in love with it. I keep finding that things I hated, are actually things that are really beautiful (the communion of saints for example). I love that I have this gigantic heavenly family I can pray to. I've left a lot of details out of this story since it would be to long, I'm still on my way. But nonetheless I consider myself a Catholic, even when I'm not officially in full-communion; I am by heart. God bless everyone!
This is so truth. I have friends who were prior protestants, who are now Catholic and my goodness they are on fire for the Lord. They love the Mass, Eucharist and realize how wrong they were on what they believed about the church. They dont understand how any Catholic can leave the Catholic church unless they are not strong in it or do not realize what they are doing.
I’ve known former Catholics who became Protestants who said the same thing. Also, former Christians who became Muslims. Most converts are more zealous than those born into the religion. Nothing peculiar to the Catholic Church.
As a cradle Catholic these conversion testimonies humble me. So many beautiful people have chosen the faith of their own free will and had to fight to enter the Catholic Church into which I was born and raised. I was fortunate to be born Catholic -- but to those of you who entered the Church as adults I am amazed by you, humbled by your presence, and I thank God for you. You make our Church better. If you encounter resistance to conversion I suggest quoting John 17:21 where Jesus prays to the Father that all may be one and Ephesians 4:4-5 where St. Paul testifies to the existence of ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and father of all.
Could I ask you how you overcame the "Virgin Mary" issue? I understand the Catholic teachings are very clear about no worshipping Mary although some Catholics do in certain South American countries. A random comment I bumped into online said there's no differences between dulia and hyperdulia so he accused Catholics of worshipping Mary essentially. Could you or anyone else help me with this? Thanks!
@@NT-ih7ex that’s exactly what Calvin argued in his Institutes. He basically said Catholics made up these false categories and they didn’t really mean much since if it looks like worship, it IS worship. The problem with his view is that the Catholic and Reformed notion of what true worship is are very different. Catholics believe that inherent to worship is sacrifice and thus the re-presentation of Jesus sacrifice (not re-sacrifice) is a NECESSARY part of worship. The Protestants believe Jesus put an end to ALL sacrifice and because of that the mass is an abomination to many of them. So in this context latria, hyper-dulia, and dulia are much more stark categories since the glory due to God alone includes sacrifice. That’s it in a nutshell. Does that help?
Here’s my story. I was raised in the Catholic Church. Was baptized and confirmed but never really understood the church. I thought it was quite boring and repetitive and this lead me to start venturing off into different Protestant churches. I spent time in Baptist, Methodist, church of Christ and Assembly of God churches. What drew me to those churches was the music and live atmosphere. In other words those churches were “fun”. During my exploration of all these different Protestant churches there were a few things that irritated me like no tomorrow. 1. The preachers seemed to make it a point to bash the Catholic Church during every sermon. They never bashed each other, it was always sly remarks and insults directed at the Catholic Church. 2. The way they spoke of the Blessed Mother shook me to the core. They spoke of her as if she was chosen randomly to birth our Lord and Savior. They spoke of her as she wasn’t special at all. Some even called her a whore! I could never accept this. 3. Lastly I just couldn’t understand why they didn’t believe the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ. I mean serious the Eucharist! What’s the point of any church service if you don’t receive the actual body and blood of Christ? All these things slowly pushed me away from the Protestant church and it pushed me into studying up on the early church fathers. It was like the clouds opened up and a bright shining light was pointing to the answers in the texts. Christ built his church. His apostles carried on his legacy and passed it down generation to generation through tradition. The Catholic Church is the church Christ built and we as parishioners are part of the generations of people carrying on the traditions
Jesus will deal harshly with anyone who blasphemes His mother. Simeon told her that “her soul would be pierced with a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed.” People who dismiss, blaspheme, or treat with contempt Jesus mother are having their thoughts revealed and it won’t go well for them when they face Jesus at the moment of their death unless they repent. Jesus gave her to the world from the cross as our mother, and each generation is to call her blessed as she says in the Magnificat.
That was the perfect answer to the question I’ve been asking my boyfriend! I just never understood why he’d want to stop going to church and he’d respond that he just didn’t connect or feel connected to God in that place. He feels more connected in moments of silence, helping people, and in nature. What you said in your video makes so much sense! Keep up the awesome work! 👏
He’s still a non denominational Protestant. He’s got crucifixes hung up throughout his house, he’s very much against divorce (he believes there’s no such thing as getting one because once you’re married you’ve entered into an unity that cannot be broken until death due you part), he believes Mary is a virgin, he fundamentally believes that Christ died and rose from the dead for our sins. He’s got a really anti-Catholic grandma however who fell away from Catholicism due to the horrible treatment of her ‘Catholic’ family towards her and her sister. His father (her son) isn’t anti-Catholic but I feel like my boyfriend listens to his father as a legitimate means to know and understand Catholicism which is biased through his grandma. He also doesn’t really like talking about religion or politics. He says he mainly just likes to listen and hear people out. I’ve taken him to Mass with me twice but he didn’t really feel connected there. He said it was really weird that we were doing all this kneeling, sitting, and standing. That everyone wasn’t really welcoming or seemingly happy. We both agree that Jesus is in the Eucharist but he believes Jesus is in everything so like everything is a Eucharist to him. He stopped going to church about a year ago (except for the Masses I’ve invited him to) although I feel like he’s afraid of my home parish (he hasn’t visited yet) which I’d love for him to visit because so many of my friends there would love to meet him. He actually picked up crossing himself before he prays and such when he saw me do it, although now he doesn’t do it. He might’ve gotten scared out of doing it because one of my sister’s sister-in-laws decided to throw a panic attack that he wasn’t crossing himself before dinner. I did explain to him that she is mentally crazy and such (she’s gotten diagnosed with it). He’s at this point shied away from the enthusiasm he had towards Catholicism when we first started dating about 9 months ago. He doesn’t really understand the Pope too well and he’s questioned me on “How do you know Peter carried out Christ’s Church the way he wanted to? what if the church he established was not Jesus’s intent?” I quoted scripture beforehand and made sure he’s heard it before “Upon this rock I will build my church and he hands the keys to Peter” (I did forget to mention to him “and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it) he was asking why I was Catholic and such, that’s when we sorta fell off the hill a bit because it was a heated argument, I usually try to stay as calm and collected as possible and usually don’t talk about disagreements when I’m upset but I slipped. He’s also questioned me a few times on why we call priests father since it states in the Bible “Call no man Father except thy Heavenly Father” He’s confused on why priests and nuns are virgins since the Bible states “Let them be fruitful and multiply” He’s open to raising the kids Catholic and to getting married in the church, however his grandma won’t step one foot back into a Catholic Church so he doesn’t really want to get married in the Catholic Church due to that. That’s where he is on his journey or at least that’s how much of his journey I know about. Although I’ve gotta say through his actions towards others and the love for them, he is very authentically Christian, he’s literally like a living saint. He does crack open the Bible, although not everyday. He’s a beautiful soul following the path he knows best to live. Constantly striving to be the best version of himself each and everyday.
Thank you so much for sharing all of this. Boy do I empathize. He is in a place of questioning, so he needs answers. And I imagine he is seeking for the deeper understanding and needs more meat in the church teaching. A lot of the objections you mentioned are common and have been answered quite a bit. The challenge is always understanding how things make sense to him and sharing in that way. It’s easy to get frustrated but remember, you will be refined by his journey just as much as he will be by yours. Iron sharpens iron. You both are on a quest for truth and truth is truth is truth. It won’t change. So rest in that. His questions will challenge you and depend your faith. I have a video coming out on the call no man father question for example. And will be doing on on the pope as well. So stay tuned. Check out catholic answers as well as they have a lot of material there. And take this as an opportunity for you to beef up your apologetics engine! Stay in touch on this channel too. Praying for you both that this journey strengthens you 😊
Aww thank you so much! Oh yes totally! I’ve actually started watching Catholic Answers a lot more often! I’ve watched their entire playlist on Protestantism! Although I find your videos really speak to my heart at least in this area and you really know how to empathize with both sides of the fence! I’m so thankful I found your channel! I was seriously praying there’d be a Catholic channel that could really help build my understanding of my boyfriend’s journey a lot better! You’re seriously such a blessing to me! I’m totally looking forward to those future videos! Keep up the awesome work! 😆👏
You really hit the nail on the head! My journey followed that exact same pattern. And I love that you addressed the generational issue! I'm also a millennial near the gen x cusp!
As a classically trained "former" musician and a protestant who'd been to different Protestant churches, it's the Eucharist, the liturgy and Gregorian chants in a Latin mass that brought me to Catholicism. Contemporary Christian music never did much for me while Gregorian chants make me feel like I'm truly worshipping God, they don't make me feel emotional rather they make feel joy in the core of my heart. Reading about the church fathers made me want to dig deeper to understand the history as well.
Yeah just like Scott Hahn,Steve Ray and Kreeft... my first apologetic book is from Alan Shreck "catholic and christian:an explanationof commonly misunderstoodcatholic beliefs" . This really helps me... planning to buy books from Scott also
I have been on my journey from being a lifelong, devout Protestant to a Roman Catholic. Those are words I at one time never thought I would say. My best friend is Catholic and helped me a great deal in coming home. I could believe the Real Presence, justification through baptism, penance, and so on by actually reading the words of Christ and His apostles. What brought me all the way in was a simple question: where did the Bible come from and who wrote it? Who decided what books went into it? If Scripture alone is all we need, how could the early Church have members if the canon wasn’t then determined? Reading the NT and the Church Fathers made me see that they were Catholic, and if the apostles and fathers were Catholic, then that is the true Church. That’s what sold it for me. I have yet to tell my family and several strongly Protestant friends of this conversion-pray for me to break this news as I enter the Church founded by our Lord.
@@PracticalTheism actually what drew me the most to judaism and then catholicism is the prayer. As a protestant prayer is different in every church (and I attended at least four different congregations growing up - it gets very confusing). also I'm falling in love with your conception of Mary. It was a lack of love from my earthly mother that partly drove me to a short period of agnosticism. But I can find a love in Mary that I don't have on earth. And I cherish it.
A key point about the "Evangelical Exodus" book: that school teaches Aquinas, in addition to scripture. Professors argue that Aquinas would have been Protestant were he born in a different century (which is bologna). Yet several students converted after graduation :)
Proof of the graces they received from God and the Truth that Christ did establish the Church which they loved and whose teachings they were willing to die for.
@My name is August West Clement of Rome. Ignatius of Antioch. Polycarp of Smyrna. Papias of Hierapolis. Justin Martyr. Irenaeus of Lyons. Clement of Alexandria. Origen of Alexandria.
Please pray for my sister and her family to come home to the catholic church. My sister she raised as a catholic and became protestant when she married her protestant husband.
for too much reason ... on the one hand the catholic church attracts me and I cannot be clear on why. if this is the reason it is valid. on the other hand she really rejects me as spiritually her rejects me a religious spirit I believe or any kind of spirit that I feel in this church and that I do not understand. my heart no longer knows. I can’t follow my heart éther my mind. I am moving away from all my Protestant brother and sister and feel alone. I'm alone too much alone and I'm scared. It is a theological war and a war of the soul. You know its realy not the same spirit in this church and sometime à think its à trap... i just Need to make a décision and go Whit confidence..
Jonathan Maranatha Hi. I don’t want to scare you, but you’re undergoing a spiritual attack. The devil does not want you to enter into Truth bc God has great plans for you in the Catholic faith. Pray this binding prayer: “Spirit of confusion, doubt, and distrust,, I bind you in the name of Jesus.” Then pray to Jesus...that you will be led to follow God’s will. Demons can influence our feelings and emotions in ways to help steer our decisions a certain way. Prayer is key. Check out “Spiritual Theology by Fr. Ripperger.” I’ll be praying for you in your faith journey. Always keep your eyes on God! Submit to His will freely and fully, and everything else becomes not so weighty or important.
Story time: my conversion came from the basic structure/visibility of the church. John 17:23 tells us the unity would be a sign to the unbelieving world! The structure lived out by the early church, and the UNANIMOUS consent of the fathers to the structure , and papal supremacy is what hammered me down. Sadly, I have a friend who was once catholic and she began Protestant because she thought God told her he wasn’t pleased with anything Catholics did but was pleased with Protestants 😞 she’s somewhat mad I’m converting to the other side
Yeah. Unfortunately the subjective bias of others can impede the truth of God in the believers life. That is why I think we as Catholics need to get better at precision clarity on how we communicate things
I agree. Working with a priest now on my conversion. After decades of loving Jesus’s teachings, Old Testament and New, one day, I felt nothing in the Protestant church. I never did feel much to begin with, but something was repelling me. I looked around and said to myself “god is not here”. I was actually overwhelmed with a feeling that it was disrespectful/fake/false and I had to leave. So I searched for a relationship with god first and knew he was true, I knew the scriptures were true, but where is the church. I visited numerous churches and landed in a Catholic Church. I stayed for 3 hours praying without words. Just spending time with god. I didn’t want to leave. I sat through mass and realized this is where he wanted me to be.
I’ve found the opposite to be true. Those Protestant or non-denominational Christians that became catholic were the most Biblically illiterate. Those Catholics who came to Biblical Christianity did so after starting to take a deep dive into scripture. This is probably because as they learned the truth in scripture, they realized the earliest Christians were not what is often referred to as “church fathers”, but were those 1st century Christians in the Bible itself. And because those earliest Christians didn’t affirm many of the doctrines they’ve been told by their RC church, they’ve had to come to the full truth of the gospel.
One thing I’ve found interesting and a testimony to the virtue of Catholic baptism of infants, is that so many of the conversion stories I’ve heard have been of lapsed Catholics or individuals like yourself who seek God in various other congregations, who were baptized Catholic but when they pursue truth they end up back home in Mother Church. I really believe it’s so often part of one’s journey, that they stray, but that indelible mark pulls them back to Catholicism. So powerful!
This is so interesting to me because in my experience I've seen so many protestants really dig into scripture and biblical studies, and really wrestle with how to live out Christ in every part of their lives. Whereas (I grew up Catholic though granted my parents were nominal so that affected my experience) I've seen so many Catholics who don't know scripture and care more about rituals and saints and the Pope than they do about knowing who God is. And for whom God's place in their life is limited to church on Sundays. As long as they go to mass and do communion/confession every once in a while or a rosary here and there they're good. My experience as a born again Christian is so drastically different from what I experienced in the Catholic church, and when I first found God I didn't think it was possible (or at least easy) to truly know him in Catholicism. It all felt like a bunch of emphasis on extra-biblical things that take the focus off of Jesus like the rosary and the veneration of the saints. Of course I didn't know God! I was always told to pray to Mary or Saint so and so! I feel like protestantism doesn't put up obstacles to knowing God, it's pure gospel. And finding Jesus is the point - it's totally changed my life! Now that I've grown in my faith I find myself curious about the Catholic church mostly because it's the tradition of my culture, and because I've come to believe that no one denomination gets it perfect. You can find true followers of Jesus in all sects of Christianity. Humans are sinful and we can so easily miss the mark even when we think we're being righteous. I have to say I hate this idea that I'm noticing that the "true church" is exclusive to the RCC. I mean, you can't tell me that the Catholic church has always got it right what with the periods of Catholic history marked by greed/power plays/adoption and "christianization" of pagan worship... This idea that the Catholic church is exactly what Jesus established and is the only church who has the keys from God is ridiculous to me and tantamount to the Pharisees who thought that because they were given the law/temple their interpretations and methods were all correct; and that their loyalty to the temple and adherence to man made traditions (added by their rabbis and theologians through centuries) made them right in the eyes of God. Yet Jesus came and pointed out their hypocrisy and self-righteousness and their love of religion/church over God and people. Who's to say the RCC's corruption didn't prompt God to use Martin Luther to get things back on track? And it's a lot of evangelical missionaries who have really gone above and beyond in spreading the gospel to the nations in this last century. Maybe that movement was necessary for God's ultimate aim to go and make disciples. I think it's absolutely essential to claim Jesus as the ONLY way, truth, and life, but to claim a specific church institution as the only way, truth, and life gets dicey. What about the Greek Orthodox or the Koptics? Are they traitors like Martin Luther too? But I digress. I didn't mean to go off on a tangent! I actually wanted to ask if you know good resources where I can read more (honest) discussions between protestants and catholics on theological differences. I do want to know, for example, why in the Catholic church we're baptized as babies, why Mary is so prominent, etc...
