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Posted on 03/03/2015 6:43:06 PM PST by Gamecock
We have free-floating guilt, can identify the Ave Maria within thre notes, and likely have rosary beads somewhere in the attic. We also own at least one study Bible, listen to sermons in the car, and know that a ‘quiet time’ is different from a nap. We are followers of Christ who grew up Roman Catholic and are now Evangelical Protestants.”
That’s how Chris Castaldo begins his helpful, irenic, and humorous book, Holy Ground: Walking with Jesus as a Former Catholic. Chris was raised in an Italian, Roman Catholic family on Long Island, eventually graduated from Moody and Gordon-Conwell, and now serves as Pastor of Outreach and Church Planting at College Church in Wheaton. Talk about quite a journey. All roads lead to Wheaton I suppose.
Chris (I’m going to call him Chris since I’ve know him since seminary days) has written an extremely useful and needed book. Let’s be clear: this is not a book on what Catholics believe (though there is some of that); it’s not a polemic about why evangelicals are right and Catholics are wrong (though there’s no doubt who Chris thinks is right); it’s not a book about whether Evangelicals and Catholics Together has been a good idea (though that would be interesting). This is a book for ex-Catholics and for anyone with Catholic friends and family. It’s a look at why Catholics turn evangelicals and how Catholics-turned-evangelical can relate to the Catholics in their lives.
In Part 1, Chris explains–through surveys, interviews, and theological reflection–why some Catholics become evangelical. First, ex-Catholics appreciate an every-member ministry where all Christians are called to full-time service. Second, ex-Catholics are drawn to a personal relationship with Jesus that is more than just rule-keeping. Third, ex-Catholic evangelicals enjoy the direct access they have to God through Christ, without the need of any other intermediary. Fourth, ex-Catholics have come to see that only proper object of our devotion is Jesus Christ, not Mary or the saints. Fifth, ex-Catholic feel new freedom and joy in the salvation-by-grace-alone-through-faith-alone gospel that is championed in evangelical circles.
Underlying all of these differences between Catholics and evangelicals, Chris argues, is the issue of authority. Is Scripture our final authority or should we also put councils and encyclicals on equal footing with the Bible? With the possible exception of justification, there is no other issue that does more to separate Catholics and evangelicals more than this issue of authority.
In Part 2, Chris turns from analysis to praxis as he offers advice on how we can relate to Catholics. Because Chris can speak with an insider’s knowledge, I found it especially interesting to read his chapter on how Catholics view evangelicals. He explains that Catholics often think we are superficial, too chummy with God, hopelessly splintered, and only interested in “fire insurance.” In my experience all of these can be valid critiques of evangelicals, especially the first two. (I think “fire insurance” is pretty important, and I don’t for one minute think the Roman Catholic church is any less splintered over doctrinal and ethical issues than the Protestant church. The Catholics have more institutional unity on the face of it, but they have just as much dissension inside, not too mention plenty of people that flat-out ignore what the institution says.)
If I have a quibble with Holy Ground it would be that in one or two places I found myself wanting Chris to be just a little less accommodating and do just a little more to show how far apart Catholics and evangelicals are on some issues. But this does not detract from the overall value of the work. I have already recommended it to ex-Catholics and will again. The best part about this book is that it handles a controversial subject in way that manages to be both light and serious at the same time. This book is funny, smart, well-written, and full of grace and truth, with a healthy dose of common sense to boot. There really isn’t another book quite like it.
Holy Ground is the sort of book ex-Catholics will love to read and the sort of book they wouldn’t be embarrased to give to a Catholic friend. Chris is always respectful about his past, even as explains why he had to leave it. Many people will see their journey in this book. The rest of us will be helped to listen in on the story.
Catholics make fantastic Christians, once they understand the Gospel of Grace.
Millions and millions and millions every year.
I had to look up the word irenic.
It’s a good word.
Yes.
Ping to folks who might appreciate conversion from one denomination to another, as long as that conversion leads to a deeper relationship with the Savior.
Jesus is still Catholic!
It’s right up there with condign.
The well-known and very popular Catholic couple, Scott and Kimberly Hahn, have been constantly travelling and speaking all over North America for the last few years about their conversion to the Catholic Church. Now these two outstanding Catholic apologists tell in their own words about the incredible spiritual journey that led them to embrace Catholicism. Scott Hahn was a Presbyterian minister, the top student in his seminary class, a brilliant Scripture scholar, and militantly anti-Catholic ... until he reluctantly began to discover that his “enemy” had all the right answers. Kimberly, also a top-notch theology student in the seminary, is the daughter of a well-known Protestant minister, and went through a tremendous “dark night of the soul” after Scott converted to Catholicism. Their conversion story and love for the Church has captured the hearts and minds of thousands of lukewarm Catholics and brought them back into an active participation in the Church. They have also influenced countless conversions to Catholicism among their friends and others who have heard their powerful testimony. Written with simplicity, charity, grace and wit, the Hahns’ deep love and knowledge of Christ and of Scripture is evident and contagious throughout their story. Their love of truth and of neighbor is equally evident, and their theological focus on the great importance of the family, both biological and spiritual, will be a source of inspiration for all readers.
**Scott Hahn was a Presbyterian minister**....
that didn’t know how (Acts 2:38) to be born again,....
**the top student in his seminary class**....
that didn’t teach how (Acts 2:38) to be born again,....
**a brilliant Scripture scholar**....
that didn’t know how (Acts 2:38) to be born again,....
**Kimberly, also a top-notch theology student in the seminary**....
and didn’t learn how (Acts 2:38) to be born again,....
**and went through a tremendous “dark night of the soul” after Scott converted to Catholicism.**....
and they are still in the dark.
People like them are proof that “not many wise, not many mighty....”.
Roman Catholicism is a vain show, top heavy with ritual, and man-made traditions.
I could really go on, but I’m already cutting out too much sleep tonight.
Scott Hahn has forgotten more about the Bible that most men will ever learn. He’s despised by protestants because he converted. Just another one of the thousands of brilliant young theologians that could not keep living a lie.
I have no idea what Ave Maria is and there are absolutely no rosary beads in my house. In fact, when my sister, who was the keeper of our mother's possessions, tried to give me this booklet recording a first communion I had absolutely no say in, I told her to throw it out as it meant absolutely nothing to me.
Prayers for you.
Reminder to donate $5 or $10 to end the Freepathon.
Wow, what an insulting slap to an adult theological position statement. Good thing you hid it behind a genuine prayer to God, otherwise it would be a pretty nasty sin - taking the entire relationship process with God in vain just to try to hurt someone while hiding behind sanctimonious piety. But even that doesn't really matter - if you don't quite manage to fool God, you can still deliver the insult and then just get forgiven in confession. Sweet setup.
Someone walks away from the Eucharist, the single most intimate relationship one can have with Jesus, and acts as tho it’s no big deal. Obviously hadn’t believed John 6. A true tragedy. Truly.
He’s absolutely right on everything.
For all the ex-Catholics out there ping.
Eating Jesus is the single more intimate relationship we can have with Him?
Not according to Scripture.
Having Him live in our hearts 24/7 is.
Being filled with His Holy Spirit and having constant spiritual communion with Him is.
Eating Him? Not so much.
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