Beautifully put, and in a way I'd not encountered before.
Nominally raised Roman Catholic, I was due to get confirmed (several decades ago now). Around that time, I happened to watch the movie "The Shoes of the Fisherman" on TV. At the ripe old age a 12 I was struck by the hypocrisy I was seeing in real life vs. the spirit of faith I was seeing on that 19" black and white screen. I decided to not get confirmed.
Perhaps, Mr. Martin, if I was seeing and hearing messages from clergy along the lines of what you just articulated, my decision would have been different.
It is never too late to come to Christ, at least not in this life. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Not might: shall.
And "as many as received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
Understood and agreed. Did not mean to imply that I'm a non-believer. Went through the (I think somewhat typical) period of semi-agnostic in teens / early twenties (thinking it marked intellectual sophistication). Started to come around in my 30's.
Perhaps ironically, my faith really cemented during the Obama administration. Once I started researching his background with Cultural Marxists (etc.) it also drove home the existence of true evil. And one cannot logically accept the existence of evil without acknowledging its opposite. At that point (this is not intended to be flippant) it's then a matter of deciding which team you're on.
Today, I consider myself a Believer, albeit denominationally homeless. (I admit to not yet being fluent with the differences enough to make an informed assessment, but it seems that all of the organized entities have lost their way. I know that Rod Dreher is big on his conversion to Orthodox from Catholic, and within the Catholic side the Latin Mass movement is intriguing.)
I now live in SE Florida, so geographically I'm compatible. ;-)
Seriously, I plan on retiring next January, after which my plans include becoming more fluent with the Bible and the various denominations. I'm pretty open minded,* though my (Polish-Irish descent) wife does retain an affinity for the Catholic Church.
*So no telling where I might land - though I have some "no go's" - such as the "prosperity gospel" type operations.
Thank you. Quite an eye opening read.
Excellent overview
A good Sunday morning read. Thank you.
Beautifully put, and in a way I'd not encountered before.
Nominally raised Roman Catholic, I was due to get confirmed (several decades ago now). Around that time, I happened to watch the movie "The Shoes of the Fisherman" on TV. At the ripe old age a 12 I was struck by the hypocrisy I was seeing in real life vs. the spirit of faith I was seeing on that 19" black and white screen. I decided to not get confirmed.
Perhaps, Mr. Martin, if I was seeing and hearing messages from clergy along the lines of what you just articulated, my decision would have been different.
It is never too late to come to Christ, at least not in this life. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Not might: shall.
And "as many as received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
Understood and agreed. Did not mean to imply that I'm a non-believer. Went through the (I think somewhat typical) period of semi-agnostic in teens / early twenties (thinking it marked intellectual sophistication). Started to come around in my 30's.
Perhaps ironically, my faith really cemented during the Obama administration. Once I started researching his background with Cultural Marxists (etc.) it also drove home the existence of true evil. And one cannot logically accept the existence of evil without acknowledging its opposite. At that point (this is not intended to be flippant) it's then a matter of deciding which team you're on.
Today, I consider myself a Believer, albeit denominationally homeless. (I admit to not yet being fluent with the differences enough to make an informed assessment, but it seems that all of the organized entities have lost their way. I know that Rod Dreher is big on his conversion to Orthodox from Catholic, and within the Catholic side the Latin Mass movement is intriguing.)
Amen and amen. And I certainly invite you to come join us Southern Baptists, the country's largest Protestant denomination (for a reason).
Thank you - very gracious.
I now live in SE Florida, so geographically I'm compatible. ;-)
Seriously, I plan on retiring next January, after which my plans include becoming more fluent with the Bible and the various denominations. I'm pretty open minded,* though my (Polish-Irish descent) wife does retain an affinity for the Catholic Church.
*So no telling where I might land - though I have some "no go's" - such as the "prosperity gospel" type operations.
Paul also said, “Let him who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
What a magnificent essay - so reassuring and moving. Thank you.
Great article!!! It makes the song ‘No Longer A Slave’ (by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser) pop up in my head.
The other thing that popped up, is that I need, and welcome prayers for my 44yr old estranged son . . .
https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k
Great article! Never knew about the Roman adoption specifics!