Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope

Cor ad cor loquitur ^ | 16 November 2004 | Al Kresta/Dave Armstrong

[VOA]

bump

[annalex]

Thank you for your comments last week.

[Mr. Lucky]

I’m sure I’ll hate myself for asking, but what is “the” Protestant worldview?

[Tax-chick]

I read Carson, and he wrote "had it not been for Protestant overreaction to exaggerated papal claims, virtually nobody would have ever thought that the rock referred to Peter's faith. It's clearly a reference to Peter." And I said, "I've never heard that before!" Then I went over to R.T. France, and I read that, and I said, "is he quoting Carson?" He said virtually the same thing! And I was stunned. And I began to make some phone calls, and I found out that in New Testament scholarship, this is becoming the consensus position! Peter is the rock, not Peter's confession. It's straightforward.

How interesting! It's remarkable how "scholarly" positions can change, but it can take forever to filter down to the average person in a congregation ... if it ever does.

I'm reminded of the way the theory of evolution keeps spawning new concepts and propositions, while the average person on the street still remembers learning how the giraffe streeeettched its neck, in the 4th grade.

[tiki]

"had it not been for Protestant overreaction to exaggerated papal claims, virtually nobody would have ever thought that the rock referred to Peter's faith. It's clearly a reference to Peter." And I said, "I've never heard that before!" Then I went over to R.T. France, and I read that, and I said, "is he quoting Carson?" He said virtually the same thing! And I was stunned. And I began to make some phone calls, and I found out that in New Testament scholarship, this is becoming the consensus position! Peter is the rock, not Peter's confession. It's straightforward.

Hmmmmm, there may be a lot of people coming Home soon.

Seriously, I see people seeking truth, the mainline churches are barely limping along. People are searching and many of them are finding designer churches that teach what they want to believe or churches full of emotion with a charismatic leader but many of them are finding their home in the church of Our Lord, it is good.

[biscuit jane]

Heck if I know .

A it is euphenism he made up so he could create division ??

He can be Catholic if he wants, good for him.

Why does he focus so much effort on critiquing Protestants?

Why is he so focused on “issues” rather than The Messiah?

[Alex Murphy]

Thank you for your comments last week.

That's odd - I don't recall making any comments on one of your threads.

[biscuit jane]

he:

“These are sheep without a shepherd. There’s nobody here that can bring this together.” If an issue like abortion cannot bring the community together, in this way, and if civil disobedience of this sort . . . “

ME:

Uh, ‘scuse me I/WE do have a Shepard — his name is Jesus Christ.

And yes we are united in our stance on abortion.

You are correct, no earthly voice/personality/pastor speaks for the Christian community. We strive toward the goal, sometimes falling short, but we press on. We don’t need or want a figure head/central leader other than Christ himself.

In fact I’d say better to set the problems of the Catholic church in order before you try turning attention to the personal issues you have with the greater CHristian community.

[Mr. Lucky]

None of us are saved by how well we denigrate someone else’s faith.

[annalex]

From the perspective of this segment, the absence of a coherent Protestant view is what Al Kresta found lacking:

there's really no hope for this community. In fact, it isn't a community; it's a bunch of disparate fiefdoms, kingdoms that these people have built. These are sheep without a shepherd

...

Peter is the rock, not Peter's confession. It's straightforward.

[Mr. Lucky]

OK, but what do you think that has to do with my worldview?

[annalex]

Why does he focus so much effort on critiquing Protestants?

I don't think he does. The only place I coud find his reversion story is on this fellow convert blog. Al's Kresta in the Afternoon radio program is typically about civic involvement, events of the day form the Catholic perspective, etc.

If you want a show that concentrates on conversions, it would be Marcus Grodi's Journey Home Program.

[annalex]

You are correct. My devious plan has just worked.

[wmfights]

In fact I’d say better to set the problems of the Catholic church in order before you try turning attention to the personal issues you have with the greater CHristian community.

You don't understand. They don't believe in a greater Christian community, unless it submits to their perceived authority.

[annalex]

better to set the problems of the Catholic church in order before you try turning attention to the personal issues you have with the greater CHristian community.

On this I agree. However, one of the internal problems of Catholics in the West has been not knowing the treasure they have in their Church:

I honestly didn't like most of the Catholics I've met.

[biscuit jane]

quote:

“...ever thought that the rock referred to Peter’s faith. It’s clearly a reference to Peter.” And I said, “I’ve never heard that before!” Then I went over to R.T. France, and I read that, and I said, “is he quoting Carson?” He said virtually the same thing! And I was stunned. And I began to make some phone calls, and I found out that in New Testament scholarship, this is becoming the consensus position! Peter is the rock, not Peter’s confession. It’s straightforward.”

Is that the fulcrum that Mr. based his Catholic conversion on ?

Yes it could be Peter (also could be reference to Christ)
and if so, how does that translate into
the Catholic faith being the only faith ,
and the Vatican II church of today ??

And if the VII modern Catholic church is the one true church
then what about the previous incarnations of the Catholic church ?? (First Vatican council and the Council of Trent).

Were those Catholic churches wrong ??

Where do I write Mr. to ask him these questions ??

[annalex]

How would I know?

[Mr. Lucky]

My point exactly.

[annalex]

With apologies to all, these are the preceding installments in the series:

Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar

I forgot to post them in the flag post.