The Apostles Creed

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

I have a question for my reformed bretheren.

How many of you have a problem reciting the Apostle's Creed and using the word "catholic" in the context of this Creed?

My wife was raised Catholic but is now reformed with me and she has a major problem pronouncing the word due to the connotations it brings to her mind. Does anyone else have such a problem?

[Wrigley]

I don't personally. But I can understand why your wife may have a problem with it. Does your wife understand that the word means the universal church, not the RC in specific?

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

I don't personally. But I can understand why your wife may have a problem with it. Does your wife understand that the word means the universal church, not the RC in specific?

She knows that the word means universal and is not referring to the RC. However, she still has a problem with the word. That is what I personally don't understand. It is a perfectly good word when used in the right context, but it still bothers her. :confused:

[II Paradox II]

My wife was raised Catholic but is now reformed with me and she has a major problem pronouncing the word due to the connotations it brings to her mind. Does anyone else have such a problem?
Doesn't bother me...

ken

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions on what I can do about this? We were talking about it and I think its silly that she can have a whole worship service ruined over a little word that is of no consequence.

I've tried everything I can think of. She's even spoken to the pastor about this and got the same answer I and everyone here has given. Should I just drop it and let her have her way and gripe?

[II Paradox II]

I've tried everything I can think of. She's even spoken to the pastor about this and got the same answer I and everyone here has given. Should I just drop it and let her have her way and gripe?
hmm... a few thoughts that I hope won't offend the women here:

1) She may just need to complain about it because it's an emotional issue. My wife does this all the time. She'll be irrationally fixated on a subject until I just sit down and listen to her complain about it. Then she's fine. All I had to do was just sit there and take it for a while.

2) pray a lot!

ken

[FreeinChrist]

hmm... a few thoughts that I hope won't offend the women here:

1) She may just need to complain about it because it's an emotional issue. My wife does this all the time. She'll be irrationally fixated on a subject until I just sit down and listen to her complain about it. Then she's fine. All I had to do was just sit there and take it for a while.

2) pray a lot!

ken
hehe!
Took my husband awhile to figure that out! :D

[Gabriel]

Also, you may just suggest that she say universal at that point. It's not like the number of syllables is going to throw her off or something.

[LynneClomina]

would it be ok for her to say "universal" instead of "catholic"???

[Rechtgläubig]

would it be ok for her to say "universal" instead of "catholic"???Or what about "holy Christian church"?

:D

[Foundthelight]

I have attended many Presbyterian churches where the leader says "catholic, meaning universal, church"

[Knight]

We do not make a practice of reciting the creeds.....

However, my only problem with the Apostle's Creed is the part that talks about Christ descending into hell. I do not see this explicitly in Scripture. Implicitly perhaps but there is not clear-cut teaching on this in the Word.

I've always understood the term "catholic" here to mean uinversal. The same for the Nicean Creed.

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

hmm... a few thoughts that I hope won't offend the women here:

1) She may just need to complain about it because it's an emotional issue. My wife does this all the time. She'll be irrationally fixated on a subject until I just sit down and listen to her complain about it. Then she's fine. All I had to do was just sit there and take it for a while.

2) pray a lot!

ken

I hate to say it, but this may be the best piece of advice. I was just hoping that someone might have a better answer. So sometimes women gripe to men about things they don't like and they aren't expecting us to give them some miracle answer???

:confused:

[Knight]

I hate to say it, but this may be the best piece of advice. I was just hoping that someone might have a better answer. So sometimes women gripe to men about things they don't like and they aren't expecting us to give them some miracle answer???

:confused:
Exactly...... Welcome to Female Logic 101. (also known as a contradiction in terms... :) :P)

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

Exactly...... Welcome to Female Logic 101. (also known as a contradiction in terms... :) :P)

can I take the front seat in this class?

[II Paradox II]

I hate to say it, but this may be the best piece of advice. I was just hoping that someone might have a better answer. So sometimes women gripe to men about things they don't like and they aren't expecting us to give them some miracle answer???
My wife does it all the time. You just have to listen (be very attentive) and help her get her feelings out. Another plus to this is oftentimes they will be more apt to see your POV after they know that you've acknowledged theirs.

BTW - a little bit of positive reinforcement by way of flowers and so forth after you've talked is never a bad idea either. Things like that will tend to bring up the good feelings your wife had from the conversation every time she sees them (Don't give her nice things that last if she's still in a bad mood though, otherwise you risk reminder her of bad emotions every time she sees them... for that you get her something that only lasts a short time, like a dinner, lest you ressurect her bad feelings everytime she sees your accursed flowers ;))

ken

[Gabriel]

I hate to say it, but this may be the best piece of advice. I was just hoping that someone might have a better answer. So sometimes women gripe to men about things they don't like and they aren't expecting us to give them some miracle answer???

:confused:
Most certainly. As men, we often feel the need to fix the problem. As women, they often want us to relate to them and validate their feelings. Fixing the problem is not always what they are looking for. "I understand it makes you feel uncomfortable and I'm sorry" may be just what she is looking for. When we try to solve it for them, they sometimes feel that we feel their emotions are not valid or are in need of fixing.

[Foundthelight]

My has told me; "stop trying to fix it and listen!"

[billwald]

The Methodist Church substitutes "universal" for "catholic" in the creed. Maybe your wife could do this.

[Acceptance]

I hope my humble 2 cents are not unwanted here because I'm Catholic, but I can definately relate to what your wife is going through. It's hard when you've had such a negative experience with a religious group to have to call them to mind (even if you are saying "catholic" vs "Catholic"). I agree with the others that letting her vent to you could be a really good thing. Maybe by talking about it she will be able to let go of some of the hate she's holding in her heart. I don't know that changing the words to the apostles creed is really the way to go, (1) because it's part of the faith and (2) because even if she doesn't say it, she'll still have to hear the rest of the church proclaiming it. Maybe if you two share some personal prayer time together Jesus will take the pain that is burdaning your wife.

You both are certainally in my prayers.

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

I hope my humble 2 cents are not unwanted here because I'm Catholic, but I can definately relate to what your wife is going through. It's hard when you've had such a negative experience with a religious group to have to call them to mind (even if you are saying "catholic" vs "Catholic"). I agree with the others that letting her vent to you could be a really good thing. Maybe by talking about it she will be able to let go of some of the hate she's holding in her heart. I don't know that changing the words to the apostles creed is really the way to go, (1) because it's part of the faith and (2) because even if she doesn't say it, she'll still have to hear the rest of the church proclaiming it. Maybe if you two share some personal prayer time together Jesus will take the pain that is burdaning your wife.

You both are certainally in my prayers.


Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I speek only for myself, but just because as Reformed Christians we are emphatically against the Papacy and everthing it stands for, we do love Catholics who love the lord. Your advice is more than welcome! :)

[Acceptance]

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I speek only for myself, but just because as Reformed Christians we are emphatically against the Papacy and everthing it stands for, we do love Catholics who love the lord. Your advice is more than welcome! :)
Thanks Wilfred :hug: I questioned my replying just because this particular thread seemed like sort of a "private" conversation and I didn't want to make waves of any sort in a thread that was obviously written out of genuine concern and seeking genuine advice. And btw...we love you Lord lovers too :)