Posted on 05/28/2008 6:05:04 PM PDT by 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?
God bless you, FRiend.
Congratulations... Most Devout Evangelicals wind up being Catholics Ultimately!
This IS a happy thread!
Thank You!
How wonderful! This is amazing...
Don’t eat the brown acid.
God bless and keep you.
I was brought up in the Episcopal Church. My parents were not religious, but I gained a great deal spiritually from the Episcopal prep school I attended, by good fortune. I converted to Catholicism in college, persuaded that it was the “one, true, catholic, and apostolic” Church of the creed. I’ll always be grateful for what the Episcopal Church gave me in my youth, however, and sorrowful that that Church is undergoing such troubles now.
There are a ton of good Catholic books. It’s hard to know where to start. I’d second most of those already mentioned. Maybe Christopher Dawson’s “Understanding Europe,” on the place of Catholic Christianity in building our civilization. I’d suggest reading some G. K. Chesterton, notably “Orthodoxy” and his biography of Aquinas, not to mention his novels.
I agree that Scott Hahn is always excellent. If you can read an account in the high Victorian style there is also Cardinal Newman’s “Apologia.” There are many good books put out by Ignatius Press. If you check out their catalog or website it might give you some ideas, depending on your interests.
Much depends on what a person’s interests are. For instance, I love Dante’s Commedia, and first read it in an interlinear Italian edition, but it may not be something everyone wants to confront unless they love poetry, for instance.
A liitle surprising that one would choose the Catholic Church over a Bible-believing Protestant church.
Because the Catholic Church doesn’t believe in the Bible?
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21
According to Christ Himself, hell will be full of many very religious people. Many who call Him Lord and do many wonderful works in His name. Do you understand this? If not, then you don’t know what you’re doing and you’re headed for serious trouble.
Thank you, goodbye.
You beat me too it. Apparently I’ve been reading the Koran or something for the last 37 years.
Dur. I’m starting to write like my students. That should read “Beat me to it.”
anything by frank sheed.
The Story of a Soul...St. Therese, the one they call the Little Flower.
bon voyage on your most excellent journey!
you already know your Bible, in my opinion daily Mass is the best way to experience it.
Lurking’
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI) — Introduction to Christianity
Benedict XVI — Jesus of Nazareth
Anything by Scott Hahn (Lamb’s Supper comes to mind)
God bless and welcome home. The writings of the Saints are always a good place to start. I assume daily Scripture reading is already a given. But here is a brief booklist.
Imitation of Christ by St. Thomas a Kempis
Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius Loyola
Dark Night of The Soul by St. John of The Cross
Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila
The Autobiography of a Soul by St. Teresa of The Child Jesus
Diary of St. Faustina.
A good text of the writing so the Church Fathers is also a valuable spiritual asset.
For apologetics and wonderful books on Catholic doctrine I strongly recommend anything by Scott Hahn.
Welcome, Ultrasonic!
Receive the sacraments and pray for the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
The sacraments are spiritual nourishment. They will give you insight and the strength to carry out God’s plan for your life. Call upon the graces you will receive through them.
We have so many awesome books, and so much history! “Christ the King, Lord of History” is a good survey book.
Alot depends on your personal disposition, but there’s alot to read for anybody.
In addition to the bible and the CCC, I personally like simple meditations like “Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence,” and the “Little Catechism of the Cure D’Ars.”
I keep the “Sources of Catholic Dogma,” “Where We got the Bible”, the “Catholic Concordance,” and writings of the Doctors of the Church close at hand for research.
There are lots and lots of heavier spiritual books for whenever you feel ready for them.
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