Posted on 01/01/2005 3:35:56 PM PST by Rodney King
OK. I am 31 years old. I became a Christian at 26. I received absolutley no religious instruction from my parents as a kid. Once I was an adult, I sought Christ, but was misled as I went to the prominent Christian church in town. It was an Episcopalian Church where all the prominent citizens went. Anyway, being a critical thinker, it was obvious that God wasn't being taught there. I did not really know what God was, but it was obivous that nobody else there did either, so I thought the whole thing was a scam.
I came to Christ as a result of meeting a guy in a bar. After a softball game, my team went to a bar where I met a fellow from Texas who was new to the area. He wanted to play ball, and we needed another guy. He was a good Christian. He related how when he and his wife moved to my town (in CT) his wife called all the churches and basically had a quiz about their beliefs that she wanted them to answer. It was pretty basic stuff (is there more than one path to heaven, etc.). Anyway, only one minister passed the test.
He had been an episcopalian priest in the Boston area who was driven out because he would not say that homosexuality was ok. He had a patron in my town who set him up in a small church. There were 50-100 regular members. They have since become members of the Presbyterian Church of America. (not the liberal PC-USA).
My new friend set me up with this pastor, and we had a few meetings in his office and over lunch.
He correctly diagnosed my problem:
I am resistant to authority, and had trouble submitting to Christ's will.
With this recognition of my major problem, I came around and submitted to the will of God. I have been blessed by the Lord endlessly since.
Having not been widely exposed to many forms of Christianity, I have always had an open mind about other denominations.
As a kid in CT, most of my friends were Catholic. I always thought it was a fraud because they did sunday school and confirmation, but clearly didn't beleive in God anymore than the phony wasps at the Epsicopalian church.
A little bit later, I made two good friends who were very much Catholic (one is a Freeper). The equivalent of an "Evangelical Catholic" if there is such a thing.
All along, I have of course had problems with the Catholic sex scandals, as well as the liberal cardinals, etc.
I have since moved to Oklahoma. In the last few months, I have been watching EWTN frequently. I am drawn by two clear things:
1. The beauty and majesty of the masses, that appear to me to be such pure expressions of faith, and
2. The level of strict beleif on the newtork, from the unyielding belief in the teachings, to the activism as represented from Father Frank Pavones' show, and the willingness of the Priests in the daily mass to address issues such as abortion and euthanasia.
So, where does that leave me?
I have questions about the faith, and questions about authority.
First, about the faith:
Does Catholicism teach that priests are middlemen? I.E. do I really need a Priest to make me right and forgive my sins? Must I confess to a priest, and not just directly to God?
Does the beauty of the mass, and the worhsip of Mary and the Saint amount to idolatry?
Most importantly is the submission to authority. Submitting to authority is the biggest problem in my life. It was a problem with my parents, it has been a problem with my jobs (witness my day time freeping), and it was a problem with Christ. I have overcome it with Christ (although still struggle with it) and have made good progess with parents, bosses, etc.
Does a Catholic submit to an authority other than God? While I admire and trust the men I watch on EWTN, it only takes a few minutes of FReeping to be reminded of limp-wristed catholics. Or, to be more generous, by accepting the authority of the church, am I accepting the authority of the MEN who run the church?
In protestantism, one can walk away from a pastor with unsound teachings. However, how does one do this in Catholicism? What does one think when a Vatican offical utters something stupid (like criticizing Israel for not giving aid, when in reality Israel offered the aid and Sri Lanka rejected it)? Or, when local bishops have been complicit in covering up sex scandals and transferring priests to inflict their harm elsewhere?
I would be very grateful for any advice. My wife is on my case about my watching EWTN all the time, and of course this is very meanginful to me personally.
PS:
Who runs EWTN? It seems to be such a better expression of the faith than that presented by big city parishes.
Thanks again.
Agreed.
I had been many years away when I returned to Tulsa to see my cousin married at the Cathedral. So sad to see it turned into a Masonic temple.
Though, on the other hand, Monsignor Halpine still is there. Attended his Mass with my Mom on Christmas morning and still am thinking about what he had to say, as perfectly appropriate for an Epiphany meditation.
I've enjoyed yours on this thread! You take care, Broadsword.
Amen to that, my friend, but sometimes I find myself setting the missal aside and just kneeling there in awe of the unfolding miracle!
He's right. Nothing better than a good foundation.
If it weren't for our founders in the synagogues, there would be no Christians ;)
A blessed new year to you, my friend.
I think it's "a miracle" that a "dead" language can become so alive when it pertains to the prayers said in The Mass.
A language that speaks to the heart. The way God speaks to us. I love it.
Have a happy and very blessed New Year, broadsword!
As to Catholicism, don't confuse the church hirlings with the faith itself. The traditional faith is the most beautiful, fulfilling and rich there is if you know where to look. Once you discover the Church that Christ founded, your life will never be the same.
Look into traditional Catholicism. You're a perfect candidate as you're looking for something deeper and more reverent. Here is a list of Latin Mass locations in your area if you're interested in attending one.
If I can be of any assistance whatsoever, please let me know.
Well, exactly. But I think I know myself pretty well, and its an authority problem.
I understand what you are saying. Thanks.
Thank you.
I have been... I had a lot of Jewish friends as a kid. That is one religion that I just don't get at all really.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
I have the same problem with submission and I know it affects my walk with Christ. I hear so many say they feel led or inspired or talked to by the Lord after prayer. I feel nothing. I struggle with some of the biblical passages that appear to contradict another passage. I struggle that well meaning, prayerful and educated people have poured their souls out to understand the word only to come to different conclusions as to what it says. And yes, I struggle witht those who not only innocently lost life or lost a love one in the earthquake.big wave, but also those who were horribly hurt and will be scarred for life.
I feel something wonderful, I just resist submitting to His will. In any event, good luck to you!
Thanx, J.......
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5)
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
Only God forgives sin, and He's the only One to whom you need to tell your sins. Men can do nothing for you in that respect. Pastors and priests are necessary as sources for teaching and guidance (after all, THEY'VE studied more than you or I have) but no man can forgive or help to forgive your sins. God says so.
Thanks, but is that what the RC church teaches?
***1. The beauty and majesty of the masses, that appear to me to be such pure expressions of faith, and
2. The level of strict beleif on the newtork, from the unyielding belief in the teachings, to the activism as represented from Father Frank Pavones' show, and the willingness of the Priests in the daily mass to address issues such as abortion and euthanasia.
So, where does that leave me?***
Well, for starters, examining what is happing in that mass with what the Bible teaches. It doesn't matter how beautiful it may look.
In the service of the Lord,
Christian.
Of course. I guess that is what I am trying to figure out. Is what I am drawn to just a cover for something that does not jive with scripture?
BTW, Rodney King's dilemma isn't the first time this question of authority has risen with the Church. There was this thing called a Protestant Reformation which was fought partially over the issue of Authority. Of course, we Reformers properly recognized that the Popes in Rome were not the proper authority for the saint.
I seem to recall reading about this phrase called sola scriptura. Perhaps some of you know some ex-Catholics that have found the Biblical truths of the Reformers who can offer some advice to Rodney King about the church in Rome.
In the service of the Lord,
Christian.
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