Posted on 01/27/2014 1:46:12 PM PST by Gamecock
The election of Pope Francis has the world’s attention. It is fascinating to read the array of perspectives. Political pundits and cultural exegetes, with more or less knowledge of Catholicism, have expressed their opinions concerning the meaning and future prospects of this pope. But what about former Catholics, those of us who were raised Catholic and now identify with evangelical Protestantism? What are we saying? I can’t speak for others, but I’ll tell you what is on my mind.
My Upbringing in Catholicism
Hardly a week goes by in which I don’t receive an email from a Catholic reader of my blog expressing that he or she is praying for me to “come home” to the Catholic Church. On the whole, I find them to be incredibly genuine and therefore it is easy for me to give a sincere “thank you.” Over the last week, as I have participated in several interviews about the conclave and papal selection, my inbox has seen many such appeals. In what follows I would like to share with my Catholic friends the fundamental reason why I am an evangelical Protestant.
To start with, I should say that my experience growing up Catholic was exceedingly positive. Owing largely to the ministry of our parish priest, Monsignor Tom, I grew to love the Catholic tradition. I loved the grandeur of the sanctuary with its carved wood, arched windows, and stained glass. I loved the deep, resonate amalgam of voices confessing the Nicene Creed and the honesty and humility expressed in the kyrie: “Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.” I loved simple things, like braiding cruciform-shaped palm leaves for Easter.
Oh, what I wouldn’t give for one more Knights of Columbus dinner, with trays of pasta fra diavolo, risotto parmigiano, and pignoli nut cookies prepared by my uncles. These were the occasions in which boys became men, learning how to eat for God’s glory.
I vividly recall our confirmation retreat at the nearby Cenacle. In the tranquil surrounding of a Marian grotto we learned stories of heroic saints like Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs who stared down lions in the name of Christ. Dominick, my best friend, suggested that I choose Saint Jude as my personal saint since Jude was the Saint of “lost causes.” Despite our juvenile banter, we were challenged to be courageous for God.
I enjoyed watching reruns of Archbishop Fulton Sheen with his long flowing cape and clever quips, marveled during Lent at the seemingly endless number of recipes we had for preparing tuna fish, and took great pleasure in walking to the altar with my family during Mass to present the gifts of wine and bread. This was my identity—a member of the Catholic Church—and I loved it.
But I had to leave.
Why an Evangelical Protestant?
Having written an entire volume on the reasons why I (and other Catholics) have decided to leave the Catholic Church for Protestant pastures—my book Holy Ground: Walking with Jesus as a Former Catholic—I will not retell my story here. Instead, I would like to put my finger on the fundamental reason why Rome is not my religious home. The leading edge of this reason is perhaps best expressed by John Bunyan in chapter three of his Pilgrim’s Progress. It is the climactic point when the faithful protagonist of his story, “Christian,” comes to the cross of Jesus and has his burden of guilt removed once and for all.
Christian ran till he came to a hill; upon it stood a cross, and a little below was a tomb. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up to the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the tomb, where it fell in, and I saw it no more. Then said Christian with a happy heart, “He hath given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.” Then he stood still awhile to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked, therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the water down his cheeks.
In my humble opinion, the above vision is the centerpiece of evangelical Protestantism. Through the preaching of the gospel, God removes the burden of guilt and shame from our shoulders and sends it into the grave, where it disappears, never to be seen again. As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our sins from us. And moving toward the Celestial City from one’s initial encounter of the cross, Christian and all who share his name do so as children of God whose identities are permanently marked by this salvation. Precisely because we have died to self and now live anew in our resurrected Lord, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Such assurance is God’s gift to his children and serves as the driving force of our lives.
This lesson came into focus for me last month. A buddy invited me to his home to talk with his Catholic colleague who is struggling with religious guilt, feeling that he is never quite acceptable to the Father. This colleague described his experience in his Catholic parish as “salvation on probation,” a relationship with God that depended upon his ability to observe the precepts of the church (i.e., abstaining from meat on Lenten Fridays, holy days of obligation, auricular confession). Therefore, despite his best efforts, our friend bemoaned the fact that it was only a matter of time before he fell short of the church’s expectations and thus lost his eternal hope.