I actually really love and appreciate this comment! Thank you for your thoughts they truly are invaluable. So much to talk about. :) but to answer your primary question, one of my favorite resources is the Called to Communion website. The authors of most of the content are converts to Catholicism from evangelical traditions so they REALLY know both sides and they really bring the intellectual side into play. As interesting as the articles are, the comments is where the discussion really gets good. Catholics and non Catholics in charitable dialogue. I would seek there first. :)
Your post was so interesting, I can imagine it would be amazing to have a coffee with you to discuss those different point of view. It is true that the Catholic made a lof of mistake in the past, John Paul II made apologies for that, I think you are looking for the truth just like me, remember that the most important thing is to believe in Jesus Christ whatever we are Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox. May God Bless You my sister in Christ and keep the Faith until the end. Moins
you don't understand, really: to belong to the Church of the Lord is the decisive fact in one's spiritual life, unless you don't want to take the Lord seriously... protestant typically like to pretend they pay lots of attention to Scripture in order to prove to themselves and to the world that they are in the right, not because they want to learn better the Word of God - that is made apparent by the fact that they keep on sustaining the totally unbiblical doctrines of the 'reformation', and retend as a result of their blindness that authentic Christianity only began 500 years is ago - yes, not entirely here nor there, but a little bit through the different denominations... also, it seems you mistake doctrine with theology - that are lots of things in catholic theology that can be improved and correct, while the dogmatic foundations of the faith remain the same - doctrines are essential, direct expressions of God's revelation, while theology derives from human meditation about that revelation...
Has anyone else figured out that the Catholic 10 commandments are different from the protestant 10 commandments? Especially the 2nd commandment. The Catholic church has removed it. And split the 10th into 2 separate commandments... lmk what you think. For me, that is the key to determine what is false doctrine.
Hi! Loved your video. Thank you. I'm reading more into my faith and beliefs and, that book you mentioned, would you be able to add a link or just the full title of the book so I can make sure to find the right one?
I don't mean to post 2 comments in a row but I have another point. I've seen many past-Protestants (including myself) wanting to go back to the pre-1955 celebration of Mass, where most cradle Catholics are happy with where the Church is at in this post-post-Vatican II version of the Church. We go harder and question if the current celebration is as authentic as the old, and I for one, see that we were WAY more reverent to the Eucharist back in the day. We all fasted the whole day till we could eat the Eucharist, we always had both the Body AND Blood of Christ, and we've taken out so many practices to make Mass more secular. Holy week was much more important pre-Vatican II, whereas nowadays, we only really care about the Triduum.
I ended up with questions with this reply. When did you convert? Do you know that you can still fast from midnight if you choose? What do you mean "we fasted the whole day..." ? The last Mass was at noon. There were no evening Masses or Saturday evening ones either. Most parishes only had the Eucharist. The Chalice was only for the priest. Post VII is when the chalice was offered to us. Where do you get the idea that "most cradle Catholics" were happy with the Church pre 1955? Have you researched with the remaining elders who recall the good and the bad about the Church in those days.? Nothing was or is perfect, and the good old days are right now with Jesus: he is with us in the present at every Mass, the devotions, Rosary, adoration, and any of the beautiful ways we have to listen to Him. No worries: the Mass in Latin and in English is authentic according to the Magisterium.
@@Lucylou7070 I converted 12 years ago at 20 years of age. I suppose I can never know enough about things that happened before I was born, let alone 1000s of years. You know, I truly don't know what I know anymore. I have a great feeling of reverence to the Eucharist lost but understand I may be wrong about much of my previous understanding. I believe at some point Catholics would fast from midnight until they receive the Eucharist and another hour or so after that. Nowadays, we have a majority handling the Eucharist rather than put directly on tongue, almost no one kneels, almost no one's in a state of grace (but who am I to judge), and everyone's afraid of catching covid from everyone and won't sing in Mass and priests where masks and face-shields. None of this seems right and I was blown away at the beauty of the old rite as well as maybe believed some hype from old Vatican activists, so I went hard with we need to go back to our old ways!
I really appreciate your video on this topic. I was that protestant until I became Orthodox. My family knows that we can have discussions on anything but they don't get far with me. For instance, I have a friend that firmly believes that he doesn't have to study the material of our most Sacred Theology solely because he knows that "he's already saved"........yeah. but, whenever I try to have discussion with him he doesn't want to have honest dialogue. Its unfortunate.
Yeah that is tough. But there in lies the problem of that kind of theology I think. One area to press on might be challenging him to deepen his relationship with Christ. And sharing that you don’t just want this spontaneous friendship but you desire true intimacy with Him. In the same way that Christ needed to become incarnate, that is fully participating in our human nature, so to we should desire to know the truth so intimately that it dives us into the deep side of the pool which is full of a much richer relationship with Christ than just being saved. Perhaps something of that tone might resonate with him.
@@PracticalTheism yeah.... i see what your saying, I'm just trying to find the words that could resonate with him in a manner that he could actually hear. He's part if that "sowing your seed then reaping the harvest" financial stuff. I would have to learn more about that so that I can find certain terms that he can relate to, while at the same time making sure that my meanings don't get convoluted.
@@PracticalTheism also, if you haven't yet. There's another branch of protestantism that I think you might want to take a look at. I forget the name of the branch but. The guy your looking for is chuck Pearce. Hes dangerous in his teaching. I have another friend in that branch and I am having to learn more about them so that one day I would have to talk with my friend about their interpretation etc.... anyway, thank you for the videos.
Thanks. I’ll have to check him out. Many of the secs of Protestantism I encounter just different in terms of biblical interpretation so my first step is to simply challenge that presupposition.
Wow, great!💞 As a Roman Catholic, I recognize all the 5 rites of the Catholic church as true church. And I hope you also recognize us Latin Catholic. ❤️⛪✝️⛪❤️
I am a weak catholic almost converted to Protestantism after studying the scripture more and listening to great preaching and sermons of Evangelical Christians. They brought me back to God. However I stumble upon some of Catholic VS Protestant debates and their doctrines and got me confuse back again. Particularly those of Trent Horn, Steve Ray and other great Catholic apologetics stands their grounds well. I might be already on the true church I am planning to leave. Can you recommend any great catholic books?
It’s so tough when you can see both sides, but there is beauty in that too. What I found was the catholic understanding painted a bigger picture. I would recommend Trent horns case for Catholicism, check out brant pitres Jewish Roots series of books as well. Scott hahns Rome sweet home is a good testimony as well. I think it also depends on how theologically deep you want to go
This is great! Really enjoying your work. Loved listening to your 3 part conversion/reversion testimony on your Podcast too - very interesting story. Now I need to hear Amber’s. Hope it’s in the pipeline.
Hi! Thank you so much for this video! As a Non-Catholic Christian I’ve tried for some time now to find out what does the Catholic Church doesn’t like about Protestantism. What do we, in your opinion, believe or do that is wrong and against the teachings of the Bible? Could you please answer my question because I would really love to know :)
Hey lady! Great thoughts. I would say first off, there is so much that the Catholic Church and Protestantism have in common. Our love for God and Christ, our love for the Scriptures, our faith in Christ and hope found in Christ. I think, at least from where I am sitting, that it’s more along the lines of what Catholic Christians hope for with our Protestant brothers. I would see it as there is a fullness of the faith vs some beliefs that are more limiting in nature. The biggest ones for example just to point 2 out are the faith alone teaching and the scripture alone teaching. We don’t see those supported in scripture and there is a deeper understanding that we can have outside of those more limiting beliefs. We see salvation by faith or justification by faith represented in scripture but never faith alone. We see scripture as useful for man but never scripture alone or scripture that tells us what is and isn’t scripture, found inside scripture. :) what would you say is your understanding of the division here?
I think you’re right. The things you mentioned probably are the main reason for the division. And I’m sorry in advance for this very long comment 😬😂 1. The “Faith Alone” issue Actually the Bible talks A LOT about this. It’s even in the most famous Christian verse - John 3:16 “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”. Not “whoever believes and does good works “. I saw a lot of Catholics go to James chapter 2 and say that Protestants just ignore the passage that’s saying that faith alone is useless. But we don’t ignore it. Moreover, we agree with it. The works are the demonstration and proof of faith (James 2:18). Faith without works is useless (James 2:20) and dead (James 2:17), in other words it’s not true faith at all. Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith will never be alone. Also in 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says “therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”. Being a believer automatically means we are going to change. If someone truly believes and has the Holy Spirit, he will hate sin and love the good. There are a lot of other verses that talk about being saved only by faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, nor a result of works, so that no one may boast.” So what we mean when we say “faith alone” is: “Only to God be the Glory. There’s nothing I can do, not one single thing that will be good enough to get me into Heaven. But by God’s grace and thanks to His love I can be saved, though I don’t deserve it.” And in no way this justifies wrongdoing. Nobody ever says it’s okay to do bad things because we’re saved anyways. Another verse I love is in Galatian 2:21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose”. And some more verses that talk about this topic: Acts 16:31 Romans 3:28, 4:2-5, 5:1 Galatians 2:16, 3:24 Philippians 3:9 2. The “Sola Scriptura” issue Another thing you mentioned was that the Bible isn’t the only source of knowledge about God and there are other scriptures that we can learn from (I think you mentioned some scriptures by the early church fathers..?). And I totally agree that there are a lot of very informative books besides the Bible that help us to understand God and His Word better. But they are never equal to the Bible. And they must never contradict the Bible. In Deuteronomy 4:12 and 12:32 and in Revelation 22:18-19 we read that we must not add to or take anything from this book. The same thing in Proverbs 30:5-6. The Bible is God’s Word. It is Holy and wholesome. It contains everything we need. And nothing of what it contains may be skipped. One of the most interesting passages for me is Mark 7:1-13. It tells the story of some Pharisees coming to Jesus and saying something like ‘hey, why do your disciples eat with their hands without washing them first.” (Because eating only with clean hands was a tradition to them). And Jesus tells them that, while this is a tradition among the Jews, it is NOT one of God’s commandments and it is bad to consider it sin because it is not sin in the eyes of God. And I think this is such a good example. Because hygiene is a really good thing, but we can’t say it’s a God given commandment. This is something I see a lot in the Catholic Church: confessing to a priest, having to go to church every Sunday, the fact that the priests are not allowed to get married... these are all not bad things. But we can’t just say “if you don’t do this you sin” because nowhere in the Bible God says these things. In addition to these 2 issues there are some other things in the Catholic Church we generally disagree with, one of the things is the way Catholics see Mary and other saints. There’s a lot to talk about but I’ll try to keep it short. - having statues / images for “good luck” (I’ve seen this a lot among my Catholic friends) is idolatry-> Exodus 20:4-6 + 1 John 5:21 - Calling Mary the “queen of heaven”. This phrase has been used only twice, both times in Jeremiah to describe a pagan goddess - Ishtar. The Bible only talks about a King of Heaven and that is God. There’s no queen. - Calling Mary “mother of God”. God has no beginning. He does not have a mother (or a father). Earthly Jesus had a birthmother. But: “Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equally with God (...)” Philippians 2:5-8 - Saying “we worship God through His creation (Mary)” -> Romans 1:25 - The prayer “Hail Holy Queen”. Calling anyone else but Jesus “our life, our sweetness, our hope” is idolatry. - Rosary and prayer beads are not only pagan tradition, but the Bible says repetitive prayer is bad -> Matthew 6:7 - Purgatory is not only not found in the Bible, but it contradicts it. Saying that you get another chance after you die teaches that you are saved through your works and makes the death of Christ unimportant. (Galatians 2:21) And just to clarify, we don’t hate Mary. We respect her for who she was- an amazing woman, obedient to the Lord. But, as the Bible teaches, she also was a sinner and needed a Savior - Jesus. And finally I want to say that I understand Catholic people. There is a lot of deception in the Protestant Church. A lot of churches have become very modern, saying homosexuality, abortion and other things are all right because “God loves everybody”. They play loud Christian pop in a dark room and focus mainly on emotions and the feeling good. But I don’t believe this is true Christianity, and definitely not all Protestant churches are like that. I myself don’t like calling myself Protestant. I’m just a Bible believing follower of Christ. In the end I just wanted to say that one of my best friends is catholic and I see her love and desire for Christ. We pray together, we worship together, we read the Bible together. We have a lot (the most important things) in common, but the differences are also very big and can’t be ignored.
@@Emma-hd9et, no, we don't worship our Lord's Mother, we rather venerate her because according to Jesus s words from the cross (he theologically trascendentalize every word of His) he really gave her to us. He didn't say "John, there she is your mother" ; but He called him "Son". Being Jesus the new Adan and Our Lady the new Eve, those words from the cross itself before going to the Father, is clear He wanted to be a spiritual mother for us, who should also take her home/heart. Also she is "full of grace". Did you really meditate what that only phrase mean? That's having no empty space for sin, my sister. The only one having that same title is Our Lord. But Mary is not only prefigured by Eve as mother of human race. If Jesus is the new Salomon, our Lady is her Queen, for in Hebrew monarchy the queen is not the king's spouse, but his mother (queen mother). This prefigurations & others matched perfectly with her. Please check this out ua-cam.com/video/q30KY-avLxw/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/TIXYQMpwb6o/v-deo.html I subtitled into Spanish some of Dr Hahn's lectures. There you have his lecture about our mother Mary explained both for far-away catholics and protestants. Hope you'll find it helpful. There's also his great intellectual testimony, which pass through the natural theological fall of "sola fide" & "sola scriptura". We shouldn't interpret verses in isolation so to speak, but in full scriptural context. In Spanish we have a great apostle for those latin Americans who profess protestantism, Padre Luis Toro. He debunks biblically every aspect of difference beetween us. We also enjoy apologetics from another theologian converse, Fernando Casanova. But apart from Scott Hahn who I subtitled I don't know who else do this necessary apostolate, but he should be enough. I would also get some if the books referred above if you really wanna discuss & get full spectrum so that you can contrast with full perspective. Enjoy your homeworks! ;)
@@Emma-hd9et Nice explanation. The faith alone issue is one that is so hard to talk about because it's so subtle. My meager hypothesis is that the real problem is our definitions of faith. If faith without works isn't true faith as you say, then real faith must contain works, right? Wouldn't salvation then include works? I always thought Paul was coming from the direction of, "The works don't mean anything without faith, unlike Judaism, the law I've spent my whole life following!" Plus in John 3:15, the verb about salvation is originally in a progressive tense, implying more than just a moment's profession of faith, but a constant turning towards God. Catholics do believe in grace alone. All good comes from God alone and salvation is not possible through our own doing. I would suggest reading documents from the Council of Trent and the rest of that time period for more on that. As for the Mother of God thing, I suggest looking up Nestorius from the early centuries of the Church. He argued this as well. Basically, the result of that Council was that to say Mary is not the Mother of God implies that there's a split between Jesus the Man and the Son of God, which causes all kinds of issues for the rest of the Christian Gospel. It's pretty interesting reading.
This is by far the best passive method of converting to the truth! You're not directly debating anyone but I can see a lot of mislead Protestants taking in your words. Usually they don't take in words, they just try to bat them away as fast as they can. They're predisposed to debunking Catholic ideas!
@@Mr-pn2eh This won't prove to you, but it will prove to many, just how important the Catholic Church is for interpretation. Yes in the beginning was the Word and you can see many wrote down into the Bible what the word told them. But you should know the Bible is a hard read and has many different translations and interpretations from literal to allegory. Many parts are written with both in mind, they make sense allegorically and literally. How can you say you have the best interpretation? Because you're reading it from the Spirit? No, you only think you do, just like how thousands, nay millions, of others ALSO think they're reading it through the Holy Spirit and understanding that way, when most of us are really using our human understanding and fooling ourselves, hence 10,000 denominations. Of course, this alone shouldn't prove the Catholic faith to anyone. I would challenge you to pick up the Catecism, read it, and try and dispute it. You think it's not entirely founded from Scripture, nor our Catholic mass, but they all are. Even more inspired than anything you see at Protestant church, and I've been to many. You simply believe the Catholic Church is wrong and unfounded, and so you base all your beliefs and even Biblical readings on that mistaken fact.
@@Mr-pn2eh No mocking. However to point out, there are thousands of interpretations, hence the Catholic Church (I'll briefly talk about transubstantiation later). Many (most?) Christians have not read at least the whole Bible and many still haven't read most, especially in context with the whole book. By reading it, you're definitely on the right path rather than the wrong one. Many people have strong conversion stories which cement them in their original conversion belief, just take care to not mix that up with absolute truth of the Holy Spirit. I have had many "aha!" moments or "wow I had this all wrong" moments, just to then challenge someone with them and realize they didn't hold their salt. I could've sworn it was a manifestation by the Holy Spirit on my end, but it wasn't. Instead, that moment of humility of being wrong turned into the Holy Spirit moment. Now, I wary of thinking if a new thought or revelation is divinely inspired. Whenever you consider what you know isn't based on your findings but that the Holy Spirit led you, be careful because that will be where you harden your heart and won't consider any other truth if it contradicts your beliefs. Transubstantiation has to do with Jesus countlessly (not countless) telling us to consume his flesh and his blood. As with most things, there are 2 ways to interpret this: allegorically or literally. In John 6, after the feeding of the multitude, almost ALL Jesus' disciples leave him, saying "this is a hard teaching, who can follow it?" When Jesus turned to his disciples, he didn't rephrase or tell them it was just an allegory. He asked them if they too will leave. Does that sound like alchemy or scripture? Jesus has us do literally things in our physical lives that mirror what is happening in the spiritual/heavenly side. So by taking the Communion physically, communing with Jesus happens spiritually. Both happen at same time; our senses are used in conjunction with prayer. Furthermore, we believe his spirit resides in the bread and wine during Holy Communion, which is again why you cannot partake if you don't believe or if you're in a state of mortal sin, as you're accepting Jesus' spirit into your heart knowing that you're unclean. Of course, in a way, we're all unclean, but if you mortally sinned sexually, thievously, hatefully, etc you cannot except Jesus by Communion unless you confess your sins to God (there's more but no time or space). If you want to leave it there, as you said, do so. No mocking, I hate it!
