 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
wwjd
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 11th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 30 |
| First Name: | wwjd | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic as of 4/7/07! |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 19th, 2007 01:11 pm |
|
I have been a longtime member of this forum but haven't posted since CHN switched to their new software. I have, however, been a frequent "lurker" and have enjoyed reading all the posts. I am currently going through the RCIA process and have been looking forward to joining the church and receiving communion.
I was brought up in a Southern Baptist church and married a man who has no church affiliation. He seems to have no problem with my decision to join the Catholic church and our 3 children (currently attending PRE at our parish) have accepted the transition with no problem.
My issues are with my Mother. She does not approve of my decision to join the Catholic church so I have basically avoided the topic altogether. She knows we have been going to a local parish but I'm not sure she knows I'm going through RCIA. Anyway, this morning I received an email from her with a link to an anti-Catholic website. I haven't read everything there but what I have read seems to contain misinformation. The writer doesn't seem to have a complete understanding of the Catholic faith. That being said, it is still disturbing to receive this type of anti-Catholic propoganda from someone who I had hoped would support my decision. I would appreciate your comments and encouragement as to how I should deal with this. http://www.contenderministries.org/catholicism.php
Trish
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 19th, 2007 01:31 pm |
|
wwjd wrote: Anyway, this morning I received an email from her with a link to an anti-Catholic website. I haven't read everything there but what I have read seems to contain misinformation. The writer doesn't seem to have a complete understanding of the Catholic faith.
That's certainly no surprise. I might suggest that you email her back that you have reviewed the link she sent you and you would be happy to review any Catholic doctrine after she has reviewed http://www.scripturecatholic.com/.
Tell her that the page she sent you contains misconceptions about the Catholic faith, and send her http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm.
Invite her to review http://www.scborromeo.org/truth/truth.htm. A printable version is available at http://www.scborromeo.org/truth/truth.pdf.
Another good resource that answers specific questions about the Catholic faith is available at http://www.scborromeo.org/glad/glad.htm. The printable version is at http://www.scborromeo.org/glad/glad.pdf.
And after she has familiarized herself with authentic Catholic teaching, you will discuss anything with her.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 788 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 19th, 2007 02:07 pm |
|
| And/or do what has been suggested before on this forum and go through one doctrine at a time. It's overwhelming when anti-Catholics throw ten objections in your face at once...
____________________
"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Ps 139
"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
|
|
|
MitchyMitch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Snellville, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 93 |
| First Name: | Mitch | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Baptist and Southern Baptist...Now Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 19th, 2007 04:08 pm |
|
Welcome!
I'm former SBC, too, and educated in IB schools.
Been Catholic for going on 4 years, and I understand what "mother approval" can be like. I am justsooo blessed my mom hasn't learned how to usethe internet, or I'm sure my email would have been filled with links to websites "God led me to."
Someone once told me that to becomean expert in detecting counterfeit dollar bills, a Treasury agent studies the real ones, not the fake ones. Keep on the road to Rome, and learn much. Sites like this will become obvious what they actually are - can you see Christ in these sites at all?
____________________
Pax,
Mitch
|
|
|
DavidVS
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 46 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian - On the Journey to Rome |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 04:12 pm |
|
Trish,
I visited the "Contender Ministries" website and it has no credibility at all. They are not affiliated with any Christian denomination, they have no church, no buildings, no address, no phone number, no list of names to contact. It's just a website put up by some anonymous character who has a lot of strange ideas.
The character behind the website even has paranoid, delusional ideas about AOL. Here's a quote about America Online from the "Contender Ministries" website: " AOL censors Christian content and Christian websites."
AOL does not censor Christian websites, Christian e-mail, Christian newsletters or Christian anything else.
It appears to me that the website calling itself "Contender Ministries" is nothing more than the work of a deluded individual. If he thinks AOL "censors" Christian content and Christian websites," then he probably believes robots are stealing his luggage.
