Protestant and Catholic Beliefs Series Conclusion

Brittany Ann

Protestant and Catholic Beliefs Series Conclusion and Giveaway

This post is the conclusion post to a series entitled Letting God Lead: My Journey Through Protestant and Catholic Beliefs. If you are new to this site or this series, I HIGHLY encourage you to check out the rest of the series as well. *This post contains affiliate links.

 

A little over a year ago, I began a journey–a journey to find out the truth behind Protestant and Catholic beliefs–and what a journey it has been! 

 

I’ve read countless books and articles, taken classes and talked with priests, debated apologetics, attended mass, listened to your stories, and shared my own. I was even on the radio! (Click here to listen to the recording.) 

 

My Journey Through Protestant and Catholic Belief

 

We covered a LOT of ground in this series, and I hope it’s true to say that we all learned a lot. 

 

 

Of course there will always be more to say and more to cover, but hopefully this series has been enough to get you thinking and researching for yourself, instead of simply blindly believing what you’ve been taught from birth. Because when I examined what I’d always been taught, I found out a lot of it was wrong. My teachers were wonderful people, but so many of the principles they taught me simply were not Biblical. I don’t want you to make the same mistake.

 

Whether you are Protestant or Catholic–honestly, I could care less. Maybe I should? But it really doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is that you have researched the issues yourself, that you know what and why you believe, and that you can confidently defend your beliefs to others. That you believe on purpose because you really know it to be true–not that you believe by default because someone told you something and you didn’t bother to fact check for yourself.

 

So now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for–what did I decide???

 

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Eucharist

 

Is the Eucharist the Real Body and Blood? Yes, I believe it is.

 

From the language Jesus used to the Jewish peoples’ reaction to the early Church’s response–all of the research I’ve done so far leads me to believe that it has to be real. (Find the information that lead me to this decision in my post: Is the Eucharist Really Just a Symbol?) 

 

 

Is Faith Alone Enough? No, I believe God expects something more.

 

To be very clear: Both Protestants and Catholics agree that you cannot earn your way into Heaven through works. We are saved because of God’s grace, which allows us to have faith. But in light of the verses I shared in my Is Faith Alone post as well as the following two arguments, I have to agree that yes, you do need faith, but that you can’t just stop there. Once you are already “saved” (or “justified”), your life needs to reflect that. I think, deep down, many Protestants would agree. You can’t just say a prayer and then go on your merry way.

 

Argument #1: Protestants say that nothing we DO can get us to Heaven. Yet, the very act of choosing to believe is a verb–something we DO. God doesn’t force us to be Christians against our free will. We choose it. So we can’t reject ALL works, because believing is a work itself.

 

Argument #2: If simply believing were enough–well, even satan and his demons know that Jesus is God. They know He is the only way to Heaven. If all you had to do was believe–wouldn’t that make satan a Christian? Yet, I’m pretty sure we would all agree that’s preposterous. Why? Because he certainly doesn’t act like a Christian! He doesn’t repent, or submit or act like a Christian–all things Christians DO. So simply believing in Jesus can’t be enough.

 

So in light of alllll of the verses I listed in my Is Faith Alone Enough? post (check them out!) combined with the two arguments above, I can only conclude that we HAVE to play a role somehow. Faith alone is not enough. I have NO IDEA where that line is–concerning what we have to do, how much we have to do, etc, but I have to believe that something more is required.

 

Roman Catholic Church

 

Who has the Ultimate Authority–the Bible or the Church? The Church… I think? But which one??

 

Based on the findings I shared in Who Has the Ultimate Authority? A Biblical Look at Sola Scriptura, I strongly believe that the Bible was never meant to be a comprehensive how-to guide that covers every topic. It IS infallible on the issues it covers, but it doesn’t cover everything, and it leaves a lot of things open to (mis)interpretation. So, while I am definitely very much a Bible-believing Christian, I have to agree that we need more than just the Bible; we need the rest of the teachings and history–which we *should* find in the church.

 

However, while I totally understand and support the need for and appropriateness of having the church be our authority (under Christ of course!), I did not see any evidence that points to the *Catholic* church having to be that authority, instead of the church in general.

