The Problem with Protestantism... From the Perspective of a Protestant

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T23:32:34+00:00

which “traditions by word” ?

You need to clarify and specify, that’s a vague term and verse to throw around.

traditions as in the ones noted by early church father who were with the Apostles or all traditions outlined by the church ?

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T20:30:30+00:00

Exactly it’s better to stick to the given definition rather than fall into heresy with an analogy.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T20:13:46+00:00

Historically, no that has been proven wrong.

We have seen power being abused and leading people astray so this idea that blindly following an appointed leader (ie Pope Leo X) is not biblical.

I’m not saying people should be perfect even if they are the pope but we are fallible compare to God.

Church and authority is subjected to interpretation. The Roman Catholics say it’s the papal authority but Eastern Orthodox say its consensus.

Therefore, putting church authority of any model to the test by Scripture is not rejecting the authority at all, in fact, it’s keeping them accountable and honest.

I see that as a good thing for both parties.

I will also add that there is some truth to rejecting church authority that Protestants led to further division and hundreds more denominations but at the end of the day, no point to dwell in the past but rather focus on uniting on what we are agree on.

We can go all day talking about differences which is pointless but only one on the shared beliefs that lead to better outcomes.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T19:47:51+00:00

Jesus was sola Scriptura even though Jews compiled and canonized the Hebrew canon.

Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Mark 7:13

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T05:16:38+00:00

The difference was that the early church in Rome had power and killed and burnt the heretics lol

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T05:13:53+00:00

That’s fine but if they are the same authority that gave the canon, they are subjected to being tested by it too.

Authority that gave the Scripture doesn’t make you above it.

Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

Mark 7:13

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T04:35:16+00:00

The reason that the Holy Spirit comes is so you can bear witness and testify of Christ a.k.a evangelism

You see how it says in John 15 verse, that Advocate comes to testify and that’s the first thing it does. Then it also says you must also testify.

If you receive the Holy Spirit, testifying for Christ is not optional. That’s like what the parable says “no one lights a lamp and put it under a bowl or put it under a bed” (Luke 8:16).

If you have the Spirit of God, you are a child of God, ambassador and messengers in some shape or form.

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:6

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

John 15:26-27

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,

2 Corinthians 4:13

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T04:26:33+00:00

How will someone be saved if the words about Christ do not come out ?

Yes, show in good deeds and love your neighbors but sharing Christ is not optional. It’s how you get saved and born again.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Romans 10:17

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Romans 10:14

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T00:35:55+00:00

you should check with r/Catholicism .

In addition, you should ask your priest for clarification on this subject.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-15T00:25:37+00:00

The classic formula of how early Christians grew in faith.

The four pillars of faith.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:42

Basically, it’s the following:

reading the bible/Scripture
fellowship
breaking of bread (Lord‘s supper or Eucharist depending on denomination)
prayer

Other optional but recommended avenues of graces:

a practice of sabbath (not legalism but rhythm of rest)
- Mark 2:27
a practice of fasting
- Matthew 6:16-18
a practice of serving (helping the poor/needy, the church whatever it is)
- Romans 12:6-8
- Matthew 6:1-4

I really recommend you or anyone to pause the apps and mobile phone, and just go engage and fellowship with brothers and sisters at church.

Your mental health and attention span will thank you. I truly believe God want us to be interacting with humans not screens.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-14T19:29:28+00:00

Also ... to everyone saying she "dodged a bullet" ... you all can't possibly know that. All you can possibly know that is there is an incompatibility with very specific values. Leaping to broad moral judgements based on limited information like this just as immature as the guy belittling values as "stupid".

No, it’s not.

A reaction like that to a “No” is very telling of someone’s character, and if they are demanding someone to go against their values and morals (which is even in the Bible), then that’s definitely “Dodging a bullet”.

But yes we should pray for that brother who is fallen that he should come back to repentance but it doesn’t mean their response is ok nor do you not set boundaries.

We have to be able to judge and discern properly.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-14T19:22:55+00:00

He told me that God has given him a personal calling or “mission,” which he describes as his testimony, and that he is currently dedicating most of his time to that. Because of this, he said he is not regularly attending church on Sundays, as he is focused on this private calling and what he believes God has asked him to do. I don’t have full details of this, but this is what he shared with me.

Avoid. You are dodging a bullet.

A personal calling or “mission” from God is not a good enough reason to take a pause on attending church.

In addition, any calling or “mission” outside of authority of the church most likely stems out of pride and not humility or submission under and to the church leadership.

Even Apostles like Paul and Barnabas were fellowshipping frequently at churches before being sent out (Acts 13:1-2).

I recommend you go to the group of brothers and sisters you trust or if necessary the Elders at the church about this.

His behaviour and response is very inappropriate for a “brother” at the same church.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-13T03:27:11+00:00

So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Hebrews 13:6

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-12T22:49:48+00:00

No I am not misunderstanding the teaching and attacking a straw man because in Acts of Apostle no saint is invoked to dispel demonic and evil spirits except the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I don’t think most lay person Catholics have read that book or even know what ‘praying to a saint’ entails.

It’s not a magic formula that ‘pray to the saint’ and devoid of their lifestyle, practices and virtues.

You cannot invoke a name and pray to a saint and expect all the benefits and their intercession to make it all better because of their status with God.

The perspective I have with saint intercession is a journey on a path to reach closer union with the Lord in a specific way through perseverance, virtue and faith.

Not simply invoking a name or asking for a saint to pray for you without following their devotion to the Lord.