Bro you should not have joined a catholic Church. We all go through periods of doubt but how can you reconcile and surrender what John hus, Martin Luther, tyndale, and all our martyrs died for? How can you believe in the assumption of Mary, how can you call her mother of God how can you believe in the infallibility of the pope, do you discount the inquisition?
Protestantism, specifically Pentecostal/non-denominational 'megachurchism' can be a great gateway to theism in general. Not everyone can be so taken straight away by Thomistic theology, Patristic writings and the traditional latin mass. But contemporary Christian music and cool hip skinny jean pastors tend to be more appealing to at least introduce them to what C.S. Lewis calls 'Meer Christianty'. Once they're in the hallway of Christianity, they can ditch the shallowness of mega-church protestantism and pursue the fullness of truth in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. This more or less is my testimony in a nutshell. Pray for me and all other Catechumens that covid19 blows over soon so that we may receive our sacraments of initiation this year. St. Francis de Sales, Pray For Us ✝️🇻🇦🕊
I actually don’t disagree in the slightest. I think the challenge though is the temporal allure that the mega church has. It is very social very tailored to the contemporary feel and feels good and for many many people they feel it is enough. I find that a tough thing to overcome.
Or, they can become a Seventh-day Adventism and ditch the Catholic Church (Mother Harlot) and Protestant Daughters (Harlot Daughters) altogether. BOTH are false.
Yes! “Eusebius: Church History” and “The Fathers Know Best” are great books to start with! Eusebius is an early Christian, and the latter title talks about the early church collectively. God bless!
As a Catholic I'd appreciate it if you did a video on reasons Catholics leave the faith for protestantism. I'm not going anywhere, but I've had to help some of my fellow catholic relatives remain. One of the main reasons is obviously the abuse crisis, and I've had to remind them that those are men and it goes against church teaching. I've noticed that protestant churches have more community and outreach with things like celebrate recovery. People looking for community and trying to conquer the same demons. I don't get that same sense of community from my catholic church. Also, I've noticed a lot of bad blood between parishoners that would be readily addressed and fixed in an evangelical church because "everyone is a priest", and if the priest in the catholic church acts like it's not his problem then the parishioners are forced to grin and bear it. I'm catholic and I'm not going anywhere, but I do see the lure to protestantism and their culture's, and it's making it easier to get the weak Catholics. Maybe in addressing, and answering these issues, you can strengthen some weak Catholics who need it. Thanks!
Thanks so much for the comment and thoughts! That is a great idea. I’ll add it to my list. :). I did a video on the abuse crisis. Check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/b67Tlo4w_Ck/v-deo.html for my thoughts. You are spot on in your thoughts. A lot of the lure is based around the emotional need. And that is not something to skirt as a catholic but to recognize and see how you can incorporate it in your ministry life and outreach. People NEED community. It is essential to the corpus of Christ. We have to get better at that. Some people leave because of doctrinal reasons, but not everyone does. We have to as Catholics dive deeper into each other’s lives and challenge each other. Love our faith out not just take the faith in. We need to rise up and ask the pressing questions and share the knowledge we have. Also for the record, the priest argument is easily solved too. Even Catholics believe that everyone is a priest. What is the role of a priest? To offer sacrifice. But there is also the ministerial priesthood that Christ established in the upper room and that was passed on by the laying on of hands.
I believe this the first time I have watched/listened to this video, and you literally brought up the 2 quotes I just said to my Protestant friend (regarding her formerly "Catholic" pastor). I tried to explain it in a non-combative and humble way, but, sometimes I feel kind of guilty bringing up the truths that we have as Catholics... if that makes sense? I think that Catholicism is the "uncomfortable" truth, so it's kind of hard to spring it on people that seem very comfortable & happy where they're at!
I find that you be true as well. Which two quotes were they? And glad to hear about the non combative and humble way you went about it! Keep that up. Not sure what the context of your conversation was but I might suggest making sure you are starting with the common ground and work towards the part where you and her start to differ, and dive deeply into “why”.
@@PracticalTheism Well, my friend has often brought up the point that her pastor grew Catholic, as if it somehow gives him some authority on invalidating Catholic beliefs. I told her that I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually became Catholic again, and told her that there's a common saying that "weak/ignorant Catnolics often become Protestant, and that strong Protestants often become Catholic." I also brought up St. Henry Cardinal Newman's quote as well. She does know that I am a revert to Catholicism who has studied my way back to the Catholic faith, and although she seems to be more open to Catholcism than she once was (I don't think she even used to regard Catholics as Christian), she still has a lot of misconceptions about it. It just doesn't seem like she is willing to take the time to try to understand anything about it, although she likes to often & freely share her version of the Christian faith with me (which I am more than willing to listen and try to understand from her perspective). I am patient with her, and don't try to "push it," but it would be nice if I was able to share my faith with her, as freely as she shares her faith with me. My experience with non Catholic Christians, is that there is a double standard - they like to evangelize and openly share their faith, but when it comes to anything Catholic, they just stubbornly put up blinders. I think there is some fear involved, and often times a very definite "willful ignorance," on their part.
I think there is an element of that to be sure. Have you ever asked her something simple like “what is the biggest reason you wouldn’t become catholic?” Or “what reason do you think your pastor left the Catholic Church?”
I absolutely agree with you about there being a fear. I think the biggest fear is in changing your lifestyle. Protestantism is more or less a popularity contest. Their doctrines change with the times so that people feel more justified in living the lifestyle they want. To be Catholic means to go back to the ways of how we are to live according to Christ and the Bible. I don’t mean Protestants aren’t good. I’m mostly talking about the social issues and the issue of sexual morality.
Debunking catholicism I'm more blessed than mary Proof = Luke 11:27-28 27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” 28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” In Luke 11:27 that random woman LITERALLY said Jesus your mother is Blessed, but are Lord Jesus LITERALLY said Believers are more Blessed than mary. Amen and Amen _________________________ CHRIST alone John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Hebrew 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus _________________________ Work of God = John 6:28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” _________________________ 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach Paul allows bishops to get marry, but catholic church goes against paul. Now these catholic will give a Verses from 1 Corinthians7 to say that paul gave the advice to stay unmarried. But they will not tell you that the same chapter they quote says 1 Corinthians 7:28 "even if you do marry, you have not SINNED". The passage literally says "young women, young men" and a bishop is supposed to be a Church ELDER. Mic drop _________________________ Jesus said Matthew 23:9 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And also said Holy Father to Heavenly Father= John 17:11 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. Jesus said call no one Father but still catholics call *pope holy father. Sad _________________________ Whenever a catholic argue about mary being the mother of God Use this to defeat the argument. Luke 8:21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” Matthew 12:46-50 46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” 48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”. Mark 3:35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” John 19:26-27 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. ( Jesus basically said John is the son of mary, and mary is the mother of John from that time onwards). By the way sarah is the mother of all proof=Galatians 4:21-26. _________________________ We should not pray to apostles Romans 1:25 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Acts 10:25-26 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” Acts 14:15 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, Revelation 19:10 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 22:8-9 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." Colossians 2:18 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, You cannot go to Father through saints nor mary, you can only go to the Father through Lord Jesus Christ= John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Holy Spirit intercedes for us=Romans 8:26 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And CHRIST as well=Romans 8:34 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. It's Christ and Holy Spirit who intercedes for us not apostles _________________________ There is only one Mediator between God and men LORD Jesus Christ= 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. Hebrew 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrew 12:24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. Hebrew 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. _________________________ Apostles are allowed to marry, 1 Corinthians 9:1-5 1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? If Peter (peter is cephas read John 1:42) the so called "first pope" was married, why does the catholic church doesn't allow "pope" to marry? _________________________ The so called vicar of christ/ pope/holy father Peter called himself a fellow elder in 1 Peter 5:1, and as per the qualifications of elder in Titus 1:5-9 the elder is allowed to get married; then why does the "pope" is required to be celibate and catholic? ( when Peter was neither celibate nor catholic). 1)Peter was not perfect human nor was he a perfect disciple 2)He sank down while walking on water 3)Our Lord said to peter get behind me satan 4)Peter reject our Lord 3 times 5)Our Lord rebuked Peter for calling fire from heaven 6)Our Lord rebuked Peter when he cut of the soilders ear 7)Paul rebuked Peter for being hypocrite because he was acting different in front of Jews and different in front of gentiles. 8) Moses messed up, and he was a important part of Bible ( that's why he never entered the promised land), 9)David messed up ( and he has the Holy Spirit), 10)King Soloman messed up, 11) Saul messed up and God regretted the decision (1 Samuel 15:10-11). Hatrick (Saul then David then Soloman back to back messed up) 12)The apostles run away a day before Lord Jesus got locked up. 13)The early church messed up Rev 2:18-20 14) Apostle John when receiving Revelation worshiped an angel and the angel said "see you do not do that. Worship GOD" Revelation 22:8-9 If these great people could mess up, why do you think the catholic church wouldn't mess up. ____________________________________ Galatians 4:21-26 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar- 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children- 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. Sarah is mother of all, Not mary. _________________________ Also the Church has many name like Christians, Evangelists, Children of God, Believers, servents of God, bride of Christ, but not once the Church is called catholics. _________________________ Also, if the apostles didn't wrote it, I don't want it.
I think this is happening to me. I find myself being drawn to the catholic church(or drawn back, as I was born into Catholicism). I want to study church history and really understand the catholic tradition. Could you recommend just one book that I could read to get me started on this journey?
Love the path you are on my friend! If you are looking at church history, I would focus on the early church fathers first. I recommend william jurgens faith of the wary fathers as a good starting point to read strong excerpts from the fathers. It is a bit heavier reading though. For something lighter I might suggest why were Catholic by Trent horn.
Hi it's my experience that you are taking about, I was born and raised up in a strong catholic family, in my weak understanding about the Church I left it and joined Pentecostalism, in Corona lockdown days I studied church fathers and their teachings, I realized that I am in the wrong track, didn't consult anyone just returned to my mother, Catholic church. If you're interested to see the dark side of Protestantism please read some books, pdf is available today, which unanimously says about the unholy relationship between Protestantism and ottoman empire against Catholic church 1 Islam in Europe 2. The ottoman state and it's place in world history 3. Traffic and turning :Islam and English drama 4 The ottoman empire and early modern Europe
The coming home network has thousands of Protestant Pastors who became Catholic. They are really strong devout Catholics too! Weak Catholics become protestants
Sincere question , 1.) Is it Pray " with" Blessed Mary and Saints or Pray " To ". When we say, pray "To" Mary and Saints :- 2. How does it not bring, the assumption / premise of "redeemer" and "omnipresence" qualities in them? 3) Therefore, Why is the statement Pray "TO" Blessed Mary and Saints not contradictory to our *stance ? -* as we do not consider Blessed Mary and Saints as a Redeemer nor as Omnipresent . For eg:- I pray with my Mother. Here we partake in fellowship. But , if I pray "To" my Mother, I swap the spiritual authority of Trinity as taught by Bible and Church by placing my mother midst *Trinity right? *{Essence of Trinity by Paul in a jist being : By the Grace of Christ , the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.- (3 in person and 1 in Being)} The last question will be :- 4.)Why is there no acknowledgement for Joseph ; what happened to Joseph? If you read till here, I sincerely appreciate your patience and Humbly request you to opine on this . God be with you!
Great questions. Ones I have pondered myself. I think the conclusion you are drawing has a faulty premise. That is that to “pray to” necessarily entails acknowledging the one you are praying to as a redeemer or omnipresent. Additionally this is often misconstrued as worship. On the Catholic stance, it can mean those things but it can also mean simply “to ask”. Think of the old English etymology “I pray you sir”. So it is both pray to and pray with. If we pray to the saints, the prayer may be directed as an ask of them or their help. Any abilities that the saint has to respond or even hear a prayer is in direct relation to their proximity to Christ. It is through Christ that they are in communion with the church on earth. I think there is acknowledgement of Joseph. He is definitely underscored and doesn’t say a word in scripture. But the focus on Mary is preeminent because of her birthing the Christ and accepting that divine decree. Hope that helps!
Greetings@@PracticalTheism, Did not think of the old interpretation of "Pray". Then that should explain why "Hail" Mary is said as well. It was a Greeting.. This is just the beginning of an indepth theology. And from my personal experience very few Catholics actually recognise this difference of ' Honour ' here to complete 'Worship'. 1.) Any suggestions on how I can read on Catholic doctrine or theology? (Google search is currently not user -friendly for a Christian perspective) 2.).Now Sola Scriptura (if I am not wrong) is the core basis for Protestants. Tradition definitely plays a central role - from which Scriptures were even derived. But to verify something ( as a common man ) we have only the Word of God with us . Then how is focus on Sola Scriptura alone not apt ? Eg :- America had its qualities of free speech, capitalism and so on even before the Constitution was written. Once that was recorded, we always come back to what the Constitution says for us word by word about what our rights are. Disclaimer : (Even when constitution is concerned I have a conservative reading of the text.) 4.) Lastly the book of Maccabees . I don't have them :- is it a Historical text because I suppose even Jews do not have it?
Yup. Hail was a greeting, as the angel greeted Mary when he visited her to tell her Gods plan. I would start with the catechism of the Catholic Church h if you want to read up on the doctrine. Sola scriptura is definitely a prime division point. I would say though your use of tradition doesn’t go far enough it wasn’t just to give us the scriptures. Think of tradition as also encompassing interpretive tradition of the scriptures. The constitution you brought up is a great example because it is subject to the same issue as sola scriptura. Yes we have the documents to refer to, but Christians vary in there interpretations of the scriptures in the same way Americans vary in their interpretation and application of the constitution. This is why we have the Supreme Court to be a living voice in the proper adjudication and interpretation of the law and the constitution. Likewise, God didn’t leave us up to our own devices but gave us a church with the promise of divine assistance in that he’ll would not prevail against it. The hierarchy of the church serves as a living authority in the realm of faith and morals to “go forward teaching people everything Jesus commanded” as the great commission tells us. Lastly on Maccabees, if your Bible doesn’t have it, it likely doesn’t have the deuterocanon in it. Much bigger topic but the Catholic Church holds the deuterocanon as scripture in standing with the declaration and witness of the church, more formally declared when disputes started to arise in the 4th century. Hope that’s helpful!
Sincere thanks @@PracticalTheism This is definitely helpful. The difficult part is to verify as a layman. I have to be a Preist's Preist to make sense of such deep topics. And Google search has serious credibility issues. So, If you have any credible websites or books for further reading, kindly do suggest. I shall begin with materials on catechism . This is my final question : - You are right about how interpretation varies with Sola Scriptura itself . Therefore , How is Traditional interpretation addressed, as it is a vast gold mine for theology and doctrines? Eg :- Since I do not have deutero -canon ; the remaining 66 books have the core message still intact and historically these books favours a high reliability. How is this check or verification done in the case of Tradition? (How is the counterfeit tradition made out from the original.)
I can relate to the subjective nature of being drawn to Protestantism, but in a different sense. Namely, I’ve found the Protestant view of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness as opposed to infusion much more appealing, particularly as someone who has struggled alot with addiction
Someone explain to me or lead me in the direction of where it says we should pray and worship saints and Mary, confess our sins to a man in a dark booth and believe that a really old man is the head of the church? You said if we look back at the very firsts of church leaders we'll see they did this, but the apostles were the first leaders of the church and they wrote the new testament. And all those traditions go against what the apostles wrote.
Hi! It must be noted that not everything can be written in the bible (John 21:25). After all, it was the early church which had to piece together the modern notion of the bible with the New Testament. Prior to that, they had to rely on church elders to interpret and instruct the faithful, as can be seen in 2 Thess 2:15 and Acts 2:42. 1. Catholic Christians do not pray and worship to saints and Mary. We honour them as part of the living family of God and ask them to pray for us on earth, just as how we pray for our brothers and sisters in our community. We only worship God and God alone. 2. "Confessing our sins to a man in a dark booth" refers to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While not very explicit, Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins (John 20:22-23), who in turn passes it on to others through the Priesthood (Acts 6:1-7). This "dark booth" thingy differs from region to region, depending on the customs of the place. Confession can be done anywhere as long as it is done in private. In fact, you are looking at the Western Rites of the Church. In the Eastern Rites, the faithful confess their sins to a spiritual elder in the community who gives advice accordingly, with the priest coming in for the final absolution of sins. This spiritual elder is not allowed to share the sins of others. 3. The papacy is also not very explicit in the bible but can be found studying typology. If you believe the Jesus is the fulfilment of the New "Son of David", it means that the "New Davidic Kingdom" and the "New Israel" has already been established on Earth and in Heaven. Looking back to the Old Testament, you have some secondary characteristics of the Davidic Kingdom. One of it is the Office of the Prime Minister (Isaiah 22:15-24) who has the authority to open and shut (bind and loose), entrusted the keys of David and tasked to be the father of Judah. Likewise, Jesus called Peter the "rock" (Hebrew: Kepha) where he will build his church, given authority to bind and loose and is entrusted with the keys of heaven. And in modern times, the word Pope comes from the Italian word "Papa" which means "Father". Other evidences include Peter's unilateral declaration that faith should extend to Gentiles (Acts 10 - Acts 11:18 Yep! Tried to summarise it as succinctly as possible. There is a lot more to these issues of course. You can try referring to stpaulcenter.com/studies-tools/journey-through-scripture/) for a nice series of videos explaining all these. Catholic Answers (www.catholic.com) also might provide the answers that you should like to look for. God Bless!
