Posted on 05/26/2007 4:32:30 PM PDT by Titanites
I am a convert to the Catholic Faith from Calvinism. I loved Calvinism and owned a library full of Calvin, Luther, Warfield, Hodge, Murray, Owen, Machen, etc. as well as helped plant a local Orthodox Presbyterian Church. I knew Reformation Theology and how much hatred it generates for the Catholic Church. As a Calvinist, I could boast with the best of them. I even persecuted the Catholic Church and went after every one of them I found, beating them back with Scripture, upon Scripture, upon quotes of Luther, Calvin, etc. I found great pleasure in debating Catholics.
My one flaw was learning what the Early Church Fathers believed. A Catholic who had not fared well in a debate with me, mentioned I should read the Early Church Fathers to see just how Catholic they were. I honestly thought I would just gain more "ammo" to use in my battles.
I found Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp with my first visit to the University Library. I poured over them for months until finally I pounded the books on the table with my fists, tossed them from the fourth to the third level of the library and wept. It seemed these great martyrs for the Faith were Catholic. It had taken about 8 months of going over Clement, Augustine, Athanasius, etc. to see the Catholic Church was the Early Church. I kept coming back to Ignatius and Polycarp as I could not get them out of my mind.
Over the next two years, I read more and more on the Catholic Faith and became less and less convinced the Reformed Faith was correct. It became clear to me; it was nothing more than a novelty, spewing forth doctrines that had never been believed before. Christ promised the Holy Spirit to His Church and stated the gates of hell would not prevail against it. I thought that was a lie and for 1500 years, the Church had been without truth and the gates of hell had prevailed. It is very humbling to come to the conclusion you have been horribly wrong, even to the point of not trusting the words of our precious Lord and Saviour. Yet, I still was not ready to become a Catholic.
Then one day when I was reading the Scripture I read Paul talking about how he was the most religious Pharisee, the most upright, and you know my heart was pierced and I actually laughed about how I could claim I had been one of the best Calvinists around, but then it hit me. Was that even something to boast about? So I looked up one of the most wonderful examples of boasting the Lord mentioned. Luke 18:9-14 (Please read the Scripture as this is my paraphrase)
'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Calvinist and the other a sinner. The Calvinist (that would be I) stood and was praying thus to himself, God, I thank thee that I am not like other people, sinners, Catholics, heretics, or even like this sinner beside me. I planted your church in this god-forsaken part of the country, I read the Scriptures and Calvin and Luther twice a week, and the rest of the week I read nothing but reformers and your Scriptures. But the sinner standing a little off to the side, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast saying, God, be merciful to me the sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled but he who humbles himself shall be exalted."
You know who the sinner was? I turned next to Luke 5:8 because I was then looking for others who admitted they were sinners for I knew I was once the boaster but now I was the sinner. "But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Peter then was able to go on and follow Jesus. Peter came home, this home became the Church, and he was the Rock it was built upon, and he was justified.
At that moment, it finally became clear I could not stay a Calvinist or stay in the OPC. I had plans to attend Westminster Seminary and those were discarded. I lost friends and was informed I must have never been a Christian in the first place.
As I became least, Christ became more. I decided the only place I could go was the home where the Apostle Peter went. I was accepted into the Catholic Church in Easter 2002. I have never been happier and I wish and pray this joy for all. I will never be the same after taking the Body and Blood of our Lord.
Any Reformed Protestant who believes there was no true church until the 16th century didn't pay much attention to the words of the Reformers and is likely letting their opposition to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church lead them to throw the baby out with the bath water.
well said
Wherever there are three persons, even though they are laymen, there is the church. Every man lives by his own faith, and God does not distinguish between classes. Since, in cases of necessity, you have the right to act as a priest, then you must also accept priestly discipline. It is God's will that all of us should be in the right spiritual state, at any time or place, to administer His sacraments. ... Tertullian (160?-230?)
It's no longer Rome's to dispense
Im a little "c" catholic
“We can not judge a mans eternity, because God may come and act on a man at any time and bring him to a saving knowledge of Christ. But I can judge the mans current spiritual condition and I am actually told to do this”
That isn’t what you said in your reply, dear.
You said: “When did you gain the power and authority to read this man’s heart and judge his soul?
In scripture.”
LOL. Yep.
Although frankly, I'm starting to think perhaps these recent "conversion" stories on FR are as much a fiction of Rome as is Mary's ascension bodily into heaven.
They read like a script written by a 14-year-old.
I actually laughed about how I could claim I had been one of the best Calvinists around, but then it hit me. Was that even something to boast about?
LOLOL. So I guess the moral of the story is it's better to be a Scripturally-illiterate Romanist who follows other men and magisteriums who put their trust in "early church fathers" over the Word of God, rather than a confident Calvinist who reads Scripture by the grace of the Holy Spirit and thus knows whom he has believed.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" -- 1 Timothy 2:5
He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" -- Isiah 44:15-20 "Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
Amen.
