+JMJ+
I am asking in the name of charity that this discussion be limited to comments from CONVERTS to the Faith from Protestantism. Those who comment here that are MARRIED to converts (who themselves do not post here) are welcome to share their perspectives as well.
The reason I am asking is because I am involved in a lengthy discussion with a person who was raised in the Novus Ordo and has only experienced two kinds of "Christianity" (you know what I mean); the liberal Novus Ordo, where this person was from birth till their early 20s, and "evangelical christiamity", of several denominational varieties.
This person has become increasingly frustrated with the Protestant/evangelical sects and their seemingly endless variations and opinions on theological topics.
So, the question under consideration is this:
PART THE FIRST: When you were a Protestant/evangelical, were you a part of a so-called "Protestant" denomination (Lutheran, Presb, Reformed)? If so, what were you taught about WHEN the Church had gone so far off track that the Protestant schism was inevitable?
PART THE SECOND (this is a more theoretical question): If Luther and his adherents were essentially CORRECT (for the sake of discussion ONLY), why are most, if not all, Protestants today not Lutherans?
In other words, why was the first schism (by Luther) followed by several more, then dozens more, and eventually THOUSANDS more?
Also, why didn't any of the sects which "broke from the breakers who broke from the breakers" (if you follow me) ever get MORE LIKE the Catholic Church, not LESS like Her, as they all did?
Finally, how do Protestants/evangelicals (in your personal or rhetorical opinion) justify the following:
Church buildings (the Apostles and the 'early church' never had any)
Sunday worship (not unambiguously taught in Scripture, not definitively taught until well after Apostolic times)
and
celebrations like Easter and Christmas (which are ALWAYS celebrated by Protestants/evangelicals on the SAME DAYS that Holy Church put them in the calendar)
I know these are a lot of things to consider, but the conversion of souls is very important to me, and this person in particular is interested, humble, asking good questions AND encouraging me by saying that "they are not as far from agreeing with me" as some discussions might make it seem.
Pray for us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, triumph soon!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.