Sources of the Protestant Devolution

Catholic Stand ^ | November 6, 2014 | Matthew Tyson

[NYer]

In June of this year, the largest Presbyterian denomination in America voted to allow their clergy to perform same-sex “marriages” within the church, thus joining the ranks of other Protestant denominations, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Episcopalian Church, and United Church of Christ.

This “evolution” of theology and “modernizing” of church doctrine is a trend that I predict we’ll continue to see in non-Catholic Christian circles for years to come, and not just with marriage. Today, nearly all Protestant denominations support and even advocate the use of artificial birth control, and many allow at least some level of support for abortion.

Of course, not all Protestants are willing to “move with the times”, so to speak; there remains, especially among the more conservative groups, quite a bit of dissent. However, it cannot be denied that many modern day Protestant denominations are falling further into the depths of secularism.

While it pains me to see Christians turning their backs on the sanctity of life and marriage, I have to admit that whenever the media lights up with news of another Protestant church endorsing an otherwise wholly unchristian act, I find myself entirely unsurprised.

The reason for my utter lack of shock lies, interestingly enough, within two of the critical tenants of Protestant Theology: the doctrines of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and sola fide (faith alone).

Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide

As Catholics, the Bible is not our sole source of authority, nor was the Catholic Church based upon it. In fact, what we now call “The Bible” — the collected Old Testament and New Testament writings — was put together by the Church herself, and is meant to enrich and support our doctrine and Tradition.

(Consider too that the Gospel is the written testimony of the teachings of the apostles, which, due to apostolic tradition and the God-given teaching authority of the Church, precedes the written text. Thus, any authority of the Scriptures is derived from the recognition of the Church.)

Yet, the Protestant Reformation severed the Tradition from the Bible, and put all other authorities beneath it. By doing so, they created a type of religious relativism (unwittingly, I’m sure) that opened the door for an “anything goes” mentality. So long, of course, as it can be found — or not found — in the scriptures.

For years, sola scriptura was a major weapon against Catholic theology, claiming that our practices were either absent or directly forbidden by Sacred Scripture. However, since the latter part of the 20th century, the charges that “Jesus never said (x)” or “That’s not in the Bible” have turned on themselves and have now become, “Jesus never said (x) was wrong, so that means (x) must be okay.”

This idea blends well with many in my generation, the millennials, who wish to hold on to some shred of spirituality but cannot bring themselves to relinquish the desires of the flesh. It is also a base notion of “Progressive Christianity”, which is basically the feel-good parts of following Christ without any actual sacrifice.

The same problem goes for sola fide. Though the only place in the Bible where the words “faith” and “alone” appear next to one another is in James 2:24 (“See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone”), it still remains a significant tenant of Protestant Christianity. However, much like sola scriptura, it has seemingly evolved into an even more bastardized version of itself that states, “As long as I’m a good person and believe in Jesus, I’m okay.”

The Beginning of the End?

Now, understand, I’m not among the ilk who believe that Protestants can’t go to Heaven, though the path is significantly more challenging (and not in a “take up your cross” kind of way). I do believe, however, that Christianity was never meant go in this direction. And I certainly believe that, should things continue in the manner they’re going for the modern-day Protestants, they’ll eventually have nothing left to call Christian at all.

Of course, perhaps that’s the only logical conclusion Protestantism could possibly come to. It is, after all, a theologically incomplete Christianity; and perhaps that is why it has such difficulty standing the test of time. Consider the continuous splintering Protestantism has seen since the days of Luther, that continues today. Sooner or later, it will be dust; and displaced Christians will be left with two choices: return to Holy Catholic Church or give themselves to the world.

[RFEngineer]

“That is not presumption. That is taking God at His word. It’s called *trust* and *faith*.”

That is precisely why mortal man cannot know if one is worthy of heaven or eternal damnation - everybody falls short. Everyone.

