Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Catholic Objectives
You will....
Response to 1: Learn how to respectfully respond to "attacks"
on your Catholic Faith.
Fundamentalist 2: Develop intelligent answers to the most commonly
Christian Questions" asked questions.
3: Explore how to get correct answers to questions
that stump you.
4: Through greater knowledge, emerge with a
stronger Catholic faith.
Welcome
Mar 59:59 AM Mar 510:02 AM
"Where in the Bible....... or the Bible says... or Catholics..."
* Are saved?
What questions * Have you been born again?
* Why do Catholics pray to Saints?
* Why do Catholics worship graven images?
have you been * Where in the Bible are "Sacraments?"
* Why do you call your ministers "Father?"
asked? * How can you say that you are really eating
Jesus' flesh and blood?
* Why did the Catholics add the extra books to
the Bible?
* Why do Catholics have to confess their sins
to a priest?
* Why do Catholics believe that the pope can't
make a mistake?
* How can a baby choose to be saved?
* Where in the Bible is the Assumption of Mary?
* Why do Catholics put Mary on the level of Jesus?
Mar 510:52 AM Mar 511:03 AM
A definition of "Fundamentalism" There are six major areas of Controversy That
lie at the heart of Catholic / Non Catholic
Most people would agree that Fundamentalists Christian Debate.
are Christians who look to scripture alone for
#1: Scripture only
guidance as to how to live a Christian life, and
NOT Tradition.
who, for the most part, Interpret the bible
literally.
Catholic Teaching is based on
Scripture AND Tradition.
Mar 510:38 AM Mar 15 8:11 AM
1
Paul's Matt. Sacred Tradition
Death & Resurrection John Bible
45 Mark Luke
of Jesus & Pentecost 60 AD 68 AD 90 100 AD 419 AD * A set of beliefs held by the Christian community and
80 AD
Oral Teachings handed down by word of mouth from generation to
of The Apostles Sacred Scriptures / Magisterium generation.
Feb 12 7:06 AM Mar 14 8:21 AM
How Was The Bible Formed?
* These events were passed on by assigned
people who carefuly memorized them until
* It is first of all crucial to remember that we eventually they were written down under divine
learned who God is through the stories of God's inspiration, so there would be know substantial
actions throughout history: ... creation, the call of errors. This basic pattern followed for the new
Abraham, the exodus, the covenant between God testament writings.
and the Jews, the exile and homecoming of God's
people....
Mar 14 8:25 AM Mar 14 8:29 AM
SO& WHO DECIDED?
The stories about the life and teachings of Jesus were first handed The “Community” especially the elders (Presbyters & Bishops)
down by word of mouth. Because most people couldn’t read, they were
Guided by the Holy Spirit in Prayer and reflection gathered together
more careful to recount things with great accuracy. In fact there was no
in Councils to decide which writings were in harmony with oral TRADITION
written Gospel until about 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus.
that had been handed on from generation to generation. This went
As the original Apostles began to die it was decided to record in writing
on until near the end of the fourth century that the Church councils
those accounts by eyewitnesses.
gave final approval to the present books of the Bible. And what is known
as the “Canon” was set.
At the same time these were being written other letters and
inspirational accounts were being circulated. SOOOOOO the problem
had to be addressed about which writings were inspired by God
THEREFORE, since the Bible, in fact, came grew out of the believing
(and therefore Scripture) and which are not? REMEMBER… there
community, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it only stands to
was NO BIBLE as yet! It had not even decided which of the Old Testament
reason that it must be read with the help of the community!
writings were regarded as inspired.
Feb 12 7:07 AM Feb 12 7:07 AM
2
The Catholic attitude toward the Bible can be summed up in #2: Salvation
three simple sentences: Through Faith Alone.
* When I read the scriptures, I believe I am reading the word of
God and I will find spiritual nourishment and guidance for my
life. Catholic Teaching insists that Salvation is an
ongoing process achieved through faith and
* I will always try to understand the Bible in light of the whole
message, and be careful not to take the words out of there context. good works.
