Question for Cathoics - Serious answers only?

Question

This is a serious question. If Catholics have the one true faith based on the salvation through grace, what happens to evangelicals.

If grace is truely received within and through the sacraments how can evangelicals be part of that.

I am trying to decide what church to go to but the issue is if evangelicals have wrongly interpreted the bible because of ignoring founding fathers and church tradition does it make sense to be part of that group.

I am leaning to think that Catholics may be closer to the truth but I have well meaning and loving evangelical friends who are really sincere and love God.

I have some concerns with catholic church as it can be impersonal.

i would welcome serious answers, i dont want any catholic bashing by immature and uneducated christians.

Lets keep it upright.

This is an important point. Evangelicals believe that the bible is absolute and that everything in is absolutly true.

However if that was the case everyone would come to the same conclusion however there are 35,000 different denominations based on different interpretations of the bible.

The catholic tradition stands apart from this. Further there are lots of catholic bashing sites out there that you can post from.

They are invalid as they tend to largely be heresay and "my buddy at church said"

Catholics do have absolute assurace of salvation and it is fully through grace no works at all.

dont evangelicals disagree on "once saved always saved" and believe that merititious works will get them a bigger "masion" in heaven

Answer 1

We believe that salvation definitely extends to those who are outside of the Catholic Church. Only those who reject the Catholic Church while fully knowing it is the one true church started by Christ are the ones in trouble.

Also, evangelicals or protestants, are considered "indirect" members of the Catholic Church because they are joined to the body of Christ through the waters of baptism.

They do have truth, but just not the fullness of truth which can only be found in the Catholic Church. And the truth they do have came from the Catholic Church, though they may not realize it.

It's a shame that they miss out on the eucharist, the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ -- along with the teachings and traditions of Jesus and the apostles -- and the complete Bible. But as far as salvation goes, they are not excluded from God's plan of salvation.

I hope this helps. God bless you on your journey. I would suggest sitting in on some RCIA classes at a local parish to find out more about Catholicism, therefore making an informed decision.

Answer 2

The Catholic church does have the Holy Spirit, I assure you. All you have to do is take a look at any of the phenomena that the Church Fathers had to deal with, like Lourdes or Fatima or Medugorje. There are many signs and wonders within this faith that truly edify it.

Is that what you meant? Or do you wish me to figure out what is wrong with the Evangelical church, because I don't know if there is or not. I have been fortunate that I grew up in the Catholic faith, and am saddened whenever people speak out against her, since she has nurtured me (and many many others) for a long time.

Answer 3

I practiced Catholicism for 27 years and took much in the way of outside theology about it as well as cathecism classes growing up............It's not entirely impersonal even though I choose not to practice. I think it depends on the congregation and the priests involved in the different churches. Yes, theologically speaking some of the dogma (I'm not using it in a negative way, just to clarify) is not in the bible. Yes, there were many practices that were dubious and there were many popes who weren't very nice men. I think at the heart of each religious branch is the same essential messages whether one chooses to be evangelical or catholic. I guess I compare it to any type of spiritual path where there are diversions and disagreements. If we can respect each other and realize we are basically all working to develop oursevles as better people then that's most important. Buddhism is what 'works' for me at this point in my life but I am very respectful of my Catholic heritage and in the end no one is that far apart. I think people make it that way........a bit of human nature. Follow what makes you feel light in spirit and you'll never make the wrong decision. Namaste and many blessings

Answer 4

uff this will take a lot of time...

1. every sacrament is based on the bible, they weren't make up by the priests.

2. you can find very good people in every religion, and catholicism isn't the exception, there are a lot of catholics that love God and actually know their faith

3. why do you think that catholic church is impersonal? remember, you are there for God, not of the people... and if you're not satisfied only with sunday mass, every church has special groups, and in those you can make a closer contact with people, and spend more time learning about God

4. many people criticise the fact that catholics respect saints and Virgin Mary, but remember we don't worship them, we just respect them as people who were like us, and had the strenght to follow Jesus' words, so they're like a role model to us, if they were humans like us and didn't have any special superpowers but their big faith, why can't we be able to transform our lives?