[CynicalBear]

>>We aren’t saying that folks are going to hell because we’ve determined their affiliation to be worthy of eternal damnation.<<

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

We have enough scripture to understand and let God tell us.

[CynicalBear]

>>That is precisely why mortal man cannot know if one is worthy of heaven or eternal damnation - everybody falls short. Everyone.<<

It's not us that the Father looks at. It's Christ in us. Those who are looking to themselves will fall catastrophically short.

[metmom]

We aren’t saying that folks are going to hell because we’ve determined their affiliation to be worthy of eternal damnation.

Show me where I EVER said that.

However, that IS the official Catholic position, spoken by many of your popes.

[metmom]

That is precisely why mortal man cannot know if one is worthy of heaven or eternal damnation - everybody falls short. Everyone.

Exactly.

That's why it's based on God's mercy and grace and the gift of forgiveness that God offers those who trust Him.

[WVKayaker]

That is precisely why mortal man cannot know if one is worthy of heaven or eternal damnation - everybody falls short. Everyone.

Ignorance is bliss for some people. It is a shame that the simple Truth cannot be seen through the indoctrinal catechism of the Roman Catholic religious.

Paul wrote much on the subject and explained it in detail. He offers himself as a prime example of our place in God's economy.

Romans 7: 4 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! ...

8: 8 ... 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. ... (NIV)

...

[metmom]

AMEN!!!!

[boatbums]

Matthew 11:16, 17 then Matthew 15:1-9, for those who want to look up the passages and read them IN CONTEXT.

[daniel1212]

Don’t forget “do penance” instead of “repent” and “she shall crush thy head” instead of “HE shall crush thy head”.

Yes, but that is not the case with the NAB.

[RFEngineer]

“However, that IS the official Catholic position, spoken by many of your popes.”

??? I’m not Catholic.

[RFEngineer]

“Show me where I EVER said that.”

Are you saying that you DO think that folks, based on their religion, are worthy of eternal damnation? I was pretty sure you’d never say that.

Maybe you mistook “Aren’t” for “are”

[af_vet_1981]

??? I’m not Catholic.

Next time, mention that before the posse puts the rope around your neck ...

[caww]

What a beautiful post full of confirmation scripture that we are as believers fully secure in Him!... Such Grace...such Amazing Grace!... How sweet the sound indeed!

[caww]

...."It's not us that the Father looks at. It's Christ in us"....

[metmom]

Are you saying that you DO think that folks, based on their religion, are worthy of eternal damnation? I was pretty sure you’d never say that.

Nope, and I never did.

Maybe you mistook “Aren’t” for “are”

It wouldn't surprise me......

[Elsie]

Yes, Narses was hurt,...

His own fault; for not using any logic in his responses to...

...or accusing Catholics of raping babies...

Chase it back down; and you'll see this was NOT what was posted originally, but that the Sun God folks were doing this.

Yes, the Catholic religion WAS compared to having it's basis in the Sun God religion; but to get your panties in a wad and make the LEAP that CATHOLICS ARE RAPING BABIES was a jump n made all all his own.

When other folks (even the Boss) wouldn't go along with his flimsy strawman, he took his umbrage, put it in his car and drove off in a 1930's Snit.

[Elsie]

The KJV mistranslated the Greek word (porna) for harlot into whore. (further protestant butchering of the bible) The correct translation is that St. John sees the great harlot.

I'm glad THIS glaring difference has been noted!!

DAMN them Protestant butchers all to Hell!!

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vatican/esp_vatican29.htm

[Elsie]

Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore (porné) that sitteth upon many waters:

 

 

And those seven churches were ALL Catholic!!!

 

Yet; Rome owns THIS one all right!!

[Elsie]

So the KJV using "whore" - "woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money" for harlot - "a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money" is "butchering the Bible?

Pete, it's a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart.

[Elsie]

You’re as bad as the author of the article when you say you know who is going to hell and why - I’d be remiss if I didn’t point that out.

Likewise; I'd be lacking by NOT posting this:

John 3:18 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God.