* When something in the Bible seems puzzling, or I don't understand Achieved only through the saving grace
it, I believe I can be helped by the insights of church authorities and of God!
scholars who have made special study of the Bible.
Feb 12 7:07 AM Mar 15 8:11 AM
Are You Saved? * Salvation Defined: In Jesus Christ, God has forgiven
This is the Jackpot Question! our sins, reconciled with us in a bond of friendship
Catholics usually find this question puzzling and love, and given us a firm hope of eternal life in
union with God.
so we tend to hesitate before answering!
There is no need to hesitate! * This salvation is not gained through our own
achievements, but won for us through the resurrection
of Jesus.
* Catholics and other Christians share a fairly common
understanding of Salvation.
Mar 14 8:33 AM Mar 14 10:56 AM
What is our part in salvation since God wants all people to
Evangelicals / Fundalentalists/ other conservative
be saved?
Christians would say...
* God will not force salvation on us. God respects our "When we make a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as
free will. our Lord and savior."
* So... we have an awesome ability to accept or reject salvation. The common formula:
1: Confess your sins and repent.
SO.... The BIG QUESTION:
How do we take hold of the salvation Christ won for us??? 2: Accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Lord
and Savior. You are now "born again.".... You have turned
yourself over to God.
Mar 14 11:00 AM Mar 14 11:03 AM
3
Catholics Believe Differently:
* This is a one time saving act and once is all that is
necessary. The book of Job corrects the belief that God sends retribution on
us for our sinfulness.
* These Christians do NOT believe in Baptism! (some do Salvation is not a once and for all event.
only as a secondary ritual.) Salvation is an ongoing process.
It is not only a private, internal experience but also a public , external
* They Can't understand why Catholics hesitate when asked community,turning to the Lord through Baptism.
this question! For them it is absolutly assured! What about Infant Baptism:
Babies are not capable of accepting Jesus!
* They believe salvation may be assured but God will send This is where Catholics rely on tradition AND scripture.
retribution on you for any backsliding.... He will send hardship, In scripture entire families were Baptized including small children
illness, setbacks,.failures... etc as punishment!
Infant Baptism was common from the 1st century following Christ’s
Resurrection
Baptism joins us to Christ in a radical and profound way and fills them
with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. WHY SHOULD THIS WONDERFUL
GRACE BE DENIED CHILDREN?
Infant Baptism is a powerful way to proclaim the truth that we do
not earn our salvation; it is purely a gift!
Mar 14 11:09 AM Feb 12 7:14 AM
Catholics are aware however that this is only the beginning of the life
journey with Christ. We believe that at some point in our life we must make a Bible and Sacraments
conscious decision or commitment for Jesus Christ. The mere ritual of
Baptism will not save us unless unless we internalize it’s meaning.
#3: The Bible is all that is needed!
Anything else is a waste of your
I belong to Christ, I want to live for him, not for myself.
time.
No need for the Sacraments
* Catholics believe that salvation is an ongoing process. We need to keep
struggling to overcome the forces of sin in self and society and to keep
bringing more and more of their life choices into harmony with their
Catholics Believe in the value of both!
commitment to Christ.
Feb 12 7:14 AM Mar 16 7:14 AM
* Why do Catholics go to Mass every * So Catholic Liturgy is only a
Sunday? memorial service?
Keeping Holy the Lords day has been a practice that goes
back to the Jewish observance..... Moved to Sunday.. Jesus' Yes and No!
Resurrection... Yes, but to Catholics memorial means a great
* Why does Communal worship take deal more than simply "a memorial service."
the form of a Mass?
Why not just sing reflect on the bible and
preaching?
Mar 16 7:18 AM Mar 16 8:18 AM
4
At the last supper, our savior instituted the * Well, you can't be serious about "EATING" the
Eucharistic sacrifice of His body and blood. He did real body and blood!
this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross
thoughout the centuries until he comes again... CS Lewis put it this way..
"The command directly from Jesus was "take this and eat
of it this is my body..."
This memorial of his death and resurrection: A sacrament of
love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in NOT "Take and
which Christ is consumed... understand..."
