Hey Grant,
It's nothing personal really; just your normal Catholic vs Protestant
Blood and Guts Review !
On a firmer note, I've sat in on many debates and heard the Catholics
appeal concerning my need to join the RCC.
In most cases; when confronted; the RCCers admitted that my nonafilliation
with the Vatican will not prevent me from entering heaven because Protestants
are not withheld from the glories of God based on their reluctance of joining
'the fold'. We are told that we are brothers in Christ....yet incomplete as such.
Therefore, I fail to understand the benefits to anyone in joining the "Church".
One major reason I can find for not joining is because of God's promises to
give eternal life to "whosoever believes". Seems like all debates center around
what it means to ''believe'' or at least "what to believe". The gross failure of
that sequence is that..... in determining an answer, human beings have to be
consulted. Even the RCC leanings on the teachings of the early church fathers
are not sufficient enough to base a change. It still means a modern day
interpretation is in order. Man against man.
Catholicism should seriously consider the born again brethern that they encounter
in the world and try to understand that God's presence via the Holy Spirit is
evident in that life. Faith of the Protestant is equally as viable as that of the Catholic.
For example, I know some very spirit filled, born again Catholics and appreciate
them very much. I hope they see the same in me. We are equal in that accord.
Their claim to fame by their membership in what they believe is the "one true church"
is met by my resistance to join any church...........yet our mutual faith in the risen
savior is our greatest attribute.
