I disagree with the contention that Protestants do not believe what they are taught: i.e., Protestant “use their brains” while Catholics do not. A lifetime in a variety of Protestant churches has convinced me that many of those in the pews believe what their pastors tell them. Much of the time this is fine, but we also need to exercise our own God-given discernment.
>>I would agree with you regarding the more traditional mainline conservatives in the Protestant ranks, but there is a virulent Evangelical fundamentalism that simply rejects the role of reason in faith. I’ve faced it first-hand on numerous threads since I’ve been on FR.
Discuss the role of reason with these folks, and you have horns and smell of fire and brimstone.
However, there is a Great Mystery here: the Holy Spirit often exercises a restraining effect that prevents - or at least delays - the effects of an experientially-based faith.
>>Agreed. But is experientially based faith simply human feelings or of supernatural origin. I’m a skeptic on this.
As Jesus said:”By their fruits you will know them.”
Thus many churches in the “Protestant” tradition remain faithful to the Gospel when one would expect them to disintegrate. It is their simple faith and trust in their Savior along with a strong devotional life which mitigates whatever theological shortcomings they may have.
>>I can’t argue with genuine faith. Of course only God knows who those individuals are both inside and outside of the visible Church.
God offers all sufficient grace for salvation, but he is the ultimate judge.
The parable of the talents should be sufficient to convince the truly Christian.