Learning About Catholicism

I have to admit that as a Protestant I have far more positive reasons for being a Protestant than actual protests. I guess that's a good thing. And, well, I do have a lot of protests for any number of Christian things. But to actually Protest well I've been learning about Catholicism in order to know what I'm actually protesting. It's been tremendous for my faith by causing me to challenge my own assumptions, to know what I believe and why I believe it. 

Here are some resources I've been using learn about Catholicism, and my encouragement to other Protestant church leaders.

1. Attend Catholic Mass

It's too easy to talk about things we experienced long ago or have only heard about. Go experience it. See the devoted kneeling, note the art on the walls and ceiling, the candles lit around statues and paintings. Watch the Eucharist take prominence and ask yourself what the devoted are kneeling to. Let the story of the past 500 years of the Reformation meet you in a Catholic Mass and then see what you see. It was eye-opening for me. It was spirit-provoking. I brought my entire family once so we all could talk about it.

You can probably find a Saturday night Mass so as not to miss what your church is doing. Don't take the Eucharist (they don't want you to anyway). I stay seated as others take, and observe.

2. Join discussions or studies

I have joined two discussion groups at our Catholic church. They are 6-8 weeks in length so it's short term and very informative. At our local church they have an Understanding the Catholic Faith class that goes over basics and a Catholics Returning Home class for those who have left and are returning. I've gotten to know several folks at these classes, which is a great way to learn about Catholicism (as I say in #3 below). And the content of these classes have a been very informative for me. Why get what Catholics teach from a book when you can hear it from a Catholic?

3. Talk to Catholics & get to know a priest

When a Baptist pastor joins Catholic studies, you tend to raise eyebrows and get questions. It's a great thing. I'm on a first name basis with the local priest, a deacon, & other teachers including a CCD teacher who is now receiving me with a hug. I love these folks and love getting to know them. And they are probably my best resource for getting to know Catholicism. I'm learning what makes them tick, gives them hope, is the heart of their life of devotion and worship. I'm answering their questions, but asking more than answering. I let them know my religious background and ask about our differences. What do they see as real differences? Ask about their understanding of the Eucharist, Pope, Rosary, etc. Important stuff. 

The local priest, Aaron, is a very friendly and knowledgeable guy. We are near the same age, which is a cool thing. We've already been talking about getting coffee and talking more one-on-one. He's also given me a CD about a Protestant pastor who became a Catholic, opening another door for discussion. 

As with any faith you have those who are very devoted and those who are somewhat devoted or nominal. Getting to know all these folks helps you to get their faith as a whole. 

4. Study stuff by Catholics  

• Catholic Answers Live podcast - A call-in show with Catholic apologists & authors like Tim Staples & Jimmy Akin. I've found myself arguing aloud with these dudes, and after a while able to answer the callers' questions before the apologists do. Sharpens me through "battle" with ideas and explanations and Scirptures.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church - Vatican website (or buy the book). Where it's at, whatever it is, on Catholic teaching.
• CatholicsComeHome.org - Evangelization emphasis website. Tons of resources and pretty well organized.
• Catholic.com - Home of Catholic Answers podcast with other resources. Where I got Why Be Catholic, below.
• EWTN - TV. You've seen it. The entire Rosary with Mother Angelica. Listen to Fr. Corapi preach/teach. Kids shows. Find discussion shows with Scott Hahn or other thinkers. Helpful resource.
• WordOnFire.org & The Catholicism Project from Fr. Robert Barron (@FrRobertBarron) - One of the sharper Catholic thinkers I've found.
• Handbook for Today's Catholic - Got a copy free at local Catholic church.
• Why Be Catholic by Tim Staples - A 90 minute DVD of preaching/teaching to a Catholic (it seems) crowd. "Amen?" Sorry, inside joke. My review coming soon.
• The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn - Book by (maybe) the most respected former evangelical. Many other books by Hahn are sure to be excellent resources for Protestants learning about Catholicism.
• Why a Protestant Pastor Became Catholic by Scott Hahn - Audio testimony/teaching. Got a copy free from our local priest. 

5. Study stuff by Protestants on Catholicism

• Holy Ground by Chris Castaldo (my review)
• The Roman Catholic Controversy by James White - A key resource for me.
• The Dividing Line podcast from James White - At times very argumentative, but always very helpful.
• Christianity's Dangerous Idea by Alister McGrath - I've read parts where applicable to what I'm studying. I like it.

Hope you find all this helpful. What resources or points am I missing from your experience?

