{"id":1931,"date":"2023-02-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vaticanfiles.org\/?p=1931"},"modified":"2023-01-23T11:50:50","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T10:50:50","slug":"210","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vaticanfiles.org\/ro\/2023\/02\/210\/","title":{"rendered":"210. Four Tips for Communicating the Gospel to Roman Catholics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For most Evangelicals around the world, the issue of Roman Catholicism arises if and when they are dealing with friends, neighbors, family members, or colleagues who are Roman Catholic and with whom they want to share the gospel. Their interest in Roman Catholicism has primarily an evangelistic thrust rather than a theological one. They want to know \u201chow to\u201d share the gospel in a meaningful way, rather than asking questions about the nature of the Roman Catholic system and how it differs from the evangelical faith. This is understandable given the fact that some look for ready-to-use \u201cpractical\u201d help rather than seeking to approach Roman Catholicism as an integrated whole to be carefully studied. Of course, even when one\u2019s own initial concern is to witness to Roman Catholics, some theological homework always needs to be done when communicating the gospel.
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Here are four tips which could be of some help in engaging Roman Catholics with the gospel. They are neither a four-step process nor a recipe for success. They are rather lessons that I have learned over the years in sharing the gospel with Roman Catholics.
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Practical Tip #1: Don\u2019t assume or rely on common language<\/strong>
Roman Catholics share much of our vocabulary, but they understand it differently. For example, if you think of words such as salvation, cross, sin, and grace, they are all the same terms that the Bible uses, but Roman Catholics understand them very differently. Salvation is thought of as an open-ended process where our works and the merits we gain are necessary for it to be received. The cross is understood more as the eucharist celebrated by the priest than the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. Sin is seen more as a sickness than spiritual death. We could go on and on. The point is that the same words have different meanings.
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Instead of relying on an alleged common ground (that is more rhetorical than real), let the Bible define your language and lead your conversation: engage your Roman Catholic friends in Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible conversations as much as possible. Don\u2019t approach them with an \u201cus\u201d versus \u201cthem\u201d attitude but invite them to be exposed to Scripture and pray that the Holy Spirit will open their hearts.
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There may be \u201cfears\u201d of the Bible (remember that the Bible was a forbidden book for Catholics up to 60 years ago) and \u201cskepticism\u201d around it (absorbed via modern critical readings), but the Word of God is powerful to break through in people\u2019s hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Practical Tip #2: Be prepared to wrestle with the exclusive nature of the Gospel<\/strong>
As you read or share Scripture together with your Catholic friends, all kinds of interesting conversations will come up. Usually, they will revolve around the sharp edges of the gospel. 
 
For example, Roman Catholics may have a high respect for the Bible, but for them, it\u2019s not the ultimate authority. When confronted with something the Bible says that contradicts what their church teaches, they will rather question the authority of Scripture than the authority of the Roman Church. Moreover, Roman Catholics do commend believing in Jesus, but faith in Christ is not sufficient to be saved: something more needs to be done by men and women. Additionally, Roman Catholics often show a kind of love for Christ, but they also rely on other sub-mediators (e.g. Mary, the saints) who detract attention from Him. In other words, what is at stake with them is the rejection of the Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, and Christ Alone principles of the biblical faith.
 
Practical Tip #3: Be ready to show the personal elements of the Christian life<\/strong>
In reading the Bible together, make sure to share how the Bible impacts your life. In other words, combine biblical reading with your personal testimony. This step will be very helpful because it will encourage your friends to move:<\/p>\n\n\n\n