/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>>539271

Welcome back, brother!

sertillanges has the words of perfection. a man with a true scholar's heart.

however, normal people do not do things perfectly. they do badly at first and get better through process of iterated approximations.

english Summa is good enough to start although unless you are a NEET with no home internet or life (i.e. unless you possess true focus) I do recommend an introductory text in a more approachable style by someone from the modern era.

just get the general lay of the land first, then go over and over it to fill out your knowledge in gradually increasing detail. Maybe learn a couple of arguments in really solid and fine detail early on, so that they will be achievements to "hang your hat on" so to speak.

you don't need to "come out" really, that implies some kind of drama… just be a christian around them and to them. you don't need to play along with their settled ways if you don't want to. just say what you think when it comes up… let your yes be yes and your no be no

b-bro listen, I do not want to disrespect but Summa Theologiae should be the last of your thoughts now

pray, meditate and pray.. if you want to read something take a Bible with a good commentary and, if you plan to become catholic, I may suggest Saint Pius X catechism

anyway start with easy things, maybe some lives of saints? it's like you still need to take driver license and you ask me how to drift with a Ferrari, ok?

I tell you this because I had the exact approach, I was attracted by philosophy, theology, I've read and read, but you start to become christian, to live as a christian when your heart change

people here in the countryside where illiterate till 70 years ago, but had more faith that I'll ever have

>how do come out?

nonchalantly, let your example, your conduct of life, and the natural joy will acquire living christian faith, speak for yourself

be a lamb not a wolf

>>539293

I agree. Read a bible, pray, meditate on what you've read. Also, do join a church (something to pray about) - Christianity is a community, a family. The guys who try to get along with just "me and Jesus" usually end up shipwrecked.

>>539271

Show them this and while it's playing, announce your glorious conversion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlBS_OS7bUQ

>>539298

>Christianity is a community, a family.

this man speaks the truth, in the beginning solitude may seem romantic, you and God alone vs the rest of the world, but being hermit is not for everyone

do you know why for example catholic prayers have always the plural? "pray for US" etc. etc. because even when you pray in your bedroom at evening, alone, you are praying with the church and in the name of the church

>>539300

>not improvising flagellant processions in the living room at 1 am

OP here. Just wanted to thank you all for your responses. I cannot respond individually now, as I must leave for work soon, but bless you all.

There is this little lovely book called "Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages" which can help you get into Thomism.

As for coming out do it quick and clean - call your family members and just say "Since x days/weeks/months I am part of One Holy Apostolic Catholic Church and there is nothing you can do about it. You will ethier accept it or I will go full Matthew 19:29/Luke 14:26 on you"

>>539271

There is also a book called Summa of the Summa that is pretty decent for getting into Thomism. You definitely don't have to learn latin first and read it in the original latin in order to start learning about it. St. Augustine's confessions is another great work, as well as City of God (very long, but excellent parts too). St. Augustine was the intellectual authority basically during St. Thomas Aquinas' time, and often times even in the Summa he appeals to him.

As for people saying for you to pray and meditate, those are of course good, but I'd also like to say to them and you, different people come to God in different ways. Some people are more attune to the academic, intellectual route, other people are more suited for a mystical, contemplative route, others are driven more by an active, physical charity route, etc. Listen to how the Holy Spirit guides you.

>>539271

>Second, how do come out?

Depends on how good your philosophical knowledge and the ability to argue for Christianity is - if low, then unless they ask don't come to them with this specifically, it could lead to scandal. They will nevertheless probably notice though.

>>539272

Thank you!

>>539286

>sertillanges has the words of perfection. a man with a true scholar's heart.

Oh yes. His book was simply brilliant, and inspiring.

>>539293

Thanks for the warning. I've been an autodidact the last two years or so, so I guess I could pull it off. But I don't expect it to be within a year. Might start the Summa Theologica in a year or two and I'll certainly be busy with it for at least two more years, probably longer.

>>539298

I do want to join one, but not sure how to do it, or how to even know that I'm ready. So far, I'm in contact with the girl that converted me.

>>539300

Not sure anon, that might kinda rustle them.

>>539305

Interesting, thanks for the info!

>>539309

Well. Kek. That cracked me up!

>>539343

Feser is exactly who I had in mind, actually. Him, and Aristotle as a primary source.

>>539362

>There is this little lovely book called "Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages" which can help you get into Thomism.

Thank you! I`m looking it up now.

>As for coming out do it quick and clean - call your family members and just say "Since x days/weeks/months I am part of One Holy Apostolic Catholic Church and there is nothing you can do about it. You will ethier accept it or I will go full Matthew 19:29/Luke 14:26 on you"

That sounds like solid advice to me. I was also afraid that they might think I was doing it behind their back, but well, I did read McInerny's Ethica Thomistica.

>>539392

That is really great advice. For me, philosophy plays a very large part, but not the only one. And it's a kind of lived philosophy. I like Thomism because it's practical, not like the analytical trash that passes for "philosophy" nowadays.

>>539393

Not to brag, but I think I'm quite good at arguing my cases. I'm the only one in my family who tries to go deep into philosophy and the social sciences. It's more of a problem trying to make it accessible.