Catholic Credentials
In your response to Ray S., on the subject of the Marks Of The True Church you noted John 17, where Jesus prays that his church would be "one". You followed that Ray S., "along with all Roman Catholics", misinterpret this to mean something like "organizational unity, etc. I am always troubled by generalizations, particularly when made by religious leaders. Your statement was, in fact, in error. That aside, could you describe the foundation of your knowledge of Roman Catholic Doctrine for those that are unfamiliar with your history. Am I wrong to assume that you have a history with the Roman Catholic Church? Further, is it also possible that much of your impression of the Roman Catholic Church is based on your current religions teachings? Thank you and keep up the good work.
Tom O.
My statement was in error? How so? This is in fact the standard line of argument used by professional Catholic apologists the world over (not to mention their followers). Do you have evidence of any significant Catholic apologist, author, scholar, etc., who views Roman Catholic unity any differently than I have described it? I have simply reiterated the argument of those who are considered to be Rome's modern-day defenders. As to the foundation of my knowledge of Roman Catholicism: I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic home; attended Roman Catholic schools for six years; served as an altar boy; received the sacraments of baptism, first holy communion, and confirmation, attended church nearly daily for the duration of my stint in Catholic school; went to CCD every Wednesday evening as an adolescent--oh, yes, and attended mass every Sunday with my family. As a young adult I read the Bible and, for the first time, saw the utter disparity between the teaching of the Bible and the teaching of Rome, rejected Rome's teaching as heresy, and received the simple salvation that is in Christ alone. More recently, I wrote a book on Roman Catholicism (over 250 pages--available on our publications page), am writing my doctoral dissertation on Rome's teaching about Mary, and engage in public debates with professional Catholic apologists. Does that qualify me? I guess you'll have to decide. As to whether it is possible that my impression of the Roman Catholic Church is based on my current religions teachings--well, that impression was formed well before I even knew what an Evangelical was. My impression of Rome was formed by nothing other than Scripture.
E.S.