[Quix]

Long, convoluted arguments that contradict the simple truth of the Gospel tend to put people into a trance-like stupor. If people become convinced the Bible is too difficult to understand on their own, so much so that it makes them uncomfortable to even try to read and understand it, they will gratefully hand over their consciences and minds and faith to the “higher authority” of a bunch of old men who tell them they know best — “Do this and be saved.”

Yet Christ’s instruction is much more succinct...

“Be not afraid; only believe.” — Mark 5:36

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Well and accurately put, imho.

[caww]

(”Long, convoluted arguments that contradict the simple truth of the Gospel tend to put people into a trance-like stupor. If people become convinced the Bible is too difficult to understand on their own, so much so that it makes them uncomfortable to even try to read and understand it, they will gratefully hand over their consciences and minds and faith to the “higher authority” of a bunch of old men who tell them they know best — “Do this and be saved”)

I worked with several catholics. I made a point before knowing any ones denomination, that being new to the area I was looking for a church to attend. They asked if I was catholic...my answer was I am Christian and I follow Christ.

They pressed harder for a denomination...I stated my response again with this fact...When you identify a denomination you will be placed in a compartment of beliefs associated with that denomination rather than that of the centrality of Christ and Christ alone. Why wouldn't this be sufficient to “qualify” for an invitation into any church that bears His name? Their response...then you're not catholic so you can't come to my church...the other catholics agreed.

They missed the whole point entirely. Later discussions would show they had no understanding of scripture for the very reason stated above..and they said as much. Too hard to understand..too complicated..etc. etc. So I listed off the ten commandments asking what was hard to understand about these?

Further, That God is not as concerned about what we might not understand, as He will bring that to light in His own time, as he is with what we are doing about what we do understand. Their response was to further state the difficulty of reading and understanding scripture no matter how much I encouraged them otherwise.

It seemed to me then that they indeed saw the church and their Priests as their salvation thru other conversations which followed. Mass and Lent was the extent of their conversations..so I inquired of these...they couldn't explain except that is what they do.