When confronting Catholics about their man-made traditions...?

Question

do you ever feel like you are casting pearls before swine? Will they ever listen to God's word? Do you know anyone personally who was raised catholic and suddenly believed the truth of the Bible?

Answer 1

Yes I do.And no,never suddenly.My family and relatives are all Catholic.Three siblings and I became Christians years ago simply because all of us are highly intelligent and once reaching our teens decided to search out the truth on our own.It was pretty quick for my sisters,but my brother and I went into long comparative religious studies for years together.Course then you find out official history is a lie.And you have to study philosophy and geopolitics to get the big picture.Suffice to say we knew Christianity is the only way unto salvation.And it is impossible to be a Catholic or any other religionist at the same time.And with all the types of people I've ministered to I find it hardest to reach Catholics,including the rest of my family.

Answer 2

I married such a girl. The thing is, she never was too infatuated with anything but God and the Bible anyway, so it was relatively easy for her to escape the burdensome layers of uninspired human tradition imposed by Rome. Those who are steeped in it have a serious problem escaping the "authority loop." It goes something like this: The church must vindicate any statement as to whether it is truth. The church says others who believe in Jesus but do not accept the Scepter of Rome are not members of the true church. Therefore, only Rome and it communicants are the true church. Because Rome is the true church, only Rome can vindicate any statement as truth. And so the loop completes, and there is no way to break into it apart from a work of grace, although it doesn't hurt to talk about the early emergence of Sola Scriptura as opposed to Sola Ecclesia. Try talking about Athanasius being "against the world," based on Scripture, in defense of the Trinity. That's fun. God Bless.

Answer 3

I know hundreds of people who were raised Catholic and believed the truth of the Bible.

Holy Tradition in the Catholic Church is inspired by the Holy Spirit, described in the Bible and not 'man-made.'

I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. (John 16:12-13)

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2)

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 C.E.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 80 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#80

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

I was raised a catholic and now I do not care at all for the man-made religion for it harms more than it does any good. The bible does have some nice things to live by... but it is certainly not the word of God! It is the word of man.

so I suddenly realized the truth that the bible is just more personal opinion, like any book out there.

Answer 5

I know several catholics that Love the Lord and have a personal relationship with Jesus. There are many rituals to cloud the simplicity of the cross and confession to Jesus. I see what you mean that there can appear to be similarity with the Catholic methodology and the Pharisees of long ago. The love of fancy robes and ceremonies and positions.

Answer 6

Yes.The saddest part is that they misconstrue criticism of their false religion for personal attacks.And at times we do say unkind things,as we are all humans.When they refuse to examine their own doctrines and outright lie about them it sometimes deserves a blunt response at the brainwashed mentality.Most false religions do not have such global acceptance in all quarters as being Christian as does Catholicism.Anyone that reads God's Word without bias and then examines RC doctrine has to admit it is an antichrist religion.

Answer 7

i hardly ever go to school, but im still a Catholic. i would rather have my actions define me as a Catholic, how i treat people, how i act etc. rather than going to church. Yes, i guess i should go, but i would honestly rather praise God in my own way, by reading the Bible, praying etc. and i find that many Catholics are only Catholics by name. sure they mite go to church, and say the right words, and stand at the right times, but some of them do not act like God wants us to act...thats my opinion anywyas ;)

Answer 8

I have found that Catholics are (for the most part)accepting and tolerant people. Many have the opinion that Protestants don't know the truth and that the Catholic Church was the first Christian Church....

Can't say I know anyone who fits your description.

I know a Baptist who converted to Catholicism though ;)

Answer 9

Who said Catholics didn't believe in the truth of the Bible?

Answer 10

I was a Catholic, for 18 years. Did all the stuff, even considered being a priest. Then, I did something they strongly recomend against, I read the Bible, without the help of a priest! Oh, the horror! I realized they were lying to me, plain and simple. I spent over 10 years in the "wilderness" trying to sort it all out. Finally, according to God's providence and mercy, He revealed Himself to me in the Scriptures, and was indwelt with the Spirit. The scales on my eyes had fallen, the stops in my ears were gone, I finally found the truth. Can people in the RCC be reached with the truth? Yes, absolutely. But, it takes time and God working in their hearts. It is easier to learn something than to unlearn things, which is what I had to go through.