Why Catholics can't preach - and prefer not to listen

Oriens journal ^ | Summer 2004 | Editorial

[AskStPhilomena]

Perhaps the best Preacher of all, is the traditional Latin Mass - even if you don't understand a word of Latin.

[RMrattlesnake]

I used to be a Catholic. Born into a catholic home raised catholic, but there was one problem I read my bible and found that what the catholic did was not according to the teaching of the bible. So I had to leave. I tried many Protestants as well and found they followed after the traditions of man as well. The modern evagelicelss we OK but they to follow men was. I finally found a independent fundamentalist Church. So there is no better preaching than those who preach out of the bible. You see give me that old time gospel and deep water baptism.

[enuu]

This is a completely false misunderstanding we hear all the time from Protestants. All Catholic doctrine is based on the Word of God, including Trinity, Transubstantiation, Homage to Mary, Papal Authority, etc. Scholarly texts are available if anyone ever seriously cared to know, but it's so much easier to accept simplistic answers. Since there are about 200 Protestant sects in the USA, each able to give their own interpretation, and many more cults that are not even Christian (such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witness) that all claim to be based on the Bible, it seems to me spurious and just plain silly to say you don't believe in a religion because it's not based on the Bible. They all are, but what interpretation? At least with the Catholic Faith, the story has been pretty straight and consistent for 2000 years and anyone cannot just come along and change in on a whim, like your local "Bountiful Life Christian Assembly" or whatever they call themselves.

[The Truth will set you Free]

Amen, Brother.

All one needs to do, is seriously read into the history of the Church. I read my eyeballs off, even more than my college studies and the truth is all there. In fact the Catholic Church is the only Church that follows every word of Jesus to the T, and there is still so much more to learn. Jesus said his Church would be "the light of the world"(Matt 5:14), and that "the gates of hell will not prevail against it"(Matt 16:18). The Catholic Church is Christ's Church and it will prevail.

God Bless, Truth

[Arthur McGowan]

I challenge you to read just one book by Scott Hahn, and then come back and say that the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church do not have a solid foundation in both the Old and New Testaments.

[HarleyD]

"At least with the Catholic Faith, the story has been pretty straight and consistent for 2000 years..."

This also is a completely false misunderstanding we hear all the time from Catholics.

[Arguss]

"In fact the Catholic Church is the only Church that follows every word of Jesus to the T"

Another Amen Brother.

I always shake my head in disbelief when someone tells me that whatever kind of Church they belong to follows the Bible and only the Bible, and all the Bible.

Then they spout some passage or another to prove their point, completely disregarding other passages and in fact whole chapters that mitigate the point they are trying to make.

Granted, it*s not always easy to reconcile one passage with another, But the Church (there is only one Church) does it. Opposed to so-called evangelical congregations who decide what they want to believe, then go to the Bible to prove it in selected passages.

I*ll bet they don*t dwell a lot on John 6 where Jesus tells us that we must eat His Body, for it is food indeed - and that those who didn*t believe, turned away from Him.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

There is alot of Catholic doctrine that is right, IMO, there is alot wrong tho.

If someone gave you a cup of coffe with just one drop of poison in it would you drink it? It's mostly coffee??

Becky

[fishtank]

former RCC dittos

[conservonator]

This also is a completely false misunderstanding we hear all the time from Catholics.

Demonstrate.

[Maximilian]

This person doesn't know what the heck they are talking about. Neither their description of St. John Vianney nor John Newman are accurate. The author seems to nothing about the history of preaching in the Catholic Church. This article should not have been posted -- in fact it should not have been written by someone who knows so little on the subject.

[HarleyD]

I knew someone would ask that question. That's why I posted:

The Papacy and Islam

So who's right-Urban II (who called Muslims infidels) or John Paul?

[conservonator]

Who says both aren't? Perspective, context and style: all things that may give the impression of incompatibility but none of them affect the basic truth which is that Islam is not a saving religion. John Paul's recognition that most if not all religions have an albeit dim, spark of truth found with in them does not mean He thinks Islam is on par with the Catholic faith. . Islam’s spark of truth is that there is one God. Whether Allah and the God of Abraham are one in the same is not important to the fact that monotheism is closer to truth than atheism.

One thing I do find interesting is the change in attitude that many Protestants have had since 9/11, regarding Urban II in particular and the Crusades in general. Once one of the “evidences” of the evil nature of the Church, they are now being recognized as a valiant struggle against the tide of Islam.

[Sensei Ern]

While I agree, much of what is presented as preaching is verbal flatulence, it is not a forgotten art. Many preachers today still inspire the wayward to walk with God.

Lester Roloof is one of my favorite preachers. Although he was a country bumpkin, he still inspired sinners to be converted, and God was glorified. He died in 1983.

For thorough study of the Word of God, I enjoy J.Vernon McGee, another bumpkin.

For apologetics, I enjoy Ravi Zaccarias.

Others talk fondly of their teachers. Sean Hannity speaks often of the inspiration his priest provides. I am sure Mel Gibson has a good pastor as evidenced by Mel's spiritual growth over the past decade.

Your comments concerning the monk who plagiarized others is analogous with several ministers today. Many do not study the Word of God, but rather study the word of another guy's study of the Word of God.

When I preach, I study an hour per minute preached. I do not plan it that way; it just works out that way.

Preach not because you have to say something, but because you have something to say.

However, that is not to take away from studying what others say about the Word of God. The consistency of the message and avoidance of heresy is because we are trained by those more experienced.

Sensei Ern

[HarleyD]

"Who says both aren't? Perspective, context and style: all things that may give the impression of incompatibility but none of them affect the basic truth which is that Islam is not a saving religion."

Right now I arguing with another Catholic that the Muslims don't have the Holy Spirit. YIKES!!! You can double speak this all you want but the fact remain that the positions are incompatible.

"...they [Protestants] are now being recognized as a valiant struggle against the tide of Islam."

I suppose its better than declaring Muslims OK in God's sight. Personally, I would rather see them come to a saving knowledge.

You've asked me to demonstrate an inconsistency and I have. If you wish to ignore the evidence it won't be the first time I've experienced this from my Catholic friends.

[conservonator]

You have not demonstrated inconsistency in anything of consequence, unless you your equate consistency of method with consistence of cause. The main "inconsistency" you have demonstrated is your unwillingness to admit that the Churches teaching on the need of mohamidiams to convert to the one true Faith remains unchanged.

[conservonator]

You have not demonstrated inconsistency in anything of consequence, unless you your equate consistency of method with consistence of cause. The main "inconsistency" you have demonstrated is your unwillingness to admit that the Churches teaching on the need of mohamidiams to convert to the one true Faith remains unchanged.

[HarleyD]

From the Pope: “The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has also spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God's plan, whose faith Muslims eagerly link to their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, his virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devotedly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting.”

From you, "The main "inconsistency" you have demonstrated is your unwillingness to admit that the Churches teaching on the need of mohamidiams to convert to the one true Faith remains unchanged."

I'm not the one who is saying the Muslims don't need to convert. Perhaps John Paul need better speech writers.

[conservonator]

I'm sorry, could you point to the part where the pope states that Muslims "don't need to convert". I can't seem to find it. All I see is a man pointing out some of the similarities between Islam and Christianity and making a tacit appeal for Muslims to take the next steep into the fullness of faith.

Maybe I need to get my handy dandy Calvinist anti-papal reading glasses out...

[HarleyD]

Pope said: This is a truth which Christians inherited from the children of Israel and which they share with Muslims: it is faith in the one God

Do they have faith in "one God" or is this another inconsistency?

It would be helpful to go over to the Papal & Islam thread as this is becoming redundant.