In response to our friend, I asked whether he had children. With great enthusiasm he proceeded to explain how much he enjoys his kids, attending all of their basketball games, going on vacations, and delighting in conversation about their future hopes and dreams. “Do they ever disappoint you,” I asked. “Of course; they are sinners like their mother,” he said with a smile. I then asked, “And when that happens, does it potentially terminate your relationship? Are they in jeopardy of losing their status as your children and being rejected from your family?” “You mean like a ‘mortal’ sin,” he responded? I could see he was starting to get my point. A long pause followed and finally our friend looked up with eyes full of tears and confessed, “I guess I’m secure as a child of God.”
My Current Relationship to Catholicism
I light of such evangelical Protestant commitments, is there any sense in which I appreciate Catholicism today? Let me answer the question like this. Most people who come from a Catholic background will probably identify with my sentiment, while those who weren’t raised Catholic probably won’t. It’s the kind of affection you have for that eccentric cousin whom you see once a year at Christmas. Despite your common upbringing, the two of you are now entirely different. He runs marathons, TiVo’s professional wrestling, enjoys dancing the polka, and somehow always manages to perform his Bob Dylan impersonation when the family is assembled. However, as first cousins, you have a deep, abiding affection for one another. Despite your differences, you share a common history that reaches back to your earliest memories, on the basis of which you possess a relationship that is deeper and richer than words can express. So it is for many of us who were raised Catholic. We disagree with much of Catholic faith, but these differences can’t erase the positive, Christ-honoring memories which we continue to cherish.
This is where my pursuit of Christ has led. I identify with the evangelical Protestant tradition because I believe that its approach to biblical authority and the gospel best reflects the will of God as revealed in Scripture. Insofar as the term “evangelical” describes such a person, despite its negative connotations and flaws, I hope to live accordingly, comporting myself and relating to others—including my Catholic family and friends—with the character of Christ. And I hope that what you read from this blog will serve you toward that end.
Sure, but that is how this goes. Luther the heretic!, until he is trotted out for some purpose. Usually for this quote, but Luther makes appearances on Mary-oriented threads as well. If he cared, he would be happy that he is quoted the same way scripture is, no context, cherry-picked.
Why do Catholics come on threads posted by Christians who aren’t Catholic and try to turn them into Catholic threads??? What’s it to you if a Evangelical wants to talk about why he left the religion of his birth for Christianity and has no desire to “come home” to it?
Another Catholic posted a thread a few days ago that stated 150 reasons why he isn’t a Protestant. Plenty of Catholics pitched a fit because Protestants dared post comments to it - some with the argument of, “Why do you care?”. So, tell me, why do you care?
Ant the intersting part is to watch how the thread fell apart. Who pulled the trigger that caused this to go from a discussion to a yell fest?
Could it be because it was also happening over at those threads that were set up for those who are Catholic only and they became basing threads from non-Catholic Christians?
I think the inability of all sides to ignore flamebait is part of the problem.
OVer 200 replies.
Can I NOW highjack this thread with MORMON lies??
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.
And it was left at that; with no LIST to ‘help’ us know just WHICH sins are which.
One man’s ‘flamebait’ is another’s clear Scriptural teaching.
Salvation was actually charging boxlunch with "posting stuff that is not true," which salvation abounds in, while i was actually was responding to the "we gave you the Bible" statement, which seems to basically infer what you are saying, and thus my question .
If she also refuses to answer the question, just as they do regarding Jn. 6:53,54, then it is akin to the reaction of the Scribes and Pharisees when the Lord asked His question regarding authority. (Mk. 11:27-33) For indeed they are related.
Couldn't have happened. Non-Catholics are not allowed on caucus threads.