Comments

[Richard]

I spent 10 years studying in depth the Catholic Church. I've visited all the sites you mentioned. I've read through the Catholic Catechism using a daily reading plan that allowed me to read the entire book in a year...twice. I've met and spoken with Karl Keating, founder of Catholic answers and consider David Armstrong, well known Cathoic author and apologist, a friend. Strange as it may seem, rather than becoming a Catholic, I became convinced that Luther and Calvin had it right. I'm probably more reformed in my thinking today than ever before. I suspect the biggest reason was over authority. Contrary to the biggest argument of the Catholics that the deeper you go into history the more Catholic you become, for me, it was the deeper I go into history, the more scripturally grounded I become. And the more Christological I become. Christ has become my ultimate authority as present in the scriptures. So, Thanks to the Catholic church, I've become a convinced reformed believer. Now..my internal debate is, which is it? Lutheran or Calvin........

[Steve McCoy]

Thanks for the comment Richard. I'm having the same basic experience with studying Catholicism.

[Frank!]

Tell me Steve, what caused you to want to study Catholicism? If I can throw my two cents in, I know, lot's of Church History will interact with the Catholic church. It was clear when I took Church History in Bible College (Justo Gonzales' books were our texts and they are great!). I saw where we were coming from, what kinds of issues we were dealing with, and ultimately why were are where we are.

I'd add that my family (before I was born) was Catholic. My Mom taught catechism classes in her village in Guatemala. The Jesus movement came there and she got saved. Slowly, she led the rest of the family out of the Catholic Church, and into a local Pentecostal church. In the US I was born in a predominantly Hispanic/Catholic neighborhood. I got to see a lot of the practices the people had: praying for the dead, carrying around statues, lighting candles etc... I can honestly say that it left me very sad to see the people under such bondage, not really knowing the grace of God. We let when I was 16, and it still gets to me when I think about it.

I've heard James White tell a story of a debate he had with Mitch Pacwa. He read to him a popular prayer to Mary that was very worshipful. He said he had hoped Pacwa would call it popular piety. Instead Pacwa said he hoped one day he would join him in praying that prayer. It didn't shock me, just again reminded me of all the people I knew who were under that bondage. Well, that's my two cents.

[Danny]

The best book around (fair and balanced) is "Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences" by Ralph MacKenzie and Norman Geisler

[Pashosh]

If you have read all of the above then there is little I could add except to consider asking God in prayer to open your heart to what you are seeing in mass. Ask Him if He is present in some unique way in the humble Host (wafer) before Whom we are all kneeling. Then ponder through scriptures that bring up foreshadows and types of the Eucharist. Reread early church understanding of the Eucharist, wondering why the understanding of communion as only symbolic came at such a late date. Pick up a Jewish prayer book and glance through the prayers. . . compare the prayers at a Seder with prayers at mass, and search out serious Catholics. I long for you to meet Christ in the Holy Eucharist. From the heart, Pashosh

[Pashosh]

Isn't this the very problem the lack of a magisterial authority presents? Luther or Calvin? Who decides what baptism is and means- -Presbyterians? Evangelicals? Reformed Baptists? Why would the Holy Spirit lead us into so many different understandings of crucial issues in faith? What if Christ appointed a teaching authority and asked us to be humble enough to listen to that authority's voice in matters of faith? Of course all of this has been debated for centuries, but as a Catholic I just wanted to remind you of what you heard during those 10 years in hopes that you'll reconsider. I am not looking for a debate. . .I stumbled onto this blog while looking for information about silly nuns and dissident Catholics like Nancy Pelosi who illustrate well what can happen when a person ignores truth proclaimed by a magisterium. Pashosh

[Steve McCoy]

Thanks Frank. I'm having a similar experience. I've been studying to understand the people of my city. 31% Catholic.

[Pashosh]

After some thought I realize that what many here are looking for is a way to understand Catholics and their belief system, not another White vs. Pacwa debate.
Catholic language is very different. . .words like "hope" and "grace" refer to very different ideas. For a Catholic, a "personal relationship to Jesus," can be expressed as great "devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus", or a longing for "divine intimacy."
Peter Kreeft writes well and in a way that tries to bridge this paradigm and vocabulary divide. He is easily googled. The book On Holy Ground, btw, does appear to me to be written by someone who was not well-formed in his (former) Catholic faith as all five points mentioned are points Catholics such as myself would affirm, given a correct understanding. "All is grace." Thank you for your time, Pashosh

[Frank!]

Praying for you sir. I should add that I would like to read more as I have a sister who married into a nominally Catholic Mexican family. They are catholic by identity, but they really don't practice it. I'm hoping either way to reach out to my brother in law. My agnostic sister is another story.

[Frank!]

Update: I went to my brother-in-law's grandfather's funeral. I didn't get a change to "talk" but just time to hang out. It was a Catholic funeral, and again, being in that lovely Mission Church, I couldn't help but look at everyone and be reminded of the hope I have in Christ and wonder about my bro in law's grandpa. I'm not sure what the status is on him. They talked about him being in heaven, so I'm not sure if purgatory isn't a big deal now. Then again, they aren't terribly devout Catholicss. Any ideas?

[Steve McCoy]

I would be careful to not try to convince them of Catholic doctrine. Ask about what they believe and deal with those things.