Tag Archives: ecumenism

Point of View

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There's an interesting post on The Dawn Patrol about counterproductive evangelization. Specifically, several Catholics clumsily tried to convert her from Protestantism. I understand the reasoning, but the approach left a lot to be desired. I have a news flash for self-righteous catechism thumpers. Protestants aren't the spawn of Satan. Nor are they doomed to Hell. They are Christians like us, with whom we should work to make the world a better place, rather than treating them like heathens or pagans.

As an ex-Protestant who cares deeply about reuniting the Body of Christ, I cringe at preachy attempts to, as one friend puts it, "upgrade" Protestants. I wasn't so much won over by argument as I was by Christ-like example.

There is a flip side to this, though. Each time a Protestant tries to "free" me from my "bondage" as a Catholic, I get a step closer to beating one with a clue-by-four. The Catholic Church is not the whore of Babylon. We do not worship Mary or the saints. We do not believe works save us. We are Christians just like you. Jack Chick is a moron who spreads hateful lies.

Ya got that?!? Now…The next one of you primates…even touches me…HYA!!! *BANG*

Chick This Out

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A Saintly
Salmagundi reminded me of someone who makes my blood boil – Jack Chick. It’s
one thing to think Catholic teachings are unbiblical, but resorting to poor scholarship
and outright lies to turn people against the Church is un-Christian.

Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbor

The
Nightmare World of Jack T. Chick

True Gospel?

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More on sheep stealing:

The Agape Press says that "residents of the Central American nation are hungry for the true gospel". What’s implied here is that Catholicism doesn’t teach the true Gospel. Sometimes Evangelicals really drive me nuts.

El Salvador Fertile Soil for the Gospel of Christ, Missionary Says
By Allie Martin
June 8, 2004

(AgapePress) – A Mississippi resident who has served as a missionary to El Salvador for nearly 20 years says residents of the Central American nation are hungry for the true gospel.

Bitter-sweet

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Moved
by the Spirit to Govern

BRASILIA, Brazil � Most of the books on Adelor Vieira’s desk are what you’d expect
for a congressman busy with the machinery of state: a copy of the civil code, a
handy reference guide to laws on local governance. But tucked to one side, within
easy reach, lies the book that, for Vieira, trumps all the others: the Bible.

[…]

In countries throughout Latin America, evangelicals such as Vieira are stepping out from the shelter of their churches to enter the fractious world of secular politics. These Protestant Christians are increasingly speaking out, teaming up and getting elected in a region that remains overwhelmingly Roman Catholic.

[…]

[W]ith some estimates projecting that Brazil could be 50% Protestant by 2050, the influence of evangelicals in the political realm is likely to increase.

I’d rather someone be a faithful Evangelical than an apathetic Catholic. Still,
a faithful Catholic would be better.

That Evangelical Protestants are proselytizing in Catholic strongholds is disturbing
for two reasons. First, there is fertile ground for conversion in the first place.
Second, sheep stealing is an ugly and unkind act. However, I’ll give the missionaries
the benefit of the doubt that they restricted their outreach to apathetic Catholics
or atheists. Also, I’m upset by some of the misunderstandings associated with this
story.

Witness this quote from the article linked above:

Many are attracted by dynamic worship services and the emphasis on a personal
relationship with God.

For many here, faith remains a private affair, their devotion playing out at church
and at home. But others are heeding what they believe is a divine calling to shine
the light of Christian truth on “works of darkness,” which encompass perceived
evils as varied as abortion and the corruption rampant in Brazilian politics.”

Anyone who says Catholicism doesn’t involve a personal relationship with God is
grossly misinformed. Furthermore, faith should never be merely a private affair
and the Church, particularly through the current pontiff, has always advocated Christ’s
teachings as calls to social change.

United We Stand

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Divided we fall. John Paul has pointed out something that I should keep in mind when I'm trying to protect the Church from heterodoxy.

Pope wants bishops to heal divisions in Church

"Pope John Paul II has told a number of bishops of the US that one of the most important tasks of a bishop is to address the 'worrisome phenomenon' of factions within the Church."