5. i suggest you go with a priest (they study at least 12 years, not only a couple of months like many pastors- don't get me wrong, i respect them, but they're not as prepared as a priest-) and ask all your doubts, they'll have an answer for all of them.

6. and when people talk bad about the catholic church, just remember that the church is the people, and we're humans and make mistakes all the time, the Pope John Paul II even ask for forgiveness to everyone who the church (the people) may have hurted through history.

God bless you and give you the wisdom to choose the right path.

Answer 5

Good question,

First of all the Pope was mis-quoted, he did NOT say that non-Catholics are not going to be able to make it to heaven.

We do not believe that Christ is not present in the lives or the services of other Christians. Christ is present in our lives not just inside the walls of the Catholic Church.

Like you, I have many friends that are very good, holy Protestants, I do not believe they are going to hell because they are not Catholic. There are some bad Catholics, I am not sure that all Catholics will be in heaven either. That said, we cannot judge others souls, so those are generalized assumptions.

The Catholic services can seem impersonal, mainly because we have a little different perspective of why we are in the Church in the first place, we are there to worship God. We have all of the rest of the week for entertainment.

You might sign up for RCIA class, they start in the fall and explain all of our beliefs and will address your concerns.

Good luck and may God Bless you!

Answer 6

Catholics do not have the "one true faith". This is not what the Catholic Church teaches. Following is what is found in Catholic teaching:

"Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth" are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements." Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation"

The Sacraments are not the ONLY sources of God's grace.

My experience with teh Catholic Church is that it is a VERY personable church. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, teh love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit can be found easily in the Catholic Church.

Answer 7

I know absolutely nothing about evangelicals so i cant help with that.

I'm catholic so its obvious what i think the true faith to be.One thing about catholicism is that its probably the fullest of all faith,no stone has been left unturned,you name it and theres over a thousand years of thought gone into it.
Everything has been checked,double checked and trible checked.

Walk into a church and kneel towards the tabernacle,catholics are a very devout people,there is no sham.
My bias and ignorance might have something to do with it is other faiths are flakey.

God can see who you are,God will know.God gets it.
.

Answer 8

I am a convert to Catholicism. I too have many protestant friends, and family, who love Christ and try to live their lives according to his will.

I do not think that only Catholics are going to heaven. The Pope did not say that either. He has been misquoted...no surprise there.

I know what you mean about the Catholic Church being impersonal. Coming from the very friendly and outgoing protestant churches can be a bit of a shock. But when we are there at Mass, in the very presence of Christ...that is all that matters. It is the all consuming desire for him that brings us there...the Eucharist. It is personal and reverent...it is not the time for chatting and getting to know your neighbor. That can be done any time. It is one hour a week devoted to contemplating our sins, asking forgiveness, preparing to receive the body and blood of Christ, giving thanks and praise.

Check with your local parish about RCIA classes. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Catholicism and most importantly ask questions. Also http://www.catholic.com has forums in which you can ask questions and get some excellent answers from very knowledgeable Catholics.

Answer 9

If you attend a Catholic church you find impersonal, I highly recommend finding another Catholic church. Do not let the foibles of people keep you from a Church you seem most comfortable with.

Priests are humans. Congregations are groups of people. Perhaps the one church was simply not a good fit for you.

(I'm atheist, hope you don't mind the insight all the same...)

Answer 10

I don't think that any religion has all the answers and I think there are good and bad people in all major religions. I say follow the religion of your choosing and do your best to follow the model of Jesus set forth in the path you choose. I am Catholic, but I don't believe that other religions are bad or wrong. I have friends that are Muslim, Baptist, Jehovah's Witness and many more. I would not be friends with them if I didn't believe in their character.