Thorns grow up and choke the growing seed which is what leads to so many “former Catholics”.
Such folks are especially funny when they talk about Scripture after first throwing out a large section of the Old Testament and following up with basing what they accept as Scripture on the Masoretic Text rather than the older versions that do not have the major alterations Jewish rabbis made to the Masoretic.
Not a lick of fear and trembling in a whole crowd of em’
Except for many of us, there were no thorns and we weren't choked, because we received the TRUE gospel with joy and we remain in Christ bearing fruit. Let me explain it for you...The "seed" is the word of God, Jesus said. When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path - no faith. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away...a surface-only faith, not of the heart. In order for the seed to not take root, the one who hears the word allows the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful - reminds me of some noteworthy political Catholics. But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. I wonder how many current Catholics stay in the field as weeds and thorns mixed in with the wheat thinking that by doing so they will slip in and "make the cut"? Can't fool God....He alone sees the heart.
It's sad how many people really are brainwashed into believing they must make themselves worthy of eternal life. That they must merit and earn heaven by what they do for God rather than accepting what God has done for them. They don't "get" what grace really means. I praise the Lord every single day for opening my eyes to the truth of the grace of God that brings salvation to everyone that believes. I rest in the assurance He has promised that I can know I have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It is this hope that motivates me to live my life to bring Him glory and share the good news with those who He brings into my life. It is a wonderful thing to KNOW you have everlasting life and that nothing can snatch you from God's hands.
As for that broken record re the 7 Apocryphal books (hardly a "large" section), we have debated that for years and you have never responded to my many challenges. Whenever you are ready to do that let me know. It shouldn't cause you any fear or trembling.