To all Catholics...?

Question

Okay, so you say I don't believe the right doctrine and everything (baptist), so why don't you tell me why I should believe what you do? Give me some reasons. What DO you believe? And how come it is it seems the only religions really trying to convince others to get saved are the baptists and protestant? Don't you care about people's destination and if they are going to Hell or not? What is your 'plan of Salvation' or do even have one? When was the Catholic church started and who founded it? Why did he found it?

Please answer as many of these questions as possible. Thanx.

I am not judging. I just want to know more about all the religions.

Answer 1

I myself am a person who is considering Catholicism/Orthodoxy, so I will share what has pushed me in this direction.

I was a Muslim who became an atheist. The writings and debates of the Christian philosopher William Lane Craig made theism a viable option, and beyond that he also made Christianity seem rational to me. Once I started leaning towards Christianity, I knew I was going to have to, eventually pick a denomination.

My interest in the Church started with reading about converts to Catholicism and/or Orthodoxy (e.g. books like Peter Guillquist's "Becoming Orthodox" which covered entire congregations from Campus Crusade for Christ embracing Orthodoxy, or Scott Hahn's "Rome Sweet Home," about the dean of a Presbyterian college going Catholic, and then other works such as David Currie's "Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic," Stephen Ray's "Crossing the Tiber," Patrick Madrid's three volumes of "Surprised by Truth," the aforementioned Gillquist's "Coming Home: Why Protestant Clergy Are Becoming Orthodox," and lots of stuff on Cardinal Newman and the so-called Oxford movement).

Those books made me think a little more deeply about issues I was scraping the surface of, in particular the issue of ecclesiology, the issue of church authority, and the issue of who has the authority to bind together the previously disparate books of the Biblical canon. The more I looked into the issue, the more I developed a literal understanding of the notion of the Church as the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). From there, I started to see Church authority all over the Bible (e.g. the power to bind and loose bestowed upon Peter and then later all the apostles, the apostolic succession in which the office of Bishop of a former Apostle is filled by a new person, the command to set up churches and ordain Presbyters, the way the Council of Jerusalem set doctrine with regard to what laws gentile Christians had to follow and then disseminated that rule to the other congregations within the Church, and just the general idea that even though some of the Old Testament scriptural proofs employed in the NT are not obvious, they are still binding... e.g. Isaiah 7:14 refers to Jesus, because Matthew said so, period, and Psalms 45:6-7 is the speech of God directed at Jesus, because Hebrews said so, period, et cetera).

Those who hate the the Catholic and Orthodox churches often object that they hold to the position that the Church is the final authority, not the Bible alone. Some of the people who hold that position are surprised when I tell them that pondering the Bible has led me to believe in Church authority. For example, discussing the nature of the canon (what books are in the Bible?) has made me conclude that you need some authority outside of the canon to establish what books are and are not in it (because the Bible itself does not list the canon, therefore "the Bible alone is the sole authority" fails on a very key doctrine: namely the books of the canon itself!). When I pondered that, it suddenly clicked for me that Jesus did not just hand people the Bible; rather he established a Church!

I could go on, and on, and on... but the point is that I started to feel that if one is going to be a full Christian, they need to be part of the Church established by Christ. There is only one Christ, and thus only one Church (i.e. the true Church can no more be divided than can Christ himself). Those who are separated out from the Church are antichrists (1 John 1:18-19).

Through my studies I learned that, for the most part, there had been essentially one Church throughout the first thousand years of Christian history - the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. While Evangelical Protestants attempt to rail against the "traditions of men," the notion of "the Bible [i.e. Luther's 66-book canon] alone as sole authority" is one of the most recent innovations of Christian history, and itself is a mere "tradition of men". So I have set on a search for the Church, and that has led me away from go-it-alone Protestantism but to this fork in the road where I look at the two shards of the once unified Catholic Church - i.e. the "Eastern Orthodox" and "Roman Catholic" churches, both of which have authentic apostolic successions stretching back 2,000 years, yet have been separated from one another for nearly a thousand years, with each side claiming to be the Church.

Now, after having shared the above, let me answer your questions...

Why should you consider Catholicism/Orthodoxy? Because therein you can find the true Church. I would ask that you investigate the origins and foundations of your own church. For example, who chose the books of the Bible for your church? Who has the authority to do such? Who has the final say in how to properly interpret the Bible? My conclusion is that the only one on earth who has a say in what the books of the Bible are, and how to interpret them, is the Church established by Jesus Christ.

What do I believe? I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, God, Savior and Creator. I believe that Jesus Christ established a Church on earth, and that Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. I believe that we are to hold to the traditions of that Church, both written and oral (2 Thessalonians 2:15).

Why does it seem like only Protestants do missionary work? Because Protestants are, today, more aggressive in their missionary work. Catholics and Orthodox also do missionary work, but I agree with you, they do not do it enough. They need to become more aggressive! And yes, the souls of all mankind is a very big concern. Jesus' commission to the Church was to make disciples from all nations.

The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church started in the first century, and was founded by Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

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Catholics can tell you what to believe, but you are the only one that can determine why you should believe it. That's all a Catholic should do; merely tell you what to believe and let you find out for yourself why.


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It's not a Catholic's lot to tell you why to believe. I can tell you what to believe.


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Bcause your observations are selective, concerning only Baptists and Protestants, not Catholics. You need to check out Catholic Charities, for example.


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Yes but your concept of what it takes to get to heaven or go to hell is overly - and dangerously - simplistic.


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Yes, and the fact you can't discern it doesn't mean Catholics don't have one.


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Jesus Christ.


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For the Salvation of all those who beleive in Him.