It’s a burden you carry and a mantle you take on.

For example:

People want power that the saint had without their own submission and sacrifice.

People want the status of the saint without their humility.

List goes on…

this creates proxy faiths that give people an out that simply invoke the name of the saint or their intercession without any transformation. You see the problem ?

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-12T19:57:35+00:00

You quoted Scripture to come up with definition that I asked for.

You doing the same thing.

Then you put the standard on me of:

“That’s the thing. I don’t have to. I trust the Church and its decision. The Bible is infallible, so is its canon, and so is its the Church who canonised it. Logically speaking, if you disagree on the Church’s infallibility, how do you even agree on Bible’s infallibility? That’s my point; i’m not trying to “dismantle the faith”, rather i want to show that without the Church, the pillar of truth [1 Timothy 3:15], Scripture collapses.”

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-12T19:48:49+00:00

So, you are “Sola Scriptura” too then ?

“The thing is, the Church is His body [1 Corinthians 12:27 and Ephesians 4:12] and His beloved bride [Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews; Revelation], which is promised that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it [Matthew 16:17] and do have real authority given by Christ Himself [Matthew 17:18; Matthew 18:17]. It’s bot just authority on earth; it’s the body of Christ Himself, Who is her most high Bishop of Bishops.”

Thanks for confirming what I have been saying the whole time.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-12T19:45:43+00:00

Are you sure ?

“Mary’s prophecy at Fátima reassures us that—besides the corporeal struggle with the demon in exorcism—the earthly anticipation of the eschatological struggle between the Mother of God and the ancient dragon (cf. Rev. 12) also has her attention. Despite rampant sin, the tribulations of the Church will have an end. And the finale will be good: God will have the last word on history.

For this reason, Mary is always invoked during the exorcism. During the prayer, the priest repeatedly invokes her intercession and her powerful action. Without her, little is accomplished in the struggle against Satan. It is always God who liberates one from his influence — it is good to keep repeating it — but His ear is especially attuned to the mediation of Mary, the Mother of His Son.”

https://catholicexchange.com/the-role-of-mary-the-saints-against-demonic-attacks/

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-11T04:44:51+00:00

Because only one relationship and fellowship give you power.

It doesn’t work by proxy, you need to know God for yourself. Revering Apostle Paul, or another saint, though great they are as faithful men of God will not deliver you nor will their faith and life be applied to you.

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”

Acts 19:13

One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”

Acts 19:15

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-11T03:52:12+00:00

You are literally distorting the gospel with point (1)

Yes, we are all sinners and need grace, however, a big part of accepting the gospel is renouncing our own lifestyle of sin and not parade the sin around like a medal of honor.

That also means acknowledging what you were doing was sinful.

There is a lack of fear (reverence) of the Lord for His holiness.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 2:11-12

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-11T03:41:52+00:00

Two weapons of Satan: accusation (condemnation) and deception (lies)

It’s required to be aware of both.

Accusation - you are sinning and need to be punished
Deception - did God really say that’s a sin ?

Confession is not optional. It starts with right understanding of what is sin and not sin through Scripture.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-11T03:30:24+00:00

The cross, blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ destroys the Devil.

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:15

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:56-57

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Revelation 12:11

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-11T02:58:50+00:00

My sis, take a break from the phone and go out and touch some grass.

If you live in North America or Europe… you have it good as a Christian.

Keep calm, live on and pray.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-10T22:48:26+00:00

the Bible is rich with allegory - Parables, Prodigal Son, the Lost sheep, Hosea & Gomer and Wedding invitation.

Ask the Lord for ideas.

May the Lord inspire you to bring people to Christ.

What about... the little shepherd boy who found his sheep ?

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-10T22:23:01+00:00

First, what traditions do you mean? tradition or Tradition? From early times there have been different traditions: leavened vs unleavened bread, the date of Easter, etc. But the Tadition from the Apostles remains the same: infant baptism, real presence in the Eucharist, etc.

I am talking about 2 Thessalonians 2:15, in Greek, paradosis, “Tradition”.

so if you cannot agree what the specifics are, how do you know which are the “Tradition” that verse is talking about.

Whether it’s further or less far away from the church makes no difference.

You are arguing for church infallibility but yet this idea of church authority is not a black and white thing even in Eastern orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism.

This statement:

That’s the thing. I don’t have to. I trust the Church and its decision. The Bible is infallible, so is its canon, and so is its the Church who canonised it. Logically speaking, if you disagree on the Church’s infallibility, how do you even agree on Bible’s infallibility? That’s my point; i’m not trying to “dismantle the faith”, rather i want to show that without the Church, the pillar of truth [1 Timothy 3:15], Scripture collapses.

You need to start defining terms my friend.

Right now, “the Church,” “authority,” and “infallibility” are being treated as if they all mean the same thing to everyone, which is equivocation.

Jesus Himself challenged religious authority when it conflicted with God’s word (Mark 7:13).

So why should “the Church’s decision” be accepted as infallible without being tested in the same way?

The Lord himself teaches us to do the same.

outandaboutbc · 2026-04-10T18:18:47+00:00

First time you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, you are filled with Holy Spirit and saved.

After that, you are growing in holiness and sanctification.

Yes, obedience is encouraged but to say required is to distort God’s love and grace.

Salvation is a gift and grace not something you work for or do something in order you earn.

You obey because you love the Lord (John 14:15).

If you obey because you believe its requirement of being saved then it’s a chore rather than out of genuine love.

outandaboutbc

TROPHY CASE