I'm joining the Catholic Church next month. Advice/Books/Etc.?

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Hello fellow Freepers. I believe this is my first post on the Religion forum.

Over the past week or so, I put some thought into something I've been pondering for a while; my spiritual welfare. As it was, I had been part of the 'Sola Scriptua' school of thought (Evangelical Christian). By the Bible and only the Bible. Sounded good enough.

Well...what about before the Bible was put into word? It stuck in my head when reading an article earlier on FR concerning a deconstruction of Sola Scriptura and its inherent weaknesses as a foundation for one's faith.

This, combined with a genuine lack of churchgoing (as a family, we've been uncertain about going to various churches, given that top-down problems with Episcopal/Methodist/etc. churches and their increasing liberalization are a genuine problem for one's spiritual welfare), compelled me to make a decision.

I don't know if my family will follow me, persay, but I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge.

Next month, I'm going to the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle near my home, and I'm joining the Roman Catholic Church.

As is, I have a few volumes of the Magnificat pamphlet and the Catechism of the Catholic Church to read.

Any other pointers from other Catholic Freepers?

[Judith Anne]

I think it is hilarious that many of the more extreme protestants can come here spouting nonsense that has it’s origins in Hislop’s ridiculous screeds and call Catholics “pagan idolators” and then get upset when Catholics welcome a new convert.

As I recall, the original poster asked for comments from Catholics.....:D

[vigilo]

You must believe that only Roman Catholics are ‘very religious’ and therefore I’m talking about only Roman Catholics. I’m not talking about only Roman Catholics.

Do you deny that the Lord Himself taught that hell will be populated by many religious and pious people who called Him Lord, Lord and did many works in His name and yet never did do that one work which the Father would have them do? If that isn’t what He was teaching, then enlighten us and explain what He was teaching. If He wasn’t warning people to NOT put their faith in works of piety, then what was He warning them about?

Some people are warned by Christ’s words. Others are hardened and deny that He was speaking about them. Let the reader decide which person they are.

[Petronski]

Is it possible, or does it happen often, that in Catholic teaching sessions (wherever they might take place), the Bible is taught using Scripture with Scripture (that is, passage with passage) without reference to anything else?

Sola scriptura is non-scriptural heresy.

[Petronski]

You must believe that only Roman Catholics are ‘very religious’ and therefore I’m talking about only Roman Catholics.

Must I? (*lol*)

Riiiiight.

[Gamecock]

The Roman Catholic Church putting up with stuff like this is heresy:

Read about it here.

[NYer]

Welcome Home!

If you have access to cable or satellite dish tv, check your local service provider for channel access to EWTN. One program that offers an opportunity to call in with questions is:

Marcus Grodi also maintains a web site for those who are considering the Catholic Church. The purpose of The Coming Home Network International (CHNetwork) is to provide fellowship, encouragement and support for pastors and laymen of other traditions (Protestant, Orthodox, etc..) who are somewhere along the journey or have already converted to the Catholic Church. The CHNetwork is committed to assisting and standing beside all inquirers, serving as a friend and an advocate. The site also provides a forum where you may post questions.

COMING HOME NETWORK

And always feel free to contact any one of us. We will be happy to offer assistance.

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[Petronski]

The Roman Catholic Church putting up with stuff like this is heresy:

You haven't even proved the Catholic Church is aware of "stuff like that."

[dangus]

Then let’s put it this way:

As nearly always used, (to distinguish a denomination or faith ) “Roman Catholic” is incorrect. It defines a patriarchate, under the See of Peter,also known as “the Western Church”. It does not distinguish a rite: “Latin Rite” is the prevalent rite of the See of Peter, but there are in Spain, Italy, and England, (and probably elsewhere) other rites which are valid in their historic homes.

[vigilo]

You could have answered me or you could prove to be a scoffer. You have demonstrated your mind to all.

[Gamecock]

You haven't even proved the Catholic Church is aware of "stuff like that."