 

Catholics believe that the Catholic Church we have today is the same church the Christian churches had in the first century, but is it? How do we know they didn’t get off 5 degrees somewhere and end up way off course today? How do we know they clung to the right things? The pharisees thought they were experts at keeping the law, but they got in big trouble when Jesus came to town. I mean this in a polite and sincere way, but how do we know the Catholic Church hasn’t done the same thing? This has been my main nagging doubt this entire time, and it has yet to be resolved.

 

(And yes, I know that Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to guide the Church and keep her from error, but what proof is there that that verse is talking about the *Catholic* church–not the church as a whole or a different denomination?)

 

So…. I like the idea, but I haven’t been able to fully accept it yet. (Read more in my post: Who Has the Ultimate Authority? A Biblical Look at Sola Scriptura)

 

 

Is the Apocrypha Scripture? Don’t ask me; I have no idea.

 

Did you see the chart at the end of my History of Christianity post?? All of the information is hopelessly contradictory!! And while I can throw out several of the arguments on one side or the other (the books were found with the Dead Sea Scrolls–we checked!), I still see very logical points on both sides. So quite honestly, I have no idea. I am ever so slightly leaning towards the Catholic perspective since they were in the Bible for hundreds of years before Martin Luther took them out, but I could easily go either way. I simply don’t know at this point.

 

 

Concerning Priests, the Pope and Confession: Makes Sense to Me

 

I like the idea of having a God-led priest instead of every person misunderstanding the Bible for him or herself. Obviously with everyone being able to come up with whatever interpretation they want, we aren’t doing a very good job. (30,000 Protestant denominations!) Obviously not to say we shouldn’t think for ourselves (this whole series is so that you will!), but having one trusted standard sure seems nice right about now! (But is Catholicism it? I don’t know!)

 

I don’t have a problem with the pope being infallible (I don’t know if he IS; I do believe it is possible). I’ve always liked the idea of confession and thought it was a good practice. I do believe priests could have the power to forgive sins. It does seem a little unnecessary to me, but that’s probably just my upbringing. I don’t have any theological problems with any of it. Logically, it makes a lot of sense.

 

Mary

 

Concerning Mary, Saints and Statues: I Still Think it’s Weird… But There are Much Worse Things It Could Be…

 

I do NOT believe Catholics worship Mary, saints or statues. (Well, maybe some do in other countries, but your average American Catholic–no.) I personally think some Catholics pay them more attention than they maybe ought, but then again, you’re going to have people mess things up in any religion.

 

Mary: In all honesty, I simply don’t “get” all the hubbub about Mary. Yes, she said yes to God, but people say yes to God every day. Even if she is the most important human in history (and I don’t have a problem with that)–she’s still human. Even if she were sinless (and I don’t have a problem with that either)–it was because God preserved her from it, not because she did anything herself to deserve it any more than the rest of us. I understand that Mary is supposed to point us to Jesus, but I can’t help but feeling that, for some people, all the Mary stuff has become a distraction.

 

Saints: I don’t know if I feel particularly compelled to pray to any Saints, but I don’t necessarily have a problem with the practice **when done according to official Catholic doctrine.** I don’t think it’s really necessary, but I don’t think it’s sinful, either.

 

Statues: As long as Protestants have nativity scenes, they can’t point fingers at Catholics because it’s the exact same thing. I have zero problem with statues (when used appropriately).

 

(For more information on this topic, please check out my post: What Do Catholics Really Believe About Mary, Saints and Statues?)

 

infant baptism

 

Is Infant Baptism Scriptural? I’d personally rather not wait.

 

I don’t know that Scripture is incredibly clear either way, and I say this because I can easily make good, Scriptural arguments for either side. Plus, when you look at early Church history, they did it both ways. BUT since it can’t hurt and it can potentially offer many huge benefits, according to Catholics–why wait? We baptize our babies as infants.

(Read more about the subject in my post: Infant Baptism or Believer’s Baptism? Which is Correct?)

