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Why focus on Catholics?

Discussion in 'Free-For-All Archives' started by TP, Dec 27, 2004.

  1. TP

    TP Guest

    Greetings,

    When evangelizing why do so many focus on Catholics? There are Many, Many unchurched or even atheists. Even now there is a growing number of wikka, etc. Why are people so concerned with Catholics. In the Catholic church they are taught about Christ, the Trinitarian God, we read scripture, very much the mainstream of Christian doctrine. I know there are differences with people on this board, BUT wouldn't it be better to focus on those who have never heard of Christ or are even against Christ? There are so many groups of Non-denoms, or others who focus on Catholics. Why not the unchurched?

    peace
     
  2. Debby in Philly

    Debby in Philly Active Member

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    There are only two kinds of people - those who have been born again by God's grace and are heaven-bound, and those who have not.

    You find those who have not in all churches, as well as outside. They all need Jesus.
     
  3. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    Why the focus on Catholics?
    Because in the past, and even now to some degree, we have people who post on this board Catholic doctrine. Baptist Board is not an advertising agency for Catholics. The heresy of Catholic doctrine must be stopped. If it was never posted here in the first place there wouldn't be the emphasis on it that there is.

    Secondly, it is a worldwide religion--the second largest in the world. And as of late has had some far reaching moral (rather immoral) issues which, in the world's eyes) have affected all of Christendom. We, as true Bible Believers, must distance ourselves from the doctrines of the Catholic Church that lead to such depravity (i.e., celibacy of the priesthood), and continue to point out their heretical doctrines that people may not be swallowed up in doctrines that lead to Hell.

    Thirdly, you mention groups such as Wiccans. We have never had wiccans post on this board. They have never had that opportunity. So the problem of refuting their doctrine openly has not been a problem. Most people know that to be Wiccan is wrong. The odd thread comes up on this subject, where it is discussed for information's sake. But no one is going to take issue with the occult. The occult is wrong. Period. There is no disagreement.
    Satan works in far more deceitful ways, such as he does in the RCC, where he operates as wolves in sheep's clothing.
    DHK
     
  4. BobRyan

    BobRyan Well-Known Member

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    "How" do people "focus on Catholics" in evangelism?

    Do they mail their evangelistic material "only to Catholics"?

    Is there some kind of "Catholic mail list" that these people have?

    What is meant by "focus on Catholics"??

    I know there is a "Jews for Jesus" group that focuses on Jews - but "Catholics for Jesus"??

    In Christ,

    Bob
     
  5. neal4christ

    neal4christ New Member

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    I know how you feel. I feel that way about sola scriptura and sola fide. [​IMG]
     
  6. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    I am not trying to be rude, but I dont go along with the idea that Catholics are Trinitarian due to the way that some of them go on about Mary being the mother of God and acting as if she is the fourth member of the Trinity.

    Also my experience with Catholics is that a number pray to dead saints to have them interecede to God the Father. Yet there is only one mediator between God and man and that is Jesus. Anything else is idol worship.
     
  7. neal4christ

    neal4christ New Member

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    That is a misconception. No Catholic I know believe Mary is part of the Trinity. And she was the Mother of God, unless you are willing to say that Christ was not fully man and fully divine.



    You don't ask anyone on earth to pray for you, do you? Never give a prayer request or anything like that? And you don't pray for anyone else, do you?
     
  8. BobRyan

    BobRyan Well-Known Member

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    Catholics argue that if you don't make Mary equal to God then Christ is not really God - and of course they err in doing that.

    Then of course - after getting into that sticky wicket - they claim that this is not "really" making Mary ALL the way co-equal just co-less-equal.

    Co-Mediatrix -- Mediator with CHRIST.
    Co-Redemptrix -- Redeemer along with Christ.
    Sinless - LIKE Christ
    All powerful - LIKE Christ
    Assumed into heaven - LIKE Christ
    Prayed to -- like Christ
    QUEEN OF HEAVEN -- "unlike Christ".
    Guardian of the church - LIKE Christ

    What is not clear to me is whether or not they "gather around the altars of Mary for worship" the same way that they gather around altars for Christ. I have the quote for "Mary's Altars" - anyone have one for "Christ's altars"?

    Mariolotry is just unstoppable once you get it going - ask those most fervent in their Mariology.

    In Christ,

    Bob
     
  9. WallyGator

    WallyGator New Member

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    Because of the sheer number of Catholics. In South Texas alone, 60% Catholic, mostly 2nd or 3rd generation Mexican Nationals, who don't have a clue about salvation by grace or priesthood of the believer.
     
  10. TP

    TP Guest

    Greetings,

    First of all, by focus on Catholics, I do not necessarily mean just on this board. There is some of that hear. But There is a radio station in milwaukee which is Christians reaching out to catholics. Someone posted a site of Christians evangelizing Catholics. There are groups such for Former Catholic For Christ. I have an entire folder in my favorites section of Anti-Catholic sites. I don't see this same zeal to convert Lutherans, or Jews or Muslims. There might be some of that but not like it is directed at Catholics.

    peace
     
  11. TP

    TP Guest

    Greetings,

    You said: I am not trying to be rude, but I dont go along with the idea that Catholics are Trinitarian due to the way that some of them go on about Mary being the mother of God and acting as if she is the fourth member of the Trinity.

