What have I done? Why did I spend 2 weeks staying up late hours at night, working my way through the New Testament? Why did I read the Early Church Fathers to learn more about the faith that has been handed down to us from Christ to the Apostles to the Church Fathers? Why did I invite the Holy Spirit to direct me and lead my path in choosing to become Catholic? Why did I spend almost a year learning more and more about the Catholic Faith, the same faith that I once believed worshiped Mary and idols?
I was doing perfectly fine as a Protestant. Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide, all the way. I had a great relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. I was a Christian and there was no doubt about it. I didn't have people accusing me of blasphemy or heresy when I was a Protestant, and now as a Catholic, here I stand - condemned by some of my Protestant brothers and sisters.
In case you are wondering what may have provoked these thoughts of panic, my parish chooses a particular characteristic of Christian Stewardship to focus on. This month's characteristic is Responsibility. In the newsletter that encourages it's reader in this particular characteristic, they share the following Scripture passage:
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48b)
I know that the Holy Spirit has chosen to reveal to me the truth of the Catholic Church and Faith. Namely, it was established by Christ himself, therefore it is not just a mere institution created by a man, and that Christ is literally the Head of the Church and it is being led into all areas of Truth by the Holy Spirit. Do you know what this means for me? This means that I am the one who has been entrusted with much and therefore I am much more responsible than those who are not.
Why, oh why, didn't I just remain a Protestant. Not that Protestants have it easy at all, but I think that the demands of a Catholic are far greater, especially if we truly hold the belief that the Catholic Church is what She says that She is - the Bride of Christ. In other words, Catholics really don't have any excuse, whatsoever, for not being saints. We have the fullness of truth, and we have access to the entire revelation of God through Scripture and Sacred Tradition. We have been given so much, and therefore, much will be expected of us.
Only just begun my journey in full communion with the Christian Faith, I am full of hope. I am full of hope because I now have access to all of the Grace that God has intended for all of us through the sacraments. They will be my source of nourishment as I walk through this life in joyful hope of eternity with Christ. They will dispense to me the grace necessary for holiness that we all must achieve prior to seeing God (Hebrews 12:14).
If I rely on myself to carry the weight of the responsibility that I now have, I will certainly fail. If instead, I rely on Christ, His Church, His Sacraments, and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I will undoubtedly succeed.
Pray for me, as I pray for you. Pray that we will all be worthy of being able to call God, Our Father - because Lord knows, we really don't even deserve that responsibility.
God bless...
14 comments:
That's one of the finest examples of spiritual pride I have ever seen! too bad your arguments for Catholicism are built on sand and not Christ Himself. Place some of the doctrines of the Catholic church in one hand and pure Scripture in the other, and there are major disconnects.
Anonymous,
That's one of the finest examples of spiritual pride I have ever seen!Spiritual Pride was not my intent. In fact, my intent was to convey that I have been indicted. I recognize the responsibility that we all have as Christians and I think that it is even more so for Catholics.
Place some of the doctrines of the Catholic church in one hand and pure Scripture in the other, and there are major disconnects.Empty accusations are not beneficial. Let's talk some specifics. Anything specific you care to discuss?
Having read this blog before, It looks like yu have previously had specifics concerning the disconnects. the list is long.
Anonymous,
Having read this blog before, It looks like yu have previously had specifics concerning the disconnects. the list is long.You have to forgive me, I am not getting that much sleep lately and therefore it may be completely my fault, but I don't understand what you are saying.
What specifics and what disconnects and what does it have to do with our conversation now? Is there anything specific you would like to talk about, or are you just in the mood to hurl accusations and insults?
I think that we can have an interesting conversation, one that would be mutually beneficial. That is something that I am willing to spend time on. If you want to participate in that type of interchange, let's do it, otherwise, I am sure that you have better things to do.
God bless...