 

Are Purgatory and Indulgences Scriptural? Probably

 

As I was researching for my post on Purgatory and Indulgences, I was surprised to find so many verses that *could* reference Purgatory. And honestly, the teachings make sense. I don’t know if I believe in them for 100 sure at this point, but I don’t have a problem with either of them. (Read more in my post: What is Purgatory? What are Indulgences?)

 

 

So What Did I Decide?

 

I decided I wasn’t ready to become Catholic at this point. We attended all of the learning type classes and then dropped out before the rites. We still attend Mass every Sunday.

 

The reason I chose to drop out is because when I looked up what the rites of sending and election are (the “ceremonies” we would go to next), I read that I would be asked “Do you believe all that the Catholic church teaches to be true?” And my sponsor (my husband) would have to vouch for me.

 

Well, I can’t in good faith go up in front of an entire church and declare that I believe everything the Catholic Church teaches is true. I’m not saying it’s not. I’m saying: I don’t know. I still have questions. I’m still learning. I’m still seeking.

 

I haven’t read the entire Catechism yet. I haven’t read all of the Apocrypha yet. How can I state I believe they are true if I don’t know what is in them? At this point, I can’t.

 

I’ve changed my mind on a LOT of really important things–the Eucharist, confession, praying to the saints… I’ve learned a lot and I’ve come a long ways. But God isn’t finished with me yet.

 

So the series is done for now, but that doesn’t mean our journey has to be over. Go back and read through the posts again, really mulling over the points. Get and read the books above. Talk to your priest or pastor. Talk to me; I’d love to hear from you!! Don’t let your journey stop here.

 

Here’s a list of topics we’ve covered so far, in case you still need to go back and catch any you missed.

 

The Day I Realized My Religion Got it Wrong

10 Common Catholic Church Myths that Critics Believe

Is the Eucharist Really Just a Symbol?

Is Faith Alone Enough?

Who has the Ultimate Authority? A Biblical Look at Sola Scriptura

A Brief Look at the History of Christianity

What All Christians Should Know About Priests, the Pope and Confession

What Do Catholics Really Believe About Mary, Saints and Statues?

Infant Baptism or Believer’s Baptism? Which is Correct?

What is Purgatory? What are Indulgences?

Why Do Catholics….? Honest Answers to Your Burning Questions

Protestant and Catholic Beliefs Series Conclusion

 

So that’s an update on me–how are you doing? What questions are you still wrestling with, if any? Let’s discuss!

Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author and founder of Equipping Godly Women and Monetize My Ministry. She’s also a Christian speaker, podcaster, and conference host. Her work has been featured on numerous TV, radio, and online ministries, including CBN, MSN, Christianity Today, Evangelical Alliance, Patheos, Crosswalk, and more.

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165 Comments

  1. Brittany, I was born into the Catholic faith. However, at the ages of 50 my husband and I are still learning about our religion. that is part of what is so amazing, the deep richness of the Catholic tradition. I wanted to clarify something I have come to understand regarding what the Catholic Church teaches about the Pope and his infallibility. The Pope is only infallible when he states he is speaking infallibly. That has only occurred twice in all of Catholic history and both times regard the Church’s beliefs about Mary the Blessed Virgin. First, she was conceived without sin, and second, she was assumed into heaven.

    I did not understand this growing up, so I hope this information is helpful. Blessings to you on your journey of faith.

  2. I highly recommend “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott and Kimberly Hahn. Another alternative is to look up “Scott Hahn the tape” on YouTube.

  3. Brittany, I’ve been following along quietly and have been praying. You did a wonderful job. I’m not at all surprised by your decision, and am in complete admiration for your honesty, integrity, and respect. I believe you made the right decision. God works differently in all of us. These topics take time to explore and pray about.

    I remember my reversion vividly. I struggled with morality issues that were deeply ingrained. The Catechism was the book that helped me the most. I was able to read the teachings and then read the supporting scripture and where the teachings came from. There came a point where I was ready to accept everything the Church teaches. My research and prayer for God to show me answers turned into asking Him to help me deepen my relationship with Him. My life was changed (for better) forever. I was transformed and grew closer with Confession, Eucharist and Adoration (not a Sacrament). When they say that faith is a gift, it truly is. I asked for it, and received it. I’ll continue to pray for you as you reconcile your head and your heart!

