Wayward-looking-to-return-to-the-fold-Cathoilc Stumbles upon Jack Chick...now what?

9/28/04 | NJ Neocon

[NJ Neocon]

At first it looked like whacked out propaganda - but the best lies always have truth to them.

I need help sorting the truth from un-truth.

[tjwmason]

King James Bible is missing 7 entire books

Not so, remember that the it was produced for the Church of England which uses the deuterocanonical books. In the original edition they were placed between old and new testaments. It is true that most copies published now miss the out, but the book itself does have them.

I would throw my weight behind the Douay Rheims. It's the oldest English translation still in use, thus disproving protestant allegations about Catholics disliking the Bible in English.

[Stubborn]

You are correct that they were in the "original" KJV. That version is not even available any longer and I'm not sure that most folks understand that the popular KJV is missing 7 books.

At any rate, the Haydock Bible, with all the Church approved footnotes, explanations and clear interpretaions make the entire Bible just that much more precious and inspirational to read - IMHO.

[Stubborn]

My mistake, it seems that the KJV containing the 7 books is available. Just did a search on Amazon.com

[Alex Murphy]

There's lots of sound, Biblical reasons to avoid Roman Catholicism. Jack Chick ain't one of them.

NJ, I completely agree with OP on this point.

In regards to Chick, I started a goofy Catholic conspiracy thread a year ago, and the subject of Jack Chick came up. My conclusions about Chick, mystery figure Alberto Rivera, and Catholic plots to rule the world were laid out in this post.

I'd even encourage the Catholics on FR to read it :)

[Gingersnap]

Well, I can't help you sort out your issues with Catholicism. If I had issues of that sort, I would read enough doctrine and theology within my faith to frame the questions that troubled me. Then I would research my church's response to those questions (you will not come up with a question or objection that hasn't been exhaustively covered).

Then I would pray for guidance if I still wasn't satisfied. Remember, sometimes we just don't like the answers we get even though they are truthful. Use your head as much as your heart.

As far as Chick goes, read him for over-the-top amusement value only. I mean, you wouldn't read Gloria Steinem to better understand men, would you? Same type of thing.

[Lilllabettt]

Don't worry. What you're going through is perfectly natural. I went through it myself when I went through my reconversion.

The first thing to do is to remember that a million difficulties does not equal one doubt. When I first came back (and it still happens) I would have trouble "believing" a particular thing; where emotion is concerned. All that is necessary, however, is that you accept what the Church teaches, even if you accept it just because she teaches it.

If you use your will to refuse to resist a teaching, then even if the teaching makes no sense to you, and you don't understand why it is the way it is, and you know many reasons why it should not be the way it is, you're okay. Sometimes it helped for me to try to understand, sometimes it was too frustrating, and it was best to just accept on faith.

What separates the Church from many other Christian denominations is that you don't necessarily need "feelings" to be a believer. Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

As far as Mr. Chick is concerned, I've run across his junk before. And I did, indeed, think to myself: how could he produce all this stuff if there wasn't something to it? The answer is: There are people who will tell you the Holocaust never happened, who will insist that we didn't land on the moon. Or how about the one about John Paul II selling poison gas to the Nazis? Absolutely ridiculous stuff. All of it is a lie, but all of it can be published at will.

Catholic answers did a special 6-part report on Chick Tracts, here it is

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

So how much of Scripture do you know from your own study, vs. what you have been told by others the bible says?

Becky

[PetroniusMaximus]

Check this out...


http://www.bereanbeacon.org/

[PetroniusMaximus]

***Not to start a war here, but, this is like someone asking how can I learn calculus, and someone saying read the encyclopedia.***

Ps 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.


taken together with with...


James1:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

[NJ Neocon]

I was once very up on scripture but time and distance has blurred my understandings and my memory as to what I discovered vs what I was taught.

[NJ Neocon]

I want to thank you all for some very thoughtful and sincere advise. I will take it all into account. I apologize if I picked the wrong thread to start this discussion.

[Dominick]

From the site:


hehe - no comment - not on FR anyhoo.

On the top page is a picture of him shown ordaining a Deacon by laying on hands as a Priest. A Deacon and a Priest are ordained by a Bishop, not a Priest.

There are a lot of people trying to say that Catholics are not Christians, and making up fantastic stories. If you are apt to believe them, good luck. If you think they hold the truth, then think about why would one have to lie or "embellish" the truth for a Catholic?

I hope the best for you, and if you like please feel free to ping mail me or visit Catholic Answers. I have not found anything on their site that would steer you wrong, or is made-up for public consumption.

[1 spark]

I read this book many years ago. It helped to put things in proper perspective. Though it is not flattering to "religion" as taught by the church, it manages awaken the reader to the real message of Jesus. Check out the reviews. I think all but the most recent are quite positive.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0807010138/qid=1096395992/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-5157510-3627821?v=glance&s=books

It is right and good to question church/religion. God gave each of us a MIND for good reason. Too many people check their brains on a shelf when it comes religion. Search diligently. You will find the truth. Don't let others burden you with guilt for questions. God knows your heart.

[1 spark]

Tagline above was supposed to read..."Jesus said unto him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your MIND.”

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I suggest you pray, then go to God's Word and trust Him to bring understanding.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not any man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him.

What is your belief on what it takes to be saved?

Becky

[NYer]

Help?

It would look much better, followed by an exclamation point ;-D

A 12 year separation from the church has also deprived you of the graces from celebrating the sacraments of your faith. You need to get back to basics. A good place to begin would be to read the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH .

Another place to visit is Coming Home Network , where you can meet others who are somewhere along their journey.

As for the Jack Chick tracts, you will find the answers you are seeking at this link - CHICK TRACTS

Most importantly, begin with prayer. Ask our Lord to guide your steps. God never refuses a sincere request for His assistance.

[siunevada]

I wonder if you and the Council of Trent mean the same thing by the word 'Justification'; because earlier in the documents before Canon 24 there is a lot of discussion of Justification including this:

CHAPTER VIII. In what manner it is to be understood, that the impious is justified by faith, and gratuitously.

And whereas the Apostle saith, that man is justified by faith and freely, those words are to be understood in that sense which the perpetual consent of the Catholic Church hath held and expressed; to wit, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation, and the root of all Justification; without which it is impossible to please God, and to come unto the fellowship of His sons: but we are therefore said to be justified freely, because that none of those things which precede justification-whether faith or works-merit the grace itself of justification.For, if it be a grace, it is not now by works, otherwise, as the same Apostle says, grace is no more grace.

It doesn't appear they are saying "Faith + racking up enough Good Works = Justification" as you put it.

[samiam1972]

There have been a lot of wonderful suggestions so far. I'd like to add another one! If you like to read at all I strongly suggest a series of books from Patrick Madrid called "Surprised By Truth". Each one is a collection of short conversion stories from many different backgrounds. You may find one that relates to you. If nothing else, they are very inspirational! May God bless you on your faith journey! I hope you find your way home!

[PAR35]

my daughter is in Catholic school now as a result of my desire to give her the upbringing I had.

By your own definition you turned out a "semi-agnostic Methodist" after your upbringing.