Posted on 10/08/2014 11:39:09 AM PDT by NKP_Vet
Why would intelligent, successful people give up their careers, alienate their friends, and cause havoc in their families...to become Catholic? Indeed, why would anyone become Catholic?
As an evangelist and author who recently threw my own life into some turmoil by deciding to enter the Catholic Church, I've faced this question a lot lately. That is one reason I decided to make this documentary; it's part of my attempt to try to explain to those closest to me why I would do such a crazy thing.
Convinced isn't just about me, though. The film is built around interviews with some of the most articulate and compelling Catholic converts in our culture today, including Scott Hahn, Francis Beckwith, Taylor Marshall, Holly Ordway, Abby Johnson, Jeff Cavins, Devin Rose, Matthew Leonard, Mark Regnerus, Jason Stellman, John Bergsma, Christian Smith, Kevin Vost, David Currie, Richard Cole, and Kenneth Howell. It also contains special appearances by experts in the field of conversion such as Patrick Madrid and Donald Asci.
Ultimately, this is a story about finding truth, beauty, and fulfillment in an unexpected place, and then sacrificing to grab on to it. I think it will entertain and inspire you, and perhaps even give you a fresh perspective on an old faith.
(Excerpt) Read more at indiegogo.com ...
Sure, I have been misled recently that the street evangelists around here were Hebrew and Greek scholars because there are online tools for other men's work readily available. Just think "Jew of God," yep that Peter, or Shimon/Simeon if you prefer, was a Jew of God.
what, then, did Christ mean when He empowered the Apostles to forgive sins....He said"whose sins YOU shall forgive, they are forgiven"....was He kidding, leading them on???/Of course we can't forgive others sins, but the church has the aauthority do so and the phrase I posted gives her that authority....you can't just ignore the obvious (It was hard being a Catholic, wasn't it!)
Try reading Ephesians 2:19-22, slowly and reverently. After you master that, try John 21:15-22; afterward try Galatians 2:7-8.
I read the essay and it's the same weak arguments I've heard from every catholic on this topic. And not one of the statements is Scripturally sound.
To say that Psalms 45 points to Mary is indeed a stretch and more accurately, not even an accurate reading of the text.
The appeal that the "early church" was doing this is also dubious. We know, in spite of how many times catholics say it, that the ECFs were not in 100% agreement on Mary, the papacy, or most of the things modern day roman Catholicism espouses.
They can't even translate the passage in Luke when the angel greets Mary....He doesn't say "Hail full of grace"....for the umpteenth time the greek is translated as "Hail, you favored with grace." There is a huge difference between the two from a theological position. So from the very start the catholic position is not founded on a solid scriptural basis.
And then to compare Mary being some "new" Eve by analogy further deteriorates the catholic position. The pain of childbirth was a result of the sin of Eve. Mary experienced the pain of childbirth. She offered a sin offering after birth completely destroying the catholic position on the immaculate conception.
I just find it completely amazing that catholics are so entrenched in their "understanding" on this topic and can't see the forest for the trees.
You,Salvation and others seem like sincere nice people. I encourage you, and all catholics, to do your own research. Examine what you are being taught. Compare it with the Word. Get a greek interlinear and check the words for yourselves. Ditch the man-made stuff...stay with the Word.
Right from my post 1975; Is the KJV unfamiliar to you ? I also integrated other scriptures which are in my mind and heart. I take them for granted because I believe them. I assume a certain level here of Biblical literacy. if you are going to contest Peter bring the Apostle of the Jews, the chief servant Messiah chose, well it won't be from ignorance of never having been taught the truth. 19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
they do, and luckily they wrote it down so you'd be able to read it...
Would you care to elaborate very carefully ?
Most of the blood is drained....that in the main veins and arteries...however, the tiny capillaries that carry blood through the meaty portions of the body and the organs is not drained, nor could it ever be totally excluded from body tissues....I was raised on a farm too.
Glad you are.....now let's put the whole thing in context shall we? btw...in future postings it's customary to post the book, chapter and verse.
Matthew 16:13-19
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
What was Jesus asking?
Who did He ask?
What was the answer?
The answer to the above three is the rock upon which the church is built.
We see this in the text below. Jesus is the cornerstone.
Did the apostles lay a foundation? yes they did.
What was the foundation they laid?
You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He is the cornerstone.
Ephesians below reinforces this even more in verses 21 and 22 where it notes In Him the whole building is joined and In Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling....
Note that Ephesians is addressed to the Gentiles who are now Christians but calls us fellow members of His household.
We, that is all Christians, are to continue building on the foundation. It is not just reserved for members of the clergy. It never has been.
Ephesians 2:19-22
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
When you build a building you start with the foundation. The apostles and prophets built the foundation. No one denies that.
But was the foundation they laid constructed from?
The blood of Christ....the confession that "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
What did Paul, Peter, James, Timothy, Stephen, and the rest build the foundation on? JESUS CHRIST! He is the cornerstone.
And as Christians we are to continue building His building.
I have explained this several times already. Someone needs to pay more attention.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.