The Whore of Babylon, no thanks!
 

Maybe this is a wake up call,what have we evangelicals/pentecostals produced which opens such a door?
 

It does seem they are heading that way in any case with the rise of the Emergent Church. . . taking so many into mysticism.
 

jlI cannot see why anyone would be surprised given the shallow nature of the evangelical church or those which sprang from the renewal movements of the past 50 years. Surely protestant and catholic leaders who walk with God in the power of the Spirit would want to heal divisions and walk in unity. Protestants have living faith, but have much to gain from many other aspects of the historic church, notwithstanding it's many flaws.
 

I know a few catholics that are saved and love the Lord. I cannot get past the Mary worship or saint worship. There seems to be alot of man made theoligies that are not Biblicly sound. If it's not in the Book then I don't coform to it. Part of the problem it seems with Protestant churches especially charismatic is the lack of accountability in leadership. Also flashy Tele - Evangalists don't help.
 

This is an American/Western thing. In Latin America the opposite is happening. The most recent edition of The Economist has an excellent article on the subject.
 

I believe there's a real misconception about the passage where Jesus said "upon this rock I will build my church..." Jesus was speaking to Peter, but referring to a rock foundation - and He being the chief cornerstone is the Rock upon which His church is built - ie on the revelation Peter received from God ("Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father...") - the foundational truth is that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God - not that Peter was the foundation upon which the church of Jesus Christ would be built.
 

anon,
You are right about the rock. Peter was made a living stone like all of us, but the church is built on Christ, not a supposed pope.
 

Roamn Catholicism has not change its stripes.The same issues that caused the gulf between Luther & the Vatican still exist today. They still worship a mediatrix who according to R.C doctrine is a co-intercessor with Jesus for the souls of man. The R.C. Church is just as heretical today, as it ever was, in its doctrines. Sadly, to the shame of Protestant churches world-wide, they have lead the way from the fundamental, unchanging Word of God into all manner of error leading many into sin. Trying to define what Protestant churches stand for today is a bit like trying to grasp a blancmange so no wonder that some are drawn to the R.C Church because on many fronts it seems to be the only one that stands up to be counted.

John Toowoomba Australia
 

The probelm is not Roman Catholism but Protesttant itself. Many promenient Protestant theologians are judges unto themselves. There is no unity. No brotherhood. Roman Catholism offers 1 teaching which has its roots in the early church. Protestant teachers are not united. In fact, to get them together, one must offer a free meal. Prostantism offers mutiple theoligies of who Christ is because everyone is a Greek scholar even if he never studied Greek. We formulate theology based upon feelings not facts.
 

Being a former Catholic, I don't see how, once you know the truth of the Scriptures, convert to Catholicism. It's simply man-made laws and traditions vs. The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Been there, done that! We need to walk as Jesus walked, in love and speak that Truth in Love by the power of His Spirit, in His timing.
 

Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia and yet it is number one in corruption and well-known of poverty caused by greed. All the appearances of the catholic church as a defender of the oppressed is a lie. RC owns exclusive schools for the rich and owns big lands and giant companies.Latin America is similar. What a shame to American evangelicals who preached the gospel that brought prosperity by biblical principles of equality and work ethics. I will never accept catholicism because it has not transformed my country. Watch out American people of this relgious conquest!I'm praying for you.
 

With the outpouring of Christian churches by the dozen...it reminds me of the Tower of Babel....where everyone is trying to make a name for themselves...the Church is and has always been Catholic.....everything else is an off shoot. The Holy Scriptures clearly state this...that is if yours contains all the Holy and inspired books!
 

The true church was never RC, but always persecuted by it: The Paulicians, Bogomils, Waldensians, Lollards, etc. The RCC represents a bastardization of the real, made up by men with a thirst for power and a manipulative love for supestition. The only saving grace of the RCC has been that it was not smart enough to toss out the true Bible in the midst of its supestition, tradition, and false writings. The result: folk within the RCC can find Christ despite it rather than because of it. The RCC if not the Whore herself, certainly is part of the Whore--
"Come out of her, my people,so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues"
 

superstition
 

No disrespect intended. But who is Mr. Francis Beckwith anyway?. Should we care more if He is someone who is more best exemplified of Christ than a well known person in some Christianity circle?. I hope i make point clearer to you all.
 

Hmm...such charity on this site. Many comments reveal that posters here have never read the Catholic Catechism. I am one of those Evangelical Protestants (for 30 yrs.) who is on the way to the Catholic Church. Once a hardline anti-Catholic/Jack Chick kind of Christian but am no longer. Honestly, I never wanted to go in this direction, esp. at first. There is however, a difference between those who leave the Catholic Church to become Protestants as opposed to the reverse. The majority of those leaving Evangelical Protestantism to become Catholic involves a deep, soul searching process and a thorough inquiