I Come from a non denominational background. My wife was born Catholic. We recently left church all together, I’ve been in a naturalistic agnostic place for the past year or 2. Last week we attended Mass, my first mass ever. I will never forget the feelings of reverence and authority of the Word of God that I’ve never felt in any other Protestant church. I was so touched, we’re making it our church and I am taking RCIA in the near future. Very excited to have my faith re ignited and to be baptized and receive my first communion in the Catholic Church. Thankful for this journey the Lord has me on.
Amazing, Richard, thank you for sharing. I have a similar background, and like you, felt the reverence and authority (among other things) at the first mass I attended.
I was born and raised a Catholic. When I met my wife I left the church and started going to a Baptist Church because I really didn’t know my faith and I enjoyed the academic nature of the baptist service. But, as I studied and prayed, everything led me back to the Catholic Church!!!
Sterling Crowne you’ve really been brainwashed .. 1500 yrs after the New Testament was written by the Roman Catholic Church a moron decided a few of the books didn’t suit him and that gave rise to over 40.000 denominations ... born again ... unbornagain blah blah blah But the Catholics Church remains the same from inception .... and it keeps on growing ...
Sterling Crowne youre really talking rubbish clearly you don’t understand a thing ... the New Testament remains the same so what crap you talking about Popes???? Every single pastor preacher or whatever they call themselves each go into a room and study the Bible for hours then on Sundays thousands upon thousands ministers pastors eat etc preach “their” definition of whatever they think they’ve read!!!! Just listen to Francis Chan and many hundreds of ex Protestants and they’ll tell you the same thing Any way you just go along your little way and go to your born again thing I’m done talking to a person that’s clearly a Catholic basher .... we’re still the single oldest Catholic Christians in the world ... steeped in faith and history .... so suck it up
I was raised as an Easter morning Baptist. As a teen (12-13 yrs) I sought an understanding of God and began attending a Baptist church regularly (Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday night, Friday night youth group and even Tuesday night "soul-winning"...knocking on doors). So I was trying very hard. Unfortunately, no one, even the Pastor, could answer the questions that I had so I strayed. Over the years I came to rock bottom to include a cocaine addiction, in and out of jail. It was during a 6-month stay in jail awaiting trial on embezzlement that I read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Growing up only hearing Protestant rhetoric, I knew the Catholic Church as a cult of lies. However, I finally found in this amazing book the answers to all the questions that I had from my youth forward. Upon my release I joined an RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and was confirmed into the Church. Spiritually, I've never felt better and found a peace which, prior to, I could never find.
I was baptized as a Southern Baptist when I was 13, was very involved in church and youth group. As I left home, I never doubted my faith but my attendance at church was spotty at best. I could never seem to find what I was looking for. I was in the Army and stationed in Germany, where I toured some very ancient Cathedrals. I was blown away at the piety, reverence, and dedication of the people that built these great altars to God. I could never match that level of reverence in any Protestant church. Many years later I attended the funeral Mass for my mother in law and I objectively opened my eyes, my ears, my mind and my soul to what was happening at the Mass. I could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. This led me to research the Catholic Church and early Christianity. Well, I think we all know how that goes. Cardinal Newman said, "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant." Once I started reading the early Church Fathers, the only logical conclusion I could come to was the Catholic Church was and is the holy, apostolic Church commissioned by Christ through St. Peter.
That’s funny you said that because as someone born and raised Catholic and then left the church once reading the Bible for myself and becoming a spiritually born again Christian, every Catholic funeral I have gone since then has been a farce. They speak of every person who died as being in heaven even if they didn’t know that person. That person could have been the most ungodly, unbeliever in the world caring less about Jesus Christ and they would still talk how they were with God. The Bible tells us there are many people who think they are saved and on the last day will find out they are not.
I'm a protestant currently in RCIA. I grew up in the Deep South where Catholicism was basically unheard of. Everyone was pretty much either Baptist or Methodist. Your videos have been helpful, very straightforward and practical.
I grew up as a protestant and I am still a protestant by conviction. However, I have studied church history, I have a growing appreciation for the Roman Catholic Church. In the last two years or so, I have become familiar with Bishop Barron and I am tremendously thankful for his voice on many issues. Even when I do not agree with his exact views, I feel he presents catholic teaching in warm and understandable light.
There will always be disagreements among denominations. I think what's most important in our individual journey is to seek out truth. For once we find truth, we have found Christ himself. May the Lord bless and keep you in his embrace my brother.
@Brett R You are right in saying it wasn't the first when it comes to a building or a group (congregation of people) who started the teachings of Jesus who told his apostles to go into the world ,spread his message and for those who would follow, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy spirit. The apostles went everywhere and started churches. This is why the Church is called Catholic because the word means Universal, not bound to one place or one people. The Coptic Church for instance was through the Evangelization of Apostle Mark. A very old Church obviously. From the first half of the first Century AD. All the different Churches are part of the One True Source which is Jesus Christ. So , my words "first church" are not correct in that sense. Let me put it another way. The Catholic Church is the Church of Jesus Christ, firstly because it goes back in history to the time of Christ. Secondly because theirs is the only Christian Church which possesses the unity, the intrinsic holiness, the continual universality and the indisputable apostolicity which Christ SAID would distinguish His true Church. Thirdly because the apostles and primitive church Fathers who certainly were members of Christ's Church, all professed membership in this same Church (see Apostles Creed and the Primitive Christian Letters). Ignatius of Antioch wrote:" Where the Bishop is, let the multitude of believers be, even as Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church". Our Lord said:"Let there be one fold and one shepherd," yet it is well known that the various christian denominations cannot agree on what Christ actually taught. Since Christ roundly condemned interdenominationalism "A house divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:25, Catholics cannot believe that He would ever sanction it in His Church. Where does the Pope get his Authority from , to be Head of this Church? Pope means Head Bishop of the Church , is referred to as the "rock"of the Church or the "shepherd" of the Church. Christ used that terminology when he appointed Peter, the first head of the Church "thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church ."Matthew 16:17-19. "There shall be one fold and one shepherd John 10:16 . "Feed my lambs....feed my sheep." John 21:15-17 The other apostles understood that Peter had authority from Christ to lead the Church, for they gave him the presiding place every time they assembled in council Acts 1:15, 5:1-10 and they placed his name first every time they assembled the names of the apostles. Matt. 10:2, Mark 3:16 Luke 6:13-14 Acts 1:13 In addition there is the testimony of the Church Fathers. 2nd Century St. Hegessipus compiled a list of popes to the time of Anicetus (11th pope)which contained the name of Peter as first.
I’m a 50+ year old cradle Catholic and our Church is so blessed with so many new converts. I’m in awe of them; I was born into Christ’s Church but our blessed converts went through so much to enter the faith!
John Ford; Great name! John the sons of thunder. I am a devout Catholic but God threw a curveball and I love baseball and I married an Anglican wife who converted to the catholic faith.I have many Anglican family members.The Anglican church is obviously the closes to the catholic church in understanding.However one very important part is missing I believe it's the eucharist.Yes the Virgin Mary plays a significant role too I had to teach my wife about the Virgin Mary's role in salvation she had no clue.But her heart opened up when I showed her beautiful catholic shrines throughout North America. In the eucharist understand the catholic belief is literally the body and blood of Christ the real presence of Christ in the eucharist. The Jews thought of it metaphorically; protestants think it symbollically. This is the key and as Jesus said it is a hard teaching.People walked away don't walk away trust Jesus.He is the author of life. I made sure every city with visit on vacation that mass was essential and I made sure we found the local city catholic cathedral for mass.Once in New York City we actually got to meet Cardinal Dolan at St.Patrick's Cathedral a very kind man. My wife now is a catholic school teacher; reads at mass and gives communion.Talk about the vineyard labourers parable arriving at 3pm! It does not matter what time of the day you show up for the truth in the catholic faith you will receive the same wage or reward of faith like you have been there all day.God Bless.Don't jeopardize your salvation.Think how St.John describes the glorious crown of eternal salvation that awaits.Like a mother waiting for 9 months for her baby all the suffering goes away instantly as she sees her child the same way with Christ when we will see the face of God our souls will rejoice instantly.
@@johnb4632 On the contrary, I've found that the Eucharist is actually *not* the main issue for most Anglicans. It's more likely to be the usual suspects like the authority of the Pope and veneration of the saints. Since the 19th century many Anglicans have actually started to believe in a more physical version of real presence. Usually, though, Protestants who subscribe to the doctrine of physical real presence think that the body and blood are there "alongside the bread and wine", so it's still not the same as transubstantiation, the Catholic view. I don't know about your family members. It's possible that they may have been more low church, which would explain them having a more symbolic take on it. But nevertheless, Anglicanism as a whole has trended towards a more physical, sacrificial view of communion, and seems to be the rare example of a Protestant church where people actually have a *more* literal view of communion then the official doctrines of their church (written in the 1500's) allow them to. They are not supposed to believe that they physically eat Christ, yet many of them do anyway! Agreed that it's very rare to find an Anglican that has a Catholic understanding of Mary. In my experience even the high church ones almost never venerate saints.
That wasn't exactly much of a leap going from one church of satan to another church of satan..... Any government sponsored church is a church of satan....because the bible says all the kingdoms or governments of the world belong to satan ....so uniting a church with any government makes the chuch satan's possession.....when Constantine United the catholic church with the government it thusly became satan's possession
The new testament doesn't have a hierarchical priesthood and that is essentially the error all denominations make....they create a hierarchical priesthood....and there are no great one amongst us in the new testament church....the only great one amongst us is jesus christ These denominational hierarchical priesthoods lord over God's heritage and are all nicolaitains....but the true original nicolaitains are the catholic church who always sought to conquer the laity......nicolaitain means to conquer the laity
I converted and I ask for intercession from various Saints from time to time but I still pray to Christ daily using the Jesuit exam prayer. When I do pray the Rosary I seldom think of Mary but rather think of Christ in the decades. There is alot of misunderstanding by protestants on Mary and I find the mass totally Christ centered. and totally biblical as the entire bible is covered if you go to mass everyday.
Roman Catholic here...I've heard all the anti-catholic rhetoric from protestants and I just would reply to them, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Jesus Christ
You cannot separate truth from love. And the truth is if u put your faith in Christ alone you will be saved. The Catholic Church is a false religion and cannot offer u redemption. This church will be judged by Christ and He wants people to escape from its demonic grip. My advice to u: READ THE BIBLE - not the apocrypha. The Bible points to Jesus not a demonic religion taking His place.
@@sydb2848 everything the Church teaches can be supported by the Bible. Please read the Baltimore Catechism in order to learn what the Church teaches. The Catholic Church is the only one that possesses all four marks of Christ’s true Church. Sola scriptura and Protestantism does not lead to Christ’s true Church. The multiplicity of Protestant denominations is evidence of this, as they are not one (the first mark). You say the Catholic Church is false. Which denomination are you and why is it the correct one?
@@sydb2848 I don't think calling the Catholic Church demonic is the best look. What if, despite Protestant misinformation, the Catholic Church actually IS the true Church of Christ? You would then be calling the Church of Christ demonic, which is not something I think you would want to intentionally or unintentionally do. Kind of like the Bible says, be cautious of your tongue!
Many former Protestant bible scholars and theologians, and even philosophers and atheists have embraced Catholic Faith. Their testimonies and books are very helpful and useful to deepen our Catholic Faith.
In 1982 I was Baptized Protestant. In 1987 I went through RCIA and became Catholic. I served that Mass (which is very extrordinary as I have found out). I was Confirmed in 1988. I graduiated in 1991. All of that in St. Joseph Church in Ironton, OH.
Why am I Catholic? Not because it is easy. Not because it is popular. To borrow a thought for G.K Chesterton, I am Catholic because it is true. And that "living voice", the authority of the Church, points me to what is true.
Not one form Of Christianity is above another. The church is one, the true believers. Only those who serve God With all their strength and take steps to show it are part of the church. God looks at the heart, not a membership
If you want to get technical. Denominations are a sin.. we are supposed to adhere to God's word and not tradition.. as well as not add nor take away from His word. The Apocrypha is an addition. And it's not canonized. The reason is not canonized is because it's not the word of God! So my question to the Catholics or anyone who follows the apocrypha is.. what traditions, beliefs, and dogma are you receiving from those books
Thank you Fr. Barron. My husband and I are watching your Catholicism series over this Lent season. Beautiful music, scenery and messages. I'm finally converting to Catholicism this Easter season after 20 plus years of attending a Catholic Church (baptized Methodist 41 years ago, attended and married in a Methodist) and I couldn't be more thankful and in awe of God's guidance in continuing this journey of faith. Thank you for your outreach of sharing this beautiful faith and traditions…Praying for you and other teachers of the Faith this Easter Season.
Fr. Robert Barron Thank you for the reply Fr. Barron. I'm in such awe at the work of God as I continue this walk (as I have been over the many years)…that He is by my side, and has always been. I'm listening more attentively, grasping a little tighter and forgiving more than ever before, even of myself. I just praise God that I will be able to take 'in' the full Body and Blood of Christ with the Eucharist. Never before have I looked so forward to something. Thanks Be to God.
To make a long story short. I was confirmed Easter 2019 at 44 years old. I’m trying to guide my mother (who is Protestant) to convert to Catholicism. This is a recent undertaking and sending her this video is round #2. Please Pray she will continue to warm to the idea
Read the early Church fathers and you'll read about belief in: - One Church of One Faith - Salvific Baptism - Infant Baptism - The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (his resurrected body, blood, soul and divinity) - 73 books in the bible (not 66) - Salvation by Grace, Through Faith, Working in Love
tim spangler " And not a word about WORSHIP of the Eucharist...or unbloody blood. ...or many other Catholic distinctives." I guess you haven't read ALL the early Christians writing just as Catholic's profess today: The bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ. Nothing about it being symbolic only.... And you Tim, still haven't provided one iota of evidence that these early Christian's professed what you believe: Faith alone Bible alone Symbolic Only Eucharist Symbolic Only Baptism Baptism delayed to the age of reason. Been waiting for a long time for any evidence from you....it should have been quite easy to do so if were right.
@@jurisprudens Asaph suffers from Sola Scriptura, a man-made construct first found in the 16th century - and holds others to a standard that he doesn't hold himself. For example ... Asaph says: Quote me an example of infant being baptized in NT? You cant. Me: Quote me an example of infant having their baptism delayed to the age of reason in NT? You can't. Asaph: doctrines are proved from Scriptures. Me: prove from scripture where scripture states: - baptism is delayed to the age of reason - baptism is symbolic only (contradicting 1 Pet 3:21) - The Eucharist is symbolic only (contradicting Christ's words) - That woman should be preachers - That Christ's promise to lead His Church to ALL truth was limited to the apostles, and not their descendants. - That Christians should be held to Sola Scriptura (contradicting God saying to hold fast to what is written AND spoken) - That one is saved by faith alone (contradicting God's Word through James 2) - Where one finds the list of what books should be in scripture, in scripture. - *Where doctrines are proved by 2 verses of scripture (this is an unique Asaph doctrine, not found in scripture, but he doesn't hold himself to it... though he can try doing so on the points above. Asaph is too prideful to admit that he is WRONG on this and that he is a hypocrite for not holding himself to the same standard that he holds others. *Keep in mind, he needs two bible verses to prove this doctrine itself.* I ask him only for the book, chapter and verse, and no fallible and personal interpretation of scripture. *If this Asaph doctrine is true, it should be abundantly clear from God in scripture* and God according to the Church of Asaph would have made it very clear ... twice.* The Church of Asaph has a lot of work to do in proving all the points above, especially by the Church of Asaph, he must prove each by citing two scripture verses. It's full of chaos and confusion as many of its beliefs have their beginnings only in the 16th century, from men in central Europe who had no authority to say that Christendom universally error'd for over 1,000 years.
TruthHasSpoken: LOL, LOL, LOL!!! You are absolutely correct, right and true of your arguments against this Asaph Vapor who keeps repeating and repeating his Christian history and knowledge that are full of historical distortions, half-truths, misconceptions, misunderstandings and unchristian hate and condescending pride. More Power to you, TruthHasSpoken!!!
Excellent video. I had to watch this coming from a Non-Denominational background and being received into the Church in a few weeks. Thank God my folks (who are still Protestants) are thrilled for me and will be at the Easter Vigil to support me. Pray for them too :)
You are really blessed to have parents who understand. In my case, my parents never wanted to understand, especially my mother. I think what holds many people back from becoming Catholic is not just because of their own doubts but because of authority figures in their own lives like parents or spouses, etc who interfere with the freedom of a person to make an adult decision. When you are young, your parents hold the purse strings and you have to play along with their prejudices until you get financially free to go on your own and then you make the move. Spouses are much more difficult, though, as they can make life miserable for you to convert. Some marriages split up over this and it is sad but it happens. Religion should be a force for love and peace, but many times it can create division and infighting. Much of it is over control over another person to do what someone demands. Not to hold unreasonable control over another adult is a good thing but hard to practice in a marriage. It is especially hard when two people were of the same faith at first but later on one decides to convert to something else. That becomes a real problem if both people are strict in their ideas and beliefs. Be thankful for an understanding parent or spouse. You are lucky if you have that blessing.
sologuitar7; The catholic church has the authority to loosen and bind anything on earth.For example the wedding ring was a pagan thing but the church had to the power to Christinize the wedding ring. Before catholicism became the official state religion in 325 AD the pagans in Israel built temples over the holy sites of Christ. Not knowing that Helena Constantine the Great's mother awhile she was in the holy land was able to pinpoint the exact spots of holy sites of Christ to the exact locations because of these pagan temples.My point pagans had a role in Christianity the same way several popes in history converted many pagan kings to the true catholic faith throughout history.God ordains all authority.We must respect this.Watch God in action.
sologuitar7; But St.Paul said for Christians we only needed to keep the 10 commandments not the whole Mosaic Law. Jesus was showing that he was authority.
I married a Catholic man and the children all went to Catholic schools. I started going to Mass with them all every Sunday as a family and over about 10 years became familiar with the rituals and seasons of the church. Then Mass started to be celebrated in English instead of Latin and suddenly it all came into focus for me. After another couple of years I converted and I thank God for the faith and understanding he has given me.
@Monica Merino Yes I did. I guess there was something about it that drew me in, and I could understand enough about the rituals, which my husband explained to me. It all just seemed right and what I wanted.
@Monica Merino Believe in Jesus, have faith. His main message is love, which incorporates many other things and of course having his body and blood which connects us to him in a special way. This is the whole pivot of the Mass and what distinguishes it from other religions.
Interestingly, my own personal devotion to Mary (as a Catholic), was partly inspired a Protestant. When I was learning to surf, a Protestant Christian surfer taught me to say a prayer before each session. As a Catholic, I decided to say the Hail Mary as my prayer before going out. Now I say it before doing anything that carries a significant risk. I expanded this because after I started this practice, then the "coincidences" started. I am not a "risk taker", but I seem to attract bizarre "coincidences". Examples: taking care of a catastrophic shark attack victim and later being "double bumped" by a huge shark in January (Great White) and paddling away unscathed. Taking care of catastrophic spinal cord injuries from "face plants", and then getting "face planted" myself in judo -- and walking away uninjured (six months before I had a "feeling" to strengthen my neck). Getting a "premonition" to avoid a certain surf break a particular week that I heeded -- and a surfer was killed there by a tiger shark that exact week. No atheist rant of "confirmation bias" could ever get me to stop a practice I credit with saving me so many times. God can only be understood through relationship.
I, a Protestant, have been admiring Catholicism a lot recently. I go to class with a very devout Catholic student body, and I love and respect them greatly. I think many Protestants are WAY too critical of Catholicism. Some have made claims as wild as the antisemitic theories of global manipulation, and it shows me how I need to avoid the bloc of Evangelical mega churches. I am a non-denominational Christian, and I love Catholics very deeply.
Marcus Grodi's _The Journey Home_ program is another great resource for those considering converting. He seems to find converts from all over the place - Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Evangelical, Non-Denominational, Mormon (not to mention Judaism and Atheism) willing to share their stories. Each one is a little miracle.
Coming from a protestant background and a Protestant family, my own initial questions were... Why do we pray to the Saints? Why do we pray to Mary? Why do we need confession when Christ died for our sins? And lastly, how can purgatory exist when it's not mentioned by name in the Bible? I think it's incumbent on all of us to learn our faith and be able to defend it well. The thing that pushed me to become Catholic however, was how welcome I felt when I first set foot in a Catholic church at age 50. From there I went through RCIA to discern becoming Catholic. The more I learned, the more I knew it was home for me.
I know some Protestants who say Catholics are all damned because they add stuff to the Bible. I know this is not true and try to discredit them. They keep going back to the book of Galatians and how Paul says (paraphrasing), "Whoever adds or removes from the word of God shall be damned." I'm not entirely sure how to respond to that but I am glad to hear that honoring of Mary goes back to the very beginning. I will be sure to remember that. Thank you Robert Barron!
I was Seventh-day Adventist. Unlike the majority of members in Adventism, I did not believe the conspiracies about people worshipping on Sunday and I did not believe the Catholic Church was evil. Rather, I agreed with their other doctrines on Christ's divinity, having good Christian behavior, giving charity, the imminent return of Jesus, Holy Spirit converting the believer, modest dress and healthy eating, etc. What woke me up was after I left Adventism I noticed that almost all of the evangelicals teach you can sin sin sin since you're once saved, always saved. And then the mainline churches promote the rainbow agenda. So I was either going to be a hypocrite and go to a rainbow denomination knowing its wrong or become Catholic. And while the decision was not easy I made the right choice and chose God over what the world wanted me to do.
I started drinking when I was 16. I would drink at parties, but I also started drinking alone because I was unhappy, and I was in a lot of emotional pain all the time. My mom was very aggressive when I was younger, and my brother hated her and so did I. He started hanging out with shady people, he started failing all his classes, he was never home, and my parents fought all the time. I also ran away several times. I was always trying to figure out a reason as to why I was here or what the purpose of life was. So, I started looking at different philosophies, religions, and beliefs. When I was 18 after I was hungover, I got on my knees and I prayed for the first time. I asked if God was real that he would show me he was real because I couldn’t take it anymore. I was crying when I prayed for this. At that moment I felt a presence come over me like a wind. It was barely noticeable, but it was unlike anything in my life I had experienced up until that point. I was surprised when I felt it and I remember saying “what was that?” after that experience I pretty much forgot what happened and kept partying, until my senior year when I got arrested. After my arrest, my parents lost all their trust in me and I was expelled from high school. I was told never to come back. At that time, I felt afraid and hopeless. That’s when I started looking for God, and I prayed that he would reveal himself in my life and that he would give me signs. My prayers began getting answered so consistently that I couldn’t deny that God was doing something. It was mysterious and compelling. I ended up in Church and started reading the bible hours a day. I stopped hanging out with all my other friends because they were continually getting arrested. I was able to forgive my family and myself and to ask to be forgiven. I noticed how at Church people were judgmental and how they formed cliques but were afraid to be around anyone else different from them. It increased my faith because I realized Jesus was not like that and ever since I was young, I saw people as people regardless of who they were. After a while, it’s like I could see God's presence was in my life and then it felt like he wasn’t, and then he was, and then he wasn’t. One day I woke up and felt more depressed than I ever have in my entire life. I felt like I was dying on the inside. That night I prayed, and I said, God, I don’t see my life five years from now I'm going to die Jesus save me Lord, please save me. I was weeping when I said it and when I asked him to save me, I felt a presence inside of me like a heartbeat, and I felt it once like a pulse, and I said Lord please save me and I felt it again even stronger. It was like radiance. When I woke up the next morning, I had transformed everything felt brand new like I was a kid again. All my fears and all my racing thoughts everything was gone. I looked at my hands, and I said this can’t be real it’s impossible. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw a different person. I started praying, and the holy spirit became entirely real to me it was washing over me and inside of me. It was total love and peace, and I heard a voice but not an audible one, it was an inner voice. It said I am with you; I love you, I will never leave you, it’s done it’s finished. That was May 3rd, 2009, and ever since then I’ve followed God, I have seen many things change and many things I know wouldn’t have changed without faith and belief. I know what it’s like to be lost to feel you have no hope. Don’t ever think you’re stuck, or life can’t change because it can. My mom is a Christian now, Its night and day. Some of the things that went away during that period were severe anxiety and my addiction to alcohol. I’ve seen and experienced so many things that are miraculous and seen how God has worked in my life. When we ask God to forgive us for what we’ve done and turn away from our sins and wrongdoings and we believe in Christ's sacrifice everything changes. His word says if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that he died and rose again we will have eternal life but not just life after death but abundant life in the present. Our sins are erased not only past, present, and future but our burdens and fears are lifted also. Our thoughts, our minds, our hearts, our souls are transformed and united with God and we know his spirit lives in us. If you seek, pray, and knock you will know JESUS IS KING!!! HE LIVES!
I love this! And I love hearing stories like this because I’ve experienced similar - if only people knew that God really HEARS and loves us, love on Earth would be ever-abundant! Also, your story reminds me very much of Father Don Calloway’ as conversion story. I highly recommend watching it (he’s so down to earth too, it’s great). Thanks again for sharing, and may God bless you and keep you!
"Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament. . . . There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death." -JRR Tolkien
Attend the Traditional Latin Mass of the Roman rite of the Catholic Church, also called the Tridentine Mass. Also read a Traditional Catholic Catechism such as the Baltimore Catechism. The New Mass and new (post-Vatican II) Catechism are about as different from Protestantism as a green apple is from a red one - same fruit, different colour.
Jet Pilot But sir, Protestants do not celebrate Mass at all. Also, I would encourage you to distinguish between the actual Magisterium-approved teachings and documents of Vatican II from the so-called "spirit of Vatican II".
Rodney Burton Excellent Dr Watson! And that is why the Novus Ordo "Mass" is no mass at all. It is a Protestant service. I like your Tolkien quote - beautiful! Tolkien was talking about the real Mass, the Mass of Pius V which was the only Mass celebrated until Vatican II. As far as your encouragement to distinguish...how does one distinguish between a turd and a cow patty? All of Vatican II is from hell. I do not exaggerate when I say that V2 has been responsible for the eternal loss of millions of souls. Very very serious!! We can exchange pleasantries on youtube, but there has been a devastation out there over the last 50 years, that has wreaked more havoc than WWI and WWII put together.
Jet Pilot Vatican II cannot be from Hell, because Hell cannot ever prevail against the Church. The Holy Spirit's protection over the Church remains. Vatican II is from Heaven. You say that the Mass of Pope Pius V is the only mass celebrated until Vatican II? Does that mean that the Mass was invalid for the first 1500 years?
I came here because as a former Catholic & Protestant since the age of 12, I have had a spiritual connection with God, but something has been nudging me to return to Catholicism. It's very hard for me to undergo this change. I do not wish to argue with anyone. All I ask are for prayers to help guide me to finding where I need to go.
Joan wrote: If God is love, then the Body of Christ is intangible. Me: but Jesus stated, "my Flesh is true food..." i think then that love has become not only tangible, but edible. This is why we Must Eat the Eucharist. Not so that it becomes us, but so that We become love, as He is Love.
Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. His word are meat indeed His words are Spirit indeed. The Spirit gives life and if we abide in His word then His Spirit Abides in us. True communion with God comes from worshiping God with ur life. Your heart mind and soul your everything. If you keep His commandments then He will abide in you Love God, Love your neighbor.
TheLongSummer Are you a Protestant by any chance sir ? I'm just asking . I do have some Protestant co-workers and also some Catholics and me a Muslim but we all work in harmony . Only in religion we differ . I did sense my Protestant friends say something about Catholicism which they say is very ceremonial and complicated especially in the matters of baptism , taking the Holy Bread and the Confession . Me ? I'm totally different because I'm a Muslim but we do share the same belief in the Virgin Mary birth and the return of Jesus as savior at the End of Time .
The only thing missing is some really catchy music at the start and end of these #AskFrBarron videos… The jingle for all the other commentary videos reminds me of all the great stuff I've learned from Fr. Barron over the years. Puts a smile on my face just thinking about that tune! :D Thanks for all the great work you're doing, Word on Fire team!
I now feel surprised that my conversion was so easy, though I think both Catholics and Anglicans can exaggerate the differences. The importance of the Pope and of Mary are pretty much the only ideas that I took issue with when first presented with them. That seems to be the case in most differences between most denominations of the Church - not different ideas, more differences in how important certain ideas and things are.
When I hear a Protestant arguing about a specific Catholicism issue, I play a little reverse psychology and imagine that the issue is causing them anger because they realize deep down that the issue is a neglected or mis-taught area of their own spirituality. People only argue about things that they care about. To me, an anti-Mary Protestant would have a concealed Marian devotion. An anti-authoritarian person knows the need for a Petrine office. An anti-indulgence person fears hell.
Personally I never argue Doctrine with Catholics. I always bring the issue with relationship with God they Christ. Let’s face it the grand majority of so called “Christians” (Catholics and Protestants) don’t read their bible. In fact when I go out evangelizing as a Protestant born again believer when I see Catholics I always introduce my self in a loving manner saying “I’m here to talk about Jesus the son of the Virgin Mary”. Common ground is key... then I challenge them with the 10 commandments...
I've been born into the church of Christ but is never really been my my religion here in the last couple years I've been reading up on Catholics I feel that I should give it a shot I feel drawn to it for some reason
+jay frost you are but if they want to and try where they are happy let them, I am catholic and was like you left and stopped believing, I have my reasons for being catholic and coming back. but you are right, Jesus is who saves and the way we worship is different and to me that is ok. faith in Jesus and good actions bearing good fruit is what we should focus on, we are brothers and sisters in christ and should love one another.
Thank you for your words I guess I have a long journey ahead of me I have two Catholic churches in my area eventually I'll get the nerve to walk in and said down
+CreedLake glad you have have accepted Jesus as your lord and saviour, and glad you want to give the catholic church a try. I love the bible and its amazing, even after many years you discover new things and how God is talking to us and it was his plan. in one night I read the new testament because I couldn't stop reading lol
Have you ever felt strongly in the past about major relationship/life decisions? You went with your feelings and ended up in the world of hurt? If your feelings have led you astray in the past how can you trust your feelings about the church of Rome?
I have heard some saddening words here and people condemn and attack Mary... The Mother of Christ... A woman picked from the multitude of women who existed in those days as the bearer and nurturer of the Christ himself... That is a woman to be revered, not shunned and attacked, as many do. If you choose to attack ... remember hese words... You are attacking the Mother of Jesus, the Christ, God incarnate as he came to walk among his people... You will answer for such unfounded hatred one day.
that is more of your made of ridiculous nonsense... quote your sources which you never do... what exactly do you hope to do tim by always slandering Christ's mother Christ's church and it's people?
***** where did I lie? I just reread everything and there is no where where I lied... you are not placing comments and events into context as usual.. so, show me where I lied..
Catholics do not elevate Mary to a status of God. purely false ignorant statement that is the lie... btw You never showed anyone where I lied did you? We revere Mary as the mother of Jesus, who was the living incarnation of God, who stripped himself of his godliness and walked amongst his people. he picked 1 woman out of all the millions that existed to give birth to him and rear him, because she was Holy and pure... do you deny this which is stated in the scripture? so to revere the mother of Christ is somehow wicked? in what way is that? do you revere your own mother and if so you must be wicked as per your twisted ridiculously ignorant logic. Still waiting for you show me where I lied... ohh you just conveniently skipped it huh?
+PEDOPHlLE PRlEST in the CATHOLlC church --- Let's not forget ALL the sodomite priest, bishops, cardinals and popes as well. americamagazine.org/issue/387/article/church-and-homosexual-priest
I'M A PROTESTANT, AND I LIKE THIS FATHER BARRON GUY. He's direct, sincere, and well spoken. I've been looking at the history of the Church, and the proverbial "thorn in my side" is that Protestantism goes back to the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther, and others who followed in his footsteps. Ergo, Protestantism has Catholic "roots". Since the 1500's Protestantism kept breaking into more and more groups and sub groups. Something like 30,000 Protestant denominations exist today. Each with their own ideals. Their stance on things like homosexuality, fornication, etc. range from "no way", to "it's ok.". Then theres sects such as Jehovah's Witness and Mormons who are so off track, they have the directional sense of a drunk on a unicycle. BUT, the Catholic church has held strong to their theology. (Though there does seem to be a few denominations in Catholicism too. Byzantine, Maronite, Roman, Irish, etc. but again, they are much closer to the original) Am I missing something as a Protestant? Why did us Protestants do away with most Sacraments? Yeah, theres a lot of things about Catholicism I'm trying to get my head around. Mary, praying to saints, Purgatory, confession to priests and so forth. But still, I'm wondering if I should "cross over" to the pre-Protestant church.
I'm really not a fan of the name, "protestant". I am catholic myself, but if I were not I would never want to be defined by what I am against, but rather for what I am for. There are no denominations in the catholic church. There are very different groups, but we are all one family brought together by Christ. In my mind the big question is not, "why are there so many splinters of protestants", rather the big question is "how has the catholic church held together so well?" The only answer that I know is that it is by the grace of God. You are in my prayers.
I don't think there are around 33,000 Protestant Denominations. If I had to put an accurate number out there, I would say there are around 100 - 500 Protestant Denominations.
Rocky211 33,000 if you count every independently governed protestant church or collection of churches with an independent leadership hierarchy as a "denomination". So two Protestant churches that had identical "statements of faith" but were governed completely separately would be two denominations.
Are you familiar with RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)? It's a study group offered in basically every Catholic parish; just ask your local church. It's a place where non-catholics can come, learn about the faith, and ask questions with no obligations of any kind. Before I became a Catholic, I had some of those same questions. Some are very simply answered; others are mysteries of the church.
God bless you. I my self am a non Catholic Christian, however I have learned so much from Catholics such as yourself and fr Mike shmit and realized although many traditions of the Catholic Church are not directly commanded they are not however forbidden and are indeed ancient. Though we may disagree on some mattered I am proud to stand with my Catholic brothers in Christ.
I was raised protestant and for some reason I have been feeling an emptiness and a drawing towards exploring Catholic faith. It's like a strange inner push or urge. When I read some of the catholic literature there's more of a peaceful feeling. Why? I want to find out
Vera, I recommend going through an RCIA program in your area. RCIA is designed to help you discern if becoming Catholic is your calling or not. God bless you richly wherever you go.
I am a protestant and very strong in my faith. I know Catholics feel the same. We have differences, I wont deny that. However, the core of are faith is the same. The Holy Trinity. Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God and the bread of life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Him. By His sacrifice and the shedding of His blood, we may have eternal life. Therefor, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Lets please put aside our differences. We have much bigger problems to worry about in the world today. Peace be with you.
***** Good for you! There really is no better news then to hear God has saved another soul. Especially this day in age. There are so many things that distract people from getting to know God.
***** Yes, it is painful and embarrassing. We all believe Jesus is the way and that's what is most important. We are all brother and sister in Christ and Jesus loves us all the same. We have radical muslims that are murdering our people because of their faith. Our love for God and one another is stronger then their hate. "We are Christians", thats the way we should think of one another before anything else.
+nicholas bronson Amen Nicholas. praise be to you and your family. FINALLY a protestant that isn't preaching anti-Catholic nonsense. bearing false witness... Good for you my friend
+A seeker many people still do in the catholic faith as well while same can be said that many muslims do not pray 5 times a day. They are a backward people lost from GOD's word deceived by the one they call the 'Great deceiver' and his pedophile prophet mohammad.
I am a Catholic who was away from my faith for awhile. I started my journey of faith back to Catholicism. with the help of Our Blessed Mother. My father was Catholic, so I was raised Catholic and my mother was Presbyterian but she had a devotion to Our Blessed Mother and I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet with her the night before she died. One important to do is to be gentle. To let a non-Catholic know that Jesus loves them. To be a witness to Christ and for Christ. Being direct does not work. "Why aren't you following the Catholic faith?" comes off as sanctimonious. I will call people out on that remark because it does not work. That is not an example of evangelization no matter how you want to justify that remark. Be an example of Christ. Grace, prayer and offering that soul to Christ saves souls.
For me, it was 1) intellectual dissatisfaction with the concept of Sola Scriptura and 2) the influence of the Holy Saints. I had actually been fostering a close relationship with one particular saint for years, but secretly, because according to my church's theology it was wrong to wander past plain admiration. In truth I had been envious of my Catholic friends for a long time, because they were allowed to cultivate deep relationships with the saints in heaven.
Luke 15:7 "I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." The saints know and they care!
On trips to Europe was very moved by the number and beauty of Roman Catholic cathedrals in places like Italy and even in Austria! I went inside purely as a tourist and lover of old world history and felt "left out" for lack of a better word to connect with such an institution. Jump to now during this entire covid-19 social isolation phenomenon. I've decided to look for online religious services by different denominations, especially this Easter. I've enjoyed many protestant worship videos, but surprisingly to myself I find myself being drawn to Catholicism as an afterthought to looking at Anglican and Lutheran religious videos. I am very much interested in RCIA classes and have watched a few online. I have even bought a Rosary from eBay and I have "sung"? or "prayed" the Divine Mercy using my newly acquired rosary, because a hail Mary is only recited once. I certainly struggle with notions of asking Mary to pray to god for me. I also struggle with God being inside the bread and wine of the last supper. I really like to idea of converting to Catholicism, but these are huge concerns for me as I know they may be road blocks to being accepted into the Catholic faith official? Once the churches are reopened of course. Any advice on these "concerns"?
Hello Juztn, May the peace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you. Just as our mothers and grandmothers have a great place of honor in our homes so too Jesus mother has a great place of honor in his heart. Consider that he lived with her for 30 years and she knew him more than anyone else has ever known him. She gave birth to him and she was there at his death on the cross. So that's why we have a deep love for her just as we do for our own mothers. She's the mother of us all the new Eve and especially for those who do not have a mother to go to. Asking Mary to intercede for us or pray for us to the Lord is no different than asking your own mother or your friend or your brothers or sisters to pray for you.. We all know that the Lord God already knows what we need before we ask. But we are honoring him by invoking his blessed mother and his angels and saints to intercede for us as holy persons for our needs. It is just the same as when we ask our fellow Christians to pray for us for our needs. Mother Mary is our great spiritual mother helping us all to come to Christ and to bring others to him. As for receiving the true Body, blood, soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, read the bread of life discourse in John 6: 22-59. You will see that Jesus says we cannot enter the kingdom if we do not eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. And many of his disciples turned away from him because this saying was too hard for them to believe. Jesus says I am the vine you are the branches; His true body and blood in the Eucharist grafts us to him and makes us holy so we are made fit to enter his kingdom. Jesus said manna brought the Israelites through the desert for 40 years to the promised land and yet they died. But Jesus said if you eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall live forever. The Eucharist, Christ's body and blood brings us to eternal life, and has always been the center of Christian worship from the apostles to the present. With great encouragement and love I invite you to come into the Catholic Church and feel the joy beyond all understanding when you receive the true body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock on the door will be opened unto you. May the peace and joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you always, Timothy
A year since I've converted to catholicism from protestantism, I don't regret a single bit. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
I really think that Catholics, Orthodoxs and Protestants (regardless of the denomination) should discuss like reasonable and respectful people. I mean, why the mutual hate? We're Christians after all.
Pat González tell that to protestants they judge and say who is christian according to them....don't know where they get the idea that they are here to judge.
Pat González you said it some...I honestly viewed all as christians but it was the protestants live and on tv judging who is christian....the catholic church says we are to think of each others as brothers in christ. what I really don't like is the hatred for the catholic church. an imam converted to catholicism and preaches the gospel and now there is a video preaching hate towards him and the catholic church....so horrible and sad. his name is Mario Joseph....just so you can see I am not making it up.
You are right, the Vatican and good Pope Francis all call for respect and love towards our separated brothers and sisters, the Protestants. However, there are some Catholics who do not listen, but spread hatred.
Rodney Burton totally agree, I do take a stand when I see vulnerable and special needs Catholics being persecuted. One of my friends is special needs and one group of born again Christains just kept turning up at her home at all hours, arranging prayer and bible study in her home with out her permission. For me the most offensive and dispicable act of behaviour is not respecting the spiritual boundarys of others, especially Catholics with special needs and learning disability. ( also not just Catholics, vulnerable adults from other faiths too) all places of worship must follow a code of conduct when in contact with vulnerable adults and special needs people. I am also a big supporter of ecumenical, and people from all denominations coming to gether as Gods children as it should be. Thank you for your comment, very well said.
The reason protestants can convert catholics is because of lack of adequate knowledge on the part of catholics. Any Catholic who actually understands the Catholic faith well, would NEVER Leave it for the man made false faith of Protestantism. We all have a responsibility to STUDY, LEARN THE FACTS and the TRUTH of our Catholic faith so as not to be duped. Don't aandon the iving jesus in order to follow MEN (reformers)
Adequate knowledge teaches us many things. Like many Catholic distinctives weren't until at least the late 4th century. Or the papacy didn't exist early on. Or that justification by faith alone is actually taught by Scripture.
Bcoz we have that teaching that doesnt only base on the bible.. before in the early times in the christian church there was no bible at all and they only preached through their works and mouth..so that means its a very sacred tradition of the catholic church that can be traced in the years after Christ have ascended..
@@geoffrobinsonnowhere in the bible teaches scripture alone. The bible says otherwise 1Timothy 3:15! Nowhere in the bible reads " bible"!!! Deal with it!
Dear Fr. Robert Barron. I am a Roman Catholic and I do acknowledge the Pope as the "rock" and successor of St. Peter. Speaking as someone coming from a music background of performing in choirs, I am able to empathize with and relate to your analogy of an umpire or a referee, or even a school principle. What I realized very quickly upon singing in choirs is that you like the conductor, who is a living voice, and who allows the flow of the beautiful music to go on. He is key to maintaining order in each song or composition. He keeps the choir together, as much as we each do our own time pattern with our finger. At the end of the day he sets the final speed, which we have to abide by if we want it to sound beautiful. Now, imagine if we, or someone, said: we don't believe in a conductor or don't want to follow him, the choir will devolve and collapse because we would all just be doing our own time patterns and basing phrasing on opinions. Some who rush and some would drag: messiness, disorder, confusion and chaos will break out. The Pope's , like St. Peter's, authority is not grounded in himself and his personal convictions, but grounded in the identity of Jesus, which Peter boldly confessed: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Alas that this is only 2:40 minutes long! I would love to hear more about how you would help a protestant understand the Roman Catholic's standpoint, Father Barron! I have a protestant friend whom I would like to convert someday... Here's hoping you'll share more with us in the future!
Jesus said to Saint Maria Faustina in her diary #186-187:" When you say this prayer with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer: O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I Trust in You!"
I am currently involved in the RCIA, converting to Catholicism from the Protestant Church of England. Bishop Barron, your videos are used quite a lot to inform and illustrate key areas of Catholicism during our RCIA sessions. I would like to thank you for providing an excellent source of information. I have been drawn to Catholicism for much of my life. Even though I rarely attended church as an adult Protestant, other than for family weddings and so forth, I was always certain that it lacked something, some important authenticity that I couldn't pin down. Having always been a spiritual person, despite a difficult relationship with God caused in retrospect by my own ignorance and frustration, I was sure of there being something more than this earthly life. I've read about various faiths but none have had that essential feeling of truth in them. From Buddhism to Wicca, I've read and thought about belief and haven't found anything that left me feeling that certainty I was looking for. Then, about a year ago almost to the day, I got the feeling I wanted to go to Church. Not any church, I needed to go to a Catholic Church. I had been praying for the sake of my mother's health for several months and had, to my amazement, relief and endless gratitude, my prayers answered. I felt the growing sense of needing to say thank you to God and to apologise for all the disrespect I had shown Him over the years. I even dreamed of walking, pushing a friend in a wheelchair, over bridges spanning deep gorges, being lead by a man I didn't know, to a church with a spire so tall I couldn't see the top of it, and inside it was lined with statues of saints. Whether it was a Sign or not, I went, after several false starts, to a small but thriving Catholic Church which was in the care of Dominican Friars and I was completely blown away by the sudden realisation that this was exactly what I'd been looking for my entire life. Everything about Catholicism made sense to me, from the importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the Pope, the Eucharist and everything else. Fr Ben Earle OP was the parish priest at the time, although he is now in Rome as Procurator General of the Dominican Order, and his intelligence, sincerity, humour and genuine kindness was a defining influence on me. After attending just one Mass, and despite not knowing what to do or say or sing, when to stand, sit or kneel, I knew I was home. Well, I have wandered away from the point a little here. What I wanted to say is that the thing that helped me start the process to convert to Catholicism from Protestantism was the authenticity of the Mass, the kindness of the Dominicans and the new parish Priest, the history and tradition of the Catholic Church, and the genuine love and welcome I received from every Catholic person I've encountered. I wish, and pray, that more people could experience such a welcome from the Catholic faith.
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately it won't be this Easter. Life can sometimes throw an unexpected 'curve ball' that forces decisions and plans to be put on hold, no matter how important they are. Sadly for me this is the case at the moment. I am continuing to attend mass, and I am going to continue to learn as much as possible about Catholic life. In my head I feel that I am Catholic. but because of unforseen circumstances I am not able to be confirmed quite yet. It will happen, of that I am certain, and until then I will continue to do my best to live a Catholic life.
All Protestant sects are based on what I call "Hey! Look over there!" biblical scholarship. Their founders simply did not have 2000 years of dogma and teaching to rely upon for answers (save Martin Luther) so most of them fixate on a few select passages on which to found their religion, leaving successive generations to deal with all the holes in their theology, based on the other passages of the bible which are in direct contradiction to their founding premise.
It's difficult to talk about 'protestant doctrine' when the protestant church is 30,000 denominations. Some are very far out there and teach some bad things, while others preach doctrine which, if simply extended logically, would arrive at orthodox Catholicism.
Rodney Burton Abosolutely Rodney. I am a High Anglican and the differences between a generally Catholic perspective in Anglican and Roman Catholicism are only very subtle. I have noticed a tendency in theology as a whole towards a pan-Catholic and Orthodox perspective. Macquarrie, Milbank, go hand in hand with Ratzinger and Zizioulas.
Thomas William Ruston A protestant is a protestant is a protestant. "High Anglicans" are still Anglicans...and still protestant. Word-play and semantics will not erase this truth. Grow a pair and admit the error of protestantism. You'll feel a LOT better for not having to play the mental acrobatics and compensate for the rest of your co-religionists.
Rodney Burton insomuch as we are all humans and created by God, then yes , I suppose we are all one human family. But then one could extrapolate and say the same thing about Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Mohammedans etc. We're just all one family and all conflicts are "family conflicts". But if you are implying that because Protestants use a mistranslated and abridged version of holy scripture and SOME subscribe to a trinitarian formula that this somehow makes them more of a family to Catholics than the random Volcano worshiper in Hawaii then you are sorely mistaken. A half-truth is still a whole lie.
Question: "What is the difference between veneration and worship?" Answer: In response to the accusation that they worship Mary and the saints, Catholics will often claim that they “venerate,” not worship, them. To venerate is to regard with great respect or to revere. Veneration can be defined as “respect or awe directed toward someone due to his/her value or greatness.” The simplest definition of worship is to “ascribe worth.” Worship can be more completely defined as “showing respect, love, reverence, or adoration.” Based on the dictionary, no clear difference between veneration and worship exists. In fact, veneration and worship are often used as synonyms for each other. But dictionary definitions are not the point. It does not matter what it is called. The Bible nowhere instructs followers of Jesus Christ to offer worship, veneration, adoration, or anything similar to anyone but God. Nowhere does the New Testament describe any followers of Jesus Christ worshipping, venerating, or adoring anyone other than God. They did not receive worship, either. Peter refused to receive adoration from Cornelius (Acts 10:25-26), and Paul and Barnabas were equally adamant that the people of Lystra not venerate them (Acts 14:15). Twice in the Book of Revelation (19:10; 20:7), the apostle John begins to worship an angel, and the angel instructs him, “Worship God!” Mary and the saints who have gone to heaven before us would say the same thing: “Worship God!” The Catholic Church has different degrees of worship: dulia, hyper dulia, and latria. Dulia is the honor given to the saints. Hyper dulia is the honor given to Mary alone, as the greatest of the saints. Latria is the honor given to God alone. In contrast, the Bible always ascribes honor, in the context of worship, to God alone (1 Chronicles 29:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; Revelation 4:11; 5:13). Even if there were biblical support for different levels of worship, there still would be no biblical support for offering lower/lesser levels of worship to anyone other than God. Only God is worthy of worship, adoration, praise (Nehemiah 9:6; Revelation 4:11; 15:4), and veneration, no matter how it is defined. Mary’s worth comes from the fact that God choose her for a glorious role and saved her from her sins through the death of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:47). The saints’ worth comes from the fact that God saved them, transformed them, and then used them in mighty and amazing ways. May we all, with Mary and the saints, fall on our knees and worship the only One who is worthy.
The struggle I'm having as a Protestant trying to convert to Catholicism isn't one of doctrine or liturgy but, rather, the local Catholic Parish! 2 of them, in fact. I've spoken with 2 area priests on a number of occasions, exchanged emails, and attended Mass at the nearest parish many times. I've done my research and prayed (and watched Father Barron videos! lol), and am fully ready to join. I was baptized as a baby, and both priests have stated I wouldn't have to go through the full RCIA process. However, each discussion leads nowhere. There's never a plan of action. Not once has either priest said "Right, let's sit down and sort this out and begin the process of getting you into the fullness of the Catholic Church." It's always more like "yeah, well, we'll have to sit down at some point and talk about it, but I'm really busy this week." I patiently wait until the next week, and the same thing plays out again. This has gone on for weeks now and I'm left scratching my head. Listen, I completely understand that priests and parish staff really are busy and even overwhelmed. Having said that, I struggle with how difficult it's been to join the Catholic Church. You've got me! I'm literally a fish that's knowingly and willfully hooked itself! All you have to do is reel me in! I have to wonder what the experiences are like at other parishes around the US? Is this common? Does every new convert have to work this hard? Praying for patience. Well, anyway, thanks Father Barron for all you've done and know that your videos played a significant part in my coming to the Catholic Faith. Bless you.
LSZ1318 Bless you, and welcome home; new converts are usually instated into the Catholic Church on the Easter Vigil, which is in just a few weeks. If they say you don't need RCIA, then feel free to ask about joining them on the Easter Vigil! Good luck. However, if they say no, there is a huge amount to be gained from the full RCIA, and I'd strongly recommend you go through it regardless; if not as a candidate, then as a sponsor.
My one true comment is that the difference about the Catholic faith from other so-called churches is that the Catholic churches are united. The word to describe it is UNITY. I am an Asian Catholic and when I moved to America, I find the same faith and the same church. Anywhere I go in the world, when I go to a Catholic church I will find the same readings, the liturgies and the same beliefs as what Jesus has intended and instructed his disciples to teach and disseminate. I tried attending a couple of Protestant churches and they are all different--different way of doing things, different interpretations and most of all, they are not united. Their leaders are not in contact with each other. It almost like small groups of churches going about their own business, much like they have their own little communities.
Jiliane Morales Bullshit. If that were the case my catholic relatives would get along and be be way more social but AINT. Also latin americans, many being catholic, get along and are religious but NEVER to point of having a united states of latin america. Like the war hero Simón Bolívar wanted but nooooo. Punk ass catholics finger pointing to point where there are civil wars and many catholic immigrants going to PROTESTANT founded USA.
Jiliane Morales our Church is One Church, the universal Church with One Authority and that is the authority of the Mystical Body of Christ who is the Church.
It's not hard, I just told God I didn't know what all being Catholic entailed, but I accept it all. In dwelling of Holy Spirit followed and the joy and peace has not left me for 14 years.
It is impossible to convert anybody to anything unless they have even the slightest interest to listen. I've seen tonnes of debates on all sorts of topics, and no matter how logical or convincing an argument is, the person unwilling to compromise will not compromise as their hearts/minds are too hardened/stubborn to do so. And sometimes, they disguise their real reason from the debate to protect their vulnerability from being exposed. I became a Catholic primarily for two reasons. 1 My Atheist/Agnostic foundations were crushed when I had a personal tragedy. On one hand, the Atheist answers did not cure my longing for something more than their explanations gave. From a logical perspective, I came to see that "believing Science because it is Science" was actually no different to what I had accused religious people of doing (i.e. believing in God because God said so....). Instead, I figured there was a need to do more exploration, and had to look at the science and philosophy myself instead of taking somebody else's opinion as Gospel. That is not to say I was going to understand Einstein over night, but how could I live by 'science says so' if I did not know even the first thing about science. 2 Without as much hardening in my heart (because my previous world view took a beating and I was opening my mind to other views), and with a deep seeking of truth, I found my way at Catholicism. With my extreme left-wing political ideas, I could not believe that the logical answers were in the last place I wanted to look. I also had some super natural experiences that led me specifically to Catholicism, but I keep that personal as people of a scientific persuasion only consider natural/empirical evidence rather than things that scientific tools cannot understand/explain/measure. I wanted to walk away from Catholicism the moment I found it as I had a lot of changes to make to myself. I wanted to be oblivious to the truth because it would upset my friends and some of my political views. I wanted to find a Protestant church that would suit my world view, or I would create my own church to promote my view. Instead, I just valued the truth too much that I had to be Catholic. I had to join the Church instituted by Christ Himself. Importantly. whether we are Catholic or Protestants, it is a waste of time to live for Evangelisation alone. We sometimes get too bogged down on how we converted (in order to convert others) instead of the what now. Sometimes, it is time to actually back it all up and live as much of a Christ life (with Christs' help) a possible. Whether there are additional rewards/benefits(from God) or not, it does not matter. We should just do it because it is righteous and love. I mean, how can Jesus be our hero/messiah, but we choose on an individual level to just say we believe, but then do not apply it to our life besides an hour in church a week? We have to be the Christians that we want to see in the world, and that Jesus would want to see in the world. We have to live with love, mercy and hospitality as much as possible. It is what Jesus would want, and it feels so right on the inside (even if our sinful nature makes us fight it, and try to obstruct it).
+Joshaz Prozac Thank you for sharing these insights and a bit of your conversion story. "We have to be the Christians that Jesus would want to see in the world." I think this is precisely the message we too often miss as we get sidetracked in following either our church, our crowds, or our families (all of whom may manifest Godly natures, but they did not die to reconcile us to the Father when we were still sinners, among infinite other discrepancies). When we are called to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves, it so often seems, particularly when we find ourselves in disagreement with others of different denominations, faiths, or even purported non-faiths, that we become as vicious as serpents and and as oblivious as doves. In short, in all of these instances, we forget (or even refuse) to look to Jesus. Thank you for encouraging us to turn our gaze out of darkness and back to the Light of the world.
M Graham, thanks as well. Everything I said is easier said than done, but ultimately, the role model life is that of our saviour, and I do try deeply hard to live that life as it is righteous, it is love, and hopefully it gives others around me a taste of "the Good news" so they can remove some hardening from their hearts and ask me about my Catholic faith. Then I hope I can be humble but still logical in teaching the Catholic positions, which already has a rich intellectual component it (which many do not even realise).
"It is impossible to convert anybody to anything unless they have even the slightest interest to listen. I've seen tonnes of debates on all sorts of topics, and no matter how logical or convincing an argument is, the person unwilling to compromise will not compromise as their hearts/minds are too hardened/stubborn to do so. And sometimes, they disguise their real reason from the debate to protect their vulnerability from being exposed" Does this proposition apply to those who refuse to leave the church of Rome or only to those who refuse to bow the knee to it?
I used to make fun of advanced math, balancing equations - how does this relate to my life? Then I realized you need faith. You cannot debate this number or that (this number isn't even in the textbook!). You just have faith and follow instructions and soon, in a couple of years when you start taking Engineering classes for example, you get it. It works and finally you see it. Catholicism is like that. It is so easy to poke at this practice or this rule (this isn't in the text book!) but just have faith and keep going. You will get it soon. Like math the priests and bishops are in their positions because the other priests and bishops see that he knows the truth. The Dean of the Math department isn't a poser- everyone in the department would see it. If you take him a math problem you bet he will solve it better than some bartender. Truth. It's all about truth- parallel to math.
BIshop Barron, I enjoy listening to your short RUclips videos. I always learn something from them. You truly have a gift for teaching. I am a Christian, but neither Catholic nor Protestant. Maybe that makes me a generic Christian. You mentioned a couple of Catholic doctrines that Protestants struggle with. I too have trouble accepting those two doctrines of the Catholic Church. You said that we need the pope because he is the “living voice of authority” for the church. It’s true that we no longer have Jesus or the apostles on the earth to guide us. But when the Lord was here, he said to his disciples: 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:7,8) His disciples today have the Helper, the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us. Isn’t the third Person of the Trinity, a “living voice of authority”? You stated that the pope serves as an “umpire” to resolve disputes among members of the church. Is the papal umpire always right, or does he, like his baseball counterpart, sometimes make bad calls? If the pope were truly a “living voice of authority” and an “umpire,” you would expect that voice to speak with unity throughout the 2000-year history of the Catholic Church. You would expect all of the Catholic popes to agree on matters of doctrine and theology, as did the men who penned the Scriptures. Even Catholic historians admit that not all popes have been “saints.” It could not be said that all the popes since St. Peter have agreed with each other on theological issues. Or perhaps the church is evolving, so the popes have to keep up with this evolution. I hope that God is not evolving too. I also have a bit of a problem with the relationship that Catholics have with Mary the mother of Jesus. I believe in the deity of Jesus, that He was God in the flesh, but I don’t like referring to Mary as the “Mother of God.” I think this implies that, when she gave birth to Jesus 2000 years ago, the second Person of the Trinity came into being. I believe that Mary was a truly fortunate woman (a teenage girl actually) to be selected by the Father to bring Jesus into the world. When I meet her in heaven, if she’s a hugger, I’m gonna give her a big one. But I’m not gonna fall at her feet and worship-or even venerate-her. She’s a human being, not worthy of worship or veneration. Do you ever wonder why, in the New Testament, other than in the gospels, Mary is never mentioned? If she is to be venerated, why isn’t this doctrine ever mentioned by Paul, Peter or John in their epistles? You state that she is participating in the remaking of the human race that is involved in salvation. Does that make her a kind of “co-savior” with Jesus? I usually agree with everything that you say in your RUclips videos. But even your brilliant mind cannot lend credence to the doctrine of Maryism, or the need for a pope. The only reason to adhere to these two doctrines is that they are part of the tradition of the Catholic church. Maybe someday I will become a Catholic, but I’m not there yet. I welcome your comments, Bishop Barron.
Well done, Fr. Robert, in your answer to the question about Mary as the new Eve; it needs to be clarified to people who either don't understand it, or who are purely arrogant. Christians seriously need to refer back not only to the gospels but also to the Living tradition of the early Church Fathers. To the individual, yes, Jesus in his humanity did also die for Mary's sins; she is, like all of us, saved by Christ's grace. But as that grace is eternal, unbounded, it is able to be performed in such a way that undermines the ordinary rhythm of ordinary time: a kind of pre emptive strike that removed original sin from Mary before the incarnation occured.
It actually isn't arrogant if you know what the Immaculate Conception is. Even Mary herself didn't know that God had preserved her from original sin until the angel said she was full of grace.
In my journey during my teenage years I was rebellious yet I know that there was a truth out there and would go to different Protestant and Catholic churches. As I got older I landed in jail many times over and over I landed in jail. The one day I decided to pick up the Bible I read through the whole new Testament. There I had a spiritual experience that I can never explain, God took me out of the horrible Life I Lived give me a new heart. I learned all of his doctrines and practices in Scripture. I learned faith in the grace that God extends through scripture. Everything I learned and God taught me I learned scripture. When I became very bold for his Ward and begin to speak to spread the news so other people can be saved I found myself back again speaking with Catholics. Catholics would accuse me of being brainwashed by the Martin Luther I never knew who this man was. Then I begin to learn about the Reformation. My family even told me if you want to know the truth learn about the church fathers. So I did, so my family moved me to study church history and now that I've studied I have come to a clear understanding of the reformation and why they did it, in life after reading the Reformation make me understand the discernment of the reformers and pulled me closer to God rather than religion. All religion is vain. The only doctrine that I can believe and I can trust is the infallible word of God
Tim Spangler same hateful lies and deception with out any source material to back up your bearing of false witness against Christ's church and people... you should be ashamed... you still not willing to debate on camera? you little hate filled man.. when you finally grow a pair we can have this debate face to face on camera and post it here for ll to see.. until then... who is the one trick pony spewing hate... great example of your life you lead
+Jahdpianist === carm.org/are-scriptures-sufficient Don't be a typical lazy catlick and educate yourself, for once, and read the article in its entirety. In this brief article it certainly does address the scriptures as the only source for final authority in matters of faith and practice as well as exposes the lies of catholicism and what it claims for itself.
Question: "Is Mary the co-redemptrix / mediatrix?" Answer: Some Catholics view Mary as a co-redemptrix or a mediatrix who plays a key role in the salvation of mankind. (The suffix -trix is a feminine word ending in Latin, so a redemptrix is a female redeemer, and a mediatrix is a female mediator.) Within Catholicism, there is a drive to define a new Marian dogma in which Catholics, as a matter of faith, would be obliged to accept these three doctrines: (1) Mary participates in redemption with Jesus Christ, (2) grace is granted by Jesus only through the intercession of Mary, and (3) all prayers from the faithful must flow through Mary, who brings them to the attention of her Son. This movement would, in practice, redefine the Trinity as a kind of Quartet. The belief in Mary as a co-redemptrix would be in addition to current Catholic teaching on Mary, which states that Mary was a virgin perpetually, that she never had intercourse with her husband, Joseph; that she never had children other than Jesus; and that she was sinless and ascended into heaven. These teachings are more than unscriptural; Scripture directly refutes them. The idea that Mary is a co-redemptrix or mediatrix contradicts 1 Timothy 2:5, which says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the Mediator. There is no mediator between man and Jesus. Jesus Himself dwells in believers; thus, none is required (Colossians 1:27). Jesus is the perfect and sole Mediator between man and God because He is the sinless Son of God. Mary was not sinless. There is no Scripture whatsoever to back the claim of Mary’s sinlessness or of her assumption into heaven. This dogma was accepted as a result of papal proclamation. In the biblical narratives, Mary is pictured as a humble and submissive young woman, faithful to God, grasping the implications of what is about to happen to her, and uttering praises and doxologies (Luke 1:46-55). In fact, in her Magnificat, Mary says, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (verse 47). The clear implication of Mary’s calling God her “Savior” is that she recognized her need of salvation. Just like the rest of us, Mary needed a Savior, a Redeemer. Jesus Himself indicated that Mary holds no special place relative to redemption or mediation. In Matthew 12:47-50, Mary and her other sons were trying to see Jesus while He was teaching. “Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” Later, at the foot of the cross, Mary is a grief-stricken mother. She did not suffer for mankind as a whole; she clearly suffered her own pain and mourning. She is one of the people receiving salvation from Jesus, not a contributor to His work. She is anguished and must be cared for by the apostle John. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Mary was part of the community of believers continuing in prayer and supplication prior to Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Mary is “most blessed among women” (Luke 1:42) because she was the mother of the Messiah. But she is not divine and cannot be seen as part of the Trinity. She did not redeem us from sin and cannot be made part of the redemptive process.
What helped me convert from Baptist faith was God grace at the age of 15 I when I read Gen 3 15 then Luke with Mary said; Mary is the second Eve Mom she is the first Christian because she had God. My Mother didn't believe. When I was in 40's someone came to my home, she was a Catholic I never knew Catholics just what I saw them smoking or wearing short skirts this is when I was a young girl. Now I was older I hadn't gone to Church in years. She knew scripture which impressed me plus she told me quietly your going in error. Yes Matthew 16 18 John 6 51 55 John 20 19 13 others . Then the Cetatism understanding Jesus set his Church up and his commands. I obeyed I wanted to be in Jesus Church not mens.
I understand this video was meant to be brief, but I was surprised that Fr. Barron left out the biggest divisive issue, the one which triggered the Reformation in the first place, namely Justification.
Perhaps because that particular issue was largely resolved between Catholics and Lutherans in 1997; 'Joint Declaration on Justification' - Between the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church - bit.ly/1gygdRt Look at the refrain that echos throughout the document "We confess together...We confess together...we confess together" - Justified Awesomeness! ;)
Eric Gurash I'm familiar with the Joint Declaration. That being said, the issue of Justification is still a huge sticking point for Protestants of all denominations (including many Lutherans).
Mirandu Kan A sinner is justified by faith alone, received as a free gift in Christ Jesus, paid for in His shed blood-that is the starting point and is absolutely central to the power of the gospel. The sinner is not and cannot be justified by religious piety, legalistic works or any other form of self righteousness. Of course the loyal catholic will say oh thats too simple and easy believism, we must contribute effort on our part. But that is no more than trying to secure ones own redemption, a fruitless and impossible task-although they may well become extremely pious and proud after all that effort. Many catholics repeat ad nauseam (as a criticism of non catholic christianity), "once saved always saved-its a license to sin". But God saves us, so we can perform the works he already created in advance. That is what the Bible says on the subject. He commands it. He also commands born again people to live holy lives, this is living a new life in Christ, submitted to His will, according to His word. Its simple, enough that a child can grasp it. Saved FIRST to do the good works he already planned. Not RELIGIOUS WORKS First to justify us to be saved (and that at best is "hopefully" because religion gives no assurance of salvation.....)
Romans 5:1 " Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 2:8-9 " For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Romans 3:28 "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." Galatians 2:16 "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." Look all these verses up in your bible to see whether I'm lying or "interpreting" but justification is by Christ Alone. (p.s. if you want more verses about justification through Christ, hit me up!)
Goldsmithexile1960; That's nonsense.You can be put into the book of life but can be taken out too.Presumption of salvation is a protestant error. Your a type of Christian that visits a homeless shelter and says God Bless you to someone who is hungry without giving that hungry person any food that is a useless faith.We will be judged on our works and deeds.Don't deceive yourself.Was not Jesus piety as him being a devout Jew.Jesus was not a rebel Jew.Faith without works is a clanging cymbol what bible are you reading.Jesus said you must do the will of my father.
Thanks for your teaching powerful message Went back to my catholic faith always drawn to but left .went to baptize Pentecost... Thank you for helping me understand, I’ve always drawn back . I grew up in New Orleans there was a church on every Conner the beauty of it always drew me back St Mary assumption and St Alphonsous next to one another The bells would ring so loud you could hear it for a mile one church was for Germans the other for French amazing ... they were so good to me as a child when my father died as a child they took me in gave me something I will never forget love made my communion confirmation married love it Thanks for helping me go back home I’ve watched you for years you were mentor ....God Bless you forever 🙏🙏🙏
Question: "Is prayer to saints / Mary biblical?" Answer: The issue of Catholics praying to saints is one that is full of confusion. It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that Catholics do not pray TO saints or Mary, but rather that Catholics can ask saints or Mary to pray FOR them. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that asking saints for their prayers is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for us. However, the practice of many Catholics diverges from official Roman Catholic teaching. Many Catholics do in fact pray directly to saints and/or Mary, asking them for help - instead of asking the saints and/or Mary to intercede with God for help. Whatever the case, whether a saint or Mary is being prayed to, or asked to pray, neither practice has any biblical basis. The Bible nowhere instructs believers in Christ to pray to anyone other than God. The Bible nowhere encourages, or even mentions, believers asking individuals in heaven for their prayers. Why, then, do many Catholics pray to Mary and/or the saints, or request their prayers? Catholics view Mary and the saints as "intercessors" before God. They believe that a saint, who is glorified in Heaven, has more "direct access" to God than we do. Therefore, if a saint delivers a prayer to God, it is more effective than us praying to God directly. This concept is blatantly unbiblical. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we, believers here on earth, can "approach the throne of grace with confidence." First Timothy 2:5 declares, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." There is no one else that can mediate with God for us. If Jesus is the ONLY mediator, that indicates Mary and the saints cannot be mediators. They cannot mediate our prayer requests to God. Further, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ Himself is interceding for us before the Father: "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). With Jesus Himself interceding for us, why would we need Mary or the saints to intercede for us? Whom would God listen to more closely than His Son? Romans 8:26-27 describes the Holy Spirit interceding for us. With the 2nd and 3rd members of the Trinity already interceding for us before the Father in heaven, what possible need could there be to have Mary or the saints interceding for us? Catholics argue that praying to Mary and the saints is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for us. Let us examine that claim. (1) The Apostle Paul asks other Christians to pray for him in Ephesians 6:19. Many Scriptures describe believers praying for one another (2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:19; 2 Timothy 1:3). The Bible nowhere mentions anyone asking for someone in heaven to pray for him. The Bible nowhere describes anyone in heaven praying for anyone on earth. (2) The Bible gives absolutely no indication that Mary or the saints can hear our prayers. Mary and the saints are not omniscient. Even glorified in heaven, they are still finite beings with limitations. How could they possibly hear the prayers of millions of people? Whenever the Bible mentions praying to or speaking with the dead, it is in the context of sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, and divination-activities the Bible strongly condemns (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). In the one instance when a "saint" is spoken to, Samuel in 1 Samuel 28:7-19, Samuel is not exactly happy to be disturbed. It is clear that praying to Mary or the saints is completely different from asking someone here on earth to pray for us. One has a strong biblical basis; the other has no biblical basis whatsoever. God does not answer prayers based on who is praying. God answers prayers based on whether they are asked according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). There is absolutely no basis or need to pray to anyone other than God alone. There is no basis for asking those who are in heaven to pray for us. Only God can hear our prayers. Only God can answer our prayers. No one in heaven has any greater access to God's throne than we do through prayer (Hebrews 4:16).
One huge point for Catholics is that death does not separate the Body of Christ. We are still one church, one family, one giant loving family: Church Suffering, Church Militant, Church Triumphant. It truly is for us like asking a friend for intercessions, because we're still connected. Join in!
One question drove me to Catholicism: "Truth?! What is Truth?" But it took 5 to six years. Pentecost Sunday 2016 I was received into the Carpo-Rusyn Eastern Catholic Church. Slava Isus Christus!
Roman Catholicism: The One True Church? By Steve Meehan For years, growing up as a Roman Catholic, we were taught that we were members of the one true Church. It was impressed upon us regularly by the parish priest during Mass, while giving his homily; by the nuns all throughout my Catholic parochial school years of 2nd through 7th grade; during our preparation to receive for the first time the sacraments of Penance, Communion and Confirmation; and while attending CCD classes all the way through high school (the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine is an association established at Rome in 1562 for the purpose of giving religious education, normally designed for children). It was an established fact that we understood and we never questioned the validity of it. And to be honest, it was a matter of pride, that we were privileged enough to be a member of the correct Church, while all others had belonged to something else that didn't quite measure up to the status of the Roman Catholic Church. After all, how could it be possible that Roman Catholicism is not the One True Church? Look at what Rome has to offer: it has the priests, the nuns; the bishops; the cardinals; and of course, the Pope. They have the Sacraments; the statues; the holy water; the incense; the Stations of the Cross; the Eucharist - in which Christ physically manifests Himself into the wafer after the consecration by the priest during the Mass; the Marian apparitions - which appear mainly to Roman Catholics; and they have the Vatican - where the Vicar of Christ (Christ's representative on Earth) governs the faithful and makes infallible proclamations and doctrine. How can this not be The One True Church? No other organization on the face of the Earth comes close to offering to its flock what Rome provides for its faithful. But, of course, to be true, one must adhere to what has been established as truth and not teach or practice what is contrary to the truth. We read in Scripture a few passages that declare what is truth and what is not. Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me." He also professed in John 8:31-32: "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, 'If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'." It is clear then, by just these two verses, that Jesus Christ has described Himself as Truth, and that those who adhere to His Word and practice what He taught, will be living and worshipping truthfully, and that only His truth will set us free; not in anything else that detracts or subtracts from His truth. In fact, the verse is worded in a way ("you shall know the truth") that suggests that it is imperative to know His Word, to know His Truth, by studying the scriptures, in order to avoid any false doctrine being taught by some other source that may later try to establish itself as the bearer of truth but is actually offering a false truth. Jesus also proclaimed that it is only possible to worship Him correctly in spirit and in truth: "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" John 4:23, 24 So for a person or an organization to call themselves true, they must teach his Word correctly and abide by His Word. Unless one is doing that, the above verse says, that they are not true worshippers. Another purveyor of Truth is the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples, that when He would depart from them and return to Heaven, that He would send in His stead the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's role in the world - and who indwells those who have accepted Christ's free gift of salvation - is to point us to Jesus Christ and not to anything or anyone else as the sole means of salvation. "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells within you, and shall be in you." John 14:17 It takes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit into the believer to be able to discern what is written in God's Word and to be able to understand and to apply His truth in our Christian walk. Without His assistance, it is too easy to be lead astray and to accept false doctrine. The Holy Spirit, after all, inspired the Jewish scribes and later the Apostles, to write the books of the Holy Bible and it takes His discernment in our lives for us to properly comprehend the Word and understand it correctly. It also stands to reason, that if one is not aware of what is contained in the Scriptures, then they can easily accept doctrines of men that may be inspired by another source. Growing up as a Roman Catholic, I was completely ignorant of what was contained in the Bible - regarding Jesus, salvation and His gospel of grace. Like most Catholics, the Holy Bible was in the home, but just collected dust and was never read. We accepted all that was taught us by the priests, the nuns, the lay teachers in the CCD classes, and in their catechism. Whatever they told us had to be correct, as they assured us that they were the One True Church. Why would they ever steer us wrong? This was the mindset of my siblings, my parents, grandparents, and going back generations of all past family members who trusted in and were raised in the Roman Catholic system. We were ignorant of anything else but their plan of salvation. The Roman Catholic Church tells their members that only they, through their Magisterium - the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, as exercised by the bishops or the pope - can properly interpret scripture for their faithful. So, while they say they encourage the reading of the Holy Writ, it is only by their guidance and authority can one fully understand what the verses are meant to convey. They are not open to private interpretation, and must be filtered through their teachings to understand their version of the truth. It wasn't until my early 20s, that the Lord led me to start reading His Word. At that point of my life, I wasn't even a marginal Catholic. I stopped going to Mass, stopped going to the normally required weekly confessions to a priest, and had pretty much given up on their version of the faith. I got tired of the repetitiveness of the Mass: the rote prayers; genuflecting before the figure on the cross; the lighting of votive candles before a statue - usually of Mary; dipping my hand in the "Holy Water" and making the 'sign of the cross'; receiving the Eucharist wafer and giving my assent when the priest said "the Body of Christ" that I was consuming the physical body of Jesus; and the whole bit. It was all very ritualistic, legalistic, lacking any real passion and completely devoid of the presence of Christ. But in reading the Word, I began to see that what God has revealed to us through the scriptures doesn't completely mirror the teachings of Rome; in fact, most of it doesn't. You would think that the One True Church would certainly follow what Christ and the Apostles taught. Why would they teach something different? If they are in fact the One True Church, wouldn't they follow and teach all that scripture reveals to us and they wouldn't deviate from the Truth? Have they got the ultimate authority to change God's Word or trump His commandments? For instance, Exodus 20:4 - the second commandment - forbids us from worshipping graven images, and yet Rome has deleted this commandment and subdivided the last one, which tells us not to covet our neighbor's belongings. How can they delete a commandment? Christ said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" - not delete them (John 14:15). Is it that important for Rome to disregard a commandment, so that the parishioners can dress up, light candles before, and parade behind statues or graven images, as the Bible calls them? Was the prohibition of worshipping before a graven image only meant for the Jews, but Christians are free to do so? Over and over throughout the Word, we are told that God detests that kind of activity. Rome calls the pope the Vicar of Christ (Christ's representative on Earth) but that title is more befitting the Holy Spirit: He is the Comforter that Christ promised; He is the one who indwells each believer; and He is the one who seals us, points us to Jesus Christ, and gives us discernment in reading the Word. Rome calls the pope the Holy Father, but Jesus used this term only once in scripture referring to God the Father as the Holy Father: "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are." John 17:14 Neither Jesus, nor the Apostles would ever use that term in addressing a man; only God the Father is the Holy Father. In fact, Christ even told His followers not to refer to any man as our father (spiritual father): "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" - Matthew 23:9 If Christ told us not to do it, why does Rome give that title to their priests? Is this something that a One True Church should be doing - flaunting God's Word? Are they exempt from this restriction and can override Christ's teachings? It doesn't add up. If we are truly Christians, we should be following Christ's examples and His admonitions. If they are truly the One True Church, shouldn't they be abiding by His Word instead of disregarding it? There are countless other examples of where the teachings of Rome fly in direct contrast to the teachings of Jesus and His disciples. Perhaps the biggest is the question of our salvation. Repeatedly in the gospels and in the other books of the New Testament are verses telling us that Christ's Gospel is a gospel of grace and is freely given - to all those who would accept it. It is not by works and it cannot be earned. Grace is God's unmerited favor; it is impossible to work for it, neither can one ever be good enough to attain it: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God Not of works, lest any man should boast" - Ephesians 2:8, 9 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" - Titus 3:5 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" - Romans 6:23 "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved..." - Acts 16:31, 32 Why would Rome insist that we have to work along with God's grace (what they refer to as "cooperating grace") in order to be saved? The very expression of cooperating grace or cooperating with grace is a contradiction in terms. If Grace is unmerited favor and is freely given by God, how can one then co-operate or work alongside with it to receive it? Co-operating with grace would nullify grace; it wouldn't be freely received. Their works for attaining salvation include: going to weekly Mass; partaking of the sacraments; paying a penalty or Penance for one's sins (which denies the sufficiency of Christ's death on the cross to cover all sins); and then finally spending time in a fictitious place called Purgatory, to purge away any leftover sins that Christ's blood couldn't cover, or not enough Penance was performed. Purgatory is just another means of denying the sufficiency Christ's atonement for our sins; it is the ultimate declaration that his agonizing crucifixion on a wooden cross - the plan of salvation that was established before the foundation of the world was laid - was not enough to pay the cost of all of our sins. In other words, when Christ uttered those final words "It is finished" - signifying that He had satisfied the wrath of God against us for the sins we have committed and that all our sins were "paid in full", Rome declares that no it is not finished and the paying of penances and time spent in Purgatory is required. It is a rejection of what Christ accomplished. Their gospel is a complete distortion of the gospel of grace, and is in fact another gospel - as the Apostle Paul warned against: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9 Why would Rome teach another gospel? They are leading their followers astray and the gospel they teach can't possibly save anyone. A gospel of works nullifies God's free gift of grace: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work" Romans 11:6 "Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" - 2 Timothy 1:9 It should be clear that a true church would never teach a false gospel. Along with the aforementioned false teachings - and there are many others - Rome has taken upon itself to invent new teachings over the centuries that neither Jesus nor the Apostles ever taught. Here is a brief list of some of their "infallible" doctrines that they have implemented: * Prayers for the Dead and the Sign of the Cross - 300ad * Veneration of Angels and Dead Saints - 375ad * The Mass, as a daily celebration adopted - 394ad * The worship of Mary, and the use of the term "Mother of God" - 431ad * Priests begin to dress differently from the laity - 500ad * Extreme Unction or Last Rites as a sacrament - 526ad * Doctrine of Purgatory established (denies Christ's sufficiency) - 593ad * Latin language used in prayer and worship in churches (not all Catholics understood Latin, rendering the words meaningless) - 600ad * Prayers directed to Mary (even though Jesus taught to pray to the Father) - 600ad * Title of Pope bestowed upon the Bishop of Rome - 610ad * Kissing of the Pope's feet - 709ad * Temporal power of the Popes - 750ad * Worship of the Cross, Images and Relics (idolatry) - 788ad * Holy Water instituted - 850ad * Veneration of St. Joseph begins - 890ad * Baptism of Bells - 965ad * Canonization of Dead Saints (ALL Christians are saints!) - 995ad * Fasting on Fridays and during Lent - 998ad * The Mass is an ongoing sacrifice of Jesus and attendance mandatory - 1079ad * Celibacy of Priesthood - 1079ad * Praying the Rosary introduced (vain repetitions, Christ warns against) - 1090ad * Inquisition of Heretics (Bible believing Christians who didn't bend the knee to Rome) - 1184ad * Selling of Indulgences to lessen time spent in Purgatory (denies Christ's atonement) - 1190ad * Transubstantiation priest can transform a wafer into Jesus Christ - 1215ad * Confession of sin to a priest - 1215ad * Adoration of the wafer (blasphemy, idolatry) - 1220ad * Bible forbidden to be read or owned by laymen (Bibles deny Rome's teachings) - 1229ad * Scapular of Mary worn frees a person from Purgatory (nonsense) - 1287ad * Cup of Blood of Christ forbidden to be touched by laymen - 1414ad * Doctrine of Purgatory proclaimed to be Dogma of the Faith - 1439ad * Doctrine of 7 Sacraments affirmed (works that must be done along with grace) - 1439ad * Ava Maria instituted (Prayer/hymn to Mary) - 1508ad * Tradition of Rome equal with Scripture (free license for popes in declarations) - 1545ad * Apocryphal Books added to Rome's Bible - 1546ad * Immaculate Conception of Mary (they declare she was born without sin Romans 3:23) - 1834ad * Papal Infallibility (pope can declare anything and their faithful must believe) - 1870ad * Modern Science "Modernism" condemned by pope - 1907ad * Condemnation of public schools (Rome couldn't teach kids their doctrines) - 1930ad * "Mother of God" title to Mary reaffirmed - 1931ad * Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Mary bodily arose to Heaven - not in Bible) - 1950ad Along with these doctrines that Rome has established over the years for their faithful to adhere to and further one's bondage to their system, they have also leveled condemnations or "anathemas" on all bible believing Christians who would not submit to the papacy or their system. Here is a sampling of 100 or so anathemas that the papacy has declared over the years: - If anyone says that the sinner is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification...let him be anathema. - If anyone says that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in divine mercy which remits sins for Christ's sake, or that it is this confidence alone that justifies us, let him be anathema. - If anyone says that he will for certain, with an absolute and infallible certainty, have that great gift of perseverance even to the end, unless he shall have learned this by special revelation, let him be anathema. [1 John 5:13 tells us that we can be assured of our salvation. Either John, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is lying to us, or Rome is] - If anyone says that the Catholic doctrine of justification as set forth by the holy council in the present decree, derogates in some respect from the glory of God or the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and does not rather illustrate the truth of our faith and no less the glory of God and of Jesus Christ, let him be anathema. [The Bible declares that Rome's doctrine is in error] - If anyone says that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, or that there are more or less than seven, or that any one of these seven is not truly and intrinsically a sacrament, let him be anathema. [The sacraments are works and nullify grace] - If anyone...denies that wonderful and singular change of the whole substance of the bread into the body and the whole substance of the wine into the blood - which change the Catholic Church most aptly calls transubstantiation, let him be anathema. [Worshipping a wafer is both idolatrous and blasphemous] Whether they realize it or not, they have not only bestowed these condemnations on all Bible believing Christians, but on Christ and His Apostles as well - including Peter, who they claim was the first pope. They would never teach the things that Rome claims nor would they have any part in their false religious system. Is Roman Catholicism, as they contend, the One True Church? Not hardly, if they teach doctrines of men, instead of the Word of God: "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" - Matthew 15:3 "Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." - Matthew 15:6 "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." - Matthew 15:9 "And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition" - Mark 7:9 Dear Roman Catholic, there is no way that the Church of Rome can be The One True Church. They offer a false gospel and there is no truth in it. The true Church of Christ is the body of all believers who have put their complete faith and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross - it is not just a particular denomination or any other man made religious system. Works are not a part of His salvation; neither is paying a penance for your own sins, or going to a purging place called Purgatory, or any of the other means of attaining salvation that Rome concocts. As a matter of fact, after a lifetime of being active in their system: being baptized as an infant; attending mandatory weekly mass (and should you miss one Sunday purposely, they claim you have committed a "mortal sin" and would go to hell if not confessed to a priest); confessed your sins to a priest and paid a penalty or Penance for those sins; receive Jesus Christ physically (instead of spiritually as the Bible attests) through their Eucharistic service; performing the other sacraments; and then ultimately, after death, spend an undetermined amount of time suffering in Purgatory to purge away any remaining sins that Christ couldn't cover because His plan of redemption obviously came up short, one can still never claim that they have any assurance of salvation. According to Rome, one commits the "sin of Presumption" if they believe they can claim to know for sure that they have secured salvation through Christ; an anathema will be directed your way if you claim that you know that you are saved. Even though the Apostle John - the one whom Christ entrusted with the care of His earthly mother to after Jesus' death on the cross - assured us regarding salvation: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." - 1 John 5:13 All of the so-called works that the Catholic must do to try to attain salvation, only furthers one's commitment to their religion to try to appease God and ends up increasing their bondage to this false system. Their "Holy Mother Church" can only save us; the priests are needed for absolving our sins; their Mass has to be attended; the sacraments are needed; and on and on it goes. Even the erroneous doctrine of Purgatory is presented with the caveat that one's time can be lessened there by buying Mass cards, donating money to the Church, etc. It is all about their system and not Christ. The Roman Catholic Church is not the One True Church. Their system offers really no hope. It is a counterfeit Christianity and they present a corrupted version of the truth. On the surface, they appeal to the flesh in all their displays of piety, ritualism, relics, images, incense, candles, acts of contrition, shrines usually dedicated to Mary mainly, as well as other dead saints, and for the most part, Christ is left out in all of their regalia - unless, of course, He is depicted as a baby or still hanging on the cross. All of that is a substitute for real thing but is attractive to those who have no clue as to what God's Word says about sin, atonement, salvation or a gospel of grace. They don't waste an opportunity to diminish what Christ has performed for us on the cross, or who Christ really is. Instead of rightly pointing to the Creator for salvation, they point to the created - the priests; the popes; the statues; the wafer; Mary, or their version of Mary; the dead saints; the "Holy Mother Church" as they refer to the Catholic Church; and anything else other than Jesus Christ. They really do teach another gospel and have another Jesus - who is received via transubstantiation, but was powerless to cover all of our sins; and another Mary (the Mary of the Bible doesn't reflect any of the attributes that Rome has ascribed to her: she wasn't sinless; didn't remain a virgin after the birth of Christ; she had other children; is not a co-redeemer or co-mediator; doesn't hear or answer prayer; etc.) They emphatically are not the true church, despite their proclamations otherwise. One day, we will all stand before Christ at His judgment. If you die as a Roman Catholic, Rome will not be there to defend you. If they can't even be entrusted with the safeguarding of its members children (speaking of the decades, may be centuries long molestation and raping of children by their clergy, and the cover-up and relocation of these criminals to other parishes by their bishops, cardinals and popes), how can you possibly trust them with your eternal security and salvation? The bottom line is: you can't....and you must not. Accept the One who WILL be there in front of you at His judgment. Don't be beguiled by the enemy and accept a false substitute plan of salvation. Accept His free gift of salvation, believe in Him and His Word, and His Truth will indeed set you free! "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." - Colossians 2:8 "There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" - Proverbs 14:12
Stephen Meehan This testimony has got to be one of the most powerful, truthful and sincere I'v heard. Though lengthy it was well worth reading and I pray that many Catholics will read it and heed to it and consider its truths. Amen. Well done.
And it was the ONLY CHURCH ever established by Christ and given that authority to forgive sin and save souls on earth through jesus... ou seem to leavd out many many other i portant facts to furthe your rdbellion against the church... helping satan now huh? Good luck with that...
Stephen Meehan Prayers for the dead and purgatory goes back to the Jews in the Old Testament book of Maccabees. You said you were a Catholic you should know that much. Also, the Deuterocanonical books were affirmed by the RCC back at the Council of Carthage in 397AD, not in the 16th Century as your flawed protestant history suggested. By the way the Deuterocanonical Books were in the Bible that Jesus and the twelve apostles used that is why they have always been part of the Bible. Martin Luther removed them from his Bible in 1517. You really need to do your home work before spewing ignorance. That list you mentioned is all in keeping with better understanding of Scripture! You sound very bitter and angry, were you abused as a child or did someone just drop you on your head?
James Curtis You said, - ''You sound very bitter and angry, were you abused as a child or did someone just drop you on your head?'' Uuuhhh, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. It sounds to me it is you full of anger and bitterness. Where's that good ole catholic charity and contrition I always here about?
I am not in the shoes of a Protestant or former Protestant, so I can't grasp the pain that might be involved for them to re-convert back to the Catholic faith... and the humility required in order to surrender the broken ideas which have been a foundation of their identity for so long. How painful it must be to have their faulty foundation shaken by Truth. Ultimately, it seems to me the desire for the Eucharist is the thing that will ultimately bring them back. The devil continues to perform one of the greatest heists in human history IMO by encouraging the Protestants to surrender the Truth of who they are as they walk away from the Eucharist and turn themselves into cherubim and seraphim, who stand around the throne of God day and night, worshiping God... and yet God remains wholly outside of them. They have chosen for themselves not to receive the great Gift of God and sadly, how poor they remain and unable to return the gift that they have first received. How sad that they remain outside the mystical union we are created for and called to accept through the choice of faith... I surrender to you. if they understood who Mary is... as our representative... who received God into herself and returned the gift of Love entirely... perhaps then they would begin to grow in true holiness rather than be satisfied with a great worship set. That's my two cents.
When I nearly converted to Catholicism from Lutheranism some 15 years ago, the two things that appealed best to me were 1) the liturgical and devotional life, and 2) the intellectual life. I still think Catholicism is admirable for those, even to this day. My favourite lecture ever on the relationship of science and religion is by Ben Wiker. Mary wasn't a real problem, after I read Luther's own glowing devotion to her. I pick up the rosary as a devotion now and then, and I love worshiping in Catholic churches with their rich liturgies. The problem for me was the institutional structure, not only being the authority of the Pope but also the effect of that on people. The Pope is one thing, and I could not in good conscience convert either to tenets that I disagreed with in all my mind and heart or to a church where I intended to disobey their tenets. There is no point converting to Lapsed Catholicism. The other thing was seeing what the recourse to absolute authority can do to people and what it could potentially do to me. For the most part I like Catholics (and hey, I watch these videos), but there is always a sort of paternalism in how Catholics conduct themselves that can emerge in very ugly ways when you're, say, a young man on the verge of converting to Catholicism and asking questions. And no, I don't recognize the authority of Lutheran bishops either, quite infamously in the case where I fought with one and withdrew my application for ordination.
I love Ben Wiker! He's an amazing speaker! Another good speaker is Ken Hensley. He has a Lighthouse Catholic Media CD out called "Answering Atheism" that is just amazing! I forget how much of it is specifically Catholic, but overall it makes some pretty sweet arguments. www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org
***** Hmmm... interesting question, because I haven't ever practiced it any other way! It feels like being asked what it's like to not live under the authority of the President of the United States. Darned if I know, because I've never been a subject of the President. I could tell you what it *is* like to be Canadian, but not really what it's like to *not be* American. If I was to hazard a description, I think it requires a certain comfort with ambiguity. You have to accept that human, institutional authority may have a utilitarian value (i.e.: someone needs to sign the cheques), but it has no absolute, existential authority. Human, institutional authority is *always* imperfect, *always* tentative, and *always* reflective of the context in which they are formed. They have no authority in themselves and no particular right to exist, but are only authoritative and only permitted to exist insofar as they serve the Kingdom of God. I don't have the recourse of a Pope to defer judgement to in those matters, and must instead accept the ambiguities of democratic values. I'm pretty sure I've beaked off in Fr. Barron's comments at one point or another about how the Roman Catholic, institutionally, is really just a transcription of the Imperial Roman system of Emperors and Senators. I'm not a Roman. I'm a Canadian, a citizen of a democratic constitutional monarchy. Even our hereditary aristocracy is a figurehead subordinate to the rule of democratic law. Democratic values - by which I mean democracy proper, science, multiculturalism, the Reformation, etc. - are not perfect by any means. The best expressions of it accept their imperfection and work to mitigate it, like the scientific method or proportional representation. "Democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried" and so on. It's the best we have to work with under the circumstances. I guess that's the dictum here: under the circumstances. There was an amusing contest here in Canada to finish the phrase "as Canadian as..." The winning entry was "as Canadian as possible under the circumstances." I don't think that just reflects Canada, but the human condition in general. I practice the faith as best as possible under the circumstances. Deferring authority to absolute leader, be it a Pope or a "Bible" precaher or whomever, does not end the problem. We're *all* subject to the circumstances, from Popes to paupers. So I do the best I can under the circumstances, understanding that my understanding and experience is limited and therefore I must rely as much as possible on the grace of God who is all understanding and experience. My focus must be on Him and not to revel in my learning or my works or what institution I belong to or whatever false assurances and cheap grace the world offers.
out of curiousity, what is it with authority that bothers you so much? i mean particularly in reference to ecclasiastical authority. the new testament is full of examples of the apostles and their successors having authority in the early church. Jesus stated "he who hears you, hears me..." keys to the kingdom, etc. So i am not posing an argument so much here, as just wondering...why not be under authority? The catholic church does not state the authority of bishop/pope is absolute, but confined to faith and morals. No one is going to tell you what car to buy, or where to live, what science is right or wrong...etc.
FaithandReason101 There are a couple different questions in there. The first is "why not authority?" The second is "why not Papal authority?" The former does not necessarily beget the latter. The nature of ecclesiastical authority in the New Testament is very ambiguous, if not ambivalent. It's not nearly as clear as you make out. In the first place, Jesus did not establish any system of institutional authority. A few symbolically rich words to Simon as the representative of the Disciples does not a political system make. Secondly, Acts and the Epistles implicitly convey a backdrop of considerable controversy, especially where Paul is concerned. Alain Badiou's book on Paul is excellent on this subject. I won't deny that the Church Fathers adopted increasingly Romanesque organizational structures after the 1st century, but the current Roman Catholic system didn't exist as such prior to Constantine. As to the question of the Pope, his authority is really a matter of historical accident. After the destruction of the Holy Sees of Jerusalem, Alexandria, etc., Rome was the only authoritative See left in the West. Even if we ignore the East and its Holy Sees (which we too readily do), not only is Rome's primacy an accident but its status as a See *at all* is based *solely* on the fact that Rome was once the heart of the Roman Empire. There is no historical basis for the Apostolic Succession of the Bishop of Rome back to Peter (a point the RCC acknowledges in ARCIC, Authority in the Church II, 6-7). So given that I am a Canadian from a German family, what is the Bishop of the Roman Empire to me? The authority of the Bishop of the Roman Empire in faith and morals is largely the problem. No intelligent person is concerned that the Pope is telling people what car to buy. If these pronouncements on faith and morals developed from the devotional/liturgical and the intellectual life of the church - the stuff I can actually get behind and which is properly oriented towards God - then it would be worth consideration. But too regularly and fundamentally, the church's faith and morals are developed from its institutional structure. Catholic morality serves the ultimate interest of the power structure. Sometimes that also serves the Kingdom of God, sometimes the exact opposite, and I abhor any case where impersonal institutional authority places itself as an oppressive force over the lives of real living human beings. If there was any idea of authority to be culled from the New Testament and Jesus specifically, I would say it was something closer to relational authority, which is a spiritual and moral authority exercised and legitimized by the intimacy between the community. The RCC more usually embodies hierarchical authority, which is based on temporal power. It may make moral rules and regulations, but it lacks moral authority.
Satan and evil have always attacked Jesus and His Church, so the failures of some men within the church is no evidence that The gates of Hell have prevailed over the ONE, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Church founded by Jesus on Saint Peter. The Catholic church has grown to over a Billion members, despite the small number of priests who have sinned so grievously. The truths of the church about The Holy Eucharist, Mary the Queen of Heaven and Immaculate Mother of Jesus, the sacrament of reconciliation where you can confess your sins and have them forgiven, and the Sacrament of Matrimony for men and women to marry and become one blessed by the Lord, are all reasons to return to the one true church. Then we Catholics have only one church not the 33,000 ++ heresies that call themselves 'Christian' churches, and demonstrate precisely why Jesus gave us the popes, men He gave the power to bind and loose on earth, and have it bound and loosed in heaven. Thus all the possible heresies were eliminated by the final authority given by Jesus to Peter and his 266 (so far) successors who have the keys to the kingdom of heaven. No women priests and bishops, no same sex marriages or other abominations now popping up in many of those false prophet led churches. I understand the gays have invented a church and they call their heretical text the 'Queen James Bible', following in the Jehovah's Witnesses footsteps of rewriting their Bible to fit what they teach.
Question: "What is the Assumption of Mary?" Answer: The Assumption of Mary (or the Assumption of the Virgin) is a doctrine which teaches that after the mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and taken bodily to heaven. The word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.” The Assumption of Mary is taught by the Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church. The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary had its beginnings in the Byzantine Empire around the 6th century. An annual feast honoring Mary gradually grew into a commemoration of Mary’s death called the Feast of Dormition (“falling asleep”). As the practice spread to the West, an emphasis was placed on Mary’s resurrection and the glorification of Mary’s body as well as her soul, and the name of the feast was thereby changed to the Assumption. It is still observed on August 15, as it was in the Middle Ages. The Assumption of Mary was made an official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. The Bible does record God “assuming” both Enoch and Elijah into heaven (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11). Therefore, it is not impossible that God would have done the same with Mary. It is not wrong to believe that God “assumed” Mary into heaven. The problem is that there is no biblical basis for the Assumption of Mary. The Bible does not record Mary's death or again mention Mary after Acts chapter 1. Rather, the doctrine of the Assumption is the result of lifting Mary to a position comparable to that of her Son. Some Roman Catholics go so far as to teach that Mary was resurrected on the third day, just like Jesus, and that Mary ascended into heaven, just like Jesus. The New Testament teaches that Jesus was resurrected on the third day (Luke 24:7) and that He ascended bodily into heaven (Acts 1:9). To assume the same thing concerning Mary is to ascribe to her some of the attributes of Christ. While the idea of the Assumption of Mary is not heretical in and of itself; in the Roman Catholic Church, the Assumption of Mary is an important step toward why Mary is venerated, worshipped, adored, and prayed to. To teach the Assumption of Mary is a step toward making her equal to Christ, essentially proclaiming Mary’s deity.
It is not written in the Bible that God takes Enoch and Elijah's bodies into heaven. Re-read the passages again, you are assuming thats where they go but it never states where they go.
@@uniqoEnEsp Sorry to burst your bubble but you cannot teach me anything. I was in process of becoming a pastor at a megachurch when my conversion began. The history is undeniable, the arguments for Catholicism are unimpeachable and the Eucharist is absolutely beautiful.
+Ocean Waves Why would I want to return to the Catholic "faith?" The Catholic Church does not represent Jesus Christ, it represents a religion based on man-made Traditions, etc. I'm a sinner saved by the grace of God by faith. No works could erase my sins, only the work He (Jesus) did on the cross can justify a repentant sinner, through faith alone. This is not a Protestant belief, it's what all Christians believe. So, let's leave the labels out. I'm a follower of Christ, not a follower of any church. The Catholic Church is seeking to bring all religions together. It says in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that "the plan of salvation also includes...in the first place...the MUSLIMS."(CCC #841) Imagine that. What would Jesus say? What would Paul or Peter say about that? Rome (i.e. the Roman Catholic Church) is seeking to "[fulfill] her mission...restoring and bearing witness to the unity lost at Babel." (SD #431) Here is a quote from Cardinal Reinhard Marx speaking at an ECUMENICAL gathering called, "Bound To Live Together," in Munich, Germany (2011): "Particularly, RELIGIONS make an important CONTRIBUTION in GUIDING humanity towards a BETTER FUTURE. [Religions] help [humanity] turn to God, Creator and Father of humankind. [Religions] POSITION ALL people in a WIDER, COMMON HORIZON. We ACCEPT this MISSION, and we commit ourselves to taking the pathway of comprehension and reconciliation." What would Jesus have to say about that? Why would any Christian want to accept this "MISSION" Rome seeks to fulfill? Please read Matthew 7:13 and Matthew 10:34-36. If the Holy Spirit is in you, you would agree with me. If not, leave this Church and call upon Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins so you can be saved from this evil world. www.santegidio.org/pageID/2386/langID/en/text/400/Final-Ceremony--Reinhard-Marx.html
+Ocean Waves You need Christ, not religion. What is this nonsense about, "show me in the bible where it says "solo Fidei" and I will convert to the the Protestant faith?" How about be converted to Jesus Christ, for He is the one you should believe in. What did He tell doubting Thomas? Do you want to be blessed (and I"m not referring to wealth, health and success). Blessed to know that your sins are covered by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Jesus to Thomas: "Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life."(John 6:47) "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”(John 7:38) "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."(John 11:25) Are you born of God? Not likely because you have trusted in works to get you into Heaven and that is impossible. Only God can make you a child of God by FAITH, BELIEF. So, who gives the "right?" God does. "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as MANY as RECEIVED Him, to THEM He GAVE the RIGHT to BECOME CHILDREN of God, TO THOSE who BELIEVE in His NAME: who were BORN, NOT of BLOOD, NOR of the WILL of the FLESH, NOR of the WILL of man, but OF God."(John 1:10-13)
+Ocean Waves What does the "plan of salvation also includes...in the first place...the MUSLIMS?" You do know that Pope John Paul II said "Christians and Muslims...believe in the same God?" How is that possible?
+Ocean Waves Your words, > '' Do you just look for any excuse to bash the Pope without looking into it first, the Pope is far more educated than you... *He is not going to say something without some type of support for it*. Best to look into why the Pope says something...'' It's not a matter that the pope is ''bashed'', as you put it, but rather exposed as the fraud that he is in that he represents Christianity. Example, when the pupe in his recent trip to the U.S.A. he never once presented the gospel. In fact this pupe went so far as to make the incredibly disturbing statement that what Jesus Christ did on the cross was a failure. The pupe and his statement is the definition of ''Antichrist''. amredeemed.com/evangelism/catholicism/pope-francis-says-jesus-failed-at-the-cross/ To blindly follow this man who claims to be the ''vicor of christ'' puts your eternity in peril. To attempt to defend this man and what he espouses and the ''church'' he leads is to defend the system of Antichrist. Rather what you need to do is put your faith/trust in what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross and his precious shed blood. The gospel of salvation: 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 1 Moreover, brethren, *I (Paul) declare unto you the gospel* which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 *By which also ye are SAVED*, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that *Christ died for our sins* according to the scriptures; 4 *And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day* according to the scriptures:
+justthinken1 The Pope meant that it was a failure in the eyes of the World. People expected a huge victorious military campaign, and instead they saw Jesus killed by the Romans as if He were a shameful thief. The Pope meant that when we go through difficulty and hardship, we should remember verses like 1 Cor. 1;18 "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
I was raised a southern Baptist as well as baptized. Although, if I'm looking at my live with honest eyes, I doubt I have ever really lived a Christian life. Recent family loss has brought a sharp realization that I need Christ and I am interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and converting to Catholicism. Would anyone tell me how to begin the process and what steps are involved?
Sorry you haven't gotten replies, and sorry about your loss! However, 1 month ago would have been a little late to begin anyway, since the Rite of initiation usually begins in the Fall and ends at Easter, with weekly classes teaching all about Catholic Doctrine. Call the office of the parish you want to attend, and tell them you want to be a part of their RCIA program. However, you are of course more than welcome to attend Mass and begin being a part of the Church community before Initiation, but cannot yet receive the Eucharist.
You could start reading the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then the Epistles - Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Ephisians, etc. So you get to have an understanding of the scriptures at basic. Hope it helps!
I find that most people who leave the Catholic Church or malign the Catholic church are those who are lost and have weak spiritual faith. It takes true faith and, of course, intelligence to comprehend what the teachings of Jesus are. Most Catholics do not understand it and mainly do what they're supposed to do because they were raised in the faith. However, these very same people have unwavering faith and, though they may not comprehend everything, they have childlike faith. Catholics who leave the church are the ones who are weak spiritually and in danger of being lead astray by sweet talk from people who are following the church created by Luther and co.
Jiliane Morales Child-like faith in humans is unwise. Conversely, child-like faith in JESUS, and the fact that He and he alone can save us from our sins...is the essence of TRUE faith
Jiliane Morales Yes, I agree. Catholics who leave the church or who are weak in their faith have made the decision to be so. There comes a time when we can no longer say that nobody taught us about such and such, nobody explained this or that to me, etc. When we "grow up" it is up to us to research, ask questions, get answers and pray for stronger and better understanding of our own faith. Those who think about leaving are not doing ANYTHING to figure things out on their own. It's unfortunate because once we do get answers we come to understand why Catholics are right, the beauty of the mass and the beauty of the faith.
+Jiliane Morales Ooooohhhhhh deep intellectual morass. Has it ever occurred to you it could be as simple as people who leave the catholic cult have seen the light of what a fraud it is. Ever think of that?
agree with you. otherwise many people who join to catholic church is so smart & intelligent people like dr. scott hahn, prof. peter kreeft, ulf ekman, etc
Nobody worst.....protestants fight more the catholics who take Jesus as their Lord and saviour than muslims who say Jesus did not die on the cross....sad.
I don't get why in Catholicism they do all these things, for example confession which are all man made practices because the Bible does not say say that we should do them , so why do them?
***** That is just absurd nonsense! I've been a Catholic all of my life and a priest for 28 years. I can assure you that no one is ever charged a fee to go to confession.
Confession is part of the bible, Jesus said whose sins you forgive they are forgiven, whose sins you retain they shall be retained. Jesus' preaching was all about forgiveness. Confession is an act of forgiveness. Someone must first confess before they can be forgiven. The power of confession was given to the apostles by Christ and passed it down through generations. Everyone needs confession even priest and even the pope. No one in this earth has never sinned (except Christ).
THE BIBLICAL PASSAGE ABOUT CONFESSION OLD TESTAMENT.. Leviticus 5:5 5 when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. NEW TESTAMENT James 5:16 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
JoshEl Biblical illiterate, REPENT for the Kingdom of God is at Hand. Confess to your brother you sinned against, for his forgiveness, Ask God for Forgiveness and the cleanse you of your sins (Repentance). Acts 20:21 "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greek, Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ". Confess to God all your sins, ask for forgiveness and repent of it all. Turn away. No one washes sins away but the blood of Jesus, and coming clean and confessing your wrong doing to a brother is also biblical, we may call it an apology. Catholics Deceived with a capital D.
I found what I needed spiritually in the Church long ago at age 17. I think I may just live in a bad cultural/geographical place for the Church right now. But I have had some struggles with the Church and I'm having a bad one right now I probably just need to move
Mary is the new Eve?? I bet she'll be surprised to learn that. Jesus died for her sins too. "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)
Fr. Robert Barron I would be very interested to see where the gospel writers (or Paul, or Peter, or James) say Mary is the new Eve. I've never seen that in the Bible. I do know the Bible says this: "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5) One mediator. And it's not Mary.
Fr. Robert Barron Fr. Robert, I have a question for you. My entire family is Catholic. My grandparents were also originally Catholic. But then about 10 years ago or so, for some mysterious reason unknown to us they just changed their whole tune and have left the church. They have just abandoned the early church fathers, whom they don't believe in, and gone "Solo Scriptura" in the sense that they don't believe in the real presence; it's just a symbol because of Jesus' words: Do this in memory of me." And they don't have a devotion to our Lady- accusing of "worshipping her, and the authority of the Pope, etc. How are we meant to be close if we don't share the same things? What are the methods of effective dialogue?
Jonathan Swires In Luke 12:51 Jesus says “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” It sounds like your grandparents were born again. I bet you anything that they would be willing to sit down and discuss what happened in their lives.
"In the Old testament the New Testament is concealed. In the New Testament the Old testament is revealed." -St. Augustine Romans 5;17 "For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." Christ is the New Adam as this and many other Scripture verses tell us. Eve; bone of Adam's bone and flesh of his flesh Mary; bone of Christ's bone and flesh of Christ's flesh Genesis 1 opens with a creation story starting with "In the beginning", and after 7 days go by, we see Eve tempting Adam to consume the fruit. John 1 opens with a creation story starting with "In the beginning...", and after 7 days go by we see Mary encouraging Christ to create the fruit. Eve; Listened to the demon Mary; Listened to the angel Eve; Was a source of temptation to Adam, and led Adam into the first act of mankind's sin and degradation through the consummation of the forbidden fruit. Mary; Was a source of nurturing and encouragement to Christ, and led Christ into His first act towards mankind's salvation and glorification through creation of wine; "the fruit of the vine." Eve; Mother of all living Mary; Mother of all living in Christ; as God becomes our Father, Christ becomes our brother, and so Mary becomes our Mother. Our Christmas Eve. Ahmen; peace
Jamie Piller So is any human concept that rises above the merely biological and chemical. Truth for truth's sake, good for goodness' sake, and truly selfless love are outside anything in the realm of science, fairytales, but anyone who denies them is insane. site.icanvasart.com/LargeArtImage/1411.jpg
Rodney Burton What? I said the bible is a fairy story. Come on you surely do not believe Sir surely? Even if you believe in god that is all well and good but the bible has been proven inaccurate historically and even geologically on so many levels. By all means believe in imaginary friends but the issue I have with many believers is their threats to us sane and rational people that we will burn in hell for not believing in imaginary entities. IF someone believes then fair enough, just never, ever threaten that I will burn in hell cos IF they do then I will put sky daddy to the test and snap their necks plain and simple. Nobody, christian, muslim or atheist will threaten me with anything. IF their sky pops is real he is more than welcome to strike me down with great vengeance and furious anger but it wont happen cos IT IS NOT REAL. The sooner religion is eradicated and made illegal the better in my opinion. All the shit is causes
I converted to Catholicism years ago but I only recently heard a discussion of Our Lady's relationship to the Incarnation, which in turn explains iconography in the Church.
reallive571 The early Christians of the Catholic Church we’re inspired by God to write the books of the New Testament and compile them with the books of the Torah, the Old Testament. Before they compiled the Bible as we know it they practiced the Faith for about a century.
Robert Barron, I recently watched your presentation of the "Gospel" of "you can still get into heaven, while rejecting Jesus, as long as you're a good person" to Ben Shapiro on The Daily Wire. The fact that individuals such as yourself and James Martin have not been defrocked by the Catholic Church is one of the main reasons why I will more than likely never convert to Catholicism.
Very interesting. Pretty much every video here completely surprises me with amazing insight. I'm a protestant, sort of, and yes those are my main objections, and whilst I'm not looking to convert, those are some pretty satisfying answers.
Father Barron, you say that, “we require a living voice of authority”, and speak of a church with no “no living voice of authority.” But the Bible is not just a book. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12, ESV It does not contain simply ideas of God. Rather, it is the living and active Word of God, having the authority of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Our Lord regarded the Old Testament as Scripture, as did the apostles and early church with the New Testament. Jesus also declared God's Word written in Scripture to be authoritative in many instances (i.e. quoting Scripture in the wilderness while being tempted, or in John 10:35 when Jesus said "Scripture cannot be broken", or Matthew 5:8 - "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."). And what Law was He referring to? The Law of Moses in the Pentateuch: Luke 24:44-47 - " 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." The apostles regarded these writings as divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the early church regarded them as apostolic. Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:15-16 - "15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
I reverted after 22yrs. What got me there was getting fed up with the chaos and doctrinal confusion in the protestant realm. no unity, no clarity, nothing sacred, no beautiful churches, no anything. that lead me to find out that Christ left us a Church, with actual authority, not a book to try and figure out on our own that didn't even come around until 400AD. It really is obvious when you seek truth.
The Other protestant respect catholic beliefs..like born again they are respecting Catholic Traditional also when catholic worship Mary they are all having respect.... because they believe God is only one with three person ....who mades us wonderfully and Beautifully..... Glory to God ....May God bless you...even if I am protestant I really respect all of your messages.....I really like to learning the bible in all the time which I wasn't busy .. so I'm just glad to this message it can help you.. but please respect the protestant beliefs...even the beliefs of those pastors who are diligent with His faith in God.... I know God will never leave us alone...He has already there to Guide us and to Help us to the mission of our lives.......I am From Philippines and Glad to meet you all here ...God bless All of you again ..May God gives you, all the desires of all of your heart ❤️😇🙏... Praise God always
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I Come from a non denominational background. My wife was born Catholic. We recently left church all together, I’ve been in a naturalistic agnostic place for the past year or 2. Last week we attended Mass, my first mass ever. I will never forget the feelings of reverence and authority of the Word of God that I’ve never felt in any other Protestant church. I was so touched, we’re making it our church and I am taking RCIA in the near future.
Very excited to have my faith re ignited and to be baptized and receive my first communion in the Catholic Church. Thankful for this journey the Lord has me on.
Amazing, Richard, thank you for sharing. I have a similar background, and like you, felt the reverence and authority (among other things) at the first mass I attended.
Reading you from Malaysia, Richard. God Bless you and your family on this wonderful but yet tumultuous journey. But it's worth it.
I was born and raised a Catholic. When I met my wife I left the church and started going to a Baptist Church because I really didn’t know my faith and I enjoyed the academic nature of the baptist service. But, as I studied and prayed, everything led me back to the Catholic Church!!!
Sterling Crowne did you study the 7 books that were deleted by the Protestants ???? No you didn’t so don’t talk !!!!
@Sterling Crowne cherry picking the verse won't help you
Sterling Crowne you’ve really been brainwashed .. 1500 yrs after the New Testament was written by the Roman Catholic Church a moron decided a few of the books didn’t suit him and that gave rise to over 40.000 denominations ... born again ... unbornagain blah blah blah
But the Catholics Church remains the same from inception .... and it keeps on growing ...
Sterling Crowne youre really talking rubbish clearly you don’t understand a thing ... the New Testament remains the same so what crap you talking about Popes????
Every single pastor preacher or whatever they call themselves each go into a room and study the Bible for hours then on Sundays thousands upon thousands ministers pastors eat etc preach “their” definition of whatever they think they’ve read!!!!
Just listen to Francis Chan and many hundreds of ex Protestants and they’ll tell you the same thing
Any way you just go along your little way and go to your born again thing
I’m done talking to a person that’s clearly a Catholic basher ....
we’re still the single oldest Catholic Christians in the world ... steeped in faith and history .... so suck it up
Sterling Crowne bro your not getting anywhere with this.
I was raised as an Easter morning Baptist. As a teen (12-13 yrs) I sought an understanding of God and began attending a Baptist church regularly (Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday night, Friday night youth group and even Tuesday night "soul-winning"...knocking on doors). So I was trying very hard. Unfortunately, no one, even the Pastor, could answer the questions that I had so I strayed. Over the years I came to rock bottom to include a cocaine addiction, in and out of jail. It was during a 6-month stay in jail awaiting trial on embezzlement that I read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Growing up only hearing Protestant rhetoric, I knew the Catholic Church as a cult of lies. However, I finally found in this amazing book the answers to all the questions that I had from my youth forward. Upon my release I joined an RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and was confirmed into the Church. Spiritually, I've never felt better and found a peace which, prior to, I could never find.
+jeff barker Bless you
amen brother im taking the steps to converting to the catholic faith.
amen brother im taking the steps to converting to the catholic faith.
+Oscar Ramirez Ask yourself....what is the GOOD NEWS? You simply won't find it in the complicated messages of Catholicism.
+JESUS IS LORD! prot troll
I was baptized as a Southern Baptist when I was 13, was very involved in church and youth group. As I left home, I never doubted my faith but my attendance at church was spotty at best. I could never seem to find what I was looking for. I was in the Army and stationed in Germany, where I toured some very ancient Cathedrals. I was blown away at the piety, reverence, and dedication of the people that built these great altars to God. I could never match that level of reverence in any Protestant church. Many years later I attended the funeral Mass for my mother in law and I objectively opened my eyes, my ears, my mind and my soul to what was happening at the Mass. I could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. This led me to research the Catholic Church and early Christianity. Well, I think we all know how that goes. Cardinal Newman said, "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant." Once I started reading the early Church Fathers, the only logical conclusion I could come to was the Catholic Church was and is the holy, apostolic Church commissioned by Christ through St. Peter.
Cardinal Newman also said “ If Christianity is historical, Catholicism is Christianity”.
That’s funny you said that because as someone born and raised Catholic and then left the church once reading the Bible for myself and becoming a spiritually born again Christian, every Catholic funeral I have gone since then has been a farce. They speak of every person who died as being in heaven even if they didn’t know that person. That person could have been the most ungodly, unbeliever in the world caring less about Jesus Christ and they would still talk how they were with God. The Bible tells us there are many people who think they are saved and on the last day will find out they are not.
@@dawn2508:: There are a lot of badly catechized Catholics and I agree. We don’t know for sure where each person goes after death. Only God knows.
I'm a protestant currently in RCIA. I grew up in the Deep South where Catholicism was basically unheard of. Everyone was pretty much either Baptist or Methodist. Your videos have been helpful, very straightforward and practical.
Same here and have been in the Church around 7 years and am so happy, God bless.
But are they true? Do they match up with scripture?
@@dawn2508 Yes and Yes
I grew up as a protestant and I am still a protestant by conviction. However, I have studied church history, I have a growing appreciation for the Roman Catholic Church. In the last two years or so, I have become familiar with Bishop Barron and I am tremendously thankful for his voice on many issues. Even when I do not agree with his exact views, I feel he presents catholic teaching in warm and understandable light.
There will always be disagreements among denominations. I think what's most important in our individual journey is to seek out truth. For once we find truth, we have found Christ himself. May the Lord bless and keep you in his embrace my brother.
@@davidcole333 if they seek the truth the accepted historical timeline would answers it.🙂
As a Catholic who used to be protestant, I'd say feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit is what worked for me.
Kobus Otto does the bible say anything about feelings or faith?
I'm Protestant who used to be Catholic. I would say the complete opposite.
So what do we do now?
Yes, once you know what the Catholic Church is, you cannot belong to anything else. It is the Mother Church , the first and only Church.
@Brett R You are right in saying it wasn't the first when it comes to a building or a group (congregation of people) who started the teachings of Jesus who told his apostles to go into the world ,spread his message and for those who would follow, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy spirit. The apostles went everywhere and started churches. This is why the Church is called Catholic because the word means Universal, not bound to one place or one people. The Coptic Church for instance was through the Evangelization of Apostle Mark. A very old Church obviously. From the first half of the first Century AD. All the different Churches are part of the One True Source which is Jesus Christ.
So , my words "first church" are not correct in that sense. Let me put it another way.
The Catholic Church is the Church of Jesus Christ, firstly because it goes back in history to the time of Christ. Secondly because theirs is the only Christian Church which possesses the unity, the intrinsic holiness, the continual universality and the indisputable apostolicity which Christ SAID would distinguish His true Church. Thirdly because the apostles and primitive church Fathers who certainly were members of Christ's Church, all professed membership in this same Church (see Apostles Creed and the Primitive Christian Letters).
Ignatius of Antioch wrote:" Where the Bishop is, let the multitude of believers be, even as Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church". Our Lord said:"Let there be one fold and one shepherd," yet it is well known that the various christian denominations cannot agree on what Christ actually taught. Since Christ roundly condemned interdenominationalism "A house divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:25, Catholics cannot believe that He would ever sanction it in His Church.
Where does the Pope get his Authority from , to be Head of this Church? Pope means Head Bishop of the Church , is referred to as the "rock"of the Church or the "shepherd" of the Church.
Christ used that terminology when he appointed Peter, the first head of the Church "thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church ."Matthew 16:17-19. "There shall be one fold and one shepherd John 10:16 . "Feed my lambs....feed my sheep." John 21:15-17
The other apostles understood that Peter had authority from Christ to lead the Church, for they gave him the presiding place every time they assembled in council Acts 1:15, 5:1-10 and they placed his name first every time they assembled the names of the apostles. Matt. 10:2, Mark 3:16 Luke 6:13-14 Acts 1:13
In addition there is the testimony of the Church Fathers. 2nd Century St. Hegessipus compiled a list of popes to the time of Anicetus (11th pope)which contained the name of Peter as first.
The Lutheran and Presbyterian churches teach that, not the Catholic Church
I’m a 50+ year old cradle Catholic and our Church is so blessed with so many new converts. I’m in awe of them; I was born into Christ’s Church but our blessed converts went through so much to enter the faith!
Thank you .. as an Anglican making my way to the Roman Church your insight is a help.
John Ford;
Great name! John the sons of thunder.
I am a devout Catholic but God threw a curveball and I love baseball and I married an Anglican wife who converted to the catholic faith.I have many Anglican family members.The Anglican church is obviously the closes to the catholic church in understanding.However one very important part is missing I believe it's the eucharist.Yes the Virgin Mary plays a significant role too I had to teach my wife about the Virgin Mary's role in salvation she had no clue.But her heart opened up when I showed her beautiful catholic shrines throughout North America.
In the eucharist understand the catholic belief is literally the body and blood of Christ the real presence of Christ in the eucharist.
The Jews thought of it metaphorically; protestants think it symbollically.
This is the key and as Jesus said it is a hard teaching.People walked away don't walk away trust Jesus.He is the author of life.
I made sure every city with visit on vacation that mass was essential and I made sure we found the local city catholic cathedral for mass.Once in New York City we actually got to meet Cardinal Dolan at St.Patrick's Cathedral a very kind man.
My wife now is a catholic school teacher; reads at mass and gives communion.Talk about the vineyard labourers parable arriving at 3pm!
It does not matter what time of the day you show up for the truth in the catholic faith you will receive the same wage or reward of faith like you have been there all day.God Bless.Don't jeopardize your salvation.Think how St.John describes the glorious crown of eternal salvation that awaits.Like a mother waiting for 9 months for her baby all the suffering goes away instantly as she sees her child the same way with Christ when we will see the face of God our souls will rejoice instantly.
John Ford just ask God to guide you in reading the true word of God....
@@johnb4632 On the contrary, I've found that the Eucharist is actually *not* the main issue for most Anglicans. It's more likely to be the usual suspects like the authority of the Pope and veneration of the saints.
Since the 19th century many Anglicans have actually started to believe in a more physical version of real presence.
Usually, though, Protestants who subscribe to the doctrine of physical real presence think that the body and blood are there "alongside the bread and wine", so it's still not the same as transubstantiation, the Catholic view.
I don't know about your family members. It's possible that they may have been more low church, which would explain them having a more symbolic take on it.
But nevertheless, Anglicanism as a whole has trended towards a more physical, sacrificial view of communion, and seems to be the rare example of a Protestant church where people actually have a *more* literal view of communion then the official doctrines of their church (written in the 1500's) allow them to. They are not supposed to believe that they physically eat Christ, yet many of them do anyway!
Agreed that it's very rare to find an Anglican that has a Catholic understanding of Mary. In my experience even the high church ones almost never venerate saints.
That wasn't exactly much of a leap going from one church of satan to another church of satan.....
Any government sponsored church is a church of satan....because the bible says all the kingdoms or governments of the world belong to satan ....so uniting a church with any government makes the chuch satan's possession.....when Constantine United the catholic church with the government it thusly became satan's possession
The new testament doesn't have a hierarchical priesthood and that is essentially the error all denominations make....they create a hierarchical priesthood....and there are no great one amongst us in the new testament church....the only great one amongst us is jesus christ
These denominational hierarchical priesthoods lord over God's heritage and are all nicolaitains....but the true original nicolaitains are the catholic church who always sought to conquer the laity......nicolaitain means to conquer the laity
I M P O R T A N T
Pray for one another.
I converted and I ask for intercession from various Saints from time to time but I still pray to Christ daily using the Jesuit exam prayer. When I do pray the Rosary I seldom think of Mary but rather think of Christ in the decades. There is alot of misunderstanding by protestants on Mary and I find the mass totally Christ centered. and totally biblical as the entire bible is covered if you go to mass everyday.
O what denomination of your former faith did you convert from?
Lutheran
I pray for you today. Prays are needed tomorrow. Please pray. Regards.
Indeed, pray for one another
Roman Catholic here...I've heard all the anti-catholic rhetoric from protestants and I just would reply to them,
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Jesus Christ
I love you, but I will never join you. I pray for your deliverance.
@Jane Dough Jesus......I took a look at that article. It is worse than I thought.
You cannot separate truth from love. And the truth is if u put your faith in Christ alone you will be saved. The Catholic Church is a false religion and cannot offer u redemption. This church will be judged by Christ and He wants people to escape from its demonic grip. My advice to u: READ THE BIBLE - not the apocrypha. The Bible points to Jesus not a demonic religion taking His place.
@@sydb2848 everything the Church teaches can be supported by the Bible. Please read the Baltimore Catechism in order to learn what the Church teaches. The Catholic Church is the only one that possesses all four marks of Christ’s true Church. Sola scriptura and Protestantism does not lead to Christ’s true Church. The multiplicity of Protestant denominations is evidence of this, as they are not one (the first mark). You say the Catholic Church is false. Which denomination are you and why is it the correct one?
@@sydb2848 I don't think calling the Catholic Church demonic is the best look. What if, despite Protestant misinformation, the Catholic Church actually IS the true Church of Christ? You would then be calling the Church of Christ demonic, which is not something I think you would want to intentionally or unintentionally do. Kind of like the Bible says, be cautious of your tongue!
Many former Protestant bible scholars and theologians, and even philosophers and atheists have embraced Catholic Faith. Their testimonies and books are very helpful and useful to deepen our Catholic Faith.
In 1982 I was Baptized Protestant. In 1987 I went through RCIA and became Catholic. I served that Mass (which is very extrordinary as I have found out). I was Confirmed in 1988. I graduiated in 1991. All of that in St. Joseph Church in Ironton, OH.
Why am I Catholic? Not because it is easy. Not because it is popular. To borrow a thought for G.K Chesterton, I am Catholic because it is true. And that "living voice", the authority of the Church, points me to what is true.
Authority of the church?? Explain how the Apocrypha is true...
Thomas Dobbins bro this is from five years ago
Lol but the Bible is from a few thousands of years ago
Not one form
Of Christianity is above another. The church is one, the true believers. Only those who serve God With all their strength and take steps to show it are part of the church. God looks at the heart, not a membership
If you want to get technical. Denominations are a sin.. we are supposed to adhere to God's word and not tradition.. as well as not add nor take away from His word. The Apocrypha is an addition. And it's not canonized. The reason is not canonized is because it's not the word of God! So my question to the Catholics or anyone who follows the apocrypha is.. what traditions, beliefs, and dogma are you receiving from those books
Thank you Fr. Barron. My husband and I are watching your Catholicism series over this Lent season. Beautiful music, scenery and messages. I'm finally converting to Catholicism this Easter season after 20 plus years of attending a Catholic Church (baptized Methodist 41 years ago, attended and married in a Methodist) and I couldn't be more thankful and in awe of God's guidance in continuing this journey of faith. Thank you for your outreach of sharing this beautiful faith and traditions…Praying for you and other teachers of the Faith this Easter Season.
Well, God bless you!
Fr. Robert Barron Thank you for the reply Fr. Barron. I'm in such awe at the work of God as I continue this walk (as I have been over the many years)…that He is by my side, and has always been. I'm listening more attentively, grasping a little tighter and forgiving more than ever before, even of myself. I just praise God that I will be able to take 'in' the full Body and Blood of Christ with the Eucharist. Never before have I looked so forward to something. Thanks Be to God.
To make a long story short.
I was confirmed Easter 2019 at 44 years old.
I’m trying to guide my mother (who is Protestant) to convert to Catholicism.
This is a recent undertaking and sending her this video is round #2.
Please Pray she will continue to warm to the idea
You go Buster Beagle!!!
Lol! Round 2....
That’s beautiful! Welcome home!
Read the early Church fathers and you'll read about belief in:
- One Church of One Faith
- Salvific Baptism
- Infant Baptism
- The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (his resurrected body, blood, soul and divinity)
- 73 books in the bible (not 66)
- Salvation by Grace, Through Faith, Working in Love
If Christ is in the Eucharist, why wouldn't we worship Him?!
tim spangler " And not a word about WORSHIP of the Eucharist...or unbloody blood. ...or many other Catholic distinctives."
I guess you haven't read ALL the early Christians writing just as Catholic's profess today:
The bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.
Nothing about it being symbolic only....
And you Tim, still haven't provided one iota of evidence that these early Christian's professed what you believe:
Faith alone
Bible alone
Symbolic Only Eucharist
Symbolic Only Baptism
Baptism delayed to the age of reason.
Been waiting for a long time for any evidence from you....it should have been quite easy to do so if were right.
Asaph Vapor Start with chapter 6 of the John’s Gospel
@@jurisprudens Asaph suffers from Sola Scriptura, a man-made construct first found in the 16th century - and holds others to a standard that he doesn't hold himself. For example ...
Asaph says: Quote me an example of infant being baptized in NT? You cant.
Me: Quote me an example of infant having their baptism delayed to the age of reason in NT? You can't.
Asaph: doctrines are proved from Scriptures.
Me: prove from scripture where scripture states:
- baptism is delayed to the age of reason
- baptism is symbolic only (contradicting 1 Pet 3:21)
- The Eucharist is symbolic only (contradicting Christ's words)
- That woman should be preachers
- That Christ's promise to lead His Church to ALL truth was limited to the apostles, and not their descendants.
- That Christians should be held to Sola Scriptura (contradicting God saying to hold fast to what is written AND spoken)
- That one is saved by faith alone (contradicting God's Word through James 2)
- Where one finds the list of what books should be in scripture, in scripture.
- *Where doctrines are proved by 2 verses of scripture (this is an unique Asaph doctrine, not found in scripture, but he doesn't hold himself to it... though he can try doing so on the points above. Asaph is too prideful to admit that he is WRONG on this and that he is a hypocrite for not holding himself to the same standard that he holds others. *Keep in mind, he needs two bible verses to prove this doctrine itself.* I ask him only for the book, chapter and verse, and no fallible and personal interpretation of scripture. *If this Asaph doctrine is true, it should be abundantly clear from God in scripture* and God according to the Church of Asaph would have made it very clear ... twice.*
The Church of Asaph has a lot of work to do in proving all the points above, especially by the Church of Asaph, he must prove each by citing two scripture verses. It's full of chaos and confusion as many of its beliefs have their beginnings only in the 16th century, from men in central Europe who had no authority to say that Christendom universally error'd for over 1,000 years.
TruthHasSpoken: LOL, LOL, LOL!!!
You are absolutely correct, right and true of your arguments against this Asaph Vapor who keeps repeating and repeating his Christian history and knowledge that are full of historical distortions, half-truths, misconceptions, misunderstandings and unchristian hate and condescending pride.
More Power to you, TruthHasSpoken!!!
Excellent video. I had to watch this coming from a Non-Denominational background and being received into the Church in a few weeks.
Thank God my folks (who are still Protestants) are thrilled for me and will be at the Easter Vigil to support me. Pray for them too :)
You are really blessed to have parents who understand. In my case, my parents never wanted to understand, especially my mother. I think what holds many people back from becoming Catholic is not just because of their own doubts but because of authority figures in their own lives like parents or spouses, etc who interfere with the freedom of a person to make an adult decision. When you are young, your parents hold the purse strings and you have to play along with their prejudices until you get financially free to go on your own and then you make the move. Spouses are much more difficult, though, as they can make life miserable for you to convert. Some marriages split up over this and it is sad but it happens. Religion should be a force for love and peace, but many times it can create division and infighting. Much of it is over control over another person to do what someone demands. Not to hold unreasonable control over another adult is a good thing but hard to practice in a marriage. It is especially hard when two people were of the same faith at first but later on one decides to convert to something else. That becomes a real problem if both people are strict in their ideas and beliefs. Be thankful for an understanding parent or spouse. You are lucky if you have that blessing.
sologuitar7;
The catholic church has the authority to loosen and bind anything on earth.For example the wedding ring was a pagan thing but the church had to the power to Christinize the wedding ring.
Before catholicism became the official state religion in 325 AD the pagans in Israel built temples over the holy sites of Christ.
Not knowing that Helena Constantine the Great's mother awhile she was in the holy land was able to pinpoint the exact spots of holy sites of Christ to the exact locations because of these pagan temples.My point pagans had a role in Christianity the same way several popes in history converted many pagan kings to the true catholic faith throughout history.God ordains all authority.We must respect this.Watch God in action.
sologuitar7;
But St.Paul said for Christians we only needed to keep the 10 commandments not the whole Mosaic Law.
Jesus was showing that he was authority.
Karl Keating's "Catholicism and Fundamentalism" was very helpful for me, especially his analysis of John 6
Bruno Boyko what is it about?
@@M1and5M it basically takes on every protestant arguement against Catholicism and expertly lays out why they are wrong or misinformed.
I married a Catholic man and the children all went to Catholic schools. I started going to Mass with them all every Sunday as a family and over about 10 years became familiar with the rituals and seasons of the church. Then Mass started to be celebrated in English instead of Latin and suddenly it all came into focus for me. After another couple of years I converted and I thank God for the faith and understanding he has given me.
Beryl Henshaw- That was ages ago, Beryl so you've been one of us for a long time now and God bless you for it!
@Monica Merino Yes I did. I guess there was something about it that drew me in, and I could understand enough about the rituals, which my husband explained to me. It all just seemed right and what I wanted.
@Monica Merino Believe in Jesus, have faith. His main message is love, which incorporates many other things and of course having his body and blood which connects us to him in a special way. This is the whole pivot of the Mass and what distinguishes it from other religions.
100% of the mass is all about our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s no wonder you were so drawn to it. :)
Interestingly, my own personal devotion to Mary (as a Catholic), was partly inspired a Protestant. When I was learning to surf, a Protestant Christian surfer taught me to say a prayer before each session. As a Catholic, I decided to say the Hail Mary as my prayer before going out. Now I say it before doing anything that carries a significant risk. I expanded this because after I started this practice, then the "coincidences" started. I am not a "risk taker", but I seem to attract bizarre "coincidences". Examples: taking care of a catastrophic shark attack victim and later being "double bumped" by a huge shark in January (Great White) and paddling away unscathed. Taking care of catastrophic spinal cord injuries from "face plants", and then getting "face planted" myself in judo -- and walking away uninjured (six months before I had a "feeling" to strengthen my neck). Getting a "premonition" to avoid a certain surf break a particular week that I heeded -- and a surfer was killed there by a tiger shark that exact week. No atheist rant of "confirmation bias" could ever get me to stop a practice I credit with saving me so many times. God can only be understood through relationship.
I, a Protestant, have been admiring Catholicism a lot recently. I go to class with a very devout Catholic student body, and I love and respect them greatly. I think many Protestants are WAY too critical of Catholicism. Some have made claims as wild as the antisemitic theories of global manipulation, and it shows me how I need to avoid the bloc of Evangelical mega churches. I am a non-denominational Christian, and I love Catholics very deeply.
Marcus Grodi's _The Journey Home_ program is another great resource for those considering converting. He seems to find converts from all over the place - Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Evangelical, Non-Denominational, Mormon (not to mention Judaism and Atheism) willing to share their stories. Each one is a little miracle.
I consider The Journey Home the most important show in television, bar none.
Coming from a protestant background and a Protestant family, my own initial questions were... Why do we pray to the Saints? Why do we pray to Mary? Why do we need confession when Christ died for our sins? And lastly, how can purgatory exist when it's not mentioned by name in the Bible? I think it's incumbent on all of us to learn our faith and be able to defend it well. The thing that pushed me to become Catholic however, was how welcome I felt when I first set foot in a Catholic church at age 50. From there I went through RCIA to discern becoming Catholic. The more I learned, the more I knew it was home for me.
I know some Protestants who say Catholics are all damned because they add stuff to the Bible. I know this is not true and try to discredit them. They keep going back to the book of Galatians and how Paul says (paraphrasing), "Whoever adds or removes from the word of God shall be damned." I'm not entirely sure how to respond to that but I am glad to hear that honoring of Mary goes back to the very beginning. I will be sure to remember that. Thank you Robert Barron!
I was Seventh-day Adventist. Unlike the majority of members in Adventism, I did not believe the conspiracies about people worshipping on Sunday and I did not believe the Catholic Church was evil. Rather, I agreed with their other doctrines on Christ's divinity, having good Christian behavior, giving charity, the imminent return of Jesus, Holy Spirit converting the believer, modest dress and healthy eating, etc. What woke me up was after I left Adventism I noticed that almost all of the evangelicals teach you can sin sin sin since you're once saved, always saved. And then the mainline churches promote the rainbow agenda. So I was either going to be a hypocrite and go to a rainbow denomination knowing its wrong or become Catholic. And while the decision was not easy I made the right choice and chose God over what the world wanted me to do.
Thank you father I'm 16 I found God our saviour God bless you
I started drinking when I was 16. I would drink at parties, but I also started drinking alone because I was unhappy, and I was in a lot of emotional pain all the time. My mom was very aggressive when I was younger, and my brother hated her and so did I. He started hanging out with shady people, he started failing all his classes, he was never home, and my parents fought all the time. I also ran away several times. I was always trying to figure out a reason as to why I was here or what the purpose of life was. So, I started looking at different philosophies, religions, and beliefs. When I was 18 after I was hungover, I got on my knees and I prayed for the first time. I asked if God was real that he would show me he was real because I couldn’t take it anymore. I was crying when I prayed for this. At that moment I felt a presence come over me like a wind. It was barely noticeable, but it was unlike anything in my life I had experienced up until that point. I was surprised when I felt it and I remember saying “what was that?” after that experience I pretty much forgot what happened and kept partying, until my senior year when I got arrested. After my arrest, my parents lost all their trust in me and I was expelled from high school. I was told never to come back. At that time, I felt afraid and hopeless. That’s when I started looking for God, and I prayed that he would reveal himself in my life and that he would give me signs. My prayers began getting answered so consistently that I couldn’t deny that God was doing something. It was mysterious and compelling. I ended up in Church and started reading the bible hours a day. I stopped hanging out with all my other friends because they were continually getting arrested. I was able to forgive my family and myself and to ask to be forgiven. I noticed how at Church people were judgmental and how they formed cliques but were afraid to be around anyone else different from them. It increased my faith because I realized Jesus was not like that and ever since I was young, I saw people as people regardless of who they were. After a while, it’s like I could see God's presence was in my life and then it felt like he wasn’t, and then he was, and then he wasn’t. One day I woke up and felt more depressed than I ever have in my entire life. I felt like I was dying on the inside. That night I prayed, and I said, God, I don’t see my life five years from now I'm going to die Jesus save me Lord, please save me. I was weeping when I said it and when I asked him to save me, I felt a presence inside of me like a heartbeat, and I felt it once like a pulse, and I said Lord please save me and I felt it again even stronger. It was like radiance. When I woke up the next morning, I had transformed everything felt brand new like I was a kid again. All my fears and all my racing thoughts everything was gone. I looked at my hands, and I said this can’t be real it’s impossible. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw a different person. I started praying, and the holy spirit became entirely real to me it was washing over me and inside of me. It was total love and peace, and I heard a voice but not an audible one, it was an inner voice. It said I am with you; I love you, I will never leave you, it’s done it’s finished. That was May 3rd, 2009, and ever since then I’ve followed God, I have seen many things change and many things I know wouldn’t have changed without faith and belief. I know what it’s like to be lost to feel you have no hope. Don’t ever think you’re stuck, or life can’t change because it can. My mom is a Christian now, Its night and day. Some of the things that went away during that period were severe anxiety and my addiction to alcohol. I’ve seen and experienced so many things that are miraculous and seen how God has worked in my life. When we ask God to forgive us for what we’ve done and turn away from our sins and wrongdoings and we believe in Christ's sacrifice everything changes. His word says if we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that he died and rose again we will have eternal life but not just life after death but abundant life in the present. Our sins are erased not only past, present, and future but our burdens and fears are lifted also. Our thoughts, our minds, our hearts, our souls are transformed and united with God and we know his spirit lives in us. If you seek, pray, and knock you will know JESUS IS KING!!! HE LIVES!
I love this! And I love hearing stories like this because I’ve experienced similar - if only people knew that God really HEARS and loves us, love on Earth would be ever-abundant! Also, your story reminds me very much of Father Don Calloway’ as conversion story. I highly recommend watching it (he’s so down to earth too, it’s great). Thanks again for sharing, and may God bless you and keep you!
I'm in the process of converting to Catholicism. Is it a long process. I was told to attend mass for the time being.
"Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament. . . . There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death."
-JRR Tolkien
Attend the Traditional Latin Mass of the Roman rite of the Catholic Church, also called the Tridentine Mass. Also read a Traditional Catholic Catechism such as the Baltimore Catechism. The New Mass and new (post-Vatican II) Catechism are about as different from Protestantism as a green apple is from a red one - same fruit, different colour.
Jet Pilot But sir, Protestants do not celebrate Mass at all.
Also, I would encourage you to distinguish between the actual Magisterium-approved teachings and documents of Vatican II from the so-called "spirit of Vatican II".
Rodney Burton Excellent Dr Watson! And that is why the Novus Ordo "Mass" is no mass at all. It is a Protestant service.
I like your Tolkien quote - beautiful! Tolkien was talking about the real Mass, the Mass of Pius V which was the only Mass celebrated until Vatican II. As far as your encouragement to distinguish...how does one distinguish between a turd and a cow patty? All of Vatican II is from hell. I do not exaggerate when I say that V2 has been responsible for the eternal loss of millions of souls. Very very serious!! We can exchange pleasantries on youtube, but there has been a devastation out there over the last 50 years, that has wreaked more havoc than WWI and WWII put together.
Jet Pilot Vatican II cannot be from Hell, because Hell cannot ever prevail against the Church. The Holy Spirit's protection over the Church remains. Vatican II is from Heaven.
You say that the Mass of Pope Pius V is the only mass celebrated until Vatican II? Does that mean that the Mass was invalid for the first 1500 years?
I came here because as a former Catholic & Protestant since the age of 12, I have had a spiritual connection with God, but something has been nudging me to return to Catholicism. It's very hard for me to undergo this change. I do not wish to argue with anyone. All I ask are for prayers to help guide me to finding where I need to go.
Joan wrote: If God is love, then the Body of Christ is intangible.
Me: but Jesus stated, "my Flesh is true food..." i think then that love has become not only tangible, but edible. This is why we Must Eat the Eucharist. Not so that it becomes us, but so that We become love, as He is Love.
Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. His word are meat indeed His words are Spirit indeed. The Spirit gives life and if we abide in His word then His Spirit Abides in us. True communion with God comes from worshiping God with ur life. Your heart mind and soul your everything. If you keep His commandments then He will abide in you Love God, Love your neighbor.
I like how Father Barron gestures with his hands when he makes his point in certain matter . He's a man of God and a man of high intelligence .
Thank You Landry for "+1" my comment .
***** So how you want him to prove his point without his hand gesturing ?
Rather awkward don't you think ?
Thanks Agent Bond for "+1'd" my comment .
TheLongSummer Are you a Protestant by any chance sir ? I'm just asking .
I do have some Protestant co-workers and also some Catholics and me a Muslim but we all work in harmony .
Only in religion we differ . I did sense my Protestant friends say something about Catholicism which they say is very ceremonial and complicated especially in the matters of baptism , taking the Holy Bread and the Confession .
Me ? I'm totally different because I'm a Muslim but we do share the same belief in the Virgin Mary birth and the return of Jesus as savior at the End of Time .
TheLongSummer oh so you make the definition of what intellect is also? Incredible your narcissicism
I'm Protestant, but let's face it: there are plenty of things we can learn from Catholicism. Love these videos by the way!
Amen
sologuitar;
You protest/rebel against Christ's church that he founded himself.
Why Saul; why Paul do you presecute me.
There's nothing a true Christian can learn from Catholicism.
John Henry Newman said: “To study history is to cease being Protestant.”
To believe the Bible is to cease being Catholic.
The only thing missing is some really catchy music at the start and end of these #AskFrBarron videos…
The jingle for all the other commentary videos reminds me of all the great stuff I've learned from Fr. Barron over the years. Puts a smile on my face just thinking about that tune! :D
Thanks for all the great work you're doing, Word on Fire team!
I now feel surprised that my conversion was so easy, though I think both Catholics and Anglicans can exaggerate the differences. The importance of the Pope and of Mary are pretty much the only ideas that I took issue with when first presented with them. That seems to be the case in most differences between most denominations of the Church - not different ideas, more differences in how important certain ideas and things are.
When I hear a Protestant arguing about a specific Catholicism issue, I play a little reverse psychology and imagine that the issue is causing them anger because they realize deep down that the issue is a neglected or mis-taught area of their own spirituality. People only argue about things that they care about. To me, an anti-Mary Protestant would have a concealed Marian devotion. An anti-authoritarian person knows the need for a Petrine office. An anti-indulgence person fears hell.
sshealy1 and this is why many people do not like Catholics.
sshealy1 u don't know the bible
sshealy1 ur not serious. What a fairy tale.
Personally I never argue Doctrine with Catholics. I always bring the issue with relationship with God they Christ. Let’s face it the grand majority of so called “Christians” (Catholics and Protestants) don’t read their bible. In fact when I go out evangelizing as a Protestant born again believer when I see Catholics I always introduce my self in a loving manner saying “I’m here to talk about Jesus the son of the Virgin Mary”. Common ground is key... then I challenge them with the 10 commandments...
@Stacy Caruso calm down. They will never get it anyway. And what is funny to be is their need to drag Protestants back into their Cult.
Amen, Bishop Barron. Thank you and have a very Blessed and Holy Christmas!
“What will convert others is your sanctity.”
St John Vianney
I've been born into the church of Christ but is never really been my my religion here in the last couple years I've been reading up on Catholics I feel that I should give it a shot I feel drawn to it for some reason
+jay frost you are but if they want to and try where they are happy let them, I am catholic and was like you left and stopped believing, I have my reasons for being catholic and coming back. but you are right, Jesus is who saves and the way we worship is different and to me that is ok. faith in Jesus and good actions bearing good fruit is what we should focus on, we are brothers and sisters in christ and should love one another.
Thank you for your words I guess I have a long journey ahead of me I have two Catholic churches in my area eventually I'll get the nerve to walk in and said down
+CreedLake glad you have have accepted Jesus as your lord and saviour, and glad you want to give the catholic church a try. I love the bible and its amazing, even after many years you discover new things and how God is talking to us and it was his plan. in one night I read the new testament because I couldn't stop reading lol
hey, meet you again. how old are you?. you can go through RCIA. but before that, better read catholic books & catechism of catholic church.
Have you ever felt strongly in the past about major relationship/life decisions? You went with your feelings and ended up in the world of hurt? If your feelings have led you astray in the past how can you trust your feelings about the church of Rome?
I have heard some saddening words here and people condemn and attack Mary... The Mother of Christ... A woman picked from the multitude of women who existed in those days as the bearer and nurturer of the Christ himself... That is a woman to be revered, not shunned and attacked, as many do. If you choose to attack ... remember hese words... You are attacking the Mother of Jesus, the Christ, God incarnate as he came to walk among his people... You will answer for such unfounded hatred one day.
+Craneo Bones To give her the "Queen of Heaven" designation that Scripture says is a FALSE, DEMONIC GOD (Jeremiah) is to attack her.
that is more of your made of ridiculous nonsense... quote your sources which you never do... what exactly do you hope to do tim by always slandering Christ's mother Christ's church and it's people?
***** where did I lie? I just reread everything and there is no where where I lied... you are not placing comments and events into context as usual.. so, show me where I lied..
Catholics do not elevate Mary to a status of God. purely false ignorant statement that is the lie... btw You never showed anyone where I lied did you? We revere Mary as the mother of Jesus, who was the living incarnation of God, who stripped himself of his godliness and walked amongst his people. he picked 1 woman out of all the millions that existed to give birth to him and rear him, because she was Holy and pure... do you deny this which is stated in the scripture? so to revere the mother of Christ is somehow wicked? in what way is that? do you revere your own mother and if so you must be wicked as per your twisted ridiculously ignorant logic. Still waiting for you show me where I lied... ohh you just conveniently skipped it huh?
+PEDOPHlLE PRlEST in the CATHOLlC church --- Let's not forget ALL the sodomite priest, bishops, cardinals and popes as well.
americamagazine.org/issue/387/article/church-and-homosexual-priest
I'M A PROTESTANT, AND I LIKE THIS FATHER BARRON GUY. He's direct, sincere, and well spoken. I've been looking at the history of the Church, and the proverbial "thorn in my side" is that Protestantism goes back to the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther, and others who followed in his footsteps. Ergo, Protestantism has Catholic "roots". Since the 1500's Protestantism kept breaking into more and more groups and sub groups. Something like 30,000 Protestant denominations exist today. Each with their own ideals. Their stance on things like homosexuality, fornication, etc. range from "no way", to "it's ok.". Then theres sects such as Jehovah's Witness and Mormons who are so off track, they have the directional sense of a drunk on a unicycle. BUT, the Catholic church has held strong to their theology. (Though there does seem to be a few denominations in Catholicism too. Byzantine, Maronite, Roman, Irish, etc. but again, they are much closer to the original) Am I missing something as a Protestant? Why did us Protestants do away with most Sacraments? Yeah, theres a lot of things about Catholicism I'm trying to get my head around. Mary, praying to saints, Purgatory, confession to priests and so forth. But still, I'm wondering if I should "cross over" to the pre-Protestant church.
I'm really not a fan of the name, "protestant". I am catholic myself, but if I were not I would never want to be defined by what I am against, but rather for what I am for.
There are no denominations in the catholic church. There are very different groups, but we are all one family brought together by Christ.
In my mind the big question is not, "why are there so many splinters of protestants", rather the big question is "how has the catholic church held together so well?" The only answer that I know is that it is by the grace of God.
You are in my prayers.
Those are not "denominations". They are various rites in union with the bishop of Rome. In all there are 22 such rites in Catholicism .
I don't think there are around 33,000 Protestant Denominations. If I had to put an accurate number out there, I would say there are around 100 - 500 Protestant Denominations.
Rocky211 33,000 if you count every independently governed protestant church or collection of churches with an independent leadership hierarchy as a "denomination". So two Protestant churches that had identical "statements of faith" but were governed completely separately would be two denominations.
Are you familiar with RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)? It's a study group offered in basically every Catholic parish; just ask your local church. It's a place where non-catholics can come, learn about the faith, and ask questions with no obligations of any kind.
Before I became a Catholic, I had some of those same questions. Some are very simply answered; others are mysteries of the church.
God bless you. I my self am a non Catholic Christian, however I have learned so much from Catholics such as yourself and fr Mike shmit and realized although many traditions of the Catholic Church are not directly commanded they are not however forbidden and are indeed ancient. Though we may disagree on some mattered I am proud to stand with my Catholic brothers in Christ.
I was raised protestant and for some reason I have been feeling an emptiness and a drawing towards exploring Catholic faith. It's like a strange inner push or urge. When I read some of the catholic literature there's more of a peaceful feeling. Why? I want to find out
Vera, I recommend going through an RCIA program in your area. RCIA is designed to help you discern if becoming Catholic is your calling or not. God bless you richly wherever you go.
@@davidcole333 Bless you
@Alfred Ynda No I havent
I am a protestant and very strong in my faith. I know Catholics feel the same. We have differences, I wont deny that. However, the core of are faith is the same. The Holy Trinity. Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God and the bread of life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Him. By His sacrifice and the shedding of His blood, we may have eternal life. Therefor, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Lets please put aside our differences. We have much bigger problems to worry about in the world today. Peace be with you.
***** Hey, nice last name! I am saved/born again.
***** Good for you! There really is no better news then to hear God has saved another soul. Especially this day in age. There are so many things that distract people from getting to know God.
***** Yes, it is painful and embarrassing. We all believe Jesus is the way and that's what is most important. We are all brother and sister in Christ and Jesus loves us all the same. We have radical muslims that are murdering our people because of their faith. Our love for God and one another is stronger then their hate. "We are Christians", thats the way we should think of one another before anything else.
+nicholas bronson Amen Nicholas. praise be to you and your family. FINALLY a protestant that isn't preaching anti-Catholic nonsense. bearing false witness... Good for you my friend
+A seeker many people still do in the catholic faith as well while same can be said that many muslims do not pray 5 times a day. They are a backward people lost from GOD's word deceived by the one they call the 'Great deceiver' and his pedophile prophet mohammad.
I am a Catholic who was away from my faith for awhile. I started my journey of faith back to Catholicism. with the help of Our Blessed Mother. My father was Catholic, so I was raised Catholic and my mother was Presbyterian but she had a devotion to Our Blessed Mother and I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet with her the night before she died. One important to do is to be gentle. To let a non-Catholic know that Jesus loves them. To be a witness to Christ and for Christ. Being direct does not work. "Why aren't you following the Catholic faith?" comes off as sanctimonious. I will call people out on that remark because it does not work. That is not an example of evangelization no matter how you want to justify that remark. Be an example of Christ. Grace, prayer and offering that soul to Christ saves souls.
For me, it was 1) intellectual dissatisfaction with the concept of Sola Scriptura and 2) the influence of the Holy Saints. I had actually been fostering a close relationship with one particular saint for years, but secretly, because according to my church's theology it was wrong to wander past plain admiration. In truth I had been envious of my Catholic friends for a long time, because they were allowed to cultivate deep relationships with the saints in heaven.
Luke 15:7 "I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." The saints know and they care!
What? You have a relationship with a dead person?
Yes, for death no longer has its sting. We can now cultivate our friendship and community with them.
retsea1
Souls don't die.
That sounds pretty demonic.
On trips to Europe was very moved by the number and beauty of Roman Catholic cathedrals in places like Italy and even in Austria! I went inside purely as a tourist and lover of old world history and felt "left out" for lack of a better word to connect with such an institution. Jump to now during this entire covid-19 social isolation phenomenon. I've decided to look for online religious services by different denominations, especially this Easter. I've enjoyed many protestant worship videos, but surprisingly to myself I find myself being drawn to Catholicism as an afterthought to looking at Anglican and Lutheran religious videos. I am very much interested in RCIA classes and have watched a few online. I have even bought a Rosary from eBay and I have "sung"? or "prayed" the Divine Mercy using my newly acquired rosary, because a hail Mary is only recited once. I certainly struggle with notions of asking Mary to pray to god for me. I also struggle with God being inside the bread and wine of the last supper. I really like to idea of converting to Catholicism, but these are huge concerns for me as I know they may be road blocks to being accepted into the Catholic faith official? Once the churches are reopened of course. Any advice on these "concerns"?
Hello Juztn, May the peace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you. Just as our mothers and grandmothers have a great place of honor in our homes so too Jesus mother has a great place of honor in his heart. Consider that he lived with her for 30 years and she knew him more than anyone else has ever known him. She gave birth to him and she was there at his death on the cross. So that's why we have a deep love for her just as we do for our own mothers. She's the mother of us all the new Eve and especially for those who do not have a mother to go to. Asking Mary to intercede for us or pray for us to the Lord is no different than asking your own mother or your friend or your brothers or sisters to pray for you.. We all know that the Lord God already knows what we need before we ask. But we are honoring him by invoking his blessed mother and his angels and saints to intercede for us as holy persons for our needs. It is just the same as when we ask our fellow Christians to pray for us for our needs. Mother Mary is our great spiritual mother helping us all to come to Christ and to bring others to him. As for receiving the true Body, blood, soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, read the bread of life discourse in John 6: 22-59. You will see that Jesus says we cannot enter the kingdom if we do not eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. And many of his disciples turned away from him because this saying was too hard for them to believe. Jesus says I am the vine you are the branches; His true body and blood in the Eucharist grafts us to him and makes us holy so we are made fit to enter his kingdom. Jesus said manna brought the Israelites through the desert for 40 years to the promised land and yet they died. But Jesus said if you eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall live forever. The Eucharist, Christ's body and blood brings us to eternal life, and has always been the center of Christian worship from the apostles to the present. With great encouragement and love I invite you to come into the Catholic Church and feel the joy beyond all understanding when you receive the true body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock on the door will be opened unto you. May the peace and joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you always, Timothy
Before 1789 Europe was known as Christendom for a reason!!!
A year since I've converted to catholicism from protestantism, I don't regret a single bit.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
I really think that Catholics, Orthodoxs and Protestants (regardless of the denomination) should discuss like reasonable and respectful people. I mean, why the mutual hate? We're Christians after all.
Pat González tell that to protestants they judge and say who is christian according to them....don't know where they get the idea that they are here to judge.
D1Nonly1 4ever
I see that same attitude in some Catholics.
Pat González you said it some...I honestly viewed all as christians but it was the protestants live and on tv judging who is christian....the catholic church says we are to think of each others as brothers in christ. what I really don't like is the hatred for the catholic church. an imam converted to catholicism and preaches the gospel and now there is a video preaching hate towards him and the catholic church....so horrible and sad. his name is Mario Joseph....just so you can see I am not making it up.
You are right, the Vatican and good Pope Francis all call for respect and love towards our separated brothers and sisters, the Protestants. However, there are some Catholics who do not listen, but spread hatred.
Rodney Burton totally agree, I do take a stand when I see vulnerable and special needs Catholics being persecuted. One of my friends is special needs and one group of born again Christains just kept turning up at her home at all hours, arranging prayer and bible study in her home with out her permission. For me the most offensive and dispicable act of behaviour is not respecting the spiritual boundarys of others, especially Catholics with special needs and learning disability. ( also not just Catholics, vulnerable adults from other faiths too) all places of worship must follow a code of conduct when in contact with vulnerable adults and special needs people. I am also a big supporter of ecumenical, and people from all denominations coming to gether as Gods children as it should be. Thank you for your comment, very well said.
The reason protestants can convert catholics is because of lack of adequate knowledge on the part of catholics. Any Catholic who actually understands the Catholic faith well, would NEVER Leave it for the man made false faith of Protestantism. We all have a responsibility to STUDY, LEARN THE FACTS and the TRUTH of our Catholic faith so as not to be duped. Don't aandon the iving jesus in order to follow MEN (reformers)
Adequate knowledge teaches us many things. Like many Catholic distinctives weren't until at least the late 4th century. Or the papacy didn't exist early on.
Or that justification by faith alone is actually taught by Scripture.
@@geoffrobinson And the structure of the papacy is taken from Roman paganism.
Bcoz we have that teaching that doesnt only base on the bible.. before in the early times in the christian church there was no bible at all and they only preached through their works and mouth..so that means its a very sacred tradition of the catholic church that can be traced in the years after Christ have ascended..
RCC IS NOT AND NEVER BEEN MANMADE. You protestants made your churches yourselves, unlike us catholics our church have been made by GOD
@@geoffrobinsonnowhere in the bible teaches scripture alone.
The bible says otherwise 1Timothy 3:15! Nowhere in the bible reads " bible"!!!
Deal with it!
Dear Fr. Robert Barron. I am a Roman Catholic and I do acknowledge the Pope as the "rock" and successor of St. Peter. Speaking as someone coming from a music background of performing in choirs, I am able to empathize with and relate to your analogy of an umpire or a referee, or even a school principle. What I realized very quickly upon singing in choirs is that you like the conductor, who is a living voice, and who allows the flow of the beautiful music to go on. He is key to maintaining order in each song or composition. He keeps the choir together, as much as we each do our own time pattern with our finger. At the end of the day he sets the final speed, which we have to abide by if we want it to sound beautiful. Now, imagine if we, or someone, said: we don't believe in a conductor or don't want to follow him, the choir will devolve and collapse because we would all just be doing our own time patterns and basing phrasing on opinions. Some who rush and some would drag: messiness, disorder, confusion and chaos will break out. The Pope's , like St. Peter's, authority is not grounded in himself and his personal convictions, but grounded in the identity of Jesus, which Peter boldly confessed: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Alas that this is only 2:40 minutes long! I would love to hear more about how you would help a protestant understand the Roman Catholic's standpoint, Father Barron! I have a protestant friend whom I would like to convert someday...
Here's hoping you'll share more with us in the future!
Jesus said to Saint Maria Faustina in her diary #186-187:" When you say this prayer with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer: O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I Trust in You!"
Thank you Bishop Barron, as always your anologies are easy to understand at the same time spiritually profound. May you be blessed in all you do.
I am currently involved in the RCIA, converting to Catholicism from the Protestant Church of England. Bishop Barron, your videos are used quite a lot to inform and illustrate key areas of Catholicism during our RCIA sessions. I would like to thank you for providing an excellent source of information. I have been drawn to Catholicism for much of my life. Even though I rarely attended church as an adult Protestant, other than for family weddings and so forth, I was always certain that it lacked something, some important authenticity that I couldn't pin down. Having always been a spiritual person, despite a difficult relationship with God caused in retrospect by my own ignorance and frustration, I was sure of there being something more than this earthly life. I've read about various faiths but none have had that essential feeling of truth in them. From Buddhism to Wicca, I've read and thought about belief and haven't found anything that left me feeling that certainty I was looking for. Then, about a year ago almost to the day, I got the feeling I wanted to go to Church. Not any church, I needed to go to a Catholic Church. I had been praying for the sake of my mother's health for several months and had, to my amazement, relief and endless gratitude, my prayers answered. I felt the growing sense of needing to say thank you to God and to apologise for all the disrespect I had shown Him over the years. I even dreamed of walking, pushing a friend in a wheelchair, over bridges spanning deep gorges, being lead by a man I didn't know, to a church with a spire so tall I couldn't see the top of it, and inside it was lined with statues of saints. Whether it was a Sign or not, I went, after several false starts, to a small but thriving Catholic Church which was in the care of Dominican Friars and I was completely blown away by the sudden realisation that this was exactly what I'd been looking for my entire life. Everything about Catholicism made sense to me, from the importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the Pope, the Eucharist and everything else. Fr Ben Earle OP was the parish priest at the time, although he is now in Rome as Procurator General of the Dominican Order, and his intelligence, sincerity, humour and genuine kindness was a defining influence on me. After attending just one Mass, and despite not knowing what to do or say or sing, when to stand, sit or kneel, I knew I was home. Well, I have wandered away from the point a little here. What I wanted to say is that the thing that helped me start the process to convert to Catholicism from Protestantism was the authenticity of the Mass, the kindness of the Dominicans and the new parish Priest, the history and tradition of the Catholic Church, and the genuine love and welcome I received from every Catholic person I've encountered. I wish, and pray, that more people could experience such a welcome from the Catholic faith.
Praise God; welcome home! Will you be initiated this Easter?
Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately it won't be this Easter. Life can sometimes throw an unexpected 'curve ball' that forces decisions and plans to be put on hold, no matter how important they are. Sadly for me this is the case at the moment. I am continuing to attend mass, and I am going to continue to learn as much as possible about Catholic life. In my head I feel that I am Catholic. but because of unforseen circumstances I am not able to be confirmed quite yet. It will happen, of that I am certain, and until then I will continue to do my best to live a Catholic life.
Well, may God bless this time of waiting
All Protestant sects are based on what I call "Hey! Look over there!" biblical scholarship. Their founders simply did not have 2000 years of dogma and teaching to rely upon for answers (save Martin Luther) so most of them fixate on a few select passages on which to found their religion, leaving successive generations to deal with all the holes in their theology, based on the other passages of the bible which are in direct contradiction to their founding premise.
It's difficult to talk about 'protestant doctrine' when the protestant church is 30,000 denominations. Some are very far out there and teach some bad things, while others preach doctrine which, if simply extended logically, would arrive at orthodox Catholicism.
Rodney Burton Abosolutely Rodney. I am a High Anglican and the differences between a generally Catholic perspective in Anglican and Roman Catholicism are only very subtle. I have noticed a tendency in theology as a whole towards a pan-Catholic and Orthodox perspective. Macquarrie, Milbank, go hand in hand with Ratzinger and Zizioulas.
Thomas William Ruston A protestant is a protestant is a protestant. "High Anglicans" are still Anglicans...and still protestant. Word-play and semantics will not erase this truth. Grow a pair and admit the error of protestantism. You'll feel a LOT better for not having to play the mental acrobatics and compensate for the rest of your co-religionists.
capone70 The differences between Catholics and Protestants are real and significant ones, however the conflict remains a family conflict.
Rodney Burton insomuch as we are all humans and created by God, then yes , I suppose we are all one human family. But then one could extrapolate and say the same thing about Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Mohammedans etc. We're just all one family and all conflicts are "family conflicts". But if you are implying that because Protestants use a mistranslated and abridged version of holy scripture and SOME subscribe to a trinitarian formula that this somehow makes them more of a family to Catholics than the random Volcano worshiper in Hawaii then you are sorely mistaken. A half-truth is still a whole lie.
Question: "What is the difference between veneration and worship?"
Answer: In response to the accusation that they worship Mary and the saints, Catholics will often claim that they “venerate,” not worship, them. To venerate is to regard with great respect or to revere. Veneration can be defined as “respect or awe directed toward someone due to his/her value or greatness.”
The simplest definition of worship is to “ascribe worth.” Worship can be more completely defined as “showing respect, love, reverence, or adoration.” Based on the dictionary, no clear difference between veneration and worship exists. In fact, veneration and worship are often used as synonyms for each other.
But dictionary definitions are not the point. It does not matter what it is called. The Bible nowhere instructs followers of Jesus Christ to offer worship, veneration, adoration, or anything similar to anyone but God. Nowhere does the New Testament describe any followers of Jesus Christ worshipping, venerating, or adoring anyone other than God. They did not receive worship, either. Peter refused to receive adoration from Cornelius (Acts 10:25-26), and Paul and Barnabas were equally adamant that the people of Lystra not venerate them (Acts 14:15). Twice in the Book of Revelation (19:10; 20:7), the apostle John begins to worship an angel, and the angel instructs him, “Worship God!” Mary and the saints who have gone to heaven before us would say the same thing: “Worship God!”
The Catholic Church has different degrees of worship: dulia, hyper dulia, and latria. Dulia is the honor given to the saints. Hyper dulia is the honor given to Mary alone, as the greatest of the saints. Latria is the honor given to God alone. In contrast, the Bible always ascribes honor, in the context of worship, to God alone (1 Chronicles 29:11; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; Revelation 4:11; 5:13). Even if there were biblical support for different levels of worship, there still would be no biblical support for offering lower/lesser levels of worship to anyone other than God.
Only God is worthy of worship, adoration, praise (Nehemiah 9:6; Revelation 4:11; 15:4), and veneration, no matter how it is defined. Mary’s worth comes from the fact that God choose her for a glorious role and saved her from her sins through the death of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:47). The saints’ worth comes from the fact that God saved them, transformed them, and then used them in mighty and amazing ways. May we all, with Mary and the saints, fall on our knees and worship the only One who is worthy.
Amen
Amen. God bless you for this!
The struggle I'm having as a Protestant trying to convert to Catholicism isn't one of doctrine or liturgy but, rather, the local Catholic Parish! 2 of them, in fact. I've spoken with 2 area priests on a number of occasions, exchanged emails, and attended Mass at the nearest parish many times. I've done my research and prayed (and watched Father Barron videos! lol), and am fully ready to join. I was baptized as a baby, and both priests have stated I wouldn't have to go through the full RCIA process. However, each discussion leads nowhere. There's never a plan of action. Not once has either priest said "Right, let's sit down and sort this out and begin the process of getting you into the fullness of the Catholic Church." It's always more like "yeah, well, we'll have to sit down at some point and talk about it, but I'm really busy this week." I patiently wait until the next week, and the same thing plays out again. This has gone on for weeks now and I'm left scratching my head. Listen, I completely understand that priests and parish staff really are busy and even overwhelmed. Having said that, I struggle with how difficult it's been to join the Catholic Church. You've got me! I'm literally a fish that's knowingly and willfully hooked itself! All you have to do is reel me in! I have to wonder what the experiences are like at other parishes around the US? Is this common? Does every new convert have to work this hard? Praying for patience. Well, anyway, thanks Father Barron for all you've done and know that your videos played a significant part in my coming to the Catholic Faith. Bless you.
LSZ1318 Bless you, and welcome home; new converts are usually instated into the Catholic Church on the Easter Vigil, which is in just a few weeks. If they say you don't need RCIA, then feel free to ask about joining them on the Easter Vigil! Good luck. However, if they say no, there is a huge amount to be gained from the full RCIA, and I'd strongly recommend you go through it regardless; if not as a candidate, then as a sponsor.
My one true comment is that the difference about the Catholic faith from other so-called churches is that the Catholic churches are united. The word to describe it is UNITY. I am an Asian Catholic and when I moved to America, I find the same faith and the same church. Anywhere I go in the world, when I go to a Catholic church I will find the same readings, the liturgies and the same beliefs as what Jesus has intended and instructed his disciples to teach and disseminate. I tried attending a couple of Protestant churches and they are all different--different way of doing things, different interpretations and most of all, they are not united. Their leaders are not in contact with each other. It almost like small groups of churches going about their own business, much like they have their own little communities.
Jiliane Morales Bullshit. If that were the case my catholic relatives would get along and be be way more social but AINT. Also latin americans, many being catholic, get along and are religious but NEVER to point of having a united states of latin america. Like the war hero Simón Bolívar wanted but nooooo. Punk ass catholics finger pointing to point where there are civil wars and many catholic immigrants going to PROTESTANT founded USA.
Jiliane Morales our Church is One Church, the universal Church with One Authority and that is the authority of the Mystical Body of Christ who is the Church.
Wow great teaching love the message. It will come useful when I am asked the question about Mother Mary. Thank you Bishop Baron
It's not hard, I just told God I didn't know what all being Catholic entailed, but I accept it all. In dwelling of Holy Spirit followed and the joy and peace has not left me for 14 years.
It is impossible to convert anybody to anything unless they have even the slightest interest to listen. I've seen tonnes of debates on all sorts of topics, and no matter how logical or convincing an argument is, the person unwilling to compromise will not compromise as their hearts/minds are too hardened/stubborn to do so. And sometimes, they disguise their real reason from the debate to protect their vulnerability from being exposed.
I became a Catholic primarily for two reasons.
1 My Atheist/Agnostic foundations were crushed when I had a personal tragedy. On one hand, the Atheist answers did not cure my longing for something more than their explanations gave. From a logical perspective, I came to see that "believing Science because it is Science" was actually no different to what I had accused religious people of doing (i.e. believing in God because God said so....). Instead, I figured there was a need to do more exploration, and had to look at the science and philosophy myself instead of taking somebody else's opinion as Gospel. That is not to say I was going to understand Einstein over night, but how could I live by 'science says so' if I did not know even the first thing about science.
2 Without as much hardening in my heart (because my previous world view took a beating and I was opening my mind to other views), and with a deep seeking of truth, I found my way at Catholicism. With my extreme left-wing political ideas, I could not believe that the logical answers were in the last place I wanted to look. I also had some super natural experiences that led me specifically to Catholicism, but I keep that personal as people of a scientific persuasion only consider natural/empirical evidence rather than things that scientific tools cannot understand/explain/measure. I wanted to walk away from Catholicism the moment I found it as I had a lot of changes to make to myself. I wanted to be oblivious to the truth because it would upset my friends and some of my political views. I wanted to find a Protestant church that would suit my world view, or I would create my own church to promote my view. Instead, I just valued the truth too much that I had to be Catholic. I had to join the Church instituted by Christ Himself.
Importantly. whether we are Catholic or Protestants, it is a waste of time to live for Evangelisation alone. We sometimes get too bogged down on how we converted (in order to convert others) instead of the what now. Sometimes, it is time to actually back it all up and live as much of a Christ life (with Christs' help) a possible. Whether there are additional rewards/benefits(from God) or not, it does not matter. We should just do it because it is righteous and love.
I mean, how can Jesus be our hero/messiah, but we choose on an individual level to just say we believe, but then do not apply it to our life besides an hour in church a week? We have to be the Christians that we want to see in the world, and that Jesus would want to see in the world. We have to live with love, mercy and hospitality as much as possible. It is what Jesus would want, and it feels so right on the inside (even if our sinful nature makes us fight it, and try to obstruct it).
+Joshaz Prozac Thank you for sharing these insights and a bit of your conversion story. "We have to be the Christians that Jesus would want to see in the world." I think this is precisely the message we too often miss as we get sidetracked in following either our church, our crowds, or our families (all of whom may manifest Godly natures, but they did not die to reconcile us to the Father when we were still sinners, among infinite other discrepancies). When we are called to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves, it so often seems, particularly when we find ourselves in disagreement with others of different denominations, faiths, or even purported non-faiths, that we become as vicious as serpents and and as oblivious as doves. In short, in all of these instances, we forget (or even refuse) to look to Jesus. Thank you for encouraging us to turn our gaze out of darkness and back to the Light of the world.
M Graham, thanks as well. Everything I said is easier said than done, but ultimately, the role model life is that of our saviour, and I do try deeply hard to live that life as it is righteous, it is love, and hopefully it gives others around me a taste of "the Good news" so they can remove some hardening from their hearts and ask me about my Catholic faith. Then I hope I can be humble but still logical in teaching the Catholic positions, which already has a rich intellectual component it (which many do not even realise).
"It is impossible to convert anybody to anything unless they have even the slightest interest to listen. I've seen tonnes of debates on all sorts of topics, and no matter how logical or convincing an argument is, the person unwilling to compromise will not compromise as their hearts/minds are too hardened/stubborn to do so. And sometimes, they disguise their real reason from the debate to protect their vulnerability from being exposed"
Does this proposition apply to those who refuse to leave the church of Rome or only to those who refuse to bow the knee to it?
I used to make fun of advanced math, balancing equations - how does this relate to my life? Then I realized you need faith. You cannot debate this number or that (this number isn't even in the textbook!). You just have faith and follow instructions and soon, in a couple of years when you start taking Engineering classes for example, you get it. It works and finally you see it.
Catholicism is like that. It is so easy to poke at this practice or this rule (this isn't in the text book!) but just have faith and keep going. You will get it soon.
Like math the priests and bishops are in their positions because the other priests and bishops see that he knows the truth. The Dean of the Math department isn't a poser- everyone in the department would see it. If you take him a math problem you bet he will solve it better than some bartender.
Truth. It's all about truth- parallel to math.
Best knowledge ever his teaching Blow my mind
BIshop Barron,
I enjoy listening to your short RUclips videos. I always learn something from them. You truly have a gift for teaching.
I am a Christian, but neither Catholic nor Protestant. Maybe that makes me a generic Christian.
You mentioned a couple of Catholic doctrines that Protestants struggle with. I too have trouble accepting those two doctrines of the Catholic Church.
You said that we need the pope because he is the “living voice of authority” for the church.
It’s true that we no longer have Jesus or the apostles on the earth to guide us. But when the Lord was here, he said to his disciples:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:7,8)
His disciples today have the Helper, the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us. Isn’t the third Person of the Trinity, a “living voice of authority”?
You stated that the pope serves as an “umpire” to resolve disputes among members of the church. Is the papal umpire always right, or does he, like his baseball counterpart, sometimes make bad calls?
If the pope were truly a “living voice of authority” and an “umpire,” you would expect that voice to speak with unity throughout the 2000-year history of the Catholic Church. You would expect all of the Catholic popes to agree on matters of doctrine and theology, as did the men who penned the Scriptures.
Even Catholic historians admit that not all popes have been “saints.” It could not be said that all the popes since St. Peter have agreed with each other on theological issues. Or perhaps the church is evolving, so the popes have to keep up with this evolution. I hope that God is not evolving too.
I also have a bit of a problem with the relationship that Catholics have with Mary the mother of Jesus. I believe in the deity of Jesus, that He was God in the flesh, but I don’t like referring to Mary as the “Mother of God.” I think this implies that, when she gave birth to Jesus 2000 years ago, the second Person of the Trinity came into being.
I believe that Mary was a truly fortunate woman (a teenage girl actually) to be selected by the Father to bring Jesus into the world. When I meet her in heaven, if she’s a hugger, I’m gonna give her a big one. But I’m not gonna fall at her feet and worship-or even venerate-her. She’s a human being, not worthy of worship or veneration.
Do you ever wonder why, in the New Testament, other than in the gospels, Mary is never mentioned? If she is to be venerated, why isn’t this doctrine ever mentioned by Paul, Peter or John in their epistles?
You state that she is participating in the remaking of the human race that is involved in salvation. Does that make her a kind of “co-savior” with Jesus?
I usually agree with everything that you say in your RUclips videos. But even your brilliant mind cannot lend credence to the doctrine of Maryism, or the need for a pope. The only reason to adhere to these two doctrines is that they are part of the tradition of the Catholic church.
Maybe someday I will become a Catholic, but I’m not there yet.
I welcome your comments, Bishop Barron.
Well done, Fr. Robert, in your answer to the question about Mary as the new Eve; it needs to be clarified to people who either don't understand it, or who are purely arrogant. Christians seriously need to refer back not only to the gospels but also to the Living tradition of the early Church Fathers. To the individual, yes, Jesus in his humanity did also die for Mary's sins; she is, like all of us, saved by Christ's grace. But as that grace is eternal, unbounded, it is able to be performed in such a way that undermines the ordinary rhythm of ordinary time: a kind of pre emptive strike that removed original sin from Mary before the incarnation occured.
It actually isn't arrogant if you know what the Immaculate Conception is. Even Mary herself didn't know that God had preserved her from original sin until the angel said she was full of grace.
I like how no scripture was spoken ... and scripture is the living voice ...
In my journey during my teenage years I was rebellious yet I know that there was a truth out there and would go to different Protestant and Catholic churches. As I got older I landed in jail many times over and over I landed in jail. The one day I decided to pick up the Bible I read through the whole new Testament. There I had a spiritual experience that I can never explain, God took me out of the horrible Life I Lived give me a new heart. I learned all of his doctrines and practices in Scripture. I learned faith in the grace that God extends through scripture. Everything I learned and God taught me I learned scripture. When I became very bold for his Ward and begin to speak to spread the news so other people can be saved I found myself back again speaking with Catholics. Catholics would accuse me of being brainwashed by the Martin Luther I never knew who this man was. Then I begin to learn about the Reformation. My family even told me if you want to know the truth learn about the church fathers. So I did, so my family moved me to study church history and now that I've studied I have come to a clear understanding of the reformation and why they did it, in life after reading the Reformation make me understand the discernment of the reformers and pulled me closer to God rather than religion. All religion is vain. The only doctrine that I can believe and I can trust is the infallible word of God
John 6 51-59
Christ told his apostles to eat his flesh and drink his blood... once again those people question God's word
Incredible
Craneo Bones One trick pony
What are you talking about? please do not be yet another spewer of hate here
Tim Spangler same hateful lies and deception with out any source material to back up your bearing of false witness against Christ's church and people... you should be ashamed... you still not willing to debate on camera? you little hate filled man.. when you finally grow a pair we can have this debate face to face on camera and post it here for ll to see.. until then... who is the one trick pony spewing hate... great example of your life you lead
Craneo Bones "little hate filled man"? "grow a pair"? "spewing hate"/
Invest in a mirror.
Craneo Bones Who's that guy what did he say?
Where in the Bible is Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide?
+Jahdpianist === carm.org/bible-alone-sufficient-spiritual-truth
+Jahdpianist Where in Catholicism is heresy ? The answer to both is EVERYWHERE!
That doesn't answer my question.
+Jahdpianist === carm.org/are-scriptures-sufficient
Don't be a typical lazy catlick and educate yourself, for once, and read the article in its entirety. In this brief article it certainly does address the scriptures as the only source for final authority in matters of faith and practice as well as exposes the lies of catholicism and what it claims for itself.
luther added the word "alone" in his bible and it used by many heretic protestants.
Question: "Is Mary the co-redemptrix / mediatrix?"
Answer: Some Catholics view Mary as a co-redemptrix or a mediatrix who plays a key role in the salvation of mankind. (The suffix -trix is a feminine word ending in Latin, so a redemptrix is a female redeemer, and a mediatrix is a female mediator.) Within Catholicism, there is a drive to define a new Marian dogma in which Catholics, as a matter of faith, would be obliged to accept these three doctrines: (1) Mary participates in redemption with Jesus Christ, (2) grace is granted by Jesus only through the intercession of Mary, and (3) all prayers from the faithful must flow through Mary, who brings them to the attention of her Son. This movement would, in practice, redefine the Trinity as a kind of Quartet.
The belief in Mary as a co-redemptrix would be in addition to current Catholic teaching on Mary, which states that Mary was a virgin perpetually, that she never had intercourse with her husband, Joseph; that she never had children other than Jesus; and that she was sinless and ascended into heaven. These teachings are more than unscriptural; Scripture directly refutes them.
The idea that Mary is a co-redemptrix or mediatrix contradicts 1 Timothy 2:5, which says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the Mediator. There is no mediator between man and Jesus. Jesus Himself dwells in believers; thus, none is required (Colossians 1:27).
Jesus is the perfect and sole Mediator between man and God because He is the sinless Son of God. Mary was not sinless. There is no Scripture whatsoever to back the claim of Mary’s sinlessness or of her assumption into heaven. This dogma was accepted as a result of papal proclamation. In the biblical narratives, Mary is pictured as a humble and submissive young woman, faithful to God, grasping the implications of what is about to happen to her, and uttering praises and doxologies (Luke 1:46-55). In fact, in her Magnificat, Mary says, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (verse 47). The clear implication of Mary’s calling God her “Savior” is that she recognized her need of salvation. Just like the rest of us, Mary needed a Savior, a Redeemer.
Jesus Himself indicated that Mary holds no special place relative to redemption or mediation. In Matthew 12:47-50, Mary and her other sons were trying to see Jesus while He was teaching. “Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”
Later, at the foot of the cross, Mary is a grief-stricken mother. She did not suffer for mankind as a whole; she clearly suffered her own pain and mourning. She is one of the people receiving salvation from Jesus, not a contributor to His work. She is anguished and must be cared for by the apostle John.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Mary was part of the community of believers continuing in prayer and supplication prior to Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Mary is “most blessed among women” (Luke 1:42) because she was the mother of the Messiah. But she is not divine and cannot be seen as part of the Trinity. She did not redeem us from sin and cannot be made part of the redemptive process.
Jero interesting explanation. A lot of non Catholics see the example of Mary being thought of as a mediatrix as Catholics worshipping Mary.
What helped me convert from Baptist faith was God grace at the age of 15 I when I read Gen 3 15 then Luke with Mary said; Mary is the second Eve Mom she is the first Christian because she had God. My Mother didn't believe. When I was in 40's someone came to my home, she was a Catholic I never knew Catholics just what I saw them smoking or wearing short skirts this is when I was a young girl. Now I was older I hadn't gone to Church in years. She knew scripture which impressed me plus she told me quietly your going in error. Yes Matthew 16 18 John 6 51 55 John 20 19 13 others . Then the Cetatism understanding Jesus set his Church up and his commands. I obeyed I wanted to be in Jesus Church not mens.
you were born again when you were catholic
ella hope Truthtimeradio.com
I understand this video was meant to be brief, but I was surprised that Fr. Barron left out the biggest divisive issue, the one which triggered the Reformation in the first place, namely Justification.
Perhaps because that particular issue was largely resolved between Catholics and Lutherans in 1997; 'Joint Declaration on Justification' - Between the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church - bit.ly/1gygdRt Look at the refrain that echos throughout the document "We confess together...We confess together...we confess together" - Justified Awesomeness! ;)
Eric Gurash
I'm familiar with the Joint Declaration. That being said, the issue of Justification is still a huge sticking point for Protestants of all denominations (including many Lutherans).
Mirandu Kan
A sinner is justified by faith alone, received as a free gift in Christ Jesus, paid for in His shed blood-that is the starting point and is absolutely central to the power of the gospel. The sinner is not and cannot be justified by religious piety, legalistic works or any other form of self righteousness.
Of course the loyal catholic will say oh thats too simple and easy believism, we must contribute effort on our part. But that is no more than trying to secure ones own redemption, a fruitless and impossible task-although they may well become extremely pious and proud after all that effort. Many catholics repeat ad nauseam (as a criticism of non catholic christianity), "once saved always saved-its a license to sin". But God saves us, so we can perform the works he already created in advance. That is what the Bible says on the subject. He commands it. He also commands born again people to live holy lives, this is living a new life in Christ, submitted to His will, according to His word. Its simple, enough that a child can grasp it. Saved FIRST to do the good works he already planned. Not RELIGIOUS WORKS First to justify us to be saved (and that at best is "hopefully" because religion gives no assurance of salvation.....)
Romans 5:1 " Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 2:8-9 " For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Romans 3:28 "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
Galatians 2:16 "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."
Look all these verses up in your bible to see whether I'm lying or "interpreting" but justification is by Christ Alone.
(p.s. if you want more verses about justification through Christ, hit me up!)
Goldsmithexile1960;
That's nonsense.You can be put into the book of life but can be taken out too.Presumption of salvation is a protestant error.
Your a type of Christian that visits a homeless shelter and says God Bless you to someone who is hungry without giving that hungry person any food that is a useless faith.We will be judged on our works and deeds.Don't deceive yourself.Was not Jesus piety as him being a devout Jew.Jesus was not a rebel Jew.Faith without works is a clanging cymbol what bible are you reading.Jesus said you must do the will of my father.
Thanks for your teaching powerful message Went back to my catholic faith always drawn to but left .went to baptize Pentecost... Thank you for helping me understand, I’ve always drawn back . I grew up in New Orleans there was a church on every Conner the beauty of it always drew me back St Mary assumption and St Alphonsous next to one another The bells would ring so loud you could hear it for a mile one church was for Germans the other for French amazing ... they were so good to me as a child when my father died as a child they took me in gave me something I will never forget love made my communion confirmation married love it Thanks for helping me go back home I’ve watched you for years you were mentor ....God Bless you forever 🙏🙏🙏
Question: "Is prayer to saints / Mary biblical?"
Answer: The issue of Catholics praying to saints is one that is full of confusion. It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that Catholics do not pray TO saints or Mary, but rather that Catholics can ask saints or Mary to pray FOR them. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that asking saints for their prayers is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for us. However, the practice of many Catholics diverges from official Roman Catholic teaching. Many Catholics do in fact pray directly to saints and/or Mary, asking them for help - instead of asking the saints and/or Mary to intercede with God for help. Whatever the case, whether a saint or Mary is being prayed to, or asked to pray, neither practice has any biblical basis.
The Bible nowhere instructs believers in Christ to pray to anyone other than God. The Bible nowhere encourages, or even mentions, believers asking individuals in heaven for their prayers. Why, then, do many Catholics pray to Mary and/or the saints, or request their prayers? Catholics view Mary and the saints as "intercessors" before God. They believe that a saint, who is glorified in Heaven, has more "direct access" to God than we do. Therefore, if a saint delivers a prayer to God, it is more effective than us praying to God directly. This concept is blatantly unbiblical. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we, believers here on earth, can "approach the throne of grace with confidence."
First Timothy 2:5 declares, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." There is no one else that can mediate with God for us. If Jesus is the ONLY mediator, that indicates Mary and the saints cannot be mediators. They cannot mediate our prayer requests to God. Further, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ Himself is interceding for us before the Father: "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). With Jesus Himself interceding for us, why would we need Mary or the saints to intercede for us? Whom would God listen to more closely than His Son? Romans 8:26-27 describes the Holy Spirit interceding for us. With the 2nd and 3rd members of the Trinity already interceding for us before the Father in heaven, what possible need could there be to have Mary or the saints interceding for us?
Catholics argue that praying to Mary and the saints is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for us. Let us examine that claim. (1) The Apostle Paul asks other Christians to pray for him in Ephesians 6:19. Many Scriptures describe believers praying for one another (2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:19; 2 Timothy 1:3). The Bible nowhere mentions anyone asking for someone in heaven to pray for him. The Bible nowhere describes anyone in heaven praying for anyone on earth. (2) The Bible gives absolutely no indication that Mary or the saints can hear our prayers. Mary and the saints are not omniscient. Even glorified in heaven, they are still finite beings with limitations. How could they possibly hear the prayers of millions of people? Whenever the Bible mentions praying to or speaking with the dead, it is in the context of sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, and divination-activities the Bible strongly condemns (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). In the one instance when a "saint" is spoken to, Samuel in 1 Samuel 28:7-19, Samuel is not exactly happy to be disturbed. It is clear that praying to Mary or the saints is completely different from asking someone here on earth to pray for us. One has a strong biblical basis; the other has no biblical basis whatsoever.
God does not answer prayers based on who is praying. God answers prayers based on whether they are asked according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). There is absolutely no basis or need to pray to anyone other than God alone. There is no basis for asking those who are in heaven to pray for us. Only God can hear our prayers. Only God can answer our prayers. No one in heaven has any greater access to God's throne than we do through prayer (Hebrews 4:16).
One huge point for Catholics is that death does not separate the Body of Christ. We are still one church, one family, one giant loving family: Church Suffering, Church Militant, Church Triumphant. It truly is for us like asking a friend for intercessions, because we're still connected. Join in!
Your comment is very superficial father. To convert a protestant to catholicism you only need to use the tool they think they know better; the bible.
One question drove me to Catholicism: "Truth?! What is Truth?" But it took 5 to six years. Pentecost Sunday 2016 I was received into the Carpo-Rusyn Eastern Catholic Church. Slava Isus Christus!
Roman Catholicism: The One True Church?
By Steve Meehan
For years, growing up as a Roman Catholic, we were taught that we were members of the one true Church. It was impressed upon us regularly by the parish priest during Mass, while giving his homily; by the nuns all throughout my Catholic parochial school years of 2nd through 7th grade; during our preparation to receive for the first time the sacraments of Penance, Communion and Confirmation; and while attending CCD classes all the way through high school (the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine is an association established at Rome in 1562 for the purpose of giving religious education, normally designed for children). It was an established fact that we understood and we never questioned the validity of it. And to be honest, it was a matter of pride, that we were privileged enough to be a member of the correct Church, while all others had belonged to something else that didn't quite measure up to the status of the Roman Catholic Church.
After all, how could it be possible that Roman Catholicism is not the One True Church? Look at what Rome has to offer: it has the priests, the nuns; the bishops; the cardinals; and of course, the Pope. They have the Sacraments; the statues; the holy water; the incense; the Stations of the Cross; the Eucharist - in which Christ physically manifests Himself into the wafer after the consecration by the priest during the Mass; the Marian apparitions - which appear mainly to Roman Catholics; and they have the Vatican - where the Vicar of Christ (Christ's representative on Earth) governs the faithful and makes infallible proclamations and doctrine. How can this not be The One True Church? No other organization on the face of the Earth comes close to offering to its flock what Rome provides for its faithful.
But, of course, to be true, one must adhere to what has been established as truth and not teach or practice what is contrary to the truth. We read in Scripture a few passages that declare what is truth and what is not. Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me."
He also professed in John 8:31-32:
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, 'If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'."
It is clear then, by just these two verses, that Jesus Christ has described Himself as Truth, and that those who adhere to His Word and practice what He taught, will be living and worshipping truthfully, and that only His truth will set us free; not in anything else that detracts or subtracts from His truth. In fact, the verse is worded in a way ("you shall know the truth") that suggests that it is imperative to know His Word, to know His Truth, by studying the scriptures, in order to avoid any false doctrine being taught by some other source that may later try to establish itself as the bearer of truth but is actually offering a false truth.
Jesus also proclaimed that it is only possible to worship Him correctly in spirit and in truth:
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" John 4:23, 24
So for a person or an organization to call themselves true, they must teach his Word correctly and abide by His Word. Unless one is doing that, the above verse says, that they are not true worshippers.
Another purveyor of Truth is the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples, that when He would depart from them and return to Heaven, that He would send in His stead the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's role in the world - and who indwells those who have accepted Christ's free gift of salvation - is to point us to Jesus Christ and not to anything or anyone else as the sole means of salvation.
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells within you, and shall be in you." John 14:17
It takes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit into the believer to be able to discern what is written in God's Word and to be able to understand and to apply His truth in our Christian walk. Without His assistance, it is too easy to be lead astray and to accept false doctrine. The Holy Spirit, after all, inspired the Jewish scribes and later the Apostles, to write the books of the Holy Bible and it takes His discernment in our lives for us to properly comprehend the Word and understand it correctly.
It also stands to reason, that if one is not aware of what is contained in the Scriptures, then they can easily accept doctrines of men that may be inspired by another source. Growing up as a Roman Catholic, I was completely ignorant of what was contained in the Bible - regarding Jesus, salvation and His gospel of grace. Like most Catholics, the Holy Bible was in the home, but just collected dust and was never read. We accepted all that was taught us by the priests, the nuns, the lay teachers in the CCD classes, and in their catechism. Whatever they told us had to be correct, as they assured us that they were the One True Church. Why would they ever steer us wrong? This was the mindset of my siblings, my parents, grandparents, and going back generations of all past family members who trusted in and were raised in the Roman Catholic system. We were ignorant of anything else but their plan of salvation.
The Roman Catholic Church tells their members that only they, through their Magisterium - the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, as exercised by the bishops or the pope - can properly interpret scripture for their faithful. So, while they say they encourage the reading of the Holy Writ, it is only by their guidance and authority can one fully understand what the verses are meant to convey. They are not open to private interpretation, and must be filtered through their teachings to understand their version of the truth.
It wasn't until my early 20s, that the Lord led me to start reading His Word. At that point of my life, I wasn't even a marginal Catholic. I stopped going to Mass, stopped going to the normally required weekly confessions to a priest, and had pretty much given up on their version of the faith. I got tired of the repetitiveness of the Mass: the rote prayers; genuflecting before the figure on the cross; the lighting of votive candles before a statue - usually of Mary; dipping my hand in the "Holy Water" and making the 'sign of the cross'; receiving the Eucharist wafer and giving my assent when the priest said "the Body of Christ" that I was consuming the physical body of Jesus; and the whole bit. It was all very ritualistic, legalistic, lacking any real passion and completely devoid of the presence of Christ.
But in reading the Word, I began to see that what God has revealed to us through the scriptures doesn't completely mirror the teachings of Rome; in fact, most of it doesn't. You would think that the One True Church would certainly follow what Christ and the Apostles taught. Why would they teach something different? If they are in fact the One True Church, wouldn't they follow and teach all that scripture reveals to us and they wouldn't deviate from the Truth? Have they got the ultimate authority to change God's Word or trump His commandments?
For instance, Exodus 20:4 - the second commandment - forbids us from worshipping graven images, and yet Rome has deleted this commandment and subdivided the last one, which tells us not to covet our neighbor's belongings. How can they delete a commandment? Christ said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" - not delete them (John 14:15). Is it that important for Rome to disregard a commandment, so that the parishioners can dress up, light candles before, and parade behind statues or graven images, as the Bible calls them? Was the prohibition of worshipping before a graven image only meant for the Jews, but Christians are free to do so? Over and over throughout the Word, we are told that God detests that kind of activity.
Rome calls the pope the Vicar of Christ (Christ's representative on Earth) but that title is more befitting the Holy Spirit: He is the Comforter that Christ promised; He is the one who indwells each believer; and He is the one who seals us, points us to Jesus Christ, and gives us discernment in reading the Word.
Rome calls the pope the Holy Father, but Jesus used this term only once in scripture referring to God the Father as the Holy Father:
"And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are." John 17:14
Neither Jesus, nor the Apostles would ever use that term in addressing a man; only God the Father is the Holy Father. In fact, Christ even told His followers not to refer to any man as our father (spiritual father):
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven" - Matthew 23:9
If Christ told us not to do it, why does Rome give that title to their priests? Is this something that a One True Church should be doing - flaunting God's Word? Are they exempt from this restriction and can override Christ's teachings? It doesn't add up. If we are truly Christians, we should be following Christ's examples and His admonitions. If they are truly the One True Church, shouldn't they be abiding by His Word instead of disregarding it?
There are countless other examples of where the teachings of Rome fly in direct contrast to the teachings of Jesus and His disciples. Perhaps the biggest is the question of our salvation. Repeatedly in the gospels and in the other books of the New Testament are verses telling us that Christ's Gospel is a gospel of grace and is freely given - to all those who would accept it. It is not by works and it cannot be earned. Grace is God's unmerited favor; it is impossible to work for it, neither can one ever be good enough to attain it:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God Not of works, lest any man should boast" - Ephesians 2:8, 9
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" - Titus 3:5
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" - Romans 6:23
"Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved..." - Acts 16:31, 32
Why would Rome insist that we have to work along with God's grace (what they refer to as "cooperating grace") in order to be saved? The very expression of cooperating grace or cooperating with grace is a contradiction in terms. If Grace is unmerited favor and is freely given by God, how can one then co-operate or work alongside with it to receive it? Co-operating with grace would nullify grace; it wouldn't be freely received.
Their works for attaining salvation include: going to weekly Mass; partaking of the sacraments; paying a penalty or Penance for one's sins (which denies the sufficiency of Christ's death on the cross to cover all sins); and then finally spending time in a fictitious place called Purgatory, to purge away any leftover sins that Christ's blood couldn't cover, or not enough Penance was performed.
Purgatory is just another means of denying the sufficiency Christ's atonement for our sins; it is the ultimate declaration that his agonizing crucifixion on a wooden cross - the plan of salvation that was established before the foundation of the world was laid - was not enough to pay the cost of all of our sins. In other words, when Christ uttered those final words "It is finished" - signifying that He had satisfied the wrath of God against us for the sins we have committed and that all our sins were "paid in full", Rome declares that no it is not finished and the paying of penances and time spent in Purgatory is required. It is a rejection of what Christ accomplished.
Their gospel is a complete distortion of the gospel of grace, and is in fact another gospel - as the Apostle Paul warned against:
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9
Why would Rome teach another gospel? They are leading their followers astray and the gospel they teach can't possibly save anyone. A gospel of works nullifies God's free gift of grace:
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work" Romans 11:6
"Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" - 2 Timothy 1:9
It should be clear that a true church would never teach a false gospel. Along with the aforementioned false teachings - and there are many others - Rome has taken upon itself to invent new teachings over the centuries that neither Jesus nor the Apostles ever taught.
Here is a brief list of some of their "infallible" doctrines that they have implemented:
* Prayers for the Dead and the Sign of the Cross - 300ad
* Veneration of Angels and Dead Saints - 375ad
* The Mass, as a daily celebration adopted - 394ad
* The worship of Mary, and the use of the term "Mother of God" - 431ad
* Priests begin to dress differently from the laity - 500ad
* Extreme Unction or Last Rites as a sacrament - 526ad
* Doctrine of Purgatory established (denies Christ's sufficiency) - 593ad
* Latin language used in prayer and worship in churches (not all Catholics understood Latin, rendering the words meaningless) - 600ad
* Prayers directed to Mary (even though Jesus taught to pray to the Father) - 600ad
* Title of Pope bestowed upon the Bishop of Rome - 610ad
* Kissing of the Pope's feet - 709ad
* Temporal power of the Popes - 750ad
* Worship of the Cross, Images and Relics (idolatry) - 788ad
* Holy Water instituted - 850ad
* Veneration of St. Joseph begins - 890ad
* Baptism of Bells - 965ad
* Canonization of Dead Saints (ALL Christians are saints!) - 995ad
* Fasting on Fridays and during Lent - 998ad
* The Mass is an ongoing sacrifice of Jesus and attendance mandatory - 1079ad
* Celibacy of Priesthood - 1079ad
* Praying the Rosary introduced (vain repetitions, Christ warns against) - 1090ad
* Inquisition of Heretics (Bible believing Christians who didn't bend the knee to Rome) - 1184ad
* Selling of Indulgences to lessen time spent in Purgatory (denies Christ's atonement) - 1190ad
* Transubstantiation priest can transform a wafer into Jesus Christ - 1215ad
* Confession of sin to a priest - 1215ad
* Adoration of the wafer (blasphemy, idolatry) - 1220ad
* Bible forbidden to be read or owned by laymen (Bibles deny Rome's teachings) - 1229ad
* Scapular of Mary worn frees a person from Purgatory (nonsense) - 1287ad
* Cup of Blood of Christ forbidden to be touched by laymen - 1414ad
* Doctrine of Purgatory proclaimed to be Dogma of the Faith - 1439ad
* Doctrine of 7 Sacraments affirmed (works that must be done along with grace) - 1439ad
* Ava Maria instituted (Prayer/hymn to Mary) - 1508ad
* Tradition of Rome equal with Scripture (free license for popes in declarations) - 1545ad
* Apocryphal Books added to Rome's Bible - 1546ad
* Immaculate Conception of Mary (they declare she was born without sin Romans 3:23) - 1834ad
* Papal Infallibility (pope can declare anything and their faithful must believe) - 1870ad
* Modern Science "Modernism" condemned by pope - 1907ad
* Condemnation of public schools (Rome couldn't teach kids their doctrines) - 1930ad
* "Mother of God" title to Mary reaffirmed - 1931ad
* Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Mary bodily arose to Heaven - not in Bible) - 1950ad
Along with these doctrines that Rome has established over the years for their faithful to adhere to and further one's bondage to their system, they have also leveled condemnations or "anathemas" on all bible believing Christians who would not submit to the papacy or their system.
Here is a sampling of 100 or so anathemas that the papacy has declared over the years:
- If anyone says that the sinner is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification...let him be anathema.
- If anyone says that justifying faith is nothing else than confidence in divine mercy which remits sins for Christ's sake, or that it is this confidence alone that justifies us, let him be anathema.
- If anyone says that he will for certain, with an absolute and infallible certainty, have that great gift of perseverance even to the end, unless he shall have learned this by special revelation, let him be anathema. [1 John 5:13 tells us that we can be assured of our salvation. Either John, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is lying to us, or Rome is]
- If anyone says that the Catholic doctrine of justification as set forth by the holy council in the present decree, derogates in some respect from the glory of God or the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and does not rather illustrate the truth of our faith and no less the glory of God and of Jesus Christ, let him be anathema. [The Bible declares that Rome's doctrine is in error]
- If anyone says that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, or that there are more or less than seven, or that any one of these seven is not truly and intrinsically a sacrament, let him be anathema. [The sacraments are works and nullify grace]
- If anyone...denies that wonderful and singular change of the whole substance of the bread into the body and the whole substance of the wine into the blood - which change the Catholic Church most aptly calls transubstantiation, let him be anathema. [Worshipping a wafer is both idolatrous and blasphemous]
Whether they realize it or not, they have not only bestowed these condemnations on all Bible believing Christians, but on Christ and His Apostles as well - including Peter, who they claim was the first pope. They would never teach the things that Rome claims nor would they have any part in their false religious system.
Is Roman Catholicism, as they contend, the One True Church? Not hardly, if they teach doctrines of men, instead of the Word of God:
"Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" - Matthew 15:3
"Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." - Matthew 15:6
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." - Matthew 15:9
"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition" - Mark 7:9
Dear Roman Catholic, there is no way that the Church of Rome can be The One True Church. They offer a false gospel and there is no truth in it. The true Church of Christ is the body of all believers who have put their complete faith and trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross - it is not just a particular denomination or any other man made religious system. Works are not a part of His salvation; neither is paying a penance for your own sins, or going to a purging place called Purgatory, or any of the other means of attaining salvation that Rome concocts.
As a matter of fact, after a lifetime of being active in their system: being baptized as an infant; attending mandatory weekly mass (and should you miss one Sunday purposely, they claim you have committed a "mortal sin" and would go to hell if not confessed to a priest); confessed your sins to a priest and paid a penalty or Penance for those sins; receive Jesus Christ physically (instead of spiritually as the Bible attests) through their Eucharistic service; performing the other sacraments; and then ultimately, after death, spend an undetermined amount of time suffering in Purgatory to purge away any remaining sins that Christ couldn't cover because His plan of redemption obviously came up short, one can still never claim that they have any assurance of salvation.
According to Rome, one commits the "sin of Presumption" if they believe they can claim to know for sure that they have secured salvation through Christ; an anathema will be directed your way if you claim that you know that you are saved. Even though the Apostle John - the one whom Christ entrusted with the care of His earthly mother to after Jesus' death on the cross - assured us regarding salvation:
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." - 1 John 5:13
All of the so-called works that the Catholic must do to try to attain salvation, only furthers one's commitment to their religion to try to appease God and ends up increasing their bondage to this false system. Their "Holy Mother Church" can only save us; the priests are needed for absolving our sins; their Mass has to be attended; the sacraments are needed; and on and on it goes. Even the erroneous doctrine of Purgatory is presented with the caveat that one's time can be lessened there by buying Mass cards, donating money to the Church, etc. It is all about their system and not Christ.
The Roman Catholic Church is not the One True Church. Their system offers really no hope. It is a counterfeit Christianity and they present a corrupted version of the truth. On the surface, they appeal to the flesh in all their displays of piety, ritualism, relics, images, incense, candles, acts of contrition, shrines usually dedicated to Mary mainly, as well as other dead saints, and for the most part, Christ is left out in all of their regalia - unless, of course, He is depicted as a baby or still hanging on the cross. All of that is a substitute for real thing but is attractive to those who have no clue as to what God's Word says about sin, atonement, salvation or a gospel of grace.
They don't waste an opportunity to diminish what Christ has performed for us on the cross, or who Christ really is. Instead of rightly pointing to the Creator for salvation, they point to the created - the priests; the popes; the statues; the wafer; Mary, or their version of Mary; the dead saints; the "Holy Mother Church" as they refer to the Catholic Church; and anything else other than Jesus Christ.
They really do teach another gospel and have another Jesus - who is received via transubstantiation, but was powerless to cover all of our sins; and another Mary (the Mary of the Bible doesn't reflect any of the attributes that Rome has ascribed to her: she wasn't sinless; didn't remain a virgin after the birth of Christ; she had other children; is not a co-redeemer or co-mediator; doesn't hear or answer prayer; etc.)
They emphatically are not the true church, despite their proclamations otherwise. One day, we will all stand before Christ at His judgment. If you die as a Roman Catholic, Rome will not be there to defend you. If they can't even be entrusted with the safeguarding of its members children (speaking of the decades, may be centuries long molestation and raping of children by their clergy, and the cover-up and relocation of these criminals to other parishes by their bishops, cardinals and popes), how can you possibly trust them with your eternal security and salvation? The bottom line is: you can't....and you must not.
Accept the One who WILL be there in front of you at His judgment. Don't be beguiled by the enemy and accept a false substitute plan of salvation. Accept His free gift of salvation, believe in Him and His Word, and His Truth will indeed set you free!
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." - Colossians 2:8
"There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" - Proverbs 14:12
Stephen Meehan This testimony has got to be one of the most powerful, truthful and sincere I'v heard. Though lengthy it was well worth reading and I pray that many Catholics will read it and heed to it and consider its truths. Amen. Well done.
Thanks !!
And it was the ONLY CHURCH ever established by Christ and given that authority to forgive sin and save souls on earth through jesus... ou seem to leavd out many many other i portant facts to furthe your rdbellion against the church... helping satan now huh? Good luck with that...
Stephen Meehan Prayers for the dead and purgatory goes back to the Jews in the Old Testament book of Maccabees. You said you were a Catholic you should know that much. Also, the Deuterocanonical books were affirmed by the RCC back at the Council of Carthage in 397AD, not in the 16th Century as your flawed protestant history suggested. By the way the Deuterocanonical Books were in the Bible that Jesus and the twelve apostles used that is why they have always been part of the Bible. Martin Luther removed them from his Bible in 1517. You really need to do your home work before spewing ignorance. That list you mentioned is all in keeping with better understanding of Scripture! You sound very bitter and angry, were you abused as a child or did someone just drop you on your head?
James Curtis You said, - ''You sound very bitter and angry, were you abused as a child or did someone just drop you on your head?''
Uuuhhh, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. It sounds to me it is you full of anger and bitterness. Where's that good ole catholic charity and contrition I always here about?
I am not in the shoes of a Protestant or former Protestant, so I can't grasp the pain that might be involved for them to re-convert back to the Catholic faith... and the humility required in order to surrender the broken ideas which have been a foundation of their identity for so long. How painful it must be to have their faulty foundation shaken by Truth. Ultimately, it seems to me the desire for the Eucharist is the thing that will ultimately bring them back.
The devil continues to perform one of the greatest heists in human history IMO by encouraging the Protestants to surrender the Truth of who they are as they walk away from the Eucharist and turn themselves into cherubim and seraphim, who stand around the throne of God day and night, worshiping God... and yet God remains wholly outside of them. They have chosen for themselves not to receive the great Gift of God and sadly, how poor they remain and unable to return the gift that they have first received. How sad that they remain outside the mystical union we are created for and called to accept through the choice of faith... I surrender to you.
if they understood who Mary is... as our representative... who received God into herself and returned the gift of Love entirely... perhaps then they would begin to grow in true holiness rather than be satisfied with a great worship set. That's my two cents.
When I nearly converted to Catholicism from Lutheranism some 15 years ago, the two things that appealed best to me were 1) the liturgical and devotional life, and 2) the intellectual life. I still think Catholicism is admirable for those, even to this day. My favourite lecture ever on the relationship of science and religion is by Ben Wiker. Mary wasn't a real problem, after I read Luther's own glowing devotion to her. I pick up the rosary as a devotion now and then, and I love worshiping in Catholic churches with their rich liturgies.
The problem for me was the institutional structure, not only being the authority of the Pope but also the effect of that on people. The Pope is one thing, and I could not in good conscience convert either to tenets that I disagreed with in all my mind and heart or to a church where I intended to disobey their tenets. There is no point converting to Lapsed Catholicism. The other thing was seeing what the recourse to absolute authority can do to people and what it could potentially do to me. For the most part I like Catholics (and hey, I watch these videos), but there is always a sort of paternalism in how Catholics conduct themselves that can emerge in very ugly ways when you're, say, a young man on the verge of converting to Catholicism and asking questions. And no, I don't recognize the authority of Lutheran bishops either, quite infamously in the case where I fought with one and withdrew my application for ordination.
I love Ben Wiker! He's an amazing speaker! Another good speaker is Ken Hensley. He has a Lighthouse Catholic Media CD out called "Answering Atheism" that is just amazing! I forget how much of it is specifically Catholic, but overall it makes some pretty sweet arguments. www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org
***** Hmmm... interesting question, because I haven't ever practiced it any other way! It feels like being asked what it's like to not live under the authority of the President of the United States. Darned if I know, because I've never been a subject of the President. I could tell you what it *is* like to be Canadian, but not really what it's like to *not be* American.
If I was to hazard a description, I think it requires a certain comfort with ambiguity. You have to accept that human, institutional authority may have a utilitarian value (i.e.: someone needs to sign the cheques), but it has no absolute, existential authority. Human, institutional authority is *always* imperfect, *always* tentative, and *always* reflective of the context in which they are formed. They have no authority in themselves and no particular right to exist, but are only authoritative and only permitted to exist insofar as they serve the Kingdom of God.
I don't have the recourse of a Pope to defer judgement to in those matters, and must instead accept the ambiguities of democratic values. I'm pretty sure I've beaked off in Fr. Barron's comments at one point or another about how the Roman Catholic, institutionally, is really just a transcription of the Imperial Roman system of Emperors and Senators. I'm not a Roman. I'm a Canadian, a citizen of a democratic constitutional monarchy. Even our hereditary aristocracy is a figurehead subordinate to the rule of democratic law.
Democratic values - by which I mean democracy proper, science, multiculturalism, the Reformation, etc. - are not perfect by any means. The best expressions of it accept their imperfection and work to mitigate it, like the scientific method or proportional representation. "Democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried" and so on. It's the best we have to work with under the circumstances.
I guess that's the dictum here: under the circumstances. There was an amusing contest here in Canada to finish the phrase "as Canadian as..." The winning entry was "as Canadian as possible under the circumstances." I don't think that just reflects Canada, but the human condition in general. I practice the faith as best as possible under the circumstances. Deferring authority to absolute leader, be it a Pope or a "Bible" precaher or whomever, does not end the problem. We're *all* subject to the circumstances, from Popes to paupers. So I do the best I can under the circumstances, understanding that my understanding and experience is limited and therefore I must rely as much as possible on the grace of God who is all understanding and experience. My focus must be on Him and not to revel in my learning or my works or what institution I belong to or whatever false assurances and cheap grace the world offers.
out of curiousity, what is it with authority that bothers you so much? i mean particularly in reference to ecclasiastical authority. the new testament is full of examples of the apostles and their successors having authority in the early church. Jesus stated "he who hears you, hears me..." keys to the kingdom, etc. So i am not posing an argument so much here, as just wondering...why not be under authority? The catholic church does not state the authority of bishop/pope is absolute, but confined to faith and morals. No one is going to tell you what car to buy, or where to live, what science is right or wrong...etc.
FaithandReason101 There are a couple different questions in there. The first is "why not authority?" The second is "why not Papal authority?" The former does not necessarily beget the latter.
The nature of ecclesiastical authority in the New Testament is very ambiguous, if not ambivalent. It's not nearly as clear as you make out. In the first place, Jesus did not establish any system of institutional authority. A few symbolically rich words to Simon as the representative of the Disciples does not a political system make. Secondly, Acts and the Epistles implicitly convey a backdrop of considerable controversy, especially where Paul is concerned. Alain Badiou's book on Paul is excellent on this subject. I won't deny that the Church Fathers adopted increasingly Romanesque organizational structures after the 1st century, but the current Roman Catholic system didn't exist as such prior to Constantine.
As to the question of the Pope, his authority is really a matter of historical accident. After the destruction of the Holy Sees of Jerusalem, Alexandria, etc., Rome was the only authoritative See left in the West. Even if we ignore the East and its Holy Sees (which we too readily do), not only is Rome's primacy an accident but its status as a See *at all* is based *solely* on the fact that Rome was once the heart of the Roman Empire. There is no historical basis for the Apostolic Succession of the Bishop of Rome back to Peter (a point the RCC acknowledges in ARCIC, Authority in the Church II, 6-7). So given that I am a Canadian from a German family, what is the Bishop of the Roman Empire to me?
The authority of the Bishop of the Roman Empire in faith and morals is largely the problem. No intelligent person is concerned that the Pope is telling people what car to buy. If these pronouncements on faith and morals developed from the devotional/liturgical and the intellectual life of the church - the stuff I can actually get behind and which is properly oriented towards God - then it would be worth consideration. But too regularly and fundamentally, the church's faith and morals are developed from its institutional structure. Catholic morality serves the ultimate interest of the power structure. Sometimes that also serves the Kingdom of God, sometimes the exact opposite, and I abhor any case where impersonal institutional authority places itself as an oppressive force over the lives of real living human beings.
If there was any idea of authority to be culled from the New Testament and Jesus specifically, I would say it was something closer to relational authority, which is a spiritual and moral authority exercised and legitimized by the intimacy between the community. The RCC more usually embodies hierarchical authority, which is based on temporal power. It may make moral rules and regulations, but it lacks moral authority.
***** Neither. There are more options than Catholicism or extreme American-style individualism.
i thought jesus' words were the living authority he gave no commands to do theses things
Satan and evil have always attacked Jesus and His Church, so the failures of some men within the church is no evidence that The gates of Hell have prevailed over the ONE, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Church founded by Jesus on Saint Peter. The Catholic church has grown to over a Billion members, despite the small number of priests who have sinned so grievously.
The truths of the church about The Holy Eucharist, Mary the Queen of Heaven and Immaculate Mother of Jesus, the sacrament of reconciliation where you can confess your sins and have them forgiven, and the Sacrament of Matrimony for men and women to marry and become one blessed by the Lord, are all reasons to return to the one true church.
Then we Catholics have only one church not the 33,000 ++ heresies that call themselves 'Christian' churches, and demonstrate precisely why Jesus gave us the popes, men He gave the power to bind and loose on earth, and have it bound and loosed in heaven. Thus all the possible heresies were eliminated by the final authority given by Jesus to Peter and his 266 (so far) successors who have the keys to the kingdom of heaven. No women priests and bishops, no same sex marriages or other abominations now popping up in many of those false prophet led churches.
I understand the gays have invented a church and they call their heretical text the 'Queen James Bible', following in the Jehovah's Witnesses footsteps of rewriting their Bible to fit what they teach.
bu
So you are telling me that i'm a follower of satan.
Edit: i'm not gay and not pro-gay or anything ekse what is connected to that.
Question: "What is the Assumption of Mary?"
Answer: The Assumption of Mary (or the Assumption of the Virgin) is a doctrine which teaches that after the mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and taken bodily to heaven. The word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.” The Assumption of Mary is taught by the Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary had its beginnings in the Byzantine Empire around the 6th century. An annual feast honoring Mary gradually grew into a commemoration of Mary’s death called the Feast of Dormition (“falling asleep”). As the practice spread to the West, an emphasis was placed on Mary’s resurrection and the glorification of Mary’s body as well as her soul, and the name of the feast was thereby changed to the Assumption. It is still observed on August 15, as it was in the Middle Ages. The Assumption of Mary was made an official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
The Bible does record God “assuming” both Enoch and Elijah into heaven (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11). Therefore, it is not impossible that God would have done the same with Mary. It is not wrong to believe that God “assumed” Mary into heaven. The problem is that there is no biblical basis for the Assumption of Mary. The Bible does not record Mary's death or again mention Mary after Acts chapter 1. Rather, the doctrine of the Assumption is the result of lifting Mary to a position comparable to that of her Son. Some Roman Catholics go so far as to teach that Mary was resurrected on the third day, just like Jesus, and that Mary ascended into heaven, just like Jesus. The New Testament teaches that Jesus was resurrected on the third day (Luke 24:7) and that He ascended bodily into heaven (Acts 1:9). To assume the same thing concerning Mary is to ascribe to her some of the attributes of Christ. While the idea of the Assumption of Mary is not heretical in and of itself; in the Roman Catholic Church, the Assumption of Mary is an important step toward why Mary is venerated, worshipped, adored, and prayed to. To teach the Assumption of Mary is a step toward making her equal to Christ, essentially proclaiming Mary’s deity.
Prove it then, where can we read that in Cathecism of the Catholic Church that Mary is equal to Jesus/Godn
It is not written in the Bible that God takes Enoch and Elijah's bodies into heaven. Re-read the passages again, you are assuming thats where they go but it never states where they go.
I went the other way.
I will pray the truth reveals itself to you.
@@uniqoEnEsp Sorry to burst your bubble but you cannot teach me anything. I was in process of becoming a pastor at a megachurch when my conversion began. The history is undeniable, the arguments for Catholicism are unimpeachable and the Eucharist is absolutely beautiful.
Mr. Baron, why do you want people to embrace Catholicism?
+Ocean Waves Why would I want to return to the Catholic "faith?" The Catholic Church does not represent Jesus Christ, it represents a religion based on man-made Traditions, etc. I'm a sinner saved by the grace of God by faith. No works could erase my sins, only the work He (Jesus) did on the cross can justify a repentant sinner, through faith alone. This is not a Protestant belief, it's what all Christians believe. So, let's leave the labels out. I'm a follower of Christ, not a follower of any church.
The Catholic Church is seeking to bring all religions together. It says in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that "the plan of salvation also includes...in the first place...the MUSLIMS."(CCC #841) Imagine that. What would Jesus say? What would Paul or Peter say about that? Rome (i.e. the Roman Catholic Church) is seeking to "[fulfill] her mission...restoring and bearing witness to the unity lost at Babel." (SD #431) Here is a quote from Cardinal Reinhard Marx speaking at an ECUMENICAL gathering called, "Bound To Live Together," in Munich, Germany (2011):
"Particularly, RELIGIONS make an important CONTRIBUTION in GUIDING humanity towards a BETTER FUTURE. [Religions] help [humanity] turn to God, Creator and Father of humankind. [Religions] POSITION ALL people in a WIDER, COMMON HORIZON. We ACCEPT this MISSION, and we commit ourselves to taking the pathway of comprehension and reconciliation."
What would Jesus have to say about that? Why would any Christian want to accept this "MISSION" Rome seeks to fulfill?
Please read Matthew 7:13 and Matthew 10:34-36. If the Holy Spirit is in you, you would agree with me. If not, leave this Church and call upon Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins so you can be saved from this evil world.
www.santegidio.org/pageID/2386/langID/en/text/400/Final-Ceremony--Reinhard-Marx.html
+Ocean Waves You need Christ, not religion. What is this nonsense about, "show me in the bible where it says "solo Fidei" and I will convert to the the Protestant faith?" How about be converted to Jesus Christ, for He is the one you should believe in. What did He tell doubting Thomas? Do you want to be blessed (and I"m not referring to wealth, health and success). Blessed to know that your sins are covered by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus to Thomas: "Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life."(John 6:47)
"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”(John 7:38)
"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."(John 11:25)
Are you born of God? Not likely because you have trusted in works to get you into Heaven and that is impossible. Only God can make you a child of God by FAITH, BELIEF.
So, who gives the "right?" God does.
"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as MANY as RECEIVED Him, to THEM He GAVE the RIGHT to BECOME CHILDREN of God, TO THOSE who BELIEVE in His NAME: who were BORN, NOT of BLOOD, NOR of the WILL of the FLESH, NOR of the WILL of man, but OF God."(John 1:10-13)
+Ocean Waves What does the "plan of salvation also includes...in the first place...the MUSLIMS?" You do know that Pope John Paul II said "Christians and Muslims...believe in the same God?" How is that possible?
+Ocean Waves Your words, > '' Do you just look for any excuse to bash the Pope without looking into it first, the Pope is far more educated than you... *He is not going to say something without some type of support for it*. Best to look into why the Pope says something...''
It's not a matter that the pope is ''bashed'', as you put it, but rather exposed as the fraud that he is in that he represents Christianity. Example, when the pupe in his recent trip to the U.S.A. he never once presented the gospel. In fact this pupe went so far as to make the incredibly disturbing statement that what Jesus Christ did on the cross was a failure. The pupe and his statement is the definition of ''Antichrist''.
amredeemed.com/evangelism/catholicism/pope-francis-says-jesus-failed-at-the-cross/
To blindly follow this man who claims to be the ''vicor of christ'' puts your eternity in peril. To attempt to defend this man and what he espouses and the ''church'' he leads is to defend the system of Antichrist.
Rather what you need to do is put your faith/trust in what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross and his precious shed blood.
The gospel of salvation:
1 Cor. 15:1-4, 1 Moreover, brethren, *I (Paul) declare unto you the gospel* which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 *By which also ye are SAVED*, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that *Christ died for our sins* according to the scriptures;
4 *And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day* according to the scriptures:
+justthinken1 The Pope meant that it was a failure in the eyes of the World. People expected a huge victorious military campaign, and instead they saw Jesus killed by the Romans as if He were a shameful thief.
The Pope meant that when we go through difficulty and hardship, we should remember verses like 1 Cor. 1;18
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
I was raised a southern Baptist as well as baptized. Although, if I'm looking at my live with honest eyes, I doubt I have ever really lived a Christian life. Recent family loss has brought a sharp realization that I need Christ and I am interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and converting to Catholicism. Would anyone tell me how to begin the process and what steps are involved?
Sorry you haven't gotten replies, and sorry about your loss! However, 1 month ago would have been a little late to begin anyway, since the Rite of initiation usually begins in the Fall and ends at Easter, with weekly classes teaching all about Catholic Doctrine. Call the office of the parish you want to attend, and tell them you want to be a part of their RCIA program.
However, you are of course more than welcome to attend Mass and begin being a part of the Church community before Initiation, but cannot yet receive the Eucharist.
You could start reading the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then the Epistles - Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Ephisians, etc. So you get to have an understanding of the scriptures at basic. Hope it helps!
I find that most people who leave the Catholic Church or malign the Catholic church are those who are lost and have weak spiritual faith. It takes true faith and, of course, intelligence to comprehend what the teachings of Jesus are. Most Catholics do not understand it and mainly do what they're supposed to do because they were raised in the faith. However, these very same people have unwavering faith and, though they may not comprehend everything, they have childlike faith. Catholics who leave the church are the ones who are weak spiritually and in danger of being lead astray by sweet talk from people who are following the church created by Luther and co.
Jiliane Morales Child-like faith in humans is unwise. Conversely, child-like faith in JESUS, and the fact that He and he alone can save us from our sins...is the essence of TRUE faith
Jiliane Morales Yes, I agree. Catholics who leave the church or who are weak in their faith have made the decision to be so. There comes a time when we can no longer say that nobody taught us about such and such, nobody explained this or that to me, etc. When we "grow up" it is up to us to research, ask questions, get answers and pray for stronger and better understanding of our own faith. Those who think about leaving are not doing ANYTHING to figure things out on their own. It's unfortunate because once we do get answers we come to understand why Catholics are right, the beauty of the mass and the beauty of the faith.
+Jiliane Morales Ooooohhhhhh deep intellectual morass. Has it ever occurred to you it could be as simple as people who leave the catholic cult have seen the light of what a fraud it is. Ever think of that?
agree with you. otherwise many people who join to catholic church is so smart & intelligent people like dr. scott hahn, prof. peter kreeft, ulf ekman, etc
No scripture to back up what he says, he believes more in man than in God
Thank you
Protestant reasoning is the same as muslims.
Nobody worst.....protestants fight more the catholics who take Jesus as their Lord and saviour than muslims who say Jesus did not die on the cross....sad.
I don't get why in Catholicism they do all these things, for example confession which are all man made practices because the Bible does not say say that we should do them , so why do them?
***** That is just absurd nonsense! I've been a Catholic all of my life and a priest for 28 years. I can assure you that no one is ever charged a fee to go to confession.
yeah but you didn't answer my question. why are those practices necessary if the bible doesn't say you should do them
Confession is part of the bible, Jesus said whose sins you forgive they are forgiven, whose sins you retain they shall be retained. Jesus' preaching was all about forgiveness. Confession is an act of forgiveness. Someone must first confess before they can be forgiven. The power of confession was given to the apostles by Christ and passed it down through generations. Everyone needs confession even priest and even the pope. No one in this earth has never sinned (except Christ).
THE BIBLICAL PASSAGE ABOUT CONFESSION
OLD TESTAMENT.. Leviticus 5:5
5 when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.
NEW TESTAMENT James 5:16
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
JoshEl Biblical illiterate, REPENT for the Kingdom of God is at Hand. Confess to your brother you sinned against, for his forgiveness, Ask God for Forgiveness and the cleanse you of your sins (Repentance). Acts 20:21 "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greek, Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ". Confess to God all your sins, ask for forgiveness and repent of it all. Turn away. No one washes sins away but the blood of Jesus, and coming clean and confessing your wrong doing to a brother is also biblical, we may call it an apology. Catholics Deceived with a capital D.
I found what I needed spiritually in the Church long ago at age 17.
I think I may just live in a bad cultural/geographical place for the Church right now.
But I have had some struggles with the Church and I'm having a bad one right now
I probably just need to move
Mary is the new Eve?? I bet she'll be surprised to learn that. Jesus died for her sins too.
"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)
The Gospel writers imply it; and the Church Fathers unanimously proclaim it. Christian theology did not begin with Martin Luther, friend!
Fr. Robert Barron
I would be very interested to see where the gospel writers (or Paul, or Peter, or James) say Mary is the new Eve. I've never seen that in the Bible. I do know the Bible says this: "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)
One mediator. And it's not Mary.
Fr. Robert Barron
Fr. Robert, I have a question for you. My entire family is Catholic. My grandparents were also originally Catholic. But then about 10 years ago or so, for some mysterious reason unknown to us they just changed their whole tune and have left the church. They have just abandoned the early church fathers, whom they don't believe in, and gone "Solo Scriptura" in the sense that they don't believe in the real presence; it's just a symbol because of Jesus' words: Do this in memory of me." And they don't have a devotion to our Lady- accusing of "worshipping her, and the authority of the Pope, etc. How are we meant to be close if we don't share the same things? What are the methods of effective dialogue?
Jonathan Swires
In Luke 12:51 Jesus says “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
It sounds like your grandparents were born again. I bet you anything that they would be willing to sit down and discuss what happened in their lives.
Here Here Christ is God....or he is the Greatest Charlatan that ever lived
Mary, the "NEW Eve", how silly can you be? - Sure, forget the Bible, just make it up as you go.
Yep that WOULD be good if you could all forget the bible. No such luck
"In the Old testament the New Testament is concealed. In the New Testament the Old testament is revealed." -St. Augustine
Romans 5;17 "For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
Christ is the New Adam as this and many other Scripture verses tell us.
Eve; bone of Adam's bone and flesh of his flesh
Mary; bone of Christ's bone and flesh of Christ's flesh
Genesis 1 opens with a creation story starting with "In the beginning", and after 7 days go by, we see Eve tempting Adam to consume the fruit.
John 1 opens with a creation story starting with "In the beginning...", and after 7 days go by we see Mary encouraging Christ to create the fruit.
Eve; Listened to the demon
Mary; Listened to the angel
Eve; Was a source of temptation to Adam, and led Adam into the first act of mankind's sin and degradation through the consummation of the forbidden fruit.
Mary; Was a source of nurturing and encouragement to Christ, and led Christ into His first act towards mankind's salvation and glorification through creation of wine; "the fruit of the vine."
Eve; Mother of all living
Mary; Mother of all living in Christ; as God becomes our Father, Christ becomes our brother, and so Mary becomes our Mother. Our Christmas Eve.
Ahmen; peace
Yes yes the bible is a fairy story and any sane person knows this
Jamie Piller So is any human concept that rises above the merely biological and chemical. Truth for truth's sake, good for goodness' sake, and truly selfless love are outside anything in the realm of science, fairytales, but anyone who denies them is insane.
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Rodney Burton What? I said the bible is a fairy story. Come on you surely do not believe Sir surely? Even if you believe in god that is all well and good but the bible has been proven inaccurate historically and even geologically on so many levels. By all means believe in imaginary friends but the issue I have with many believers is their threats to us sane and rational people that we will burn in hell for not believing in imaginary entities. IF someone believes then fair enough, just never, ever threaten that I will burn in hell cos IF they do then I will put sky daddy to the test and snap their necks plain and simple. Nobody, christian, muslim or atheist will threaten me with anything. IF their sky pops is real he is more than welcome to strike me down with great vengeance and furious anger but it wont happen cos IT IS NOT REAL. The sooner religion is eradicated and made illegal the better in my opinion. All the shit is causes
I converted to Catholicism years ago but I only recently heard a discussion of Our Lady's relationship to the Incarnation, which in turn explains iconography in the Church.
reallive571 Thanks for your efforts. But I am very happy where I am.
reallive571 The Church preceded the Bible. The Bible forms a part of tradition.
reallive571 The early Christians of the Catholic Church we’re inspired by God to write the books of the New Testament and compile them with the books of the Torah, the Old Testament. Before they compiled the Bible as we know it they practiced the Faith for about a century.
Maybe you should explore these questions via Eastern Orthodoxy. You won’t have such a pronounced cultural bias in that arena.
reallive571 Vade in pace Christi
Robert Barron, I recently watched your presentation of the "Gospel" of "you can still get into heaven, while rejecting Jesus, as long as you're a good person" to Ben Shapiro on The Daily Wire. The fact that individuals such as yourself and James Martin have not been defrocked by the Catholic Church is one of the main reasons why I will more than likely never convert to Catholicism.
Very interesting. Pretty much every video here completely surprises me with amazing insight.
I'm a protestant, sort of, and yes those are my main objections, and whilst I'm not looking to convert, those are some pretty satisfying answers.
For me it was the Eucharist. Everything else is secundara, if Christ is present, I want to be there.
"Come out of her, my people! Run for your lives! Run from the fierce anger of the LORD. Jeremiah 51:45
Father Barron, you say that, “we require a living voice of authority”, and speak of a church with no “no living voice of authority.”
But the Bible is not just a book. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12, ESV
It does not contain simply ideas of God. Rather, it is the living and active Word of God, having the authority of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Indeed the Bible is authoritative, but why do you believe that it is?
Our Lord regarded the Old Testament as Scripture, as did the apostles and early church with the New Testament. Jesus also declared God's Word written in Scripture to be authoritative in many instances (i.e. quoting Scripture in the wilderness while being tempted, or in John 10:35 when Jesus said "Scripture cannot be broken", or Matthew 5:8 - "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."). And what Law was He referring to? The Law of Moses in the Pentateuch:
Luke 24:44-47 - " 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."
The apostles regarded these writings as divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the early church regarded them as apostolic. Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:15-16 - "15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
Okay, so you trust in the authority of Scripture because you first trust in Christ, and because you first trust in His Church?
I reverted after 22yrs. What got me there was getting fed up with the chaos and doctrinal confusion in the protestant realm. no unity, no clarity, nothing sacred, no beautiful churches, no anything. that lead me to find out that Christ left us a Church, with actual authority, not a book to try and figure out on our own that didn't even come around until 400AD. It really is obvious when you seek truth.
The Other protestant respect catholic beliefs..like born again they are respecting Catholic Traditional also when catholic worship Mary they are all having respect.... because they believe God is only one with three person ....who mades us wonderfully and Beautifully..... Glory to God ....May God bless you...even if I am protestant I really respect all of your messages.....I really like to learning the bible in all the time which I wasn't busy .. so I'm just glad to this message it can help you.. but please respect the protestant beliefs...even the beliefs of those pastors who are diligent with His faith in God.... I know God will never leave us alone...He has already there to Guide us and to Help us to the mission of our lives.......I am From Philippines and Glad to meet you all here ...God bless All of you again
..May God gives you,
all the desires of all of your heart ❤️😇🙏... Praise God always