"non-contradictory reasoning" -- My pleasure! I'm a big fan of Rand, too. I just think Objectivism needs a good theology. Like Christianity.
Galatians 3:27-29 --
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Mark W.
I was born in 1950. Baptized RC and raised RC. Grammar and HS educated by the Dominicans. Very devout (rosary-prayin, Novenas, indulgences, etc.). Sounded very much like the Catholics here. Nobody, I mean NOBODY, could get away with tellin me that the Catholic Church was wrong and that I was deceived. Them was fightin words!
I got married in the RC church to an Irish RC. By the time I was 33 I was a so-called "success" in the world. Had money, houses, family, great booze, great food, great sex. And, lots of questions and emptiness. I went to Mass and did all that was required. I knew all about God. I just didn't know Him ... like personally. I knew I wasn't a saint, but hey, who was? Right?
Then a godly man told me about Jesus. He told me that Jesus' church was alive and that all those miracles that He and His early believers did "way back then" were still happening today. And, he told me that God did not want me smokin, drinkin, lustin ... in short, sinnin anymore. He told me to read the bible for myself and not take his word for it.
So, hungry as I was for answers to my questions, I got me a bible and began to earnestly read it. I really meant business with God. I told Him that if it were really true, that if I could really know Jesus like His disciples knew Him, then I wanted it more than anything ... ANYTHING. I told Him I was truly sorry of all I had done to hurt Him. I asked Jesus into my heart and life to be not only my Saviour, but my LORD also and, to make me into the man that HE wanted me to be. I surrendered my life totally to Him.
Well, I had no intention of ever leaving the RC church. Like I said, I was brought up to believe that it was the one true church and that all those protestant churches only had part of the truth but not all of the truth. Yes, I readily recognized that the RC church had gotten off the true bible way at times throughout it's history but, I figured that it was my job to help try and change it back to it's purity like it was at the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost fell on everybody in the upper room.
I was wrong. The Holy Ghost spoke to me many times back then ... "Come out from among them and be ye separate" , "Why seek ye the living among the dead", "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" and lastly, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."
The truth of God's Word, the holy bible, convicted me. There were simply too many beliefs, dogmas and doctrines I had been taught growing up as a RC that conflicted with His holy Word. I had to choose. I knew that God cannot lie. I also believed that the bible was His Word, inspired by the Holy Ghost. And therefore, if there was a conflict between His Word and RC doctrines/teachings ... well, I would choose to be faithful to HIS WORD.
Needless to say, this was a watershed event in my life. Since that time 19 years ago, the Lord has drawn me to a closer walk with Him. I asked Him to sanctify me wholly and holy unto Him. He delivered me from the demon of fear of leaving the RC church ( you see, from the time I was old enough to remember, I was told/instructed in no uncertain terms that, if you ever left the RC church you would be "excommunicated". And, if you died in a state of "excommunication" you were bound for hell with no exception - I'm saying this for a reason). When I was delivered from this demon of fear, a very real, loud, guttural and involuntary ROAR came out of me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing but, it was all too real nonetheless.
After having my vessel sanctified clean, I was now ready for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. I sought this indwelling with all my heart. Sure enough, God was faithful to fill me with His Holy Ghost. Just why am I saying all of this? Because that IS the whole point of the gospel. It is simple enough so that a child can understand it. GOD will have a HOLY people. He sent His son Jesus to tell us not only what is required, but also to demonstrate how, by the power of the Holy Ghost, we are to live. HOLY, BLAMELESS, OBEDIENT. That means without sinning anymore.
I realize that this raises a few eyebrows. But, it is the truth anyhow. Now, what will you do with this gospel? Jesus told us what signs to look for as to the day of His return. Can anyone honestly say that those signs are not exhibited in our generation more so than at any other time in recorded history?
To my Catholic FReepers, I don't hate you. I simply give my testimony as to what I have witnessed. I love the Lord with all my heart and I will serve Him as HE desires/requires. He has set me free and sent me forth to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
I know this was long. Sorry, but I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a big difference between Religion and Reality. If you say that Jesus is your LORD, then it is incumbent upon YOU to yield to His Holy Word and to OBEY. No sinner will enter heaven, only saints. And, we are required to become saints NOW, in this life. Therefore, deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus. It will be worth it all.