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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
fallen-away Catholic	Robert	Friday, August 14, 2009
Question: I recently befriended a young lady on a Catholic networking site. While chatting with her, she informed me that she is no longer Catholic but is now a "born again". She told me that purgatory "is not in the Bible" (so she's apparently "sola scriptura" now) and that she doesn't believe in the Trinity but instead in "oneness", whatever that is. She is obviously very confused and troubled. For whatever reason, she has allowed herself to be deceived. I have a certificate in theology from a Catholic university and I've also been accepted to a graduate program in religious studies at our local seminary, so I'm rather knowledgeable about the faith. However, she doesn't seem like she would be very receptive to any of my arguments. She said she didn't have "peace" in her heart going to a Catholic church, but she doesn't seem like a peaceful person now. She is very troubled. To make her situation even more dangerous, she claims to be following the will of God, that He "led" her to where she is now. I don't know what her real issue with the Catholic Church is, but I am convinced that if one is looking for an excuse to deny the truth, one will find it, and she apparently has. I don't know how to handle this. It makes me so angry and frustrated that she has allowed herself to be deceived. I will pray and fast for her, but I do not wish to subject myself to her lies. This situation makes me sick. It is extremely difficult for me to deal with. Please help. God bless you, Robert
Question Answered by Mr. Joe Meineke Dear Robert, I'm sorry to hear that your friend has left the Church. We will certainly pray for her, that the scales of blindness and self-deception be lifted from her soul. You are correct - If one does not wish to find the truth, God will honor that decision. One of the most amazing things about God's love is that He gave us all a free will. One of the most heart-breaking things about God giving us that gift is that some will use it to reject Him. We cannot help someone who does not want to be helped, nor will all the arguments and logic in the world convince someone who does not wish to be convinced. It is very sad, and all we can do is pray and hope. God is in control, not us. Do your part and leave the rest to God. Our responsibility is to deliver the message in love; to sow the seed and to water it with our prayers. After that, it is in God's hands. I would recommend that you pay a visit to the Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog and pray the following prayers for your friend: Hedge Prayer for Return of Wayward Persons Hedge Prayer for Protection of Others Prayer for a Friend or Relative God bless you, Joe Meineke For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

fallen-away Catholic

Robert

Friday, August 14, 2009

Question:

I recently befriended a young lady on a Catholic networking site. While chatting with her, she informed me that she is no longer Catholic but is now a "born again". She told me that purgatory "is not in the Bible" (so she's apparently "sola scriptura" now) and that she doesn't believe in the Trinity but instead in "oneness", whatever that is. She is obviously very confused and troubled. For whatever reason, she has allowed herself to be deceived.

I have a certificate in theology from a Catholic university and I've also been accepted to a graduate program in religious studies at our local seminary, so I'm rather knowledgeable about the faith. However, she doesn't seem like she would be very receptive to any of my arguments.

She said she didn't have "peace" in her heart going to a Catholic church, but she doesn't seem like a peaceful person now. She is very troubled. To make her situation even more dangerous, she claims to be following the will of God, that He "led" her to where she is now.

I don't know what her real issue with the Catholic Church is, but I am convinced that if one is looking for an excuse to deny the truth, one will find it, and she apparently has.

I don't know how to handle this. It makes me so angry and frustrated that she has allowed herself to be deceived. I will pray and fast for her, but I do not wish to subject myself to her lies. This situation makes me sick. It is extremely difficult for me to deal with.

Please help.

God bless you,
Robert

Question Answered by Mr. Joe Meineke

Dear Robert,

I'm sorry to hear that your friend has left the Church. We will certainly pray for her, that the scales of blindness and self-deception be lifted from her soul.

You are correct - If one does not wish to find the truth, God will honor that decision. One of the most amazing things about God's love is that He gave us all a free will. One of the most heart-breaking things about God giving us that gift is that some will use it to reject Him.

We cannot help someone who does not want to be helped, nor will all the arguments and logic in the world convince someone who does not wish to be convinced. It is very sad, and all we can do is pray and hope.

God is in control, not us. Do your part and leave the rest to God. Our responsibility is to deliver the message in love; to sow the seed and to water it with our prayers. After that, it is in God's hands.

I would recommend that you pay a visit to the Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog and pray the following prayers for your friend:

Hedge Prayer for Return of Wayward Persons
Hedge Prayer for Protection of Others
Prayer for a Friend or Relative

God bless you,
Joe Meineke

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.