Hello, I googled the subject of Baptist converting to Catholicism, and found this site. I wwould appreciate any good links and infomation, and perhaps some personal expreiences... Thanks... Rebecca

-- Rebecca Sloan (rebanne76@aol.com), June 04, 2004

Answers

emily, you take this one, youre our most recent and most active convert... i'll say my piece when you have.

-- paul h (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), June 04, 2004.

Sorry for all the typos in my original message. I need to clarify a few things. I've been thinking of converting the past couple of years, partly because I've become disillusioned by the Baptist religion I grew up in. Also, the man that I love is a staunch Catholic, and even though he has not said anything about wanting to marry a Catholic woman, I feel that in order to be as close as possible emotionally, spiritually, and intimately to him to is convert to Catholicism. Basically, I love this man with all my heart, and want to do this for myself as well as him. I also wish to build a better relationship with God, and I find that a lot of the Catholic beliefs are similar to mine. Has anyone here converted for their loved one? Like my initial message, any stories would be appreciated. Thanks again. Rebecca

-- Rebecca (rebanne76@aol.com), June 04, 2004.

Rebecca: There is a good book called Crossing the Tiber, written by a Baptist convert you might want to read. Not sure, but I think the author is Steve Ray. You can probably google it. I. Pahlsson

-- I. Pahlsson (petpahl@aol.com), June 05, 2004.

Welcome Rebecca!

I am delighted to hear about the fact that you are considering conversion to the Catholic faith. I plan to convert to Catholic also, and I am still officially a Protestant. Catholicism is a beautiful faith with a rich history. If you are concerned as I was about the Biblical basis for Catholic teaching, you may wish to read Dave Armstrong's A Biblical Defense of Catholicism. Also, my mom wrote the story about her conversion from Protestant to Catholic, and all throughout the story she showed how the Scriptures and logic led her to this conclusion. If you send me an email, I will be glad to send you this story as an attachment.

You asked if anyone here has converted for their loved one. I do not know of anyone in this forum who did so. However, I believe that someone should convert, not for the sake of anyone else, but because you have found the Catholic faith to be true. I sincerely believe that the Catholic Church is the original Christian Church established by Jesus, so I would not settle for anything less (such as a man-made denomination).

As for interfaith marriages, I personally believe that spouses should share the same convictions and be clear about their expectations before the marriage. However, you can't plan for everything and things may change. While it is true that a marriage could work between a Baptist and a Catholic, I think it could potentially be difficult.

If you have any questions about Catholic doctrines or the Catholic faith, please feel free to create a new thread to address them. You can find a lot of good information here: Catholic Answers. Also, you might find helpful the links that I posted on this thread: Baptist/Catholic marriage question.

God bless you,

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), June 05, 2004.

Dear Rebecca,

I wanted to add that I will be praying for you that God would lead you to His Truth, wherever that may be. I have found that it has been very beneficial and effective in my spiritual journey to continually pray that God would lead me to His Truth. God is faithful and continues to do that over and over again, confirming Catholic teaching to me. If you pray for God to show you His Truth and follow wherever that leads you, that cannot steer you wrong!

I am going to give you a link that I think you will find extremely helpful for some of the questions that you may have, since the woman who asked them is in a similar situation that you are (She is a Baptist who is dating a Catholic). Fundamental Questions about Catholicism. I highly recommend that you read what I wrote there, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

God bless and I will be praying for you,

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), June 05, 2004.

Hello Rebecca,

The Holy Spirit can reach you in many different ways. He appears to be reaching out to you through this man in your life.

There is an excellent resource for you in a book that just came out by Deal Hudson, about his conversion experience from being a Baptist to finding Catholicism. Mr. Hudson is now regarded as one of the foremost Catholic thought leaders in this country. He is the publisher of Crisis Magazine. The title of his book is "An American Conversion."

God bless you on your journey. Follow the path that is laid out before you and the love you feel for this man can lead to true Love.

-- Pat Delaney (pat@patdelaney.net), June 06, 2004.

Dear Rebecca:

You have recieved many suggestions on books about the Catholic Faith and on this topic I have nothing to add. I only want to tell you that you will be most welcome into our Church.

My family and I are already praying for you.

Welcome Home, Rebecca.

Dios guíe tus pasos por el camino maravilloso que te llevará a la verdadera Fe.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), June 06, 2004.

Hi Rebecca,

I was in Protestantism for some 20 years, from charismatic to mainline. About 3 years ago or so, the Lord really began to move me in the direction of the Catholic faith. Through MANY "coincidental" circumstances He showed me the truth, beauty and majesty of the Catholic Church. I became thoroughly and utterally enchanted with her. Couldn't get enough. I had been hungering for the Church Christ gave His people and didn't even know it . . . until I got a taste! Then my appetite was whet and my thirst was parched.

You see, Christ never meant for His people to be "tossed about by every wind of doctrine," nor to be cast about from boat to boat in the raging sea of this world. He gave His people the "unsinkable," He gave His bride the Church. She is unsinkable because He is the wind beneath her rudders. She is incorruptible because He cleanses her, chastizes her, and then pours His life-giving sustenance through her by way of the sacraments.

I would also add that this journey was rather frightening. I had been mislead for years about what the Church was and what she taught, so it was much like having the "proverbial rug" ripped out from underneath the soles of spiritual feet. I found that much of what I believed as a Protestant were beliefs NEVER HELD BY CHRISTIANS BEFORE THE REFORMATION, and sometimes not even as early as the 1800 and 1900's! WHAT A SHOCKER!

By all means, get your hands on some conversion stories. "Surprised by the Truth" is awesome. "Rome Sweet Rome" is a fast and eye- opening read.

God Bless,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), June 06, 2004.

Thanks, folks, for all the wonderful information and helpful guidance. I am going to meet some co workers who are Catholic outside of work to talk more about it. I am just so thristy for information, and for some one to lead me on the path to my true self. Keep the information coming, please.

-- Rebecca (rebanne76@aol.com), June 06, 2004.

Rebecca,

okay, i wanted to let Emily have first go since she's a much more recent convert than i. i converted when i was very young after attending the non-denominational church "calvary chapel" with my mom, while attending catholic mass with my dad. Even at a young age i could see the power and knowledge of the fullness truth in the catholic church, something which was missing from the non- denominational, no matter how hard they studied and preached directly from the bible. they simply missed some key facts that were so integral to understanding the nature of God's relationship to man.

Some important things to note about the catholic church:

it's doctrine isnt based on the people, but on the word of God, we don't try to fit our faith to peoples expectations, but rather to fit our people to God's expectations.

Catholic doctrine is OLD. all the traditions you see date back at least 500 years, and most extend even as far back as the first century AD. Nothing of catholic doctrine has been rescinded, all official teachings of the catholic church are still in effect to this very day.

The catholic church is truly universal. in every nation in this world you can find a mass somewhere. there are just under 1.2 billion catholics in this world. that is roughly 1/5th of the worlds population who all share in the truth of the church.

Aside from the other recommended books so far, i would recommend reading the works of Tim Staples. Mr. Staples is an apologist (someone who defends and clarifies matters of the faith) but he was also formerly a baptist minister. When he converted he even brought most of his congregation with him. what he shows is that there is a strong place for biblical knowledge, and that the baptist perspective on the importance of scriptures is not even remotely lost on the catholic church. You would benefit much from reading his material.

-- paul h (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), June 07, 2004.