As for the Apochryphal book (2 Maccabbees?) to me it does not carry the weight of Scripture.
If he really was a believer, the Holy Spirit will convict him. It may take longer that we would like, but God’s time is not our time. But convict He will! Just like the prodigal son, he never stopped being a son, but he had to eventually get up and return to his father’s house. Having gone through a similar experience with one of my children, I understand the father waiting (you cannot force your child to do the right thing) and the father’s continual love and looking forward to reuniting with his wayward child!
He is a believer, and I assume he was convicted of his sin. However he also believes in the doctrine of eternal security so he really understands he does not have to worry about any eternal consequences of his mortal sins, other than loss of heavenly rewards according to the doctrine and I think espoused by some here. Now if he were a penitent Catholic the fear of God’s righteous judgment would compel him to seek a priest, confess his sin, submit himself for appropriate penance to make it as right as could be made after the lasting earthly damage to other hearts, minds, and souls. But he is not a Catholic, and he is a minister of the Gospel, with no earthly overseer. He knows he is a believer so he just does what he deems best. People fall in, out, and into love. Its like the flu, once its onset is felt there is vomit left for others to clean up, unless it is dealt with wisely.
Oh man, can I relate to that...
You CAN'T know that.
Claiming you know that puts you in the position of God.
However he also believes in the doctrine of eternal security so he really understands he does not have to worry about any eternal consequences of his mortal sins, other than loss of heavenly rewards according to the doctrine and I think espoused by some here.
That's baloney.
That's projection.
Now if he were a penitent Catholic the fear of God’s righteous judgment would compel him to seek a priest, confess his sin, submit himself for appropriate penance to make it as right as could be made after the lasting earthly damage to other hearts, minds, and souls.
You mean like Ted Kennedy who led a life of immorality and deceit and made amends on his deathbed and got in anyway? How is that any different? The Catholic church allows for the exact same thing that you condemn OSAS over.
But he is not a Catholic, and he is a minister of the Gospel, with no earthly overseer.
But he DOES answer to God as the Holy Spirit is his overseer, as He is for all of us. I'd rather deal with an earthly overseer if I was in sin cause I'd at least be able to snow him. There's no getting away with anything with the Holy Spirit.
He knows THINKS he is a believer so he just does what he deems best.
Catholics do NOT understand the Father’s heart.
They treat God as if He is up there ready to zap them for the least little offense instead of a heavenly Father longing for relationship with Him.
They portray God as looking for excuses to damn us as opposed to looking for excuses to save us.
Re 233: of course it does not contain any words of prayer for the deceased ! Excuse me, I think so many things are obvious to others that I don’t lay out all the reasoning (plus mobile is limiting now). The entire prayer is a glorification and submission to God in suffering circumstance, martyrdom, or anguish. It is an offering.
He doesn't have any mortal sins...That has been proven thru scripture on this thread...There is only one mortal sin, not mortal sins...And that one mortal sin has nothing to do with a believer...
other than loss of heavenly rewards according to the doctrine and I think espoused by some here. Now if he were a penitent Catholic the fear of God’s righteous judgment would compel him to seek a priest, confess his sin, submit himself for appropriate penance to make it as right as could be made after the lasting earthly damage to other hearts, minds, and souls.
But he is not a Catholic, and he is a minister of the Gospel, with no earthly overseer. He knows he is a believer so he just does what he deems best.
I'll assume you really know that there is no truth in that statement at all...
I've seen you enough on these threads to know you have seen post after post that non Catholic Christians rely on the truth of the scriptures and the leading of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our quest to please God...We have the words of God to guide us...We don't fall for a man made version of the scriptures that is proven by the scriptures to be wrong at every turn just as this mortal sins fiasco put out by your religion...
People fall in, out, and into love. Its like the flu, once its onset is felt there is vomit left for others to clean up, unless it is dealt with wisely.
While it may be a mess at times, it's already taken care of by God...We do not have to pay and pay and pay after we die...It's already been paid for...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.