    2. Hey. I felt much the same way. I mentioned in the (very, very, VERY long) comment (I had meant to make it short) when I returned to the Church.

      I had spent 12 years severely anorexic and had almost given uup by refusing all help and nearly being put into hospice etc. I mean yeah, 24….lots of things happened around the time, I was living in Argentina. In Buenos Aires for the 4th year and I was ALMOST 25. By the calculations I had been making that past decade + I ha dfigured 25 would be my limit.(It was a very err…painful, exhausting da to day life. yeaah….shutting up.)

      I was Pro-Choice all the way. Go MARRIAGE EQUALITY! It’s just love its not wrong!!! etc.

      And yet when I had returned and started the 2nd decadeof therapy (lol, the pay….I am so happy for it. I still go and get to vent everything out and feel fine after :P) I needed the Church again. Slowly I made my way back. By 2012 I was fully back and then just SHOCKED that the Father (Cardinal officially) that had celebrated Mass with us in my parish in Buenos Aires, who went to Lujan as all of us in the youth groups would sing and play on the guitar on that pilgrimage…that man became pope (this is still something that just goes…what…nah, you’re imagining..no wait what?) Yeah, but that year I FINALLY gave up that obsession with CONTROL. It got through my rather thick skull that Only ONE being could EVER be in control. Only ONE Being could be Perfect. And as the pieces entered the rational side of my brain I believed (I’m on the aspergers end of ASD, I like my brain as it is though it can be a bit tiring and annoying but it’s who I am.)

      I did now face having to really look at the social opinions I had and then re-examine myself and read up the writings of the church on the matters. And I have less of an issue being pro life than anything else e(saw my sister have one and the utter pain she went through and how scared it has left her emotionally. I couldn’t say it was as great and liberating for her as it seemed.And well, I can’t very well accept what I love so much about the Church and because I’m uncomfy thanks to the society I was born into, I will decide to just chuck out those? Nah. Can’t. Not truly all there if I do that and I may as well be totally gone if I’m not 100% in.

      And I’m so sorry I spouted off again. I probably sould sleep before I bore more people …or something >.< God bless you and I'm glad we're back where we set off from though with hearts that are happier and eyes seeing things of wonder now 🙂

  4. Wonderful series, loved the amount of respect in the comments and the information, thoughts, views and so on that were exchanged. I ALSO thing it was good you didn’t rush into anything (I did a year of dicernment as I felt a alling into religious life but though I was a good cadidate I was too ill and health is essential. not much of the more expensive health insurance if I’m a nun. But I know tha I would have followed up wit 2 retreats before even being a a postulate.
    Rushing in…often because we feel this emotion, a more human/not really superfial bu t not as deep type of emotion over say, converting or being a nun. That all fades. Doubts set in. You have hard things to face (Inever officially left but I did sort of come back Home tail between mylegs, and the words ‘Forgive me Father for have sinned’ had neverbeen truer…but I guess after 7-9 years of not atttending sins kinda pile up a tad.)

    I will be praying. If you don’t mind I’m goin g over with family from Argentina to Chruch (the younges pries tis a fam. friend from Colombia….And he runs part of RCIA and prayer groups etc. .) I sayask him if he can pray…just for you to find where God truly is leading you. If you end up not joining and instead, say, this all makes you somehow feel stronger about the Protestant faith then I am confident God knows WHY and what you have to offer the world from whatever position it ends up being you take/accept.

    Those of us who question and have read and gotten into this (though I know, I’m a cradle Catholic I had rather horrid lapses and I also read up all I could on x, y, z, g, f, t different belief systems but ended up just returning home with my jouy and my beliefs strengthened all the more.)

    If you do join, I’d guess you’d be entering the Church in 2016? And in that case I look forward even more to Holy Week (though I spend half of it crying….)

    Sorry for my silly messages. Thanks for putting up with them. I look forward to returning here (even for things not part of this series. You have some LOVELY things here!!)