@@gregcathyclark1963 not really. Because the bible mentions multiple times that even early Christians worshipped the wrong way. And even Paul called out Peter for falling in with what other people were doing. Thats the problem with the Catholic religion. It follows and trusts too much of man rather than God himself.
Your comment begins with “someone explain to me...” and the explanation is in tons of resources including the writings of the church fathers. Read John 21:25 and Matthew 28:19 - Jesus did not say “teach them only what’s written in the Bible.” Be a strong Protestant - make an effort to study church history, and then you’ll understand.
God cannot use Catholics who boast they are strong. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Co 12:9).
Thank you for this. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for some of the old fathers that you mentioned so that I can check out some great ideas please!
I go to mass daily; I first look on my lord hanging on the cross; I feel how this holy and suffering servant gave his life for me; how he has saved me from death; I thank blessed Mary, the saints, my guardian angel then mass begins. When I go up for confession, I think of my path up to Jesus, my life going toward him with head bowed down and grateful to receive his sustaining body and life saving blood. I am small and worthless but am restful in his arms again.
So the standard amongst all Christians is something like John 2:10-15 or Romans 12:12 The read in three parts 1. The book reference - eg: Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Acts, Kings etc 2. The Chapter Number 3. The Verse Number So if I say Romans 12:12, I am making reference to the Book/Letter of St Paul to the Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 12, which reads "Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer" Sounds like you need a bible study program. Perhaps you can refer to these as a nice start to reading the bible stpaulcenter.com/studies-tools/journey-through-scripture/genesis-to-jesus/ ascensionpress.com/collections/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation God Bless!
My case. Uninformed cradle Catholic explored philosophy and other religions. Boomeranged back to become an informed and strong 💪 Catholic. No longer Blessed. He is St. John Cardinal Newman.
If I am born again, saved by faith alone why can't I now spend all my time in a Catholic Church? I am born again and saved right. So now that I am born again why is it ok for me to do NO works and spend all my time in a downtown Bar but not ok to do Good works and spend all my time in a downtown Catholic Church?
Protestant pastors are trying to raise doubts about the Gospel to young Catholics, but Christ is inspiring them to confess the genuine Apostolic faith.
It is really true what you are saying that weak Catholic become Protestant and strong Protestant become Catholic, having said that, only God knows are heart and if we believe in Jesus Christ or not. You probably know Jimmy Akin, I listen to him on EWTN and his knowledge of the scripture is astonishing, I could listen to him for hour and I have his book '' The Fathers Knows best'' about the early Church Father, a must read indeed for anyone interested about the History of Christianity. May I ask you, do you have a theological degree? Do you think it is possible to go to both the Protestant and Catholic Church?
Thank you for the comment friend! I know of jimmy akin and agree with you! I have that book and his book the drama of salvation. Definitely check it out. I do not have a formal theology degree, but am an avid student of it. To your last question, I do think it is possible to go attend Protestant and Catholic Services. But I would suggest that one be rooted in their faith to do so, so that they can differentiate the doctrine from what is true to not. Otherwise it is easy to slip into a width washy state on your beliefs. Arguments can be compelling when you focus on one side. God Bless my friend!
Firm Protestant here, well, until very recently...I am opening up (somewhat) to Catholicism and have found some good answers to some of my objections, but still no satisfactory answers to at least a couple of my hang-ups. For years I have been a frequent listener of Dr. James White (just to give you an example) among others. I'm struggling with this topic currently. (I should probably add that the catalyst for my recent curiosity and openness was discovering Dr. Ryan T. Anderson whose book on transgenderism was recently scrubbed from Amazon. He seems to be a rather bright fellow.)
While my own preference is not for protestant music, the preaching style is terrible. It always struck me as more bluster and rhetoric than any substance. And the priests I have heard have had more straightforward message logically moving step by step through their homilies with references from the Bible. The protestant sermons are either too feel good, saccharine, overly emotive, or very misleading theologically where they ignore the other parts of even that section of the book, who the letter is to or the context of the book, and the rest of the Bible
Protestant preachers will tell you that God loves you while priests with their homily reminds you to serve and love God and love your neighbor. Ask Jesus which is the best commandment.
I was born into a catholic family and christened as a baby and stayed catholic until about 3 years ago when I conducted a whole bunch of study about many religions and more importantly about religious beliefs of ancient early humans and psychology of beliefs. i concluded that supernatural beliefs were inevitable with a brain like ours that is pattern seeking agency detecting and i now realise there's no good evidence for the proposition that any gods exist or anything supernatural. These arguments are all fallacious. If you care about what you believe being true, you would wait until you have sufficient justification to warrant belief.
Hans Svineklev, if you have an encounter with the Almighty God, how can you not have a transforming experience. Also it has nothing to do about us and everything to do with God
Practical Theism mainly that catholic priest are highly educated in the faith (at least I think so, I’m not catholic) and they renounce the teachings of the church in favor of Protestantism? What do you think could be the common reason there? I would also like to say (at least in my experience) that I do find a lot of Protestants as you said who are educated/really into the faith do tend to go catholic (or in some cases orthodox). So I guess to close this out, if educated Protestants seem to come to Catholicism because they go deeper into history/ the faith...then what’s the factor for priest, who are educated and are entrenched in the catholic faith?
Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 where it explains “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why many of you are WEAK and SICK and some have even DIED.” Does that sound like normal bread to you? Be honest with yourself. All the early Christians and church fathers believed the Bread was the true Body of Christ. You think Jesus Christ's Apostle Peter's disciple got it wrong? About the bread being Jesus true body. Do you really think Jesus started Christianity and so soon into Christianity. Apostle Peter's own disciple started to teach error???? I think that would be a failure Jesus Christ would never stand for. He even promised the gates of hell will never prevail against my church. It seems more in line that Christians stayed true to what Christ taught until 1517 when Luther broke off. Yet still to this day his church still upholds his teachings perfectly. With over 1.5 billion catholic/orthdox Christians. If that is false then Jesus in a sense failed leaving us a Christian faith that was in line to his teachings until the year 1517. I don't believe he failed. Come back into the fold brothers and sister's Christs holy catholic apostolic church awaits you.
Ephesians5 23-25...even as Christ is the head of the church(not the pope):and he is the Saviour of the body(not the pope).Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ(not to the pope).CLEARLY...CLEARLY IT IS CHRIST CHURCH.IT IS A BODY OF BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS THAT MAKE UP CHRIST CHURCH.THERE IS NO OTHER CHURCH OF CHRIST BUT CHRIST CHURCH BUILD ON THE ROCK HIMSELF!! THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS NOT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST NEVER WAS AND NEVER WILL BE! PSALMS18:2...THE LORD IS MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS,AND MY DELIVERER;MY GOD,MY STRENGTH,IN WHOM I WILL TRUST(I DON'T TRUST IN NO MAN),..MY BUCKLER,AND THE HORN OF MY SALVATION,..AND MY HIGH TOWER.PSALMS 28:1..UNTO THEE WILL I CRY,OH LORD MY ROCK.1SAMUEL2:2..THERE IS NONE HOLY AS THE LORD:FOR THERE IS NONE BESIDE THEE: NEITHER..NEITHER..NEITHER..NEITHER IS THERE ANY..ANY..ANY..ANY ROCK LIKE OUR GOD.THIS ROCK IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS THE SAME ROCK IN MATTHEW16:18!! CHRIST IS THE ROCK ON WHOM HE BUILD HIS CHURCH.CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH.CHRIST IS ALSO THE SAVIOUR OF THE BODY(ALL BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS).HIS CHURCH IS SUBJECT UNTO CHRIST.THIS IS THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH!!
What a crock. Fact is, half my family is Catholic, and I have NEVER met a Catholic who expressed concern for my soul, who knew their Bible, who spoke publicly about their faith or made any attempt to share their faith, who understood basic doctrines of the Bible - like the Gospel!! But they will repeat this nonsense about the Eucharist being the literal body and blood of Christ - despite there being zero evidence to support this supposed miracle. Or Mary being the literal, per-existing mother of God, pray the rosary, light candles, and play the "Authority" card to attack others denominations. They, like this guy, push the Bible aside and appeal to the uninspired writing of "Church Fathers" instead. So they interpret how things should be based upon extra-biblical writings, rather than the Bible itself. It is like using a stick that is approximately 3 feet long, to determine whether a yardstick is 3 feet long. Simply put, NOTHING in ANY of my personal experience comports with the claims this guy is saying.
Pray for me as I am converting to Catholicism. My parents are strongly against it.
I will tonight!
Stay strong and keep your eyes on Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I too am a convert in the same situation. My parents have strong objections to the Catholic faith. Up until my confirmation this year at the Easter Vigil, I struggled with feelings of guilt, as if I were somehow betraying my parents and throwing everything they had taught me back in their face. Satan will do everything he can to try to convince you that you are making a mistake. Now that I am confirmed, I can say that I am at total peace with my decision and I know that I am in the path of grace. Stay fervent in prayer; God will give you the grace necessary to overcome any spiritual attack that blocks you from coming into the fullness of His Church. I will pray for you as well. :)
Welcome to the journey, welcome home...you are on your way, don't let anything stop you. Pray for your parents to understand...When you enter the church and receive the sacraments, your life is bound to change and your parents are bound to notice and then they might become more open to what is happening to you.
Joseph K, God Bless you.
stay strong brother/sister... The holy spirit will guide you. Pray.pray.pray will include you in my prayer and ur family.
I was a very strong, Scripture memorizing, Bible study champion Protestant....I just joined The Catholic Church this past Easter Vigil!
My husband and two of our four children also joined! Our two younger kiddos are being baptized soon!
I literally researched my way into the church. I was trying to prove Catholicism wrong... but right in front of me, in my very own Bible, was the Scriptural truth. I own a copy of The Faith of The Early Fathers (Vol. 1). It’s hard to argue with dudes that learned from The Apostles. I went kicking and screaming because I didn’t want to be Catholic. And now I am overwhelmed with the fullness of the faith. I was so excited to finally receive the Holy Eucharist. I LOVE being Catholic and I hope my testimony as I share it, will bring others to the fullness of the faith OR at the very least get more people to stop believing the myths about Catholicism.
Scott Hahn’s books, Tim Staples, Fulton Sheen... they helped me so much!!! Also all of the UA-camrs sharing videos like these on your channel - super helpful. I hope none of you stop because these videos are converting!!!
I LOVE this post. YOU are exactly my inspiration to make these videos. I would love to have a segment where I can interview people like you and why you moved into the Catholic Church on your journey.
SaltyTribeCo This is beautiful. Welcome home to you and all your family ❤️
SaltyTribeCo yeah...actually I only met Fulton Sheen in youtube 😅 thanks to those souls who shared it in youtube it really helps me a lot in my catholic faith... I hope I can have a book about the church farthers... I wanna know more about them..
Wonderful story
Wow! What a great story of conversion! Welcome home sister!
Mabuhay! Watching from the Philippines where there is a fast growing Protestant/ Evangelical presence. I am a revert. I am also a millenial (born in 1988). I was born Catholic but in college, attended "non-denominational" groups which lead me avoiding the mass. What brought me back to the Catholic Church are the lies Protestants make and their complete rejection of tradition.
Welcome!!!!! We have a similar journey experience. Welcome home brother!
In the Philippines, Protestant use the Spanish Inquisition and colonization of the Philippines to persuade Catholics to convert. I get mad when they troll pir Catholic festivals with posters bearing Bible verses twisted to accuse us of idolatry yet they also enjoy the benefit of the Philippines becoming a Hispanized Catholic nation in Asia.
lester andes sa college...dyan talaga aalugin pananampalataya mo esp. pag alam nila catholic ka...ako muntik na talaga ma convert sa evangelical.. buti nlng may mga kaibigan ako na devoted as a catholic at malaki tulong din ang prayer ng lola ko.. palagi sya nag rorosary she always included me in her prayers.. I believe it's one of the reason hindi ako na convert... ngayon wala na si lola pero dala2 ko ang mga tinuro nya sakin about sa simbahan.. lalo na ang pag rorosary which is very powerful if u pray it heartily..
@@ZackV2496 Katoliko parin Pilipinas walang magagawa mga Protestante dito.
Not to generalize but Catholics are poorly catechized including me. I used to attend mass as just an obligation or tradition of the majority here in the Philippines. Attended Catholic university but i could not remember what was taught in our theology subjects(i was there just to pass the subject) until i landed a job after graduation. At work i have protestant officemates who are always asking questions about catholics i couldn't answer. Instead of being persuaded, with God's grace I started searching for answers, thanks to the internet. I came across a testimony of a muslim convert to Christianity the late Dr. Nabeel Quoreshi(protestant). In his videos I did not hear him attack the catholic church instead he focused on how he finds and loves Jesus so I followed his story until I discovered conversion stories of Steve Ray, Scott Hann, Roy Schoeman, David and Rosalinda Moss etc. I viewed almost all the conversion stories on Journey Home. For almost a year, my view of the Catholic church became so clear that it is the fullness of the Christian faith. It deepen my faith and fully understand why we believe what we believe. My references are videos like this, catholic answers, debates and other online sources. I'm proud to be catholic and I defend my faith who ever comes to question it. As Catholics we must arm ourselves with deep knowledge of our faith. When time comes that it will be tested, we will not be shaken because the foundation is strong. With the grace of God the father the son and the holy spirit, we'll be able to defend our faith and the Holy Catholic church. We need more efforts to catechize our brothers and sisters in this part of the world. God bless!
Yep! My being a "weak Catholic" allowed to get into Protestantism when I as a teen. The the more I studied the bible and witnessed the state of Protestantism, after 25 years I came back to the Catholic Church for good.
Love this! Would love to hear more about your story!
Welcome home!
I was raised in a catholic house and became Protestant. I interested to know why did you switched back and why should I.
@@rnelson299 You could start with Dr. Scott Hahn's testimony and lectures. Especially in the Coming Network International youtube channel, watch debates and so on.
@@rnelson299 You should become Catholic because the Catholic Church has the Eucharist. It is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Jesus said “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you will have no life in you.” Protestants don’t have the Eucharist. I would never be anything but Catholic because of the Eucharist. It’s my reason for being.
I also was a very anti-Catholic Protestant, I ironically believed that Catholicism wasn't Christian but it was from the devil.
Nonetheless I really had a drive to find truth, and in my quest to find arguments to debunk Catholicism, I also listened to a lot of Catholic vs. Protestant debates.
I also listened a lot to Catholic apologists to see how to best engage Catholics.
Slowy and gradually I found my classic anti-Catholic arguments crumble away, I deferred investing time into reading the Catechism or church fathers (because I didn't want to read any book more than the bible).
Somewhere along the line I wasn't so sure about Catholicism being from satan, so I decided to be more neutral in engaging, always prefacing things like "I THINK the papacy is bad because of X,Y,Z, but I'm not certain I don't know enough".
Then from there I started realising that a lot of the arguments from Catholicism made sense, and in conjunction with this I started taking a critical look at the foundations of protestantism.
I always discarded arguments like Sola Scriptura isn't found in the bible, "Scriptura" doesn't define the canon etc.
But now when really critically looking at these "foundations", I noticed they just don't work, and align with the facts.
So I decided to start reading the church fathers and really trying to understand the Catholic claims.
Soon I found out the principle I later found perfectly described by Cardinal Fulton Sheen: "There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church - which is, of course, quite a different thing."
The more I learned about what actually was being taught the more I realised that a lot of these things made sense.
They didn't "need" to be true, but I couldn't dismiss them as I have been doing.
I started watching some converts Scot Hahn, Steven Ray, Keith Nestor and learned a lot from these.
I started to want to become Catholic, yet everything still conflicted (and still does for a little) with my protestant mindset.
One day the elders from my church were coming to my house because they wanted to talk to me.
Here I told them that I had my doubts with Sola Scriptura, and wished to investigate Catholicism.
This started a 4 hour discussion about them just repeating arguments against Mary like: Jesus had brothers,
Purgatory makes Christ work on the cross incomplete, and more arguments I already knew didn't hold ground.
I tried to remain neutral, but I defended that their claims didn't have to be true, they could be wrong.
Next day they gave me an ultimatum, I was to repent from investigating Catholicism "because I was being deceived by satan" and to reject the Catholic teachings.
