Conversations with protestant friend.
Hi,
Ive recently been having interesting discussions with a friend of mine who comes from a protestant background, and i must amit to not being able to fully answer alot of the questions posed!
Basically her problem with Roman Catholicism is that we "go above and beyond what is necessary", and that we have various other beliefs, such as the whole area of Mariology, purgatory etc that are not required. All that is required, in her view, is order to be fully Christian, one must fully devote oneself to Jesus and that some RC beliefs, such as marian beliefs take away from what we should really be doing (focusing on Christ).
As far as purgatory is concerned, she asserts that there is no need for it as Christ has removed the stain of sin from us. I explained to her the analogy posted prevoiusly by Bro. Ignatius about the broken window (the idea that if if I have been forgiven for breaking a window the consequence remains, ie the window is still broken), she however says that it is Christ who fixes the window, as well as forgiving us (if we repent).
I also am answered with the quote "wheres that in the bible" which seems to be a typical protestant answer! This leads to a debate on sola scriptura etc.
I enjoy talking about my faith with my friend, and she wants to understand why we believe the things that we do, although as I've said I'm not the greatest theologian (which is why I enjoy this site so much!)
QUESTION from Jonathan on March 1, 2004
firstly I want to say thankyou for this site as it has a great source of information since I stumbled across it!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on March 16, 2004
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Dear Jonathan: Explain to your friend, that if Jesus fixes the window, how does he do this? Does he get in the car and run down to the hardware store, write a check for the glass, and then with hammer in hand repair the window? This analogy is speaking of a REAL window. If she thinks Jesus fixes the window, please send me her address and I will come over and throw a rock through her window. Then we can see who fixes it. Would not I be responsible for paying for the window. The Cross does not come down and repair the window. The Cross pays the penalty for our sin, yes, but the Cross does not pay for the restitution due. The penalty for sinning by breaking the window is paid, yes, but the duty to be accountable and responsible to pay for the repair is still mine. Purgatory, by the way, is thoroughly biblical. The Dictionary definition of purgatory is 1 Cor 3:15. Some Protestants call this the "Judgment Seat of Christ". Catholics call it Purgatory. Either way, it is the same thing. As for the "where's that in the Bible" argument, this is the central core to Protestantism. It is the central UNBIBLICAL core of Protestantism since the Bible itself does not claim to be the sole authority. In fact, the Bible specifically says that not all the teachings of Jesus are even in the Bible (John 21:25). Act 20:35 contains a statement from Jesus that was not recorded in the Gospels. 2 Thess 2:15 tells us to hold fast to TRADITIONS whether ORAL or written.(the Bible is written Tradition). 2 Thess 3:14 tells us to shun those people who act not according to TRADITION. The Church Fathers affirm that the Bible is not the sole authority. There is NO evidence, whatsoever, to prove a doctrine of sola scriptura. That is an utterly man-made doctrine that did not exist until the 16th century. It is not the Catholic Church that has added to the faith. Rather it is the Protestants who have erased part of the faith and replaced it with the doctrines of men. "Faith alone", "Bible alone" are ADDITIONS that the Bible itsself never claims. In addition the Protestants do all sorts of things not in the Bible. Sunday School is not in the Bible, called ministers "Reverend" is not in the Bible, Bible Camps are not in the Bible, the Worship agenda of a Protestant Church is not in the Bible, the idea that only adults can be baptized is not in the Bible. The fact of history and Bible is that the Catholic Church alone contains the Fullness of the Faith of Jesus and the Apostles. Here are some resources that may help you: Biblical Evidence for Catholicism Remember one thing.... a person will not be convinced of the truth if they are not interested in the truth. We cannot convince anyone. We are just messenger boys with a message to give. Thus instead of argument, merely give the information in as clear and convincing way as possible, but then let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Unproductive argumentation is condemned by St. Paul (i.e. Titus 3)
God Bless, |