  5. Amen n Amen… My prayers are with you that THE TRUTH will set you free….
    In the beginning was the Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God. He was with God has n the beginning. John 1:1
    To add to the thought about denominations . under Lordship of CHRIST THE WORD OF GOD… Roman catholiscm is a religion that is under lordship of man over The Word… n from it’s beginning rc was born of human ambition of emperor Constantine to unite his conquered lands …it did not begin with the Mission of Christ which is for the salvation of souls ….
    I was a cradle rc …. now a Christian set free by the Truth of The Word who is Christ Himself … He is also the only Mediator between God and man … God created man in His own image – male n female – thus d motherly feeling towards a female Mary can be found in God alone … no nd for another mediator who understands woman better to mediate between Christ n man

    1. Hi, Linda. I completely understand where you are coming from, yet I do believe there is some error to your thinking. I strongly, strongly encourage you to see my post: Who Has the Ultimate Authority for more information on why the Catholic church has man-made traditions. (It’s a good read, I promise!)

    2. Roman Catholicism began with and through Christ, NOT “born of human ambition of emperor Constantine to unite his conquered lands”. The Catholic Church is the Church spoken about in the NT. Jesus did say His Church wouldn’t have the gates of Hell prevail over it, that’s one way of knowing that no matter who the Reformer was he is and was wrong in saying the Catholic Church was totally corrupt, and should be abolished, and have other religions in it’s place, run by anyone with an opinion of what little is written in the NT about the Church, throwing out the reverence that is due the Lord. The 7 Holy Sacraments, the Most Holy Mass, are works spoken of by the Catholics, They are Biblical. Which confuses me as to how you don’t see it or believe it when it’s pointed out to you. They are the works of Salvation, that were always in existence, given to us to have an easier Way to follow the Ways of the Lord. There isn’t a Catholic, who knows the faith, out there that believes they earn Heaven by those works, or anything else, you gain Salvation through Christ, through His works. Your relationship with God only deepens through those works, and God’s varied grace is poured out through those works. His works of the Cross, His Passion, Death and Resurrection, and the works to be done through His Apostles and their successors, are the works of the Faith. Faith without works is dead.

  6. Hi Brittany

    What a wonderful and blessed blog! Very thought provoking too.

    I’m Catholic, although I strayed when I was married. I came back because it’s home, even though it’s hard and has its inconveniences.

    As a divorcee who was in a relationship, I was excluded from the Sacraments and it was very painful. After being able to canonically marry my sweetheart of 17 years, going back to Confession and Communion has been profoundly and deeply moving.

    Last year the faithful were asked what they believed would be the right way to handle sticky family situations, and the Bishops went to Rome to discuss it. They will go back next year to see if they can make a decision. Some of them feel that the world has changed, people are living longer and we should show more pastoral sensitivity. Others feel that we don’t have the authority to change the teaching of Christ.

    I’m with those who feel we can’t change the teaching of Christ, even though the issue caused me much personal pain. That’s what I mean about it being inconvenient. The church doesn’t change with the times, but hopefully acts with love and mercy while still keeping the rules.

    I couldn’t ever be anything other than Catholic, but if I were to go through RCIA and swear in public that I believed and would hold to all the teachings of the Church, I don’t know if I could. I think that’s where you are?

    I wish you well on your journey, and I look forward to your new posts.

    1. I’m curious how you were able to receive the sacraments again if you were divorced? (I don’t know anything about how that process works, but I’m sure it must have been very difficult!)

      And yes, that’s exactly where I am now. I don’t necessarily disagree with anything in particular (though I do think some things are odd and unnecessary and there are some things I still just don’t know). But the idea of having to publicly declare that I believe it all to be 100% true. I can’t make that commitment at this point.

  7. I was divorced in South Africa in 1988 and moved to England in 1997. I met Sean in 1998.

    My marriage was annulled by the Church because of provable problems at the time of the wedding. Sean was free to marry. But after the South African government changed, so did their court system. Documents and records have been moved around so much it hasn’t been possible to get a copy of my divorce papers.

    The Church has to obey the law of the land so they could not grant us a sacramental marriage because a legal marriage isn’t possible without divorce papers. I could have gone to Communion if I had given up Sean, but as it’s been the best and most healing relationship of my life, I wouldn’t.