I declined and was excommunicated because of this.
This atleast gave me plenty of time to think, but it was a very difficult time for me, the entire congregation to this day has blocked me and ignores me and my wife.
Fortunately my wife follows me where I go.
Then after watching a lot of debates and being cast around like waves of the sea because of so many intelligent people from all sides, I decided the only way I really KNOW, is to dive even deeper into the things myself.
Two books really helped me, Brand Pitre's: Jesus and the Jewish roots of the Eucharist, and his other book: The Jewish roots of Mary.
After I was fully convinced about the Eucharist being Jesus' actual body, and I intellectually understood the teaching about Mary.
I started searching for a Catholic parish nearby, and I'm not yet in full-communion (I will be), but I've since than started RCIA.
The more I learn about the faith, I notice that I'm really in love with it.
I keep finding that things I hated, are actually things that are really beautiful (the communion of saints for example).
I love that I have this gigantic heavenly family I can pray to.
I've left a lot of details out of this story since it would be to long, I'm still on my way.
But nonetheless I consider myself a Catholic, even when I'm not officially in full-communion; I am by heart.
God bless everyone!
God bless you on your journey my friend! Amazing story you have! Love it!
Welcome home! :)
Great story ☺️ welcome home!
I hope you did not become Novus Ordo because if you did you just jumped from one branch of Protestantism to another. Many such cases.
@@titusflaviusvespasian5923Or you yourself are a "protestant" , who is your pope?
Where is your valid priest?
Where are your valid sacraments?
This is so truth. I have friends who were prior protestants, who are now Catholic and my goodness they are on fire for the Lord. They love the Mass, Eucharist and realize how wrong they were on what they believed about the church. They dont understand how any Catholic can leave the Catholic church unless they are not strong in it or do not realize what they are doing.
So true!
Former Protestants that come to the catholic church are the best...they bring a great zeal with them that we need!
You just described me 😂😂
Well I’m not strong in the faith right now a convert as well it’s been hard!!
I’ve known former Catholics who became Protestants who said the same thing. Also, former Christians who became Muslims. Most converts are more zealous than those born into the religion. Nothing peculiar to the Catholic Church.
As a cradle Catholic these conversion testimonies humble me. So many beautiful people have chosen the faith of their own free will and had to fight to enter the Catholic Church into which I was born and raised. I was fortunate to be born Catholic -- but to those of you who entered the Church as adults I am amazed by you, humbled by your presence, and I thank God for you. You make our Church better. If you encounter resistance to conversion I suggest quoting John 17:21 where Jesus prays to the Father that all may be one and Ephesians 4:4-5 where St. Paul testifies to the existence of ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and father of all.
Amen!
This is me on my way to becoming a Catholic from Anglicanism. Grateful for your channel.
Here is a debate I did on the Papacy; it might help you.
ua-cam.com/video/auiLAv8BYpk/v-deo.html
I went the opposite way.
I'm a formerly Reformed zealous anti-Catholic converting to Catholicism. This was right on.
Could I ask you how you overcame the "Virgin Mary" issue? I understand the Catholic teachings are very clear about no worshipping Mary although some Catholics do in certain South American countries. A random comment I bumped into online said there's no differences between dulia and hyperdulia so he accused Catholics of worshipping Mary essentially. Could you or anyone else help me with this? Thanks!
@@NT-ih7ex that’s exactly what Calvin argued in his Institutes. He basically said Catholics made up these false categories and they didn’t really mean much since if it looks like worship, it IS worship. The problem with his view is that the Catholic and Reformed notion of what true worship is are very different. Catholics believe that inherent to worship is sacrifice and thus the re-presentation of Jesus sacrifice (not re-sacrifice) is a NECESSARY part of worship. The Protestants believe Jesus put an end to ALL sacrifice and because of that the mass is an abomination to many of them. So in this context latria, hyper-dulia, and dulia are much more stark categories since the glory due to God alone includes sacrifice. That’s it in a nutshell. Does that help?
@@NT-ih7ex sorry I just realized I didn’t answer your first question.
I really want to be Catholic but the church has been corrupted by demons. I've seen it with my own eyes
Here’s my story. I was raised in the Catholic Church. Was baptized and confirmed but never really understood the church. I thought it was quite boring and repetitive and this lead me to start venturing off into different Protestant churches. I spent time in Baptist, Methodist, church of Christ and Assembly of God churches. What drew me to those churches was the music and live atmosphere. In other words those churches were “fun”. During my exploration of all these different Protestant churches there were a few things that irritated me like no tomorrow.
1. The preachers seemed to make it a point to bash the Catholic Church during every sermon. They never bashed each other, it was always sly remarks and insults directed at the Catholic Church.
2. The way they spoke of the Blessed Mother shook me to the core. They spoke of her as if she was chosen randomly to birth our Lord and Savior. They spoke of her as she wasn’t special at all. Some even called her a whore! I could never accept this.
3. Lastly I just couldn’t understand why they didn’t believe the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ. I mean serious the Eucharist! What’s the point of any church service if you don’t receive the actual body and blood of Christ?
All these things slowly pushed me away from the Protestant church and it pushed me into studying up on the early church fathers. It was like the clouds opened up and a bright shining light was pointing to the answers in the texts. Christ built his church. His apostles carried on his legacy and passed it down generation to generation through tradition. The Catholic Church is the church Christ built and we as parishioners are part of the generations of people carrying on the traditions
Jesus will deal harshly with anyone who blasphemes His mother. Simeon told her that “her soul would be pierced with a sword so that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed.” People who dismiss, blaspheme, or treat with contempt Jesus mother are having their thoughts revealed and it won’t go well for them when they face Jesus at the moment of their death unless they repent. Jesus gave her to the world from the cross as our mother, and each generation is to call her blessed as she says in the Magnificat.
That was the perfect answer to the question I’ve been asking my boyfriend! I just never understood why he’d want to stop going to church and he’d respond that he just didn’t connect or feel connected to God in that place. He feels more connected in moments of silence, helping people, and in nature. What you said in your video makes so much sense! Keep up the awesome work! 👏
Thank you so much for the support! Where is he at now in his journey?
He’s still a non denominational Protestant. He’s got crucifixes hung up throughout his house, he’s very much against divorce (he believes there’s no such thing as getting one because once you’re married you’ve entered into an unity that cannot be broken until death due you part), he believes Mary is a virgin, he fundamentally believes that Christ died and rose from the dead for our sins. He’s got a really anti-Catholic grandma however who fell away from Catholicism due to the horrible treatment of her ‘Catholic’ family towards her and her sister. His father (her son) isn’t anti-Catholic but I feel like my boyfriend listens to his father as a legitimate means to know and understand Catholicism which is biased through his grandma. He also doesn’t really like talking about religion or politics. He says he mainly just likes to listen and hear people out. I’ve taken him to Mass with me twice but he didn’t really feel connected there. He said it was really weird that we were doing all this kneeling, sitting, and standing. That everyone wasn’t really welcoming or seemingly happy. We both agree that Jesus is in the Eucharist but he believes Jesus is in everything so like everything is a Eucharist to him. He stopped going to church about a year ago (except for the Masses I’ve invited him to) although I feel like he’s afraid of my home parish (he hasn’t visited yet) which I’d love for him to visit because so many of my friends there would love to meet him. He actually picked up crossing himself before he prays and such when he saw me do it, although now he doesn’t do it. He might’ve gotten scared out of doing it because one of my sister’s sister-in-laws decided to throw a panic attack that he wasn’t crossing himself before dinner. I did explain to him that she is mentally crazy and such (she’s gotten diagnosed with it). He’s at this point shied away from the enthusiasm he had towards Catholicism when we first started dating about 9 months ago. He doesn’t really understand the Pope too well and he’s questioned me on “How do you know Peter carried out Christ’s Church the way he wanted to? what if the church he established was not Jesus’s intent?” I quoted scripture beforehand and made sure he’s heard it before “Upon this rock I will build my church and he hands the keys to Peter” (I did forget to mention to him “and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it) he was asking why I was Catholic and such, that’s when we sorta fell off the hill a bit because it was a heated argument, I usually try to stay as calm and collected as possible and usually don’t talk about disagreements when I’m upset but I slipped. He’s also questioned me a few times on why we call priests father since it states in the Bible “Call no man Father except thy Heavenly Father” He’s confused on why priests and nuns are virgins since the Bible states “Let them be fruitful and multiply” He’s open to raising the kids Catholic and to getting married in the church, however his grandma won’t step one foot back into a Catholic Church so he doesn’t really want to get married in the Catholic Church due to that. That’s where he is on his journey or at least that’s how much of his journey I know about. Although I’ve gotta say through his actions towards others and the love for them, he is very authentically Christian, he’s literally like a living saint. He does crack open the Bible, although not everyday. He’s a beautiful soul following the path he knows best to live. Constantly striving to be the best version of himself each and everyday.
Thank you so much for sharing all of this. Boy do I empathize. He is in a place of questioning, so he needs answers. And I imagine he is seeking for the deeper understanding and needs more meat in the church teaching. A lot of the objections you mentioned are common and have been answered quite a bit. The challenge is always understanding how things make sense to him and sharing in that way. It’s easy to get frustrated but remember, you will be refined by his journey just as much as he will be by yours. Iron sharpens iron. You both are on a quest for truth and truth is truth is truth. It won’t change. So rest in that. His questions will challenge you and depend your faith.
I have a video coming out on the call no man father question for example. And will be doing on on the pope as well. So stay tuned. Check out catholic answers as well as they have a lot of material there. And take this as an opportunity for you to beef up your apologetics engine!
Stay in touch on this channel too. Praying for you both that this journey strengthens you 😊
Aww thank you so much! Oh yes totally! I’ve actually started watching Catholic Answers a lot more often! I’ve watched their entire playlist on Protestantism! Although I find your videos really speak to my heart at least in this area and you really know how to empathize with both sides of the fence! I’m so thankful I found your channel! I was seriously praying there’d be a Catholic channel that could really help build my understanding of my boyfriend’s journey a lot better! You’re seriously such a blessing to me! I’m totally looking forward to those future videos! Keep up the awesome work! 😆👏
So happy I can be apart of your journey! :) stay in touch and keep up the conversation God bless my friend!
Amazing video. Came to the same conclusion as well. Please pray for the reversion of my sister back to the faith.
I will pray today!
You really hit the nail on the head! My journey followed that exact same pattern. And I love that you addressed the generational issue! I'm also a millennial near the gen x cusp!
Thanks so much for the support! God bless!
My heart is overwhelmed with joy everytime I hear somebody convert to Catholicism. Welcome home brother at last you you find your way home.
there's two leaving for every one duped
As a classically trained "former" musician and a protestant who'd been to different Protestant churches, it's the Eucharist, the liturgy and Gregorian chants in a Latin mass that brought me to Catholicism. Contemporary Christian music never did much for me while Gregorian chants make me feel like I'm truly worshipping God, they don't make me feel emotional rather they make feel joy in the core of my heart. Reading about the church fathers made me want to dig deeper to understand the history as well.
Yeah just like Scott Hahn,Steve Ray and Kreeft... my first apologetic book is from Alan Shreck "catholic and christian:an explanationof commonly misunderstoodcatholic beliefs" . This really helps me... planning to buy books from Scott also
So many good ones!
I have been on my journey from being a lifelong, devout Protestant to a Roman Catholic. Those are words I at one time never thought I would say. My best friend is Catholic and helped me a great deal in coming home. I could believe the Real Presence, justification through baptism, penance, and so on by actually reading the words of Christ and His apostles. What brought me all the way in was a simple question: where did the Bible come from and who wrote it? Who decided what books went into it? If Scripture alone is all we need, how could the early Church have members if the canon wasn’t then determined? Reading the NT and the Church Fathers made me see that they were Catholic, and if the apostles and fathers were Catholic, then that is the true Church. That’s what sold it for me. I have yet to tell my family and several strongly Protestant friends of this conversion-pray for me to break this news as I enter the Church founded by our Lord.
I will pray for you brother!
As a cradle Filipino Catholic I learned Catholic Theology NOT from Catholic school. But from Catholic UA-camrs.
Haha likewise. School needs to up the game
Me too ❤
I am a weak Catholic, but I will never change my religion.
Great video! As someone who is just trying to find their way, I'm definitely subbing!
Thank you for the support my friend! God Bless you on your journey.
Mabuhay ang roman catholic church!!!!!!
my agnostic views led me all the way back to Judaism. but I think I'll be making a visit to the Catholic Church nearby. thanks from northwest Iowa 😊
That is such a fascinating journey! God bless you on it. I know you will have an awesome story to tell :)
@@PracticalTheism actually what drew me the most to judaism and then catholicism is the prayer. As a protestant prayer is different in every church (and I attended at least four different congregations growing up - it gets very confusing). also I'm falling in love with your conception of Mary. It was a lack of love from my earthly mother that partly drove me to a short period of agnosticism. But I can find a love in Mary that I don't have on earth. And I cherish it.
@@malloryanderson9098 You should see the Jewish root of Mary by Brant Pitre
Judaism worshipped baal
A key point about the "Evangelical Exodus" book: that school teaches Aquinas, in addition to scripture. Professors argue that Aquinas would have been Protestant were he born in a different century (which is bologna). Yet several students converted after graduation :)
Thank you for the addition!!
The early church fathers got me too brotha haha.
Haha they have a tendency to do that 🤣
Proof of the graces they received from God and the Truth that Christ did establish the Church which they loved and whose teachings they were willing to die for.
@My name is August West
Clement of Rome.
Ignatius of Antioch.
Polycarp of Smyrna.
Papias of Hierapolis.
Justin Martyr.
Irenaeus of Lyons.
Clement of Alexandria.
Origen of Alexandria.
Bro Mellow, Just keep on SEEKING THE TRUTH and you WILL ENJOY SATISFACTION WITH THE GRACE OF THE LORD. GOD BLESS.
Finally, the algorithm found me a great new channel!
Thanks friend!
Me too. Glad this popped up.
Please keep posting this type of information. Thank you
of course!
Please pray for my sister and her family to come home to the catholic church. My sister she raised as a catholic and became protestant when she married her protestant husband.
I found a prayer intitled Prayer for fallen sheep and against a fall in faith. Search this online, i pray this for my relatives who converted.
Please can you pray for me im so confused. Dont know where im going whit my conversion to catholicisme. I feel so Much alone and in a spritual war.
I certainly will. What are you finding to be the biggest point of confusion?
for too much reason ...
on the one hand the catholic church attracts me and I cannot be clear on why. if this is the reason it is valid. on the other hand she really rejects me as spiritually her rejects me a religious spirit I believe or any kind of spirit that I feel in this church and that I do not understand. my heart no longer knows. I can’t follow my heart éther my mind. I am moving away from all my Protestant brother and sister and feel alone. I'm alone too much alone and I'm scared. It is a theological war and a war of the soul.
You know its realy not the same spirit in this church and sometime à think its à trap... i just Need to make a décision and go Whit confidence..
Jonathan Maranatha Hi. I don’t want to scare you, but you’re undergoing a spiritual attack. The devil does not want you to enter into Truth bc God has great plans for you in the Catholic faith. Pray this binding prayer: “Spirit of confusion, doubt, and distrust,, I bind you in the name of Jesus.” Then pray to Jesus...that you will be led to follow God’s will. Demons can influence our feelings and emotions in ways to help steer our decisions a certain way. Prayer is key. Check out “Spiritual Theology by Fr. Ripperger.” I’ll be praying for you in your faith journey. Always keep your eyes on God! Submit to His will freely and fully, and everything else becomes not so weighty or important.
Don’t do it. Please, read Scripture and you will know the truth.
Story time: my conversion came from the basic structure/visibility of the church. John 17:23 tells us the unity would be a sign to the unbelieving world! The structure lived out by the early church, and the UNANIMOUS consent of the fathers to the structure , and papal supremacy is what hammered me down.
Sadly, I have a friend who was once catholic and she began Protestant because she thought God told her he wasn’t pleased with anything Catholics did but was pleased with Protestants 😞 she’s somewhat mad I’m converting to the other side
Yeah. Unfortunately the subjective bias of others can impede the truth of God in the believers life. That is why I think we as Catholics need to get better at precision clarity on how we communicate things
Stay strong I about to Sunday evening mass here in Ireland and I will pray for u
I agree. Working with a priest now on my conversion. After decades of loving Jesus’s teachings, Old Testament and New, one day, I felt nothing in the Protestant church. I never did feel much to begin with, but something was repelling me. I looked around and said to myself “god is not here”. I was actually overwhelmed with a feeling that it was disrespectful/fake/false and I had to leave. So I searched for a relationship with god first and knew he was true, I knew the scriptures were true, but where is the church. I visited numerous churches and landed in a Catholic Church. I stayed for 3 hours praying without words. Just spending time with god. I didn’t want to leave. I sat through mass and realized this is where he wanted me to be.
