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pwelther
Member
| Joined: | Fri May 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 12 |
| First Name: | Patricia | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Born Catholic, Spirit Filled |
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Posted: Wed Jun 27th, 2007 09:12 pm |
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I have been reading a lot of conversion stories where Mary was a key issue that challenges Protestants to more fully understand Christ through Mary and Mary through Christ. I don't know if the Protestant Demonimations will ever quite "Protesting" but I do see thousands of spiritfulled bible Christians seeking fuller truth finding it in the Catholic Church.
I am working an research paper for a theology course and would appreciate others perspective.
How would you respond to the proposition:
"The deeper message about Christ, Mary, the Church, humanity and our ultimate destiny in the New Creation revealed in the Marian Dogmas will bring Protestents that are seeking the fullness of truth home to Rome."
Thanks for your comments,
Yours in Christ
Patricia
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Patricia
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." "I am making everything new!" Rev 21:3-5
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2282 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 27th, 2007 11:32 pm |
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Patricia, as a former Protestant who initially had a bit of a problem with Mary, I can only say that it was mostly a matter of a change of perspective. I understood and accepted the theology; it was the practice and experience of dealing with the communion of saints that bothered me.
I do think that, as you say, it is the devout person, Protestant or otherwise, who is looking for the fullness of truth and goodness who is going to come to the door of the Catholic Church. I’ve seen some of these have little to no problem with Mary and the saints; I’ve seen others for whom it was a major stumbling block because of what they had earlier been taught.
In my own case, Mary was the last hurdle before I was ready to enter the Catholic Church. Like many others, I ended by accepting it on the authority of the Church and coming to terms with it after becoming Catholic. Why did I do this? Because I saw the Church was right about all the other points of difference. And because, as I said, I saw theoretically that there was nothing wrong with honoring Mary or the saints and asking their help.
I agree with you that Protestant denominations will probably never end their “protest.” However, the individual Protestant seeker is not going to offer such a united front. The human heart is a lot more permeable than an institution. Your proposition about the “deeper message” echoes this common experience.
The Marian dogmas provide a wealth of inspiration that can break through this barrier. The person who is willing to prayerfully sink his teeth into them will come away with a new appreciation of the meaning of his own salvation.
David
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pwelther
Member
| Joined: | Fri May 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 12 |
| First Name: | Patricia | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Born Catholic, Spirit Filled |
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Posted: Thu Jun 28th, 2007 09:51 am |
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Thank you for your response. I hear in your words the heart of someone in love with Christ and willing to humbly go where He leads even when you don't understand where you are going or why He is sending you down the path.
Patricia
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Patricia
"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." "I am making everything new!" Rev 21:3-5
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Sindone
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jul 7th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 17 |
| First Name: | Sindon | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | RC...rc...RC |
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Posted: Sun Jul 8th, 2007 03:36 am |
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Dear Patricia, even as a born Catholic, in my previous years when I was just a so-so catholic, I did experienced some difficulties in understanding Marian dogmas, especially when challenged by Protestants and unable to explain clearly. But thanks to these challenges, I started to search deep into each teaching on Mary and the reasons behind them. In fact, they have actually made me stronger in my own faith. And I really feel blest to be a Catholic. The Marian dogmas proclaimed by the Church have never made Mary to be a separate super-being as some Protestants think to rival the position of Christ, who is our Center, but through these teachings, they have made us understand more fully the mystery of God's redemption for mankind in the God-Man Jesus Christ, the Church etc. I am sure, if Protestants would start searching deep with a sincere heart into each dogma which they disagree with, they will come to full communion with Christ in His Church.
Last edited on Sun Jul 8th, 2007 03:40 am by Sindone
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Jul 8th, 2007 10:51 am |
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Sindon, welcome to the Coming Home Network. We're glad to have you with us and look forward to hearing your faith story when you're ready to share it with us. Feel free to participate in any of our discussions, and we'll do our best to answer any questions you might have. We are a friendly bunch.
Your name is rather unusual. Is it your reaal name or a pseudonym? Does it have a particular ethnic meaning?
We're happy to have you with us, and we look forward to your participation.
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