Mar 16 8:34 AM Mar 16 8:42 AM
At every Mass Christ is present... for real! Forgiveness of sins.....
1: In the person of the * Why do Catholics "have" to confess their sins to a priest?
Priest Again, why don't they just confess them directly to God! Isn't
2: In the assembly of the he the one who forgives?
community
3: In the Word They believe "It's a waste of time!
4: In the Eucharist Catholics believe that this Sacrament is very
valuable on a number of levels...
First: Salvation, being an ongoing process, has it's
goal of growing ever closer to God....
Mar 16 8:39 AM Mar 16 11:35 AM
Second: The need to have our senses involved to
more full appreciate the experience when The roots of this practice go back to early
these aspects reconciliation are completed. beginings of the Church and are firmly
A: Contrition (sorrow for the sin) rooted in Scripture.
B: Forgiveness
C: Penance It's present form has developed over the
D: Conversion (resolve to avoid the sin in the centuries.
future) * So Catholics believe that a mere human (Priest) has the
power to forgive sins?
NO!!!! Catholics know only God has that
Third: The encounter is between a sinful power! However, God works through the
self and a forgiving Christ. priest as described (Mt.: 1820)
Mar 16 11:42 AM Mar 16 11:51 AM
5
#4: Teaching Authority and the 5: The Question of Unity and Diversity
Papacy Vs. "Freedom" On The Authority of the Pope
Catholics look to a teaching authority for accetable beliefs Myths and Facts
and practices Q: What's the basis of recognizing the Pope?
The teaching authority of the church has been entrusted to the A: The scriptures themselves point out the
Pope and Bishops. significance of Peter's leadership...
The Pope is the successor of Peter. Peter speaks for the apostles on several occasions see
The Bishops are the successors of the Apostles. Matthew 8:2729 and John 6:6769 and Acts 2:14 36...
Peter is comissioned by Jesus to be the leader of the
Church...Matthew 16:1819 and Luke 22:3132
Mar 16 11:48 AM Mar 20 8:48 AM
Q: So, the Pope decides what the Catholics have to Q: Is the pope ALWAYS infallible?
believe!
A: No. It is only when the pope officially speaks "ex
A: NO! That way of speaking paints a false picture because it cathedra" affirming a doctrine concerning faith and morals
leaves out the importance of the Holy Spirit, the Church, and placed in question for example by a competing heresy
the individual... Infallibility is a gift of God to his church... teaching. The pope does not create new doctrine... just
Along with the pope, the bishops as a group also posess this affirms..
gift.
Mar 21 8:02 AM Mar 21 8:06 AM
Q: What are some examples of the pope's Infallible Q: So... do you mean that all the papal writings on
statements? birth control, social justice, war, and other
matters are NOT infallible statements?
A: These are VERY rare in modern times.... Since
1870, the only doctrine that has been proclaimed
infallible is the Assumption of Mary. The A: These writings are authoritative teachings but they are not
pronouncement was made by Pope Pius XII on statements of infallibility. Faithful Catholics are to give
November 1, 1950, after consultation with the these writings full consideration when forming their
Bishops of the world. consciences on the topics in question.
Mar 21 8:13 AM Mar 21 8:17 AM
6
Sometimes people make sarcastic comments Q:Why do Catholics believe Mary and Jesus are
hoping to trick you like... on the same level?... Q: Why do Catholics Pray
Q: "So... what about those times when there were three popes at
to Mary and the saints?... Q:Why do Catholics
one time? Which one had the gift of Infallibility?" worship "Idols" statues? ....
A: These questions are all statements that are
A: An answer might be "whom ever was the true just NOT TRUE! They are designed to make
pope at the time!" No Infallible statements were you question your faith!
made in those historical times of controversy!
Don't get sucked in with ANY statement that starts
with " Catholics believe"... All too often it is not true.
Mar 21 8:22 AM Mar 21 8:48 AM
6: Personal salvation and concern for social justice Catholics believe that our personal relationship with
Jesus Christ is crucial. We also believe that we must
This focus is on how Catholics are to live out their faith. look out for others... We must act as the good
Samaritan ... we must take a stand against evil actions
"They" may say... in society! We must live our faith in all we do.
