960127.01
> From: Shiela Bigelow <bigelow@ccs.dfrc.nasa.gov>
> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 14:49:24 -0800 (PST)
> Subject: Catholic Faith
>
> My question concerns some claims by prominent protestants
> like Dave Hunt and J. MacAuthor. These men in their writings
> claim that the Roman Catholic church is an apostate church
> and Catholics such as my mother who practice and believe the
> tenants of the Church are headed for eternal hell.
>
> Dave Hunt has written extensively in his newsletter,"The
> Berean Call" and hismany books that the Catholic church is a
> carryover from ancient and Roman practices and beliefs. He
> also claims that a true Christian Roman Catholic. John
> MacAuthur has stated in print that faithful Roman Catholics
> are not saved. Please answer my question for this has
> troubled my soul for quite some time.
Dear Shiela,
You report your dismay at attacks upon our Catholic religion by
"prominent Protestants like Dave Hunt and John MacArthur". You
mention their claims that: 1) the Catholic Church is an apostate
church; 2) Catholic doctrine and practice are carryovers from
ancient pagan practices and beliefs (Babylonian, Roman, et al.);
3) faithful Catholics who follow the tenets of the Church are not
saved and are going to hell.
In response, I want to divide my messages into three parts. First,
let us expend some effort to discern where our opponents are
coming from. Secondly, let us look at some answers to these
accusations you have heard or read. Thirdly, I have some
suggestions about books to read and tapes to listen to. (Our
opponents often seem to have done considerable homework. We
Catholics cannot handle these attacks unless we do our homework
too.)
First, where are our vitriolic opponents coming from? In the
midst of the firestorm of their assaults, we should back off
mentally and psychologically so as to view their attacks with
some perspective. If you hear them on their tapes or shows, or
even if you only read their words, TRY TO LISTEN TO THEIR VOICES,
the timbre and pacing of their delivery. Often, it is clear,
they speak and write in ANGER and HATRED. In fact, their
utterances are vibrant with these two lethal emotions.
In every context, displays of anger and hatred usually mask deep
insecurity and fear. These virulently anti-Catholic preachers
and writers are perhaps not comfortable in their own religious
doctrines. The Holy Spirit, over the course of years, surely
sometimes hints to them at the short comings of fundamentalism --
the sandy foundations of some of their beliefs and theological
presuppositions (Matt. 7:26-27). They seek to compensate, then
for their insecurity by attacking the Church, whose solid and
enduring Christian witness is the major threat to their uneasy
peace.
More serious for them as individuals are the poisonous effects of
their anger and hatred on their own souls. By indulging these
vicious tendencies, they endanger their eternal salvation. Holy
Scripture warns us to be "slow to speak, slow to anger, for the
anger of man does ot accomplish the righteousness of God" (James
1:19-20). Hatred in man is directly opposed to the very nature
of God, because "God is love" (1st John 4:8).
Through anger and hatred, anti-Catholics are in danger of
distancing themselves from God. And this distance leads them to
disobey Christ's most solemn prohibition: "Judge not, that you
may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged"
(Matt. 7:1-2). And St. Paul in Romans adds: "You are without
excuse, everyone of you who passes judgement. For by the
standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since
you, the judge, do the very same things" (Romans 2:1).
In spite of these clear scriptural warnings, these men presume to
judge us Catholics, and they confidently assert that we are all
going to Hell. Yet God the Father has given all judgement to his
Son (John 5:22). Our attackers seem to be telling Our Lord to
move over -- they will sit on the throne of judgment in His
place. But we have to tell them: "It's not going to work -- and
you are without excuse. As you judge, so will you be judged"
(Romans 2:1; 14, passim; Matt. 7:1-2).
We Catholics must not be shaken at their menaces. Our Lord
foretold that his true followers would be attacked and slandered
as He himself was slandered. "The scribes who had come from
Jerusalem said (of Jesus), `He is possessed by Beelzebul. By the
prince of demons he drives out demons. He has an unclean
spirit'" (Mark 6:22,30). So Jesus told his disciples, "If they
have called the Master of the house Beelzebul, how much more
those of his household" (Matt. 10:25). We are the household of
God, the Church of the living God (1st Tim. 3:15), members of one
another and of Christ our Head (Rom. 12:5). So we shall be
accused and afflicted as Jesus was, and those who do so will
think they are offering worship to God. And they do this because
they have not known either the Father or the Son (John 16:2-3).
But we are glad to endure the dishonor of their false accusations
for the sake of Christ's Name (Acts 5:41). We pray, "Lord take
note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your
word with all boldness" (Acts 4:29).
In another message, we shall notice some anti-Catholic
accusations, and then list some reading suggestions for you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Mateo
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit -
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