Because life is long and God gives each man a specific road to walk.
The RCC's problem is in confusing sanctification with justification. Since you say you are an ex-Protestant, I find it difficult to understand how someone can find refuge in a theology which blatantly gets this wrong. Believers are justified once for all time by Christ's work on the cross on their behalf, but our sanctification is ongoing and takes a lifetime. Our sanctification is a result of our justification by Christ, not a requirement for it, as the RCC wrongly teaches.
So God's flock may take many and varied paths before they are brought home.
The problem with the RCC is that their path is so far afield from Scripture that it shows itself to be an obvious impostor.
What's more, as others have noted, the insistent demand for "authority" other than the Scriptures makes the RCC into another legalistic Pharisee whose hoops are not of God.
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." -- John 3:27-36"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
The RCC obscures this clear understanding of Christ and salvation, and instead clutters it with legalisms and idolatries.
Look at the error of the RCC in just these two verses from John 3 -- "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ...For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him."
1) Even John the Baptist denies that he is "another Christ" unlike the RCC magisterium which wrongly confers that title on all their priestcraft.
2) Those who are of God speak the words of God, not like Christ Himself who speaks the word in perfection, who actually is the word, but "by a measure," certain and growing in clarity, as He wills.
And so we are told to weigh that "measure" and when we do, we find mainline Protestant churches in a balance with the word of God that is simply not found in the RCC whose measure is greatly wanting.
Additionally, the RCC wrongly teaches that a man must be absolved of his sins by a priest and the sacraments before he gets into heaven. This lends a definite nervousness to life that's totally useless. God alone determines the day we're born and the day we die. He knows every step of our walk with Him, and one way or another, He will bring safely home every one of His sheep.
Good post. Another thing to remember is that the differences that are found among Protestant churches are mostly non-essential beliefs. Differences in how to govern, session or congregation or whatever. Pre, Post, and Amill positions. None of these negate our love for Christ and each other.
-A8
Excellent post Doc. I tried to say something like that but I just couldn't get my fingers to work right. You said it so bluntly and so succinctly. Whenever I try to be that blunt, I get a warning from the Religion Mod.
Amen (Phil.1:6)
No, Jesus Christ taught that--we simply pass on the true faith as recorded in the Gospels. And notice that when Jesus gives the power to forgive sins to His Apostles it is surrounded with "peace", not nervousness.
"Peace be to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." When He had said this, He breathed upon them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."
Thank you Jesus!
Your argumentation begs the question. Who gave you the authority to say that your interpretation is right and that of the Catholic Church is wrong? Who has the authority to speak on behalf of Christ in defending His Holy Word? Not me, not Dr. Eckleburg, not any other human--but only the Holy Spirit through His Church: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you." (Jn 15:26).
The Holy Spirit didn't leave the Catholic Church in the 1500's.
Jesus said: "Thou art Peter (Cephas--rock), and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus also said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you [plural--Apostles], that he may sift you [plural] as wheat: But I have prayed for thee [singular—Cephas only], that thy faith fail not: and thou [singular], being once converted, confirm thy brethren.” (Lk 22:31-32).
Thank you Jesus! "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of everlasting life, and we have come to believe and to know that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God!" (Jn 6:69-70).