"It is all about my personal relationship whith Jesus Christ that
is important. NOT getting involved on someone elses We must stand up for justice especially for those who are
business... not able to do so on their own.
That's between them and God!"
Mar 21 8:26 AM Mar 21 8:39 AM
Personal Responses to
“Inquiries” about Catholic Beliefs IV: Avoid arguments with them about the Bible, what some call
“biblical shoot outs”!
you will not win! & nobody does in these situations.
I: Whatever you do… continue to show respect When these arguments happen, each party is thinking about the
For them and continue to love them. If they are family, do not disown appropriate response and not listening.
them…
V: Ask them questions, give them quotes to read and ask them to just
think about it. For example:
II: Affirm what good you see happening in their lives.
Why do you think that YOUR interpretation of that scripture
III: Do, on the other hand challenge politely, what you see as passage is the only correct one. Who is your authority?
objectionable or inconsistent with true Christian principles.
Why do you reject the Eucharist when Jesus says so plainly “that
Sometimes, in there desire to “save” you, they can be cruel “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you
or come across as selfrighteous and intolerant of others. have no life in you”. (John 6:53)
Simply point out these behaviors as unloving and not what And on the Eucharist &. Again what about his words at the last
follower of Jesus should be doing. supper…. This is my body…Blood… do this in memory of me.
Feb 12 7:14 AM Feb 12 7:16 AM
7
* Why do you insist that good works are "useless" VII: Take steps to affirm your faith. Ask
when the bible says "what good is it, my brothers and questions about areas of faith that are a
sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have struggle for you from those who are more
works? Can faith save you?" (James 2:14) knowlwdgeable. If you have issues with the
"feel" of your church, get involved to make
VI: Know your faith!!!! NEVER except what they say Catholics changes.
believe as fact! Be quick to correct and educate!
VIII: Be patient with your struggles .... don't be too quick
to reject your faith tradition because of areas of
disagreement... No faith tradition is perfect in this
regard!
Feb 12 7:16 AM Mar 21 8:59 AM
Conclusion:
Being Catholic is simply trying to hold together what should not
be separated:
all is said and done Catholics know that they have to leave room
· Scripture and Tradition
for mystery. God and Gods ways are so vast that we can only
· Faith and Works stand in awe and wonder realizing that we will never fully
· Bible and Sacraments understand everything.
· Authority and Freedom
· Unity and Diversity
· Personal Salvation and Concern for Social Justice
Bonded in Community
In any case, it is not enough to be a Catholic simply because one
was brought up that way. Each of us needs to carefully think it
through and make a personal decision.
Remember this, While knowledge of the Bible is a wonderful help
in understanding our place in the universe, our purpose in life,
and God’s plan for helping us deal with life’s problems, Catholics
believe that we still need to use our intelligence and our human
reason to grow and live spiritually.
Reason and faith work together to help us find answers to the
great questions of life. And, when
Feb 12 7:18 AM Feb 12 7:18 AM
Evangelizing:Sharing with others our beliefs about Jesus
Christ and inviting them to take a closer look for Nobody ever said that living the
themselves.NOT trying to make converts! Or recruit Catholic Faith was simple or
people for the church.Simply following what Jesus asks… easy!
spread the “good news’
There is very little of value
Proselytizing:Heavy handed tactics to persuade a person
that their beliefs are wrong and “ours” are right and, in life that is!
therefore, you had better join us!
Feb 12 7:19 AM Feb 12 7:23 AM
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For a more complete understanding
Additional Readings:
This presentation is a compilation of many other source works.
Listed below are those primary source works.
* Where is That in the Bible?: By: Patrick Madrid
Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Huntington, Indiana2001
* Catholics & Fundamentalists Understanding the Difference:
By: Rev. Martin Pable: ACTA Publications, Chicago, Il. 1997
* Prove It! Church: By: Amy Welborn
Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Huntington, Indiana, 2001
* Answer Me This!: By: Patrick Madrid
Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Huntington, Indiana, 2003
Jul 99:04 AM