Posted on 03/19/2014 1:32:10 PM PDT by rwa265
If a Protestant looking into the claims of Catholicism were to ask me, “What one book should I read, where I can find a quick answer to any question I have?” I would tell him to read Devin Rose’s new book The Protestant’s Dilemma. I would also recommend this book to Protestant apologists, even those of many years, well-skilled in polemics. It will remind them of the heavy burden of proof they face, and the weakness of their position on point after point. The truth may set them free and bring them home too. (It has happened.)
All this may seem like overstatement — the obligatory praise from one Catholic blogger to another. But it is not.
Consider first the range of issues this book takes up. There are thirty-six chapters, each one on a different topic, from the papacy to sola scriptura, from the canon of the Bible to Purgatory, from confession to Eucharist to infant baptism. If something about the Catholic Church troubles you, this book has the answer. If you think you have found the point on which Catholicism fails, this book will show you why it is one more point upon which Protestantism fails.
Consider also the brevity. The book is just over 200 pages long, which means that Mr. Rose’s answers get to the root of the question without a knot of academic detail. It is harder to do than it might seem. This is the book of a man who has spent a long time studying the questions that divide Protestants and Catholics, and who knows how to present his case in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. At the same time, the book is useful for the professional apologist, for it recalls his mind to the basics.
(Excerpt) Read more at scottericalt.com ...
Anyone who actually BELIEVES this must surely have a hole somewhere!
There seems to be a little confusion over just who made whom, doesn’t there?
Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic; for our better ordering, and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, 1620.
I guess you have nothing to give.
On top of stupidity...What a statement, eh??? WE MADE GOD WHAT HE IS!!!
Thank you for the sage advice, since you have not been able to tell me the meaning of AFSD, I will chalk that up as a humongous win.
It has everything to do with that, as a mater of fact that is the only thing it has to do with. Because unless there is even a possibility it is simply Matthew 7:6.
Keep telling yourself that little man, keep telling yourself that.
I'd chalk that up as a win, Iscool.
You see, the problem arises when someone teaches something the apostles didn’t teach.
That is what you see is the problem. As others see it, the problem arises when someone does not teach something that the apostles did teach.
I don’t see either as being a problem.
As the son, brother, cousin, uncle, and good friend of Methodists, Evangelicals, Baptists, Lutherans, and members of other Christian religions, I fully respect their belief that the teachings found in scriptures are sufficient to attain eternal salvation.
But as a Catholic, I believe that many teachings were handed down from Jesus through the apostles and St. Paul by word of mouth, and that these oral teachings make up the Tradition of the Catholic Church.
What I see as a huge problem is the animosity that is shown on the Religion forum. The name calling, the cat fighting, the lack of respect shown for fellow Christians who believe differently, the assetion by one Christian that another Christian is going to hell.
Catholics, remember that the Catechism says that those followers of Christ who came out of the Reformation have the right to be called Christians and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord.
Those of you that believe Catholics are not preaching the gospel that you preach, and are idolators, fine. Consider us to be accursed if that is what you feel you must do. Don’t associate with us, don’t eat with us, don’t wish us God speed, expel us from your midst. But take care not to judge us, lest you jeopardize the salvation of your own soul. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 5 that God will judge those outside.
As for me, I will continue to pray for all of you and take consolation in the words of St. Paul to the Romans:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access [by faith] to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.
“For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
Nice try but that was a copy of Metmom's original post 338.
I will take that win as well
It is amazing how ignorant a protestant can be regarding the Catholic Church.
You deny the continuity of the papacy, and still complain when the Popes are elected and have hands laid upon them by Cardinals who were elected and have hand laid on them by Popes who were earlier elected and have had hand laid upon by Cardinals......etc ......etc in a continuous line from Peter.
AMDG
If you stick around long enough you will cease to be amazed, or at least be less amazed. You will also note that the most ignorant are those that were Catholic, or claim to have been Catholic at some point in their lives.
How many threads do "Protestants" post regularly that can be categorized as intentionally provocative against Catholics? No contest, if you ask me. The question is WHY? Why do Catholics on Free Republic delight in causing dissension and discord? Is their faith so fragile that they have to belittle others in order to feel superior? If you start a destructive fire, don't be surprised when someone comes along and tries to put it out. Mr. Rose, by writing his little book, is attempting to soothe the doubts he STILL has over leaving.
Just what are those traditions Paul was referring to that he handed down that we are to keep that were not included in Scripture?
How do you know?
How do you know they’re from the apostles, Paul in particular?
How do you know they’ve been passed down faithfully?
What is your source for verifying all of the above?
Please provide the sources for verification purposes.
Proverbs 23:9
Um, yeah! When the Holy Spirit inspired word of God said that anything other than what the apostles teach is to be considered “accursed” I take that seriously.
>> As others see it, the problem arises when someone does not teach something that the apostles did teach.<<
Yep! I believe that also.
>> I don’t see either as being a problem.<<
Well, then just thow out scripture and make up whatever you want. Rely on what someone tells you that was passed down by word of mouth through thousands of years with hopefully no changes. If that is what your religion is based on we are not talking about the same God anyway so not much sense in continuing. >> But as a Catholic, I believe that many teachings were handed down from Jesus through the apostles and St. Paul by word of mouth, and that these oral teachings make up the Tradition of the Catholic Church.<<
Exactly why I asked if the truth of Catholic teaching would change protestant hearts or minds. Most of you have shown a inability/ unwillingness to accept the truth.
Yet YOU posted this very thread extolling a former "Protestant" leaving his denomination and becoming a Roman Catholic and then writing a book designed to provoke Protestants by claiming he has determined they have a "dilemma" in the things they believe. Only you know your motive for doing so, but, if you already bemoan the "animosity" that pops up on threads like this, then WHY did you post it?
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