    Response: This is a very ignorant statement. Pick up any catechism and teaching of the Catholic church and you will hear the best defense of the Trinity that you can Get. It is not so much that our idea of Mary is to high, rather your idea of God is to low. Mary is a created being. No matter what is said about her, she is only a created being. No matter what graces God has given to her she is only a created being. If you idea of God is SO low that Mary even appears divine, then your idea of God is incorrect.

    peace
     
  12. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    TP, A Catholic Priest has said: It is not so much that our idea of Mary is to (sic) high, rather your idea of God is to (sic) low. Mary is a created being. No matter what is said about her, she is only a created being. No matter what graces God has given to her she is only a created being. If you (sic) idea of God is SO low that Mary even appears divine, then your idea of God is incorrect.

    Diane asks: What GRACES has God given to her, in the Catholic opinion?

    I've not ever heard a Baptist claim Mary is 'divine'.
     
  13. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    The reason I focus on catholics is the claim that their's is the only true faith, and the fullness & joy of salvation can only be experienced in her mass.

    It's baloney.
     
  14. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    Interesting point, I am going by what people have said to me about Mary that are Catholics that I have met.

    Would you like to pass comment on my second point about Catholics praying to saints that have died rather than directing their prayers to anyone in the Trinity?
     
  15. BobRyan

    BobRyan Well-Known Member

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    On the "other hand" I knew about the Jews for Jesus and the outreach groups specifically to Muslims - but nnot the "Former Catholics for Christ".

    See? We all learn something every day.

    However to be fair - there is always an "ex-group" that reaches out to the current-group in every denomination. You should not feel "picked on".

    In Christ,

    Bob
     
  16. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    TP,
    Either you have a great misconception of missions, are being convicted of the Holy Spirit, or simply live in an area where there is an abundance of Catholics and therefore there is a strong outreach to the Catholic of that area.

    I live in an area where there is both: an abundance of Catholics, and an abundance of East Asians. We have an outreach to both. In witnessing to East Asians we have to be prepared to witness to Hindus, Moslems, and Sikhs, of which there are a good representative of all three groups here. We have an outreach called "Muslims for Christ." If you do a search on the web you will find different ministries to different religions of the world, depending on where you are.

    More than 146 churches have been attacked by Buddhists in Sri Lanka since January 2003. It is not the Roman Catholics that is the focus of the missionaries. It is the Buddhists that they are trying to win to Christ, and Christians are paying the price with their blood. Why do you feel so persecuted?
    DHK

    [ December 28, 2004, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: DHK ]
     
  17. A_Christian

    A_Christian New Member

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    I don't wish to seem mean or nasty; however, sometimes the truth hurts. The fact is that many, many, many of the "so-called" unchurched, atheists, and agnostics------began as Roman Catholics. This is true of other denominations also; however, I find that many simply are turned off by what they consider to be "religious frills." They have problems with the statues, and the candles, and the robes, and the ritualism. They see hyprocrisy in priests (mere mortals) being in a position to "change" wine into blood, and yet have the very same human frailties as other men (maybe more).
    There was once a lack of Biblical literacy among Roman Catholic "membership." I think vestiges of this remains to this very day. The insinuation being that "regular members" are simply not capable of understanding what the Bible "really" says. As a result, there is no interest in reading GOD's Word. And the value of the Word itself is diminished by "CHURCH TRADITIONS" which are now questioned by the "faithful" (to "The" Church) themselves. Many who claim to be Roman Catholic and are counted by that church don't even attend on a weekly bases...
     
  18. Ps104_33

    Ps104_33 New Member

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    Does anyone here really believe that an individual can hold to all the doctrines of the Roman system such as transubstantiation, the infallibility of the pope, "Mother of God", the Immaculate Conception, Assumption, and the fact that if you beleive otherwise "let him be accursed", and still go to heaven? Can a person accept Jesus Christ as his Savior and payment in full for his sin and still believe these things?
     
  19. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Because they make easy targets for the pharasaical. That's not to say we shouldn't share the Lord with those we know who are Catholic (or, for that matter, Lutheran, Methodist, IFB, SBC, Presby, etc). We should however, refrain from having a self-righteous and prejudiced heart. It's easy to excuse self-righteousness when the target is presumed to be lost, and we unfortunately do it a lot, not just with Catholics. That doesn't make it okay, it just makes it commonplace.
     
  20. TP

    TP Guest

    Greetings,

    I am not saying that People who are baptist/other should not share their faith with catholics. For Christians not to share their faith is like asking a duck to say away from water. All Christians(including Catholic Christians) have an obligation to share their faith, but they should also be excited about sharing their faith with all those around them. So, I have no problem sharing faith with Catholics around the water cooler at work or in other situations, or even on this board. However, there are so many websites directly attacking catholic beliefs, and directly geared toward catholics. it is Not even come to us and see what Christ can do for you, rather it is all about attacking catholic belief as if their faith would dissolve if they didn't have catholics to attack.

    Has anyone hear had a pastor who has mentioned Catholic beliefs and attacked them from the Pulpit. I have preached Daily, and have never attacked a non-catholic church in a sermon at mass.

    peace
     
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