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You are judging yourself holier than others on account of the fact you are Baptist and others are not. Also, you are presuming Catholics don't care about the Salvation of others as well as the presumption Catholics don't have a "plan for Salvation". You presume too much.

Practice prudence, not presumption.

Answer 3

The Catholic Church has extensive missions around the world ,but we no longer see 'proselytizing' or "sheep-stealing" as a way to fulfill the Great Commission. Many Catholics do not use the methods of Baptists or Pentecostals but others do.
We care very much about our own and others eternal destiny

If you would like to know what the Catholic Church teaches get The Catechism of the Catholic Church which is readily available with many bookstores and is on the web at www.usccb.org/catechism/text

The Catholic Church cherishes the truths that other Trinitarian Christian groups teach which we share in common. The Church also cherishes the good and truths found in non Christian religions that we share.

The Catholic Church is the mother Church of all Christian churches and is a not a fragment of the truthfulness but is the fullness of Christianity

Life in the Trinity through Christ the One Mediator by His grace which Jesus shares through His Word and Sacraments. We are saved by Christ alone by grace alone through faith which works through love.

Christ Himself founded the Catholic Church for the salvation of the human race and He has saved it from destruction (Matt16:17-19,1 Tim3:15;John 10:16)

Check out paragraphs1023-1060 about the Ultimate Things of salvation in the Catechism.

Let us pray for each other.

You might be interested in checking out Catholic Answers site and other Catholic apologetic sites.
and EWTN,especially The Journey Home

Answer 4

Haha, I like that even the Athiest can tell you that the church was started by Jesus. There is no misconception about that, which tells you something about how far our faith goes back. The baptists ( who are protestants) stemmed off of the Catholic religion when they wanted to make their own changes to fit their needs. The Catholics believe in tradition, and that religion doesn't change to fit our needs at the moment. I do agree with the person who mentioned the "tone" or way your phrased your questions. Seeing as how you do not know the origin of your own religion doesn't give much room to criticize the one your came from. The Catholic church doesn't tell you, you are wrong or that you should believe us only. We don't send out missionaries or preach our religion. A religion that dates back so long, and is the belief of 1/5 of the world doesn't need advertisement. Here is someone of your own faith who has seen the truth for themself. His story has become very popular and has brought in a lot of converts.

http://www.chnetwork.org/scotthconv.htm

Answer 5

Everything is pretty much summed up here. (not so sure if "summed up" is the correct phrase here) I know people before me referred you to the Catechism but trust me on this it's boring. I prefer to use the Baltimore Catechism because it makes it easy for dummies to understand it.

We don't just say Baptists are wrong. We say all Protestants are wrong but we don't persecute you because the Bible says "He who is not against you is for you.”

Some reasons are:

a) The Catholic Church was instituted by Christ 2007 years ago.

b) The Catholic Church has not changed in 2007 years unlike many Christian denominations that change the popular belief changes. A good example of this is birth control. When birth control fist came out most Christian churches treated it like the plague but now most of them accept it.

c) We believe everything in the Apostle's Creed (wiki that so I don't have to)

d) It seems that most protestants are out there trying to save people because they think it's as easy as accepting Christ as their savior or being Baptized but it's much harder than that. You have to live your life the way Christ did which is much harder. Catholics underrstand that so we don't try to trick people into believing they are saved when they're not.

e) Yes we care but most people will not listen to us so we just pray for them. Our belief system is too complicated to just say "get saved". It's a whole lifestyle and you have to want it and be willing to fight for it.

f)We have a plan for salvation. Heaven, Hell. or Purgatory. The whole purgatory thing is rejected by most Christians because there is no biblical proof for that. My answer to that is there is Biblical proof of it just not in your Bible. Scripture supporting Purgatory can be found in the 2 Maccabees. The books of Maccabees were omitted from the King James Bible to make Catholics look bad.

g) Christ founded the Catholic church because he wanted his people to be saved. Plain and simple.

If you have anymore questions reguarding Catholicism please contact me at god'[e-mail].

Answer 6

The Roman Catholic Church was started around 300 ad.long after Jesus had returned to heaven and ALL the Apostles were dead.It is based on a conglomeration of heretical and pagan belief systems put together under the guise of "Christianity".
P.S. the Baptists are NOT a protestant religion.Baptists beliefs come directly from the followers of John the Baptist.
The protestant beliefs are the Lutherans,the Methodists,the Episcopalians,the Anglicans.
The Catholic "plan of salvation" is to die,spend 300+ years in purgatory(or until your family donates enough money to the church to buy your way out.)Then the Pope has to declare you a saint,then Peter can allow you into the pearly gates.

Answer 7

Well, I am sure that the tone of your question will certainly attract hundreds of converts to the Baptist Church! You might be amused to know that the Baptist Church is a Protestant Church! Another one sinning in the name of the Lord!

Answer 8

protestants are trying to get people saved? I suppose a handful are... hmm. I know Catholics don't believe the same gospel we do... ours is herecy because we don't preach baptismal regeneration, we don't include the mass in salvation, and we believe that salvation is by faith alone, not by works. The Catholics are more concerned about how they look to society and to thier pope than they are about the spiritual state of others. As far as MOST of them are concerned, everyone else can go to hell... or pergatory... just so long as I'm covered... heck I'm not covered anyway, I'm going to pergatory... what do I care about someone else... not my place to judge...

Answer 9

A summary of Catholic beliefs is contained in the Nicene Creed (from the year 325):

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

For a complete description of what Catholics believe, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

Proverbs 26:4

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

This is basically saying if you argue with a fool [non-believer] then you then become a fool yourself.....and why are you judging ppl by what theyre religion is if you are a christian like you say you are you know that God Only has the right to Judge.........