Last edited on Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 04:15 pm by DavidVS
|
|
|
MitchyMitch
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Snellville, Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 93 |
| First Name: | Mitch | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Independent Baptist and Southern Baptist...Now Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 05:55 pm |
|
A lot of different orgs who claim that some company or other "censors Christian material" are ones who have had their brand of "Christian" material censored by them.
In particular, AOL does censor hate material on web addresses it offers.
Given the nature of "contender ministries", it is very likely that this dude ran an anti-catholic web page on AOL, and AOL, concerned about its image, decided to close the page down after more than a few complaints.
____________________
Pax,
Mitch
|
|
|
DavidVS
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 46 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Presbyterian - On the Journey to Rome |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 06:52 pm |
|
I did a "whois" on contenderministries.org and found it's registered to "J.L. Rast" in Province, Washington.
The site itself offers no clue as to ownership, except an address where one can send money. On the "contact" part of the page, it tells you to fill out a form and someone will contact you.
No names, no credentials, no affilation with any known church or denomination. Just a lot of uninformed rhetoric and a plea for money.
Sadly, there are people who will probably be influenced by it.
|
|
|
wwjd
Member
| Joined: | Thu Jan 11th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 30 |
| First Name: | wwjd | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic as of 4/7/07! |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 22nd, 2007 07:41 pm |
|
Thank you all for your replies. Rick, I have those sites bookmarked to use at a later date. At this point, I don't think my Mother would read anything I sent to her. She made the comment not long ago that she did not understand the Catholic doctrines nor did she care to. Jill, your point is well taken. When the appropriate time presents itself, I will tackle one issue at a time. Mitch and Dave, thanks for your thoughts on the website. After my original post, I did go back to try and determine the church affiliation but could find no info or names. I've learned the hard way that you have to be careful what you read on the Internet about the Catholic Church. Now that I"m in RCIA, I've ceased surfing the Internet and look now to the Catechism for my information.
--Trish
|
|
|
Juan
Member
| Joined: | Tue Oct 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 247 |
| First Name: | unregister | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | unregister |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 24th, 2007 06:41 pm |
|
Hi Mom,
Thanks for the email. I know you sent it because you are concerned about my soul. But have no fear. I am where God wants me to be and I wish you would join me.
I read the articles that you sent me because you sent them and I love you. I hope that you love me enough to read my response. Here are a few of the errors that I highlighted for you in the message you sent. I responded as though I was talking to the author.
I can hear many of your objections already. You’re wondering what Roman Catholicism is doing listed as a false (aberrant) religion. You think we’ve gone over the edge in profiling another Christian denomination as a cult.
That is true. Considering that the Catholic Church is the only Church that can trace its roots to Jesus Christ Himself and is the Church which is the standard for orthodoxy in the world, it is amazing that anyone would consider the Catholic Church an aberrant cult.
Here are some Spiritual facts which you need to take into account:
1. Jesus built one Church (Matt 16:18).
2. He said this Church would never fall (Matt 16:19)
3. Everyone agrees and it can be proven by history that the Catholic Church was the first Christian church in the world.
4. So, by simple logic, we can prove that the Catholic Church is the Church which Jesus built.
5. Therefore, if anyone believes that the Catholic Church has fallen, then by default, those same people believe that Jesus either lied or didn't keep His promise.
You’re about ready to chuck your modem out the window, and the only reason you’ve read this far is out of a morbid curiosity. Well, let me take a moment to address your concerns.
No, I read it out of obedience and love for my mother.
I will grant you that the Catholic Church shares a large number of Biblical beliefs with evangelical Christianity: the inerrancy of the Bible, the Trinitarian nature of God, the virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ, as well as His crucifixion and resurrection. In fact, we have no doubt that there are a number of born-again Christians within the Catholic Church.
That is wonderful! I'm glad to hear it.