"For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." -- 1 Corinthians 11:19
**It’s simply a matter of history. The Catholic Church built upon St Peter the Rock was here first!**
History? I’ll give you history. The first record of disciples confessing that Jesus was the Christ is found in John 1:41 by Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. In the next verse, the Lord calls Peter a stone.
Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. Peter confirms this in 1Peter 2:6-8.
**Our Lord lived here on earth 2000 years ago so how could any group that did not come about til centuries later be his church? So that lets out the “reformers”, the Mormons, the JWs etc..**
Do you really believe that it took the devil years, or even months to create ‘more accurate’ Christianity?
I believe Satan was blindsided by Pentecost. Nevertheless, before that day was over, he was hatching deceptive ways to keep people from being ‘buried with HIM’ (not them) for the remission of sins, and misleading souls about the Holy Ghost infilling. And in harmony with all deceptive practices, the devil would not hesitate to lay claim to being the preserver of scripture.
The apostle Paul met a false prophet on the isle of Paphos during his first recorded missionary journey. Paul charged him with “perverting the right ways of the Lord” (Acts 13:6-11). Now, we know that there were Jews from all over the Middle East in Jerusalem on Pentecost. How many may have heard about what happened, but were not in the vicinity, yet went home saying: “I was there, (me too!, me too!) and this is what happened!”
Can't be said often enough, Fru. Thanks for posting it!
Amen.
"So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed." -- Acts 19:20
Indeed:
From the Article above:
As I became least, Christ became more. I decided the only place I could go was the home where the Apostle Peter went. I was accepted into the Catholic Church in Easter 2002. I have never been happier and I wish and pray this joy for all. I will never be the same after taking the Body and Blood of our Lord.
From a 2001 posting on the web:
Salvation outside the Church
QUESTION from Rodney Beason April 24, 2001
|
Greetings and thank you for letting me post a question. I am involved in a discussion with some very traditionally minded Catholics who state there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church. For example Protestants are not saved. I am a Catholic as well, but when I bring up Vatican ll they scoff it is not an ancient source. Would you know of any pre Vatican ll statements I could show to them letting them know Protestants can be saved? Thank you kindly. |
Notice how he claims he was admitted to the Catholic Church around Easter of 2002, but then he claims to be a Catholic in 2001.
Internet search engines reveal much.
THANKYOU PM,
SEE POST 19!
“I DO NOT DISRUPT THREADS,IT IS NOT A PROFITEABLE USE OF THE LORD’S TIME,HOWEVER THIS IS A OUTRIGHT LIE!
BEEN IN ROME,BORN THERE AND IF YOU CARE TO READ MY PROFILE,I BELIEVE CATHOLIC BELIEVERS AS WELL AS OTHER PROTESTANT BELIEVERS ARE SAVED.
MAN’S AUTHORITY MEAN’S NOTHING!”
With most internet rumors there are often many versions of the story.
Here's another version of this story.
Notice how that version is signed "In Christ" but This one from the same site is signed "In Christ and Mary".
I think that is a distinct possibility :)
For all with ears to hear and eyes to see, God will not be mocked.
"He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" -- Isaiah 44:20
Phew! I knew I smelled your hate in here somewhere. You're dripping with it.
LOL. There is no "hate" anywhere in my post. I was referring to an earlier comment. Read the entire exchange before you personally criticize someone.
As Trinitarian Christians, I think most RCs are probably saved. Rome, however, does not extend that same understanding to me, as I have been anathemized by Trent as one who believes in salvation by Christ's justification alone.
Now that seems truly "hateful." But Christians have been told to expect that. And so we go forth by the power of His word and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“Terrific sleuthing”
Seems incredibly innocuous to me.
A possible afterthought doesn’t a conspiracy make. Maybe that was all that it was. You don’t know.
Nor does it indicate anything fraudulent.
Glory be to God—there’s a whole lot of nitpicking going on here.
Imagine IN MARY, goes very nicely with the Mary as co redeemer theology I guess
Indeed it is the "saved by works" based Catholic who is more likely to have that attitude than the "saved by Grace and Grace alone" Calvinist.
I can't help but notice how in some versions of this story, that portion of the "tesimony" is left out.
EXACTLY
I actually was thinking that most of the regenerate ( saved) are busy thanking and praising God for His grace and mercy.
Why don't you produce Mr. Beason and have him explain how in 2001 he was just a regular every day Catholic and in 2002 he suddenly converted from being a lifelong Calvinist to being an "In Christ and Mary" Catholic.
Maybe that doesn't bother you, but that kind of inconsistency spells "fraud" in my business.
I won’t jump to any rash judgment about anyone.
That’s one jumping exercise I won’t do, because I know I will be held accountable—from a higher Person than anyone on this forum.
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