    But we’ve sneakily found a way around the problem and we are both delighted to be restored to full Communion. We had attended Mass regularly and yearned for it so it feels like a long drink of cold water after a weary journey in a desert.

  8. My husband and I converted to Catholicism, we were both raised baptist but then like you, experienced discrepancy. God has really changed us and we have grown so much in our faith. We absolutely love being catholic!!! I love that we can trace back the leaders of the church back to Peter who was given the “keys” by Jesus Himself. Every doubt I had was cleared up over the past few years, and I expect more as time goes on bc there is no way I’ll ever be able to go through thousands of years of church history in my short lifetime 😉 step out in faith you won’t regret it!

    1. That’s great that you’ve been able to find the answers that you were searching for, and that you actually searched out the answers yourself instead of just taking someone’s word for it!

  9. To answer your question, Catholics believe that the Sacrament of Marriage is conferred on one spouse by the other and that the priest and other people are merely witnesses.

    We’ve been together for nearly 17 years and the family accepts us as deeply committed, so we gathered them and exchanged vows and rings with them witnessing. The grandchildren signed the certificate I made. It was largely for their sake we did it, plus the fact that Sean is 76 and has cancer. We don’t have all the time in the world, we tried and tried to get my divorce papersand failed, so we decided to take advice from the Nike advert – “Just do it!”

    We told our Parish Priest about it and he congratulated us. We hadn’t wanted to ask him because it would have put him in a difficult position. I think he’s happy about it too, although he can’t officially say so.

  10. I have to ask, if you accept that the Eucharist is real and true, how are you not hungry for it? And to answer your question, in regards to how do we know that the Catholic Church is the Church that has that authority, the answer is simply FAITH! I believe all things you have researched and discussed are pointing you to Catholicism. So, you have to ask yourself if the things that are holding you back are things of the Lord, or things of the world.

    1. Okay, I see now after reading closer that you want a chance to read the additional books/ catechism before going through with it. I think that is responsible. But, as you said with infant baptism, why wait? many Christians never get a chance to read the entire bible, but they still accept it as truth without having to read it for themselves. To me this would be similar. If the Eucharist is the true presence of Christ and you believe that, then in my mind, why not have complete faith in the only Church where the true physical presence of Christ is found. As a side note, I think it is interesting that your parish allows your husband to be your sponsor. My husband recently completed RCIA and I was not allowed to sponser him (not that I wanted to). My BIL ended up sponsoring him, which I think was better. Maybe next time around, a nun or elder woman of your parish could sponsor you!

      1. That is interesting that they would have different rules. Personally, I told my husband I would only go if he could come too (before I even knew there was such a thing as “sponsors”). Our church has always intimidated me. I liked having him right there next to me, making goofy jokes. Also–why do you say “next time around?”

    2. Because the Eucharist is important but it isn’t the ONLY thing. To give a really weird example: What if I said “Come to this hypothetical church with me! We take the Eucharist and then we dance naked and sacrifice goats!” You’d be like… “uh… Thanks but no thanks?” Obviously the Catholic Church isn’t THAT out there… just saying that just because Jesus originally meant that the Eucharist was real and the Catholic Church still thinks so–there’s more to the story 🙂

      1. But it wouldn’t be a true Eucharist because a priest isn’t consecrating the bread. You can’t have just anyone change bread into the body. If the Eucharist is sacred, you would have to be properly educated, trained, mentally sound, and not in a state of sin, to consecrate. If anyone could do it, then his body would likely be everywhere, not sacred, and probably chaotic.

      2. True, BUT from a non-Catholic perspective, how do we know that the Eucharist in the Catholic church is real either? Just because Jesus intended it to be doesn’t mean that the Catholic church didn’t mess something up and “disqualify” themselves along the way…. (Not saying they did. Just saying that you can’t start with Catholic assumptions…)

      4. Which is exactly why I wrote this series–to get people to take a minute to re-examine all the things they’ve believed for years and years to make sure that their beliefs are actually founded in truth, not just because their parents or religious ed teachers said so (and may have been mistaken). 🙂

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