I'm Converting to Catholicism...Here's Why

Summary

In this heartfelt video, the speaker shares their journey from being a lifelong evangelical Christian to embracing Catholicism. They recount early faith experiences, deep theological studies, and personal struggles that shaped their spiritual path. Key moments include encounters interpreted as divine signs, leading to a sense of peace and certainty in Catholic teachings. The speaker explains their reasons for conversion, including the role of saints, veneration of Mary, the papacy, and the filioque. They also share plans to be confirmed and participate in the Eucharist, highlighting a transition from fear-driven faith to a grounded, informed, and spiritually fulfilling relationship with God.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been a Christian since age seven, beginning their faith journey in an orphanage and through early adoption experiences.
• 😀 They developed a strong passion for theology early, studying the Bible, writing sermons, and reading Christian authors like Francis Chan and R.C. Sproul.
• 😀 Initially, they were an evangelical Christian and viewed Catholicism and other denominations as false due to prior teachings.
• 😀 Personal trauma and spiritual experiences, including a transformative 24-hour period of prayer in the mountains, influenced their shift toward Catholicism.
• 😀 Encounters in public, such as at the mall and a gas station, were interpreted as signs from God affirming the truth of Catholicism.
• 😀 Studying early Church history with an unbiased perspective helped the speaker objectively compare Catholic doctrine to the Bible.
• 😀 Key theological reasons for converting to Catholicism include the papacy and the filioque, seen as aligning with biblical and historical evidence.
• 😀 Misconceptions about Catholic practices are addressed: praying to saints is a request for intercession, not necromancy, and honoring Mary is not worship.
• 😀 The speaker contrasts Catholicism with evangelical Christianity, criticizing the latter for being superficial and lacking a full understanding of following Jesus.
• 😀 They plan to be confirmed into the Catholic Church soon, hoping to bypass formal OCIA instruction due to their prior knowledge of Catholic doctrine.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to become Catholic after being an evangelical Christian?

The speaker was motivated by personal spiritual experiences, reflection on church history, theological study, and a desire for a deeper, more authentic Christian practice than what they experienced in American evangelicalism.

At what age did the speaker begin their Christian faith journey?

The speaker began their Christian faith journey at the age of seven while in an orphanage.

How did early traumatic experiences influence the speaker's faith?

Traumatic experiences led the speaker to realize the presence of the Holy Spirit in their life, offering guidance, comfort, and healing through prayer and spiritual reflection.

What role did theology play in the speaker's early religious development?

Theology played a significant role, as the speaker started studying the Bible, writing sermons, reading Christian books, and analyzing scripture from a young age, which shaped their understanding of faith and doctrine.

Why did the speaker initially reject Catholicism despite studying it?

The speaker initially rejected Catholicism because they believed it involved idol worship and were influenced by evangelical teachings that other denominations were false.

What specific events led the speaker to reconsider Catholicism?

Two main events influenced reconsideration: a peaceful spiritual experience after prayer and sleep, and encountering two strangers (one at a mall and one at a gas station) who recognized their pursuit of truth, which the speaker interpreted as signs from God.

How does the speaker explain the Catholic practice of praying to saints?

The speaker explains that praying to saints is a request for intercession, not worship or necromancy, emphasizing that saints are alive in Christ and that only God answers prayers.

Why does the speaker honor Mary in Catholicism?

The speaker honors Mary because of her role in giving birth to Jesus Christ and her obedience to God, not as a deity. Worship in Catholicism is determined by heart intention, not mere actions.

What theological reasons does the speaker give for choosing Catholicism over Orthodoxy?

The speaker cites the authority of the papacy, as given to Peter in Matthew 16, and the filioque doctrine, which states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, as key reasons for choosing Catholicism.

What are the speaker's plans after deciding to become Catholic?

The speaker plans to skip formal OCIA instruction due to prior knowledge of Catholic doctrine and aims to get confirmed as soon as possible to participate fully in the Eucharist.

How did the speaker's perception of American evangelical Christianity change?

The speaker concluded that American evangelical Christianity often lacks depth, reducing faith to saying the sinner's prayer, attending church sporadically, and minimal Bible engagement, which they felt was insufficient for truly following Jesus.

What role did social media play in the speaker’s religious journey?

Social media amplified the speaker's exposure to different religious perspectives and allowed interaction with followers, which contributed to discussions and reflections on Catholicism.