You are now aware, are you not? . What are you going to do about it? Shoot the messenger or write to the home office and complain?

The last 3 Popes have walked right by where the stand is located. I'll concede that the stand may have been closed on that day, or the trinkets covered up, BUT:

See the picture of "Mary's" house?

No?

Here, I'll post it:

See the gents in the long robes? What about the ladies in pale blue habits? They look Catholic to me. They were standing less than 100 yards from those trinkets. You have to walk right by them to get to the house. Seems the local reps from Rome are whooping it up, having a good time and ignoring the heresy occuring in plain view less than 100 yard away.

[Mad Dawg]

There are plenty of people claiming to use
Scripture with Scripture (that is, passage with passage) without reference to anything else
and who disagree among themselves. Each says the other isn't doing it properly. What do you make of this? What are we to think of it as a process of articulating conclusions clearly and simply? What if we are not very bright or have a reading disability or something of the kind. Is the mere process of looking through the Bible so sanctifying that no matter how well or poorly it is done or what conclusions are drawn any outcome is better than listening to and heeding the wise and holy? I know a lady who thinks "money is the root of all evil" and doesn't seem to get the that is not the text.

I can't believe I'm asking this again, but we do not find TULIP in the Bible, though many (but not all) "Sola Scriptura people say they do, and then say TULIP instead of the process you ask about. We DO find, "So you see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone," and yet are asked to think that "steel sharpening steel" (which is falsely presented to us as a kind of hammering process whereby Protestants beat up on Catholics) and "Scripture with Scripture" will take this verse and after putting it through the meat grinder come out with man is justified by faith alone. It may be so, but that's going to be a long paper.

So, leaving aside the greater matter of works, faith, and justification, I think we can reasonably conclude that a succinct statement from the fathers might express some particular truth more effectively than long iterations and reiterations through Scripture.

As to the matter of religion and true faith, I think perhaps this may be a tad more nuanced an opposition than it is sometimes portrayed to be. I was "born again" if you like, during an attempt at Sacramental Confession. (I say it was an "attempt" because it was the Episcopal Church and I have come to believe that they do not have valid orders.) It has been during worship and secondary to worship in church that I have experienced the longing for god and its partial fulfillment. Yes, I quite understand that some people can make an idol of the Church. I don't think that is the Church's fault.

[Radl]

One thing is certain. You can read these 150 or so posts and discover which ones are really Christian and which ones are very rude.

[Gamecock]

**but we do not find TULIP in the Bible, though many (but not all) “Sola Scriptura people say they do***

Nor do we find Trinity in the Bible. Will you deny that concept?

[Mad Dawg]

This is why I usually say “Roaming Calflick”. It seems to put an end to all dispute.

[Petronski]

What are you going to do about it?

How is it my responsibility?

Shoot the messenger or write to the home office and complain?

What is the "home office?"

You are now aware, are you not?

I hope you understand I'm not going to be interrogated or cross-examined by the likes of you.

You were THERE, weren't you? Right there?

What did YOU do about it?

[Petronski]

You could have answered me or you could prove to be a scoffer.

I could have stood on my head and sung Nessum Dorma too.

I do not waste my time on such silliness.

[Gamecock]

***How is it my responsibility?***

Your church, your responsibility.

***What is the “home office?”***

Big building just across the Tiber. I have a picture of that as well. Would you like to see it?

***What did YOU do about it?***

My faith doesn’t try to wedge Mary into the Trinity.

[ChurtleDawg]

The Catholic Church is officially against all occult practice:

From the Catechism:

2117
All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others—even if this were for the sake of restoring their health—are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.

2111
Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition.41

2116
All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

[Gamecock]

And yet we have scenes like that.

[John Leland 1789]

I wonder if FR would allow me to change my screen name to “Heretic001.” Not a jab. Just kidding.

I do maintain that Scripture will properly interpret Scripture, even when we do fail in the task.