These Christians properly understand the biblical doctrine of salvation, and have developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, many of the official doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church are either un-Biblical or extra-Biblical.
If by un-Biblical and extra-Biblical you mean they are defined by a source outside the Bible and they contradict the Bible, you would be wrong.
Let me give you an example. You believe in Sola Scriptura (thats the fancy name for a Protestant doctrine known as the Bible alone). That means that you consider the Bible the sole rule of faith for Christians. But, where is that doctrine in the Bible?
Answer: It isn't there. In order to find this doctrine, one must go to an extra-Biblical source. Extra-Biblical meaning a source outside of the Bible. That means that the doctrine of Sola Scriptura is an extra-Biblical doctrine.
So, how does this Sola Scriptura doctrine square with the Bible? Not very well. You see it contradicts the Bible head on. The Bible says that we have three rules of faith, Tradition, Scripture and the Church. Here are the verses which support this teaching:
1. The Bible tells us that the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
2. The Bible tells us that there are two Traditions we must keep, the Tradition by Word which is called oral Tradition and the Tradition by epistle, which is Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
3. The Bible tells us that the oral Teaching of the Apostles was also the Word of God. Thus the Bible equates oral Tradition to Scripture.
1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
In fact, the Catholics use a different Bible than Protestants. style="font-size: 11pt;"Their Bible has more books within it, which accounts for some of the differences in Catholic doctrines.
That is Luther's fault. The Catholic Church uses the Bible which Jesus used. It contains 46 books. (I'm talking about the Old Testament here. If we include the New Testament, the Catholic Church has 73 books. The Protestant Bible has 66. ) But the Jews took 7 books from the Old Testament ostensibly because they were not written in Hebrew but actually because they rejected Jesus Christ and everything that had to do with Jesus Christ.
To the astonishment of the entire Christian world, Luther sided with the Jews against the Christians in this and took out the same seven books. And then he tried to take out some of the books in the canonical New Testament.
Furthermore, the Catholic Church has traditionally held that salvation can be attained only through observance of their sacraments. Therefore, they have set themselves apart as the only true church, and we must contend for the faith.
The Bible tells us that Jesus only built one Church.
You ask, “Many different denominations share different interpretations of scripture. So aren’t you just splitting hairs here?” The answer is “no”, and here’s why. The differences here are not based on whether one should be baptized by immersion or by sprinkling, and they are more important than whether there will be a pre-tribulation rapture or a post-tribulation rapture. The differences here have to do with the most fundamental and foundational Christian doctrine – salvation. Within Catholicism, the definitions related to salvation are different, and salvation is based on works. Because of this, Catholics do not believe that anyone can be assured of their salvation. This is incredibly sad and distressing!!
You are talking about faith alone and assurance of salvation. Both of which are extra-Biblical and un-Biblical Protestant doctrines.
Let me show you. The only place where the Bible has the words "faith" and "alone" in the same sentence, the entire concept is condemned:
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
So, the idea of faith alone is un-Biblical since it contradicts Scripture.
And assurance of salvation is also un-Biblical. This is what the Apostle Paul teaches on the subject:
Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
1 Corinthians 4:3
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Our brief overview of Roman Catholic beliefs is presented for two reasons – to educate non-Catholics about the beliefs and doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, and to show Catholics that one can indeed be assured of salvation. Our ministry exists to contend for the truth, and to do so with love. If we shied away from addressing the doctrines of Catholicism, simply because we may not be popular for doing so, we would be failing to carry out the Great Commission. With that commission in mind, let us now take a look at the beliefs of Roman Catholicism.
Well, Mom, I stopped here because thats a bunch and I've got a lot to do. If you want I can send you an email with websites that answer all those objections to the Catholic faith or I can get you a book.
Anyway, thanks for your concern,
May God continue to bless you,
Love,
-----------------------------------------
I hope that helps,
Sincerely,
Juan
|
|
|
Current time is 11:38 am | |
|
|
|
|
|