We could discuss any number of things from the real definition of the five Sola's of the reformation v. the Catholic spin,justificatin by faith, the non-scriptural Apostolic succession you adhere to, etc. But I'm not going there. Just tell me how the Catholic church ended up slaughtering 700+ protestants (many by burning at the stake) in the years following the Reformation. You don't have to answer. Just think about it seriously from historical facts with the Catholic spin.
And I know Protestants did their own share of atrocities in history.
Anonymous,
Just tell me how the Catholic church ended up slaughtering 700+ protestants (many by burning at the stake) in the years following the Reformation. You don't have to answer. Just think about it seriously from historical facts with the Catholic spin.
What am I supposed to say to this? Do I believe that Catholics sin? Of course I do. Do I believe that there were people in authority in the Catholic Church that misused that authority and committed horrible crimes? Heck, even the Pope has asked for forgiveness of these things.
And I know Protestants did their own share of atrocities in history.
I am glad that you are aware of the atrocities committed, Catholic or Protestant. So, evidently, you do not believe that this is reason for not holding Christian faith. In other words, if it is a problem for you that Catholics have committed horrible crimes and you readily admit that Protestants have as well, then for that same reason, you would have a problem with being a Protestant.
I don't hold it against Catholics or the Catholic Church for the same reason why I don't hold it against Protestants and the various churches. People sin.
We could discuss any number of things...
The list you mentioned is a great start. Let's just start off with the first one. What are the 5 Solas, what do they mean, and are they supported by Scripture and Tradition.
I will start a post on one of the 5 in the next couple of days, and you can feel free to respond. How does that sound?
At the same time, if you are looking for scriptural evidence of the other things you mentioned. You can find them readily here:
JustificationApostalic SuccessionI look forward to the discussion...
God bless...
Anonymous,
What's the Catholic spin on slaughtering protestants?
Sind both your references ar Catholic sources and the Catholic Church's unscriptural position on both, I'll pass on researching there. Besides my research has been quite extensive thrugh the last couple of years.
Concerning the slaughter of Protestants by the Catholic church - I have no idea what the catholic spin is. I only know the facts of history that document the atrocities.
Anonymous,
Sind both your references ar Catholic sources and the Catholic Church's unscriptural position on both, I'll pass on researching there.
So what is the use of discussion, if you won't even examine the evidence? In other words, you are accusing the Catholic Church of holding on to unscriptural beliefs. I say that it is not and point you to the scriptural reference to prove it. Then you decide not even to look at it. What is the point of talking and discussing if you are not willing to even look at the evidence?
Concerning the slaughter of Protestants by the Catholic church - I have no idea what the catholic spin is.
I will save you the trouble of your investigation. There is no Catholic spin. There are many sins of the Church. The representative of the Church, the Pope, has asked for forgiveness of those sins.
God bless...
I thought the Pope(s) was /were infallible.Or is that only when they are speaking for God? funny, I don't recall any murders in among the prophets of the OT and the Apostles of the NT.
Anonymous,
I thought the Pope(s) was /were infallible.Or is that only when they are speaking for God? funny, I don't recall any murders in among the prophets of the OT and the Apostles of the NT.
I thought that you said you have done quite extensive research over the past couple of years? If this is so, then you would know that the doctrine of Papal Infallability does not mean that he is incapable of sin. It means that the Holy Spirit will protect him from error when speaking as representative of the Christian Faith on matters of faith and morals.
Anonymous,
I don't recall any murders in among the prophets of the OT
You are joking right?
What about Elijah? 1 Kings 18:17-40
Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
Anonymous,
You need to understand what you criticize. Your comment on infalliblity suggests a misunderstanding of the definition of the word, nor how it's applied within Christ's church.
Regarding Catholics committing crimes against others...I love the fact that Catholicism is so honest about its own sinfulness. Lends a great deal more credibility to its claim on truth as far as I am concerned. It also makes it much more likely to embrace the sinner rather than shun him, or suggest that sinners don't belong in Jesus' Church.
Nicely done Carlus.
See you at mass.
Hope your getting enough sleep.
Wish we were in your shoes.
Reidtgang
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