Beautiful
I’ve found the opposite to be true. Those Protestant or non-denominational Christians that became catholic were the most Biblically illiterate. Those Catholics who came to Biblical Christianity did so after starting to take a deep dive into scripture. This is probably because as they learned the truth in scripture, they realized the earliest Christians were not what is often referred to as “church fathers”, but were those 1st century Christians in the Bible itself. And because those earliest Christians didn’t affirm many of the doctrines they’ve been told by their RC church, they’ve had to come to the full truth of the gospel.
One thing I’ve found interesting and a testimony to the virtue of Catholic baptism of infants, is that so many of the conversion stories I’ve heard have been of lapsed Catholics or individuals like yourself who seek God in various other congregations, who were baptized Catholic but when they pursue truth they end up back home in Mother Church. I really believe it’s so often part of one’s journey, that they stray, but that indelible mark pulls them back to Catholicism. So powerful!
We catholic even have praise and worship 🛐 group they sing amazing song praise Lord we catholics read lots of bible love from india 🇮🇳 ✌️
This is so interesting to me because in my experience I've seen so many protestants really dig into scripture and biblical studies, and really wrestle with how to live out Christ in every part of their lives. Whereas (I grew up Catholic though granted my parents were nominal so that affected my experience) I've seen so many Catholics who don't know scripture and care more about rituals and saints and the Pope than they do about knowing who God is. And for whom God's place in their life is limited to church on Sundays. As long as they go to mass and do communion/confession every once in a while or a rosary here and there they're good. My experience as a born again Christian is so drastically different from what I experienced in the Catholic church, and when I first found God I didn't think it was possible (or at least easy) to truly know him in Catholicism. It all felt like a bunch of emphasis on extra-biblical things that take the focus off of Jesus like the rosary and the veneration of the saints. Of course I didn't know God! I was always told to pray to Mary or Saint so and so! I feel like protestantism doesn't put up obstacles to knowing God, it's pure gospel. And finding Jesus is the point - it's totally changed my life!
Now that I've grown in my faith I find myself curious about the Catholic church mostly because it's the tradition of my culture, and because I've come to believe that no one denomination gets it perfect. You can find true followers of Jesus in all sects of Christianity. Humans are sinful and we can so easily miss the mark even when we think we're being righteous. I have to say I hate this idea that I'm noticing that the "true church" is exclusive to the RCC. I mean, you can't tell me that the Catholic church has always got it right what with the periods of Catholic history marked by greed/power plays/adoption and "christianization" of pagan worship... This idea that the Catholic church is exactly what Jesus established and is the only church who has the keys from God is ridiculous to me and tantamount to the Pharisees who thought that because they were given the law/temple their interpretations and methods were all correct; and that their loyalty to the temple and adherence to man made traditions (added by their rabbis and theologians through centuries) made them right in the eyes of God. Yet Jesus came and pointed out their hypocrisy and self-righteousness and their love of religion/church over God and people. Who's to say the RCC's corruption didn't prompt God to use Martin Luther to get things back on track? And it's a lot of evangelical missionaries who have really gone above and beyond in spreading the gospel to the nations in this last century. Maybe that movement was necessary for God's ultimate aim to go and make disciples. I think it's absolutely essential to claim Jesus as the ONLY way, truth, and life, but to claim a specific church institution as the only way, truth, and life gets dicey. What about the Greek Orthodox or the Koptics? Are they traitors like Martin Luther too? But I digress. I didn't mean to go off on a tangent! I actually wanted to ask if you know good resources where I can read more (honest) discussions between protestants and catholics on theological differences. I do want to know, for example, why in the Catholic church we're baptized as babies, why Mary is so prominent, etc...
I actually really love and appreciate this comment! Thank you for your thoughts they truly are invaluable. So much to talk about. :) but to answer your primary question, one of my favorite resources is the Called to Communion website. The authors of most of the content are converts to Catholicism from evangelical traditions so they REALLY know both sides and they really bring the intellectual side into play. As interesting as the articles are, the comments is where the discussion really gets good. Catholics and non Catholics in charitable dialogue. I would seek there first. :)
Your post was so interesting, I can imagine it would be amazing to have a coffee with you to discuss those different point of view. It is true that the Catholic made a lof of mistake in the past, John Paul II made apologies for that, I think you are looking for the truth just like me, remember that the most important thing is to believe in Jesus Christ whatever we are Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox. May God Bless You my sister in Christ and keep the Faith until the end.
Moins
you don't understand, really: to belong to the Church of the Lord is the decisive fact in one's spiritual life, unless you don't want to take the Lord seriously... protestant typically like to pretend they pay lots of attention to Scripture in order to prove to themselves and to the world that they are in the right, not because they want to learn better the Word of God - that is made apparent by the fact that they keep on sustaining the totally unbiblical doctrines of the 'reformation', and retend as a result of their blindness that authentic Christianity only began 500 years is ago - yes, not entirely here nor there, but a little bit through the different denominations... also, it seems you mistake doctrine with theology - that are lots of things in catholic theology that can be improved and correct, while the dogmatic foundations of the faith remain the same - doctrines are essential, direct expressions of God's revelation, while theology derives from human meditation about that revelation...
Strong Catholics practice traditional Catholicism and become saints.
What about the Novus Ordo?
I've always heard it "poorly catechized Catholics become Protestants and well catechized Protestants become Catholic"
I am a Catholic from Philippines. Through my faith was tested to many difficult trials, still my faith still keeping strong and firm.😁🥰
Has anyone else figured out that the Catholic 10 commandments are different from the protestant 10 commandments? Especially the 2nd commandment. The Catholic church has removed it. And split the 10th into 2 separate commandments... lmk what you think.
For me, that is the key to determine what is false doctrine.
Hi! Loved your video. Thank you.
I'm reading more into my faith and beliefs and, that book you mentioned, would you be able to add a link or just the full title of the book so I can make sure to find the right one?
Beautifully, reasonable, sincerely said. Welcome to the ancient faith.
I don't mean to post 2 comments in a row but I have another point. I've seen many past-Protestants (including myself) wanting to go back to the pre-1955 celebration of Mass, where most cradle Catholics are happy with where the Church is at in this post-post-Vatican II version of the Church. We go harder and question if the current celebration is as authentic as the old, and I for one, see that we were WAY more reverent to the Eucharist back in the day. We all fasted the whole day till we could eat the Eucharist, we always had both the Body AND Blood of Christ, and we've taken out so many practices to make Mass more secular. Holy week was much more important pre-Vatican II, whereas nowadays, we only really care about the Triduum.
I ended up with questions with this reply. When did you convert? Do you know that you can still fast from midnight if you choose? What do you mean "we fasted the whole day..." ? The last Mass was at noon. There were no evening Masses or Saturday evening ones either. Most parishes only had the Eucharist. The Chalice was only for the priest. Post VII is when the chalice was offered to us. Where do you get the idea that "most cradle Catholics" were happy with the Church pre 1955? Have you researched with the remaining elders who recall the good and the bad about the Church in those days.? Nothing was or is perfect, and the good old days are right now with Jesus: he is with us in the present at every Mass, the devotions, Rosary, adoration, and any of the beautiful ways we have to listen to Him. No worries: the Mass in Latin and in English is authentic according to the Magisterium.
@@Lucylou7070 I converted 12 years ago at 20 years of age. I suppose I can never know enough about things that happened before I was born, let alone 1000s of years. You know, I truly don't know what I know anymore. I have a great feeling of reverence to the Eucharist lost but understand I may be wrong about much of my previous understanding. I believe at some point Catholics would fast from midnight until they receive the Eucharist and another hour or so after that. Nowadays, we have a majority handling the Eucharist rather than put directly on tongue, almost no one kneels, almost no one's in a state of grace (but who am I to judge), and everyone's afraid of catching covid from everyone and won't sing in Mass and priests where masks and face-shields. None of this seems right and I was blown away at the beauty of the old rite as well as maybe believed some hype from old Vatican activists, so I went hard with we need to go back to our old ways!
@@gregmoldovan5921 Ok - keep learning and growing in faith - that's who we are and what we are on - a journey/pilgrimage. Peace.
I really appreciate your video on this topic. I was that protestant until I became Orthodox. My family knows that we can have discussions on anything but they don't get far with me. For instance, I have a friend that firmly believes that he doesn't have to study the material of our most Sacred Theology solely because he knows that "he's already saved"........yeah. but, whenever I try to have discussion with him he doesn't want to have honest dialogue. Its unfortunate.
Yeah that is tough. But there in lies the problem of that kind of theology I think. One area to press on might be challenging him to deepen his relationship with Christ. And sharing that you don’t just want this spontaneous friendship but you desire true intimacy with Him. In the same way that Christ needed to become incarnate, that is fully participating in our human nature, so to we should desire to know the truth so intimately that it dives us into the deep side of the pool which is full of a much richer relationship with Christ than just being saved. Perhaps something of that tone might resonate with him.
@@PracticalTheism yeah.... i see what your saying, I'm just trying to find the words that could resonate with him in a manner that he could actually hear. He's part if that "sowing your seed then reaping the harvest" financial stuff. I would have to learn more about that so that I can find certain terms that he can relate to, while at the same time making sure that my meanings don't get convoluted.
@@PracticalTheism also, if you haven't yet. There's another branch of protestantism that I think you might want to take a look at. I forget the name of the branch but. The guy your looking for is chuck Pearce. Hes dangerous in his teaching. I have another friend in that branch and I am having to learn more about them so that one day I would have to talk with my friend about their interpretation etc.... anyway, thank you for the videos.
Thanks. I’ll have to check him out. Many of the secs of Protestantism I encounter just different in terms of biblical interpretation so my first step is to simply challenge that presupposition.
Wow, great!💞
As a Roman Catholic, I recognize all the 5 rites of the Catholic church as true church.
And I hope you also recognize us Latin Catholic.
❤️⛪✝️⛪❤️
I am a weak catholic almost converted to Protestantism after studying the scripture more and listening to great preaching and sermons of Evangelical Christians. They brought me back to God. However I stumble upon some of Catholic VS Protestant debates and their doctrines and got me confuse back again. Particularly those of Trent Horn, Steve Ray and other great Catholic apologetics stands their grounds well. I might be already on the true church I am planning to leave. Can you recommend any great catholic books?
It’s so tough when you can see both sides, but there is beauty in that too. What I found was the catholic understanding painted a bigger picture. I would recommend Trent horns case for Catholicism, check out brant pitres Jewish Roots series of books as well. Scott hahns Rome sweet home is a good testimony as well. I think it also depends on how theologically deep you want to go
Christ be with you
what are you struggling with in particular?
God bless you
This is great! Really enjoying your work. Loved listening to your 3 part conversion/reversion testimony on your Podcast too - very interesting story. Now I need to hear Amber’s. Hope it’s in the pipeline.
Thank you! I am sure she will open up to doing a video sooner rather than later. :)
Hi! Thank you so much for this video! As a Non-Catholic Christian I’ve tried for some time now to find out what does the Catholic Church doesn’t like about Protestantism. What do we, in your opinion, believe or do that is wrong and against the teachings of the Bible? Could you please answer my question because I would really love to know :)
Hey lady! Great thoughts. I would say first off, there is so much that the Catholic Church and Protestantism have in common. Our love for God and Christ, our love for the Scriptures, our faith in Christ and hope found in Christ.
I think, at least from where I am sitting, that it’s more along the lines of what Catholic Christians hope for with our Protestant brothers. I would see it as there is a fullness of the faith vs some beliefs that are more limiting in nature. The biggest ones for example just to point 2 out are the faith alone teaching and the scripture alone teaching. We don’t see those supported in scripture and there is a deeper understanding that we can have outside of those more limiting beliefs. We see salvation by faith or justification by faith represented in scripture but never faith alone. We see scripture as useful for man but never scripture alone or scripture that tells us what is and isn’t scripture, found inside scripture. :) what would you say is your understanding of the division here?
I think you’re right. The things you mentioned probably are the main reason for the division. And I’m sorry in advance for this very long comment 😬😂
1. The “Faith Alone” issue
Actually the Bible talks A LOT about this. It’s even in the most famous Christian verse - John 3:16 “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”. Not “whoever believes and does good works “. I saw a lot of Catholics go to James chapter 2 and say that Protestants just ignore the passage that’s saying that faith alone is useless. But we don’t ignore it. Moreover, we agree with it. The works are the demonstration and proof of faith (James 2:18). Faith without works is useless (James 2:20) and dead (James 2:17), in other words it’s not true faith at all. Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith will never be alone. Also in 2 Corinthians 5:17 it says “therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”. Being a believer automatically means we are going to change. If someone truly believes and has the Holy Spirit, he will hate sin and love the good.
There are a lot of other verses that talk about being saved only by faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, nor a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
So what we mean when we say “faith alone” is: “Only to God be the Glory. There’s nothing I can do, not one single thing that will be good enough to get me into Heaven. But by God’s grace and thanks to His love I can be saved, though I don’t deserve it.” And in no way this justifies wrongdoing. Nobody ever says it’s okay to do bad things because we’re saved anyways.
Another verse I love is in Galatian 2:21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose”.
And some more verses that talk about this topic:
Acts 16:31
Romans 3:28, 4:2-5, 5:1
Galatians 2:16, 3:24
Philippians 3:9
2. The “Sola Scriptura” issue
Another thing you mentioned was that the Bible isn’t the only source of knowledge about God and there are other scriptures that we can learn from (I think you mentioned some scriptures by the early church fathers..?). And I totally agree that there are a lot of very informative books besides the Bible that help us to understand God and His Word better. But they are never equal to the Bible. And they must never contradict the Bible.
In Deuteronomy 4:12 and 12:32 and in Revelation 22:18-19 we read that we must not add to or take anything from this book. The same thing in Proverbs 30:5-6. The Bible is God’s Word. It is Holy and wholesome. It contains everything we need. And nothing of what it contains may be skipped.
One of the most interesting passages for me is Mark 7:1-13.
It tells the story of some Pharisees coming to Jesus and saying something like ‘hey, why do your disciples eat with their hands without washing them first.” (Because eating only with clean hands was a tradition to them). And Jesus tells them that, while this is a tradition among the Jews, it is NOT one of God’s commandments and it is bad to consider it sin because it is not sin in the eyes of God.
And I think this is such a good example. Because hygiene is a really good thing, but we can’t say it’s a God given commandment.
This is something I see a lot in the Catholic Church: confessing to a priest, having to go to church every Sunday, the fact that the priests are not allowed to get married... these are all not bad things. But we can’t just say “if you don’t do this you sin” because nowhere in the Bible God says these things.
In addition to these 2 issues there are some other things in the Catholic Church we generally disagree with, one of the things is the way Catholics see Mary and other saints. There’s a lot to talk about but I’ll try to keep it short.
- having statues / images for “good luck” (I’ve seen this a lot among my Catholic friends) is idolatry-> Exodus 20:4-6 + 1 John 5:21
- Calling Mary the “queen of heaven”. This phrase has been used only twice, both times in Jeremiah to describe a pagan goddess - Ishtar. The Bible only talks about a King of Heaven and that is God. There’s no queen.
- Calling Mary “mother of God”. God has no beginning. He does not have a mother (or a father). Earthly Jesus had a birthmother. But: “Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equally with God (...)” Philippians 2:5-8
- Saying “we worship God through His creation (Mary)” -> Romans 1:25
- The prayer “Hail Holy Queen”. Calling anyone else but Jesus “our life, our sweetness, our hope” is idolatry.
- Rosary and prayer beads are not only pagan tradition, but the Bible says repetitive prayer is bad -> Matthew 6:7
- Purgatory is not only not found in the Bible, but it contradicts it. Saying that you get another chance after you die teaches that you are saved through your works and makes the death of Christ unimportant. (Galatians 2:21)
And just to clarify, we don’t hate Mary. We respect her for who she was- an amazing woman, obedient to the Lord. But, as the Bible teaches, she also was a sinner and needed a Savior - Jesus.
And finally I want to say that I understand Catholic people. There is a lot of deception in the Protestant Church. A lot of churches have become very modern, saying homosexuality, abortion and other things are all right because “God loves everybody”. They play loud Christian pop in a dark room and focus mainly on emotions and the feeling good. But I don’t believe this is true Christianity, and definitely not all Protestant churches are like that. I myself don’t like calling myself Protestant. I’m just a Bible believing follower of Christ.
In the end I just wanted to say that one of my best friends is catholic and I see her love and desire for Christ. We pray together, we worship together, we read the Bible together. We have a lot (the most important things) in common, but the differences are also very big and can’t be ignored.
@@Emma-hd9et, no, we don't worship our Lord's Mother, we rather venerate her because according to Jesus s words from the cross (he theologically trascendentalize every word of His) he really gave her to us. He didn't say "John, there she is your mother" ; but He called him "Son". Being Jesus the new Adan and Our Lady the new Eve, those words from the cross itself before going to the Father, is clear He wanted to be a spiritual mother for us, who should also take her home/heart. Also she is "full of grace". Did you really meditate what that only phrase mean? That's having no empty space for sin, my sister. The only one having that same title is Our Lord. But Mary is not only prefigured by Eve as mother of human race. If Jesus is the new Salomon, our Lady is her Queen, for in Hebrew monarchy the queen is not the king's spouse, but his mother (queen mother). This prefigurations & others matched perfectly with her. Please check this out
ua-cam.com/video/q30KY-avLxw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/TIXYQMpwb6o/v-deo.html
I subtitled into Spanish some of Dr Hahn's lectures. There you have his lecture about our mother Mary explained both for far-away catholics and protestants. Hope you'll find it helpful. There's also his great intellectual testimony, which pass through the natural theological fall of "sola fide" & "sola scriptura". We shouldn't interpret verses in isolation so to speak, but in full scriptural context. In Spanish we have a great apostle for those latin Americans who profess protestantism, Padre Luis Toro. He debunks biblically every aspect of difference beetween us. We also enjoy apologetics from another theologian converse, Fernando Casanova. But apart from Scott Hahn who I subtitled I don't know who else do this necessary apostolate, but he should be enough. I would also get some if the books referred above if you really wanna discuss & get full spectrum so that you can contrast with full perspective. Enjoy your homeworks! ;)
@@Emma-hd9et Nice explanation. The faith alone issue is one that is so hard to talk about because it's so subtle. My meager hypothesis is that the real problem is our definitions of faith. If faith without works isn't true faith as you say, then real faith must contain works, right? Wouldn't salvation then include works? I always thought Paul was coming from the direction of, "The works don't mean anything without faith, unlike Judaism, the law I've spent my whole life following!" Plus in John 3:15, the verb about salvation is originally in a progressive tense, implying more than just a moment's profession of faith, but a constant turning towards God.
Catholics do believe in grace alone. All good comes from God alone and salvation is not possible through our own doing. I would suggest reading documents from the Council of Trent and the rest of that time period for more on that.
As for the Mother of God thing, I suggest looking up Nestorius from the early centuries of the Church. He argued this as well. Basically, the result of that Council was that to say Mary is not the Mother of God implies that there's a split between Jesus the Man and the Son of God, which causes all kinds of issues for the rest of the Christian Gospel. It's pretty interesting reading.
A Girl James 2:24 “we are saved by works and not by faith alone” that is the only place faith alone is mentioned in scripture
TRADITION HAS TO AGREE WITH THE HOLY SCRIPTURES NEVER ABOVE THEM.
This is by far the best passive method of converting to the truth! You're not directly debating anyone but I can see a lot of mislead Protestants taking in your words. Usually they don't take in words, they just try to bat them away as fast as they can. They're predisposed to debunking Catholic ideas!
@@Mr-pn2eh This won't prove to you, but it will prove to many, just how important the Catholic Church is for interpretation. Yes in the beginning was the Word and you can see many wrote down into the Bible what the word told them. But you should know the Bible is a hard read and has many different translations and interpretations from literal to allegory. Many parts are written with both in mind, they make sense allegorically and literally. How can you say you have the best interpretation? Because you're reading it from the Spirit? No, you only think you do, just like how thousands, nay millions, of others ALSO think they're reading it through the Holy Spirit and understanding that way, when most of us are really using our human understanding and fooling ourselves, hence 10,000 denominations.
Of course, this alone shouldn't prove the Catholic faith to anyone. I would challenge you to pick up the Catecism, read it, and try and dispute it. You think it's not entirely founded from Scripture, nor our Catholic mass, but they all are. Even more inspired than anything you see at Protestant church, and I've been to many. You simply believe the Catholic Church is wrong and unfounded, and so you base all your beliefs and even Biblical readings on that mistaken fact.
@@Mr-pn2eh No mocking. However to point out, there are thousands of interpretations, hence the Catholic Church (I'll briefly talk about transubstantiation later). Many (most?) Christians have not read at least the whole Bible and many still haven't read most, especially in context with the whole book. By reading it, you're definitely on the right path rather than the wrong one. Many people have strong conversion stories which cement them in their original conversion belief, just take care to not mix that up with absolute truth of the Holy Spirit. I have had many "aha!" moments or "wow I had this all wrong" moments, just to then challenge someone with them and realize they didn't hold their salt. I could've sworn it was a manifestation by the Holy Spirit on my end, but it wasn't. Instead, that moment of humility of being wrong turned into the Holy Spirit moment. Now, I wary of thinking if a new thought or revelation is divinely inspired. Whenever you consider what you know isn't based on your findings but that the Holy Spirit led you, be careful because that will be where you harden your heart and won't consider any other truth if it contradicts your beliefs.
Transubstantiation has to do with Jesus countlessly (not countless) telling us to consume his flesh and his blood. As with most things, there are 2 ways to interpret this: allegorically or literally. In John 6, after the feeding of the multitude, almost ALL Jesus' disciples leave him, saying "this is a hard teaching, who can follow it?" When Jesus turned to his disciples, he didn't rephrase or tell them it was just an allegory. He asked them if they too will leave. Does that sound like alchemy or scripture? Jesus has us do literally things in our physical lives that mirror what is happening in the spiritual/heavenly side. So by taking the Communion physically, communing with Jesus happens spiritually. Both happen at same time; our senses are used in conjunction with prayer. Furthermore, we believe his spirit resides in the bread and wine during Holy Communion, which is again why you cannot partake if you don't believe or if you're in a state of mortal sin, as you're accepting Jesus' spirit into your heart knowing that you're unclean. Of course, in a way, we're all unclean, but if you mortally sinned sexually, thievously, hatefully, etc you cannot except Jesus by Communion unless you confess your sins to God (there's more but no time or space).
If you want to leave it there, as you said, do so. No mocking, I hate it!
SOLA SCRIPTURA, GRACE ALONE.,FAITH ALONE,SALVATION ALONE.
All unbiblical
Beautifully explained,ur are motivational
Thank you friend! All glory to God!God bless!
I was raised Protestant and am enrolled in RCIA. I can't wait to be confirmed and receive my first Eucharist.
Bro you should not have joined a catholic Church. We all go through periods of doubt but how can you reconcile and surrender what John hus, Martin Luther, tyndale, and all our martyrs died for? How can you believe in the assumption of Mary, how can you call her mother of God how can you believe in the infallibility of the pope, do you discount the inquisition?
I didn't leave mother church. She left me when she charged 400.00 for my son to make his 1sr Communion.
As Cardinal Newman says: to be deep in history, is to cease to become a protestant.
Beautiful video 👏🏻💯
you couldn't be more on point! good work!
Protestantism, specifically Pentecostal/non-denominational 'megachurchism' can be a great gateway to theism in general. Not everyone can be so taken straight away by Thomistic theology, Patristic writings and the traditional latin mass. But contemporary Christian music and cool hip skinny jean pastors tend to be more appealing to at least introduce them to what C.S. Lewis calls 'Meer Christianty'.
Once they're in the hallway of Christianity, they can ditch the shallowness of mega-church protestantism and pursue the fullness of truth in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
This more or less is my testimony in a nutshell. Pray for me and all other Catechumens that covid19 blows over soon so that we may receive our sacraments of initiation this year.
St. Francis de Sales, Pray For Us ✝️🇻🇦🕊
I actually don’t disagree in the slightest. I think the challenge though is the temporal allure that the mega church has. It is very social very tailored to the contemporary feel and feels good and for many many people they feel it is enough. I find that a tough thing to overcome.
@@PracticalTheism you're very right, I can't say I disagree with your reply. I've witnessed it first hand - I've lived it.
Or, they can become a Seventh-day Adventism and ditch the Catholic Church (Mother Harlot) and Protestant Daughters (Harlot Daughters) altogether. BOTH are false.
hey hi everyone !! i was a Catholic till 1981 ---then Pentecostal--Brethren----2000 Catholic 20 years strong
I am a protestant. I want to study the early church history. Can you/anyone suggest any books???
Yes! “Eusebius: Church History” and “The Fathers Know Best” are great books to start with! Eusebius is an early Christian, and the latter title talks about the early church collectively. God bless!
As a Catholic I'd appreciate it if you did a video on reasons Catholics leave the faith for protestantism. I'm not going anywhere, but I've had to help some of my fellow catholic relatives remain. One of the main reasons is obviously the abuse crisis, and I've had to remind them that those are men and it goes against church teaching. I've noticed that protestant churches have more community and outreach with things like celebrate recovery. People looking for community and trying to conquer the same demons. I don't get that same sense of community from my catholic church. Also, I've noticed a lot of bad blood between parishoners that would be readily addressed and fixed in an evangelical church because "everyone is a priest", and if the priest in the catholic church acts like it's not his problem then the parishioners are forced to grin and bear it. I'm catholic and I'm not going anywhere, but I do see the lure to protestantism and their culture's, and it's making it easier to get the weak Catholics. Maybe in addressing, and answering these issues, you can strengthen some weak Catholics who need it. Thanks!
Thanks so much for the comment and thoughts! That is a great idea. I’ll add it to my list. :). I did a video on the abuse crisis. Check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/b67Tlo4w_Ck/v-deo.html for my thoughts. You are spot on in your thoughts. A lot of the lure is based around the emotional need. And that is not something to skirt as a catholic but to recognize and see how you can incorporate it in your ministry life and outreach. People NEED community. It is essential to the corpus of Christ. We have to get better at that. Some people leave because of doctrinal reasons, but not everyone does. We have to as Catholics dive deeper into each other’s lives and challenge each other. Love our faith out not just take the faith in. We need to rise up and ask the pressing questions and share the knowledge we have.
Also for the record, the priest argument is easily solved too. Even Catholics believe that everyone is a priest. What is the role of a priest? To offer sacrifice. But there is also the ministerial priesthood that Christ established in the upper room and that was passed on by the laying on of hands.
@@PracticalTheism wow just learned something new! Thanks!
I believe this the first time I have watched/listened to this video, and you literally brought up the 2 quotes I just said to my Protestant friend (regarding her formerly "Catholic" pastor). I tried to explain it in a non-combative and humble way, but, sometimes I feel kind of guilty bringing up the truths that we have as Catholics... if that makes sense? I think that Catholicism is the "uncomfortable" truth, so it's kind of hard to spring it on people that seem very comfortable & happy where they're at!
I find that you be true as well. Which two quotes were they? And glad to hear about the non combative and humble way you went about it! Keep that up. Not sure what the context of your conversation was but I might suggest making sure you are starting with the common ground and work towards the part where you and her start to differ, and dive deeply into “why”.
@@PracticalTheism Well, my friend has often brought up the point that her pastor grew Catholic, as if it somehow gives him some authority on invalidating Catholic beliefs. I told her that I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually became Catholic again, and told her that there's a common saying that "weak/ignorant Catnolics often become Protestant, and that strong Protestants often become Catholic." I also brought up St. Henry Cardinal Newman's quote as well. She does know that I am a revert to Catholicism who has studied my way back to the Catholic faith, and although she seems to be more open to Catholcism than she once was (I don't think she even used to regard Catholics as Christian), she still has a lot of misconceptions about it. It just doesn't seem like she is willing to take the time to try to understand anything about it, although she likes to often & freely share her version of the Christian faith with me (which I am more than willing to listen and try to understand from her perspective). I am patient with her, and don't try to "push it," but it would be nice if I was able to share my faith with her, as freely as she shares her faith with me.
My experience with non Catholic Christians, is that there is a double standard - they like to evangelize and openly share their faith, but when it comes to anything Catholic, they just stubbornly put up blinders. I think there is some fear involved, and often times a very definite "willful ignorance," on their part.
I think there is an element of that to be sure. Have you ever asked her something simple like “what is the biggest reason you wouldn’t become catholic?” Or “what reason do you think your pastor left the Catholic Church?”
I absolutely agree with you about there being a fear. I think the biggest fear is in changing your lifestyle. Protestantism is more or less a popularity contest. Their doctrines change with the times so that people feel more justified in living the lifestyle they want. To be Catholic means to go back to the ways of how we are to live according to Christ and the Bible. I don’t mean Protestants aren’t good. I’m mostly talking about the social issues and the issue of sexual morality.
Debunking catholicism
I'm more blessed than mary
Proof = Luke 11:27-28
27 And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”
28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
In Luke 11:27 that random woman LITERALLY said Jesus your mother is Blessed, but are Lord Jesus LITERALLY said Believers are more Blessed than mary. Amen and Amen
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CHRIST alone
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Hebrew 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus
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Work of God =
John 6:28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
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1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach
Paul allows bishops to get marry, but catholic church goes against paul.
Now these catholic will give a Verses from 1 Corinthians7 to say that paul gave the advice to stay unmarried. But they will not tell you that the same chapter they quote says 1 Corinthians 7:28 "even if you do marry, you have not SINNED". The passage literally says "young women, young men" and a bishop is supposed to be a Church ELDER. Mic drop
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Jesus said Matthew 23:9
9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
And also said Holy Father to Heavenly Father= John 17:11
11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
Jesus said call no one Father but still catholics call *pope holy father.
Sad
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Whenever a catholic argue about mary being the mother of God
Use this to defeat the argument.
Luke 8:21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
Matthew 12:46-50
46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”.
Mark 3:35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
John 19:26-27
26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. ( Jesus basically said John is the son of mary, and mary is the mother of John from that time onwards).
By the way sarah is the mother of all proof=Galatians 4:21-26.
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We should not pray to apostles
Romans 1:25
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Acts 10:25-26
25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
Acts 14:15
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
Revelation 19:10
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Revelation 22:8-9
8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
Colossians 2:18
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
You cannot go to Father through saints nor mary, you can only go to the Father through Lord Jesus Christ= John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Holy Spirit intercedes for us=Romans 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And CHRIST as well=Romans 8:34
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Hebrews 7:25
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
It's Christ and Holy Spirit who intercedes for us not apostles
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There is only one Mediator between God and men LORD Jesus Christ= 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
Hebrew 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrew 12:24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Hebrew 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
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Apostles are allowed to marry,
1 Corinthians 9:1-5
1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
If Peter (peter is cephas read John 1:42) the so called "first pope" was married, why does the catholic church doesn't allow "pope" to marry?
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The so called vicar of christ/ pope/holy father Peter called himself a fellow elder in 1 Peter 5:1, and as per the qualifications of elder in Titus 1:5-9 the elder is allowed to get married; then why does the "pope" is required to be celibate and catholic? ( when Peter was neither celibate nor catholic).
1)Peter was not perfect human nor was he a perfect disciple
2)He sank down while walking on water
3)Our Lord said to peter get behind me satan
4)Peter reject our Lord 3 times
5)Our Lord rebuked Peter for calling fire from heaven
6)Our Lord rebuked Peter when he cut of the soilders ear
7)Paul rebuked Peter for being hypocrite because he was acting different in front of Jews and different in front of gentiles.
8) Moses messed up, and he was a important part of Bible ( that's why he never entered the promised land),
9)David messed up ( and he has the Holy Spirit),
10)King Soloman messed up,
11) Saul messed up and God regretted the decision (1 Samuel 15:10-11).
Hatrick (Saul then David then Soloman back to back messed up)
12)The apostles run away a day before Lord Jesus got locked up.
13)The early church messed up Rev 2:18-20
14) Apostle John when receiving Revelation worshiped an angel and the angel said "see you do not do that. Worship GOD" Revelation 22:8-9
If these great people could mess up, why do you think the catholic church wouldn't mess up.
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Galatians 4:21-26
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar- 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children- 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Sarah is mother of all, Not mary.
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Also the Church has many name like Christians, Evangelists, Children of God, Believers, servents of God, bride of Christ, but not once the Church is called catholics.
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Also, if the apostles didn't wrote it, I don't want it.
I think this is happening to me. I find myself being drawn to the catholic church(or drawn back, as I was born into Catholicism). I want to study church history and really understand the catholic tradition. Could you recommend just one book that I could read to get me started on this journey?
Love the path you are on my friend! If you are looking at church history, I would focus on the early church fathers first. I recommend william jurgens faith of the wary fathers as a good starting point to read strong excerpts from the fathers. It is a bit heavier reading though. For something lighter I might suggest why were Catholic by Trent horn.
Hi it's my experience that you are taking about, I was born and raised up in a strong catholic family, in my weak understanding about the Church I left it and joined Pentecostalism, in Corona lockdown days I studied church fathers and their teachings, I realized that I am in the wrong track, didn't consult anyone just returned to my mother, Catholic church.
If you're interested to see the dark side of Protestantism please read some books, pdf is available today, which unanimously says about the unholy relationship between Protestantism and ottoman empire against Catholic church
1 Islam in Europe
2. The ottoman state and it's place in world history
3. Traffic and turning :Islam and English drama
4 The ottoman empire and early modern Europe
The coming home network has thousands of Protestant Pastors who became Catholic. They are really strong devout Catholics too! Weak Catholics become protestants
Sincere question ,
1.) Is it Pray " with" Blessed Mary and Saints or Pray " To ".
When we say, pray "To" Mary and Saints :-
2. How does it not bring, the assumption / premise of "redeemer" and "omnipresence" qualities in them?
3) Therefore, Why is the statement Pray "TO" Blessed Mary and Saints not contradictory to our *stance ?
-* as we do not consider Blessed Mary and Saints as a Redeemer nor as Omnipresent .
For eg:-
I pray with my Mother. Here we partake in fellowship. But , if I pray "To" my Mother, I swap the spiritual authority of Trinity as taught by Bible and Church by placing my mother midst *Trinity right?
*{Essence of Trinity by Paul in a jist being :
By the Grace of Christ , the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.- (3 in person and 1 in Being)}
The last question will be :-
4.)Why is there no acknowledgement for Joseph ; what happened to Joseph?
If you read till here, I sincerely appreciate your patience and
Humbly request you to opine on this .
God be with you!
Great questions. Ones I have pondered myself. I think the conclusion you are drawing has a faulty premise. That is that to “pray to” necessarily entails acknowledging the one you are praying to as a redeemer or omnipresent. Additionally this is often misconstrued as worship. On the Catholic stance, it can mean those things but it can also mean simply “to ask”. Think of the old English etymology “I pray you sir”.
So it is both pray to and pray with. If we pray to the saints, the prayer may be directed as an ask of them or their help. Any abilities that the saint has to respond or even hear a prayer is in direct relation to their proximity to Christ. It is through Christ that they are in communion with the church on earth.
I think there is acknowledgement of Joseph. He is definitely underscored and doesn’t say a word in scripture. But the focus on Mary is preeminent because of her birthing the Christ and accepting that divine decree.
Hope that helps!
Greetings@@PracticalTheism,
Did not think of the old interpretation of "Pray". Then that should explain why "Hail" Mary is said as well. It was a Greeting..
This is just the beginning of an indepth theology. And from my personal experience very few Catholics actually recognise this difference of ' Honour ' here to complete 'Worship'.
1.) Any suggestions on how I can read on Catholic doctrine or theology?
(Google search is currently not user -friendly for a Christian perspective)
2.).Now Sola Scriptura (if I am not wrong) is the core basis for Protestants.
Tradition definitely plays a central role - from which Scriptures were even derived.
But to verify something ( as a common man ) we have only the Word of God with us . Then how is focus on Sola Scriptura alone not apt ?
Eg :- America had its qualities of free speech, capitalism and so on even before the Constitution was written. Once that was recorded, we always come back to what the Constitution says for us word by word about what our rights are.
Disclaimer :
(Even when constitution is concerned I have a conservative reading of the text.)
4.) Lastly the book of Maccabees .
I don't have them :- is it a Historical text because I suppose even Jews do not have it?
Yup. Hail was a greeting, as the angel greeted Mary when he visited her to tell her Gods plan.
I would start with the catechism of the Catholic Church h if you want to read up on the doctrine.
Sola scriptura is definitely a prime division point. I would say though your use of tradition doesn’t go far enough it wasn’t just to give us the scriptures. Think of tradition as also encompassing interpretive tradition of the scriptures. The constitution you brought up is a great example because it is subject to the same issue as sola scriptura. Yes we have the documents to refer to, but Christians vary in there interpretations of the scriptures in the same way Americans vary in their interpretation and application of the constitution. This is why we have the Supreme Court to be a living voice in the proper adjudication and interpretation of the law and the constitution. Likewise, God didn’t leave us up to our own devices but gave us a church with the promise of divine assistance in that he’ll would not prevail against it. The hierarchy of the church serves as a living authority in the realm of faith and morals to “go forward teaching people everything Jesus commanded” as the great commission tells us.
Lastly on Maccabees, if your Bible doesn’t have it, it likely doesn’t have the deuterocanon in it. Much bigger topic but the Catholic Church holds the deuterocanon as scripture in standing with the declaration and witness of the church, more formally declared when disputes started to arise in the 4th century.
Hope that’s helpful!
Sincere thanks @@PracticalTheism
This is definitely helpful. The difficult part is to verify as a layman. I have to be a Preist's Preist to make sense of such deep topics. And Google search has serious credibility issues. So, If you have any credible websites or books for further reading, kindly do suggest. I shall begin with materials on catechism .
This is my final question :
- You are right about how interpretation varies with Sola Scriptura itself .
Therefore , How is Traditional interpretation addressed, as it is a vast gold mine for theology and doctrines?
Eg :- Since I do not have deutero -canon ; the remaining 66 books have the core message still intact and historically these books favours a high reliability. How is this check or verification done in the case of Tradition?
(How is the counterfeit tradition made out from the original.)
I can relate to the subjective nature of being drawn to Protestantism, but in a different sense. Namely, I’ve found the Protestant view of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness as opposed to infusion much more appealing, particularly as someone who has struggled alot with addiction
Truth spoken kills every turn of untruth for those who do not turn down the stone.
Someone explain to me or lead me in the direction of where it says we should pray and worship saints and Mary, confess our sins to a man in a dark booth and believe that a really old man is the head of the church? You said if we look back at the very firsts of church leaders we'll see they did this, but the apostles were the first leaders of the church and they wrote the new testament. And all those traditions go against what the apostles wrote.
Hi!
It must be noted that not everything can be written in the bible (John 21:25). After all, it was the early church which had to piece together the modern notion of the bible with the New Testament. Prior to that, they had to rely on church elders to interpret and instruct the faithful, as can be seen in 2 Thess 2:15 and Acts 2:42.
1. Catholic Christians do not pray and worship to saints and Mary. We honour them as part of the living family of God and ask them to pray for us on earth, just as how we pray for our brothers and sisters in our community. We only worship God and God alone.
2. "Confessing our sins to a man in a dark booth" refers to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While not very explicit, Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins (John 20:22-23), who in turn passes it on to others through the Priesthood (Acts 6:1-7). This "dark booth" thingy differs from region to region, depending on the customs of the place. Confession can be done anywhere as long as it is done in private. In fact, you are looking at the Western Rites of the Church. In the Eastern Rites, the faithful confess their sins to a spiritual elder in the community who gives advice accordingly, with the priest coming in for the final absolution of sins. This spiritual elder is not allowed to share the sins of others.
3. The papacy is also not very explicit in the bible but can be found studying typology. If you believe the Jesus is the fulfilment of the New "Son of David", it means that the "New Davidic Kingdom" and the "New Israel" has already been established on Earth and in Heaven. Looking back to the Old Testament, you have some secondary characteristics of the Davidic Kingdom. One of it is the Office of the Prime Minister (Isaiah 22:15-24) who has the authority to open and shut (bind and loose), entrusted the keys of David and tasked to be the father of Judah. Likewise, Jesus called Peter the "rock" (Hebrew: Kepha) where he will build his church, given authority to bind and loose and is entrusted with the keys of heaven. And in modern times, the word Pope comes from the Italian word "Papa" which means "Father". Other evidences include Peter's unilateral declaration that faith should extend to Gentiles (Acts 10 - Acts 11:18
Yep! Tried to summarise it as succinctly as possible. There is a lot more to these issues of course. You can try referring to stpaulcenter.com/studies-tools/journey-through-scripture/) for a nice series of videos explaining all these. Catholic Answers (www.catholic.com) also might provide the answers that you should like to look for.
God Bless!
Are you not curious to learn how the early Christians worshipped or what they believed? Read the early church fathers...
@@gregcathyclark1963 not really. Because the bible mentions multiple times that even early Christians worshipped the wrong way. And even Paul called out Peter for falling in with what other people were doing. Thats the problem with the Catholic religion. It follows and trusts too much of man rather than God himself.
Your comment begins with “someone explain to me...” and the explanation is in tons of resources including the writings of the church fathers. Read John 21:25 and Matthew 28:19 - Jesus did not say “teach them only what’s written in the Bible.” Be a strong Protestant - make an effort to study church history, and then you’ll understand.
So much trust on their idea of the church and so little trust in God
God cannot use Catholics who boast they are strong.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Co 12:9).
Thank you for this.
I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for some of the old fathers that you mentioned so that I can check out some great ideas please!
I go to mass daily; I first look on my lord hanging on the cross; I feel how this holy and suffering servant gave his life for me; how he has saved me from death; I thank blessed Mary, the saints, my guardian angel then mass begins. When I go up for confession, I think of my path up to Jesus, my life going toward him with head bowed down and grateful to receive his sustaining body and life saving blood. I am small and worthless but am restful in his arms again.
Couldn't agree more! 💯
God bless you! 🕊️🤍
God bless friend!
Saint Jonh Henry Newman: " As Anglican I had a happy life but a sad religión, as catholic I have a sad life but a joyful religion".
I am a BORN and RAISED a Catholic and I am confused reading the Bible what's with all the little numbers on paragraphs, can someone teach me?
So the standard amongst all Christians is something like John 2:10-15 or Romans 12:12
The read in three parts
1. The book reference - eg: Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Acts, Kings etc
2. The Chapter Number
3. The Verse Number
So if I say Romans 12:12, I am making reference to the Book/Letter of St Paul to the Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 12, which reads "Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer"
Sounds like you need a bible study program. Perhaps you can refer to these as a nice start to reading the bible
stpaulcenter.com/studies-tools/journey-through-scripture/genesis-to-jesus/
ascensionpress.com/collections/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation
God Bless!
in my country there's a "Catholic Faith Defender" or CFD and most of the members is a former protestant
Not surprising
Well the Lord only accepts the weak when we are weak he is strong. Praise GOD hallelujah
My case. Uninformed cradle Catholic explored philosophy and other religions. Boomeranged back to become an informed and strong 💪 Catholic.
No longer Blessed. He is St. John Cardinal Newman.
Love this!
If I am born again, saved by faith alone why can't I now spend all my time in a Catholic Church? I am born again and saved right. So now that I am born again why is it ok for me to do NO works and spend all my time in a downtown Bar but not ok to do Good works and spend all my time in a downtown Catholic Church?
You 100% right. In my family we are Catholics but some of them act more protestans than Catholics
God definitely had to drag me to Catholicism. I don't think I was kicking, but I definitely dragged my heels.
Protestant pastors are trying to raise doubts about the Gospel to young Catholics, but Christ is inspiring them to confess the genuine Apostolic faith.
I'm an anomaly. I was a horrible, nominal Protestant. I'm probably a horrible Catholic, but I'm enthusiastic about the faith.
It is really true what you are saying that weak Catholic become Protestant and strong Protestant become Catholic, having said that, only God knows are heart and if we believe in Jesus Christ or not. You probably know Jimmy Akin, I listen to him on EWTN and his knowledge of the scripture is astonishing, I could listen to him for hour and I have his book '' The Fathers Knows best'' about the early Church Father, a must read indeed for anyone interested about the History of Christianity. May I ask you, do you have a theological degree? Do you think it is possible to go to both the Protestant and Catholic Church?
Thank you for the comment friend! I know of jimmy akin and agree with you! I have that book and his book the drama of salvation. Definitely check it out. I do not have a formal theology degree, but am an avid student of it. To your last question, I do think it is possible to go attend Protestant and Catholic Services. But I would suggest that one be rooted in their faith to do so, so that they can differentiate the doctrine from what is true to not. Otherwise it is easy to slip into a width washy state on your beliefs. Arguments can be compelling when you focus on one side.
God Bless my friend!
It’s not about religion. It’s about biblical truth.
The founder of protestant is martin luther'sm revolt in 1517 while Jesus is the founder of catholic church.
There are more weak catholics than strong protestants. So keep sharing the knowledge :)
Thank You Jesus for Your One and Only Holy Catholic Church that provides us the One and Only New Covenant between God and Man.
Luke 22:20
John 6:53
Firm Protestant here, well, until very recently...I am opening up (somewhat) to Catholicism and have found some good answers to some of my objections, but still no satisfactory answers to at least a couple of my hang-ups. For years I have been a frequent listener of Dr. James White (just to give you an example) among others. I'm struggling with this topic currently. (I should probably add that the catalyst for my recent curiosity and openness was discovering Dr. Ryan T. Anderson whose book on transgenderism was recently scrubbed from Amazon. He seems to be a rather bright fellow.)
Are you aware that Dr White's sister converted to Catholicism???
Sirius XM Dr. David Anders show- Catholic Answers. Great one to call in and ask.
While my own preference is not for protestant music, the preaching style is terrible. It always struck me as more bluster and rhetoric than any substance. And the priests I have heard have had more straightforward message logically moving step by step through their homilies with references from the Bible. The protestant sermons are either too feel good, saccharine, overly emotive, or very misleading theologically where they ignore the other parts of even that section of the book, who the letter is to or the context of the book, and the rest of the Bible
Pray for the unity of all Christiandom
Protestant preachers will tell you that God loves you while priests with their homily reminds you to serve and love God and love your neighbor. Ask Jesus which is the best commandment.
I was born into a catholic family and christened as a baby and stayed catholic until about 3 years ago when I conducted a whole bunch of study about many religions and more importantly about religious beliefs of ancient early humans and psychology of beliefs. i concluded that supernatural beliefs were inevitable with a brain like ours that is pattern seeking agency detecting and i now realise there's no good evidence for the proposition that any gods exist or anything supernatural.
These arguments are all fallacious. If you care about what you believe being true, you would wait until you have sufficient justification to warrant belief.
Here are some examples look up Scott Hanh, John Bergsma, Tim Staples, Steve Ray.
...former Protestants. It almost appears as if deep faith requires some experience in Evangelical circles.
Hans Svineklev, if you have an encounter with the Almighty God, how can you not have a transforming experience. Also it has nothing to do about us and everything to do with God
What are your thoughts on Catholic priest converting to Protestantism?
What about it?
Practical Theism mainly that catholic priest are highly educated in the faith (at least I think so, I’m not catholic) and they renounce the teachings of the church in favor of Protestantism? What do you think could be the common reason there? I would also like to say (at least in my experience) that I do find a lot of Protestants as you said who are educated/really into the faith do tend to go catholic (or in some cases orthodox). So I guess to close this out, if educated Protestants seem to come to Catholicism because they go deeper into history/ the faith...then what’s the factor for priest, who are educated and are entrenched in the catholic faith?
I'm a Protestant thinking about catholicism
God bless you brotha! How is the journey going?
I'm afraid it's quite the other way around!
Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 where it explains “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why many of you are WEAK and SICK and some have even DIED.” Does that sound like normal bread to you? Be honest with yourself. All the early Christians and church fathers believed the Bread was the true Body of Christ. You think Jesus Christ's Apostle Peter's disciple got it wrong? About the bread being Jesus true body. Do you really think Jesus started Christianity and so soon into Christianity. Apostle Peter's own disciple started to teach error???? I think that would be a failure Jesus Christ would never stand for. He even promised the gates of hell will never prevail against my church. It seems more in line that Christians stayed true to what Christ taught until 1517 when Luther broke off. Yet still to this day his church still upholds his teachings perfectly. With over 1.5 billion catholic/orthdox Christians. If that is false then Jesus in a sense failed leaving us a Christian faith that was in line to his teachings until the year 1517. I don't believe he failed. Come back into the fold brothers and sister's Christs holy catholic apostolic church awaits you.
Ephesians5 23-25...even as Christ is the head of the church(not the pope):and he is the Saviour of the body(not the pope).Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ(not to the pope).CLEARLY...CLEARLY IT IS CHRIST CHURCH.IT IS A BODY OF BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS THAT MAKE UP CHRIST CHURCH.THERE IS NO OTHER CHURCH OF CHRIST BUT CHRIST CHURCH BUILD ON THE ROCK HIMSELF!! THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS NOT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST NEVER WAS AND NEVER WILL BE! PSALMS18:2...THE LORD IS MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS,AND MY DELIVERER;MY GOD,MY STRENGTH,IN WHOM I WILL TRUST(I DON'T TRUST IN NO MAN),..MY BUCKLER,AND THE HORN OF MY SALVATION,..AND MY HIGH TOWER.PSALMS 28:1..UNTO THEE WILL I CRY,OH LORD MY ROCK.1SAMUEL2:2..THERE IS NONE HOLY AS THE LORD:FOR THERE IS NONE BESIDE THEE: NEITHER..NEITHER..NEITHER..NEITHER IS THERE ANY..ANY..ANY..ANY ROCK LIKE OUR GOD.THIS ROCK IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS THE SAME ROCK IN MATTHEW16:18!! CHRIST IS THE ROCK ON WHOM HE BUILD HIS CHURCH.CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH.CHRIST IS ALSO THE SAVIOUR OF THE BODY(ALL BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS).HIS CHURCH IS SUBJECT UNTO CHRIST.THIS IS THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH!!
What a crock. Fact is, half my family is Catholic, and I have NEVER met a Catholic who expressed concern for my soul, who knew their Bible, who spoke publicly about their faith or made any attempt to share their faith, who understood basic doctrines of the Bible - like the Gospel!! But they will repeat this nonsense about the Eucharist being the literal body and blood of Christ - despite there being zero evidence to support this supposed miracle. Or Mary being the literal, per-existing mother of God, pray the rosary, light candles, and play the "Authority" card to attack others denominations. They, like this guy, push the Bible aside and appeal to the uninspired writing of "Church Fathers" instead. So they interpret how things should be based upon extra-biblical writings, rather than the Bible itself. It is like using a stick that is approximately 3 feet long, to determine whether a yardstick is 3 feet long. Simply put, NOTHING in ANY of my personal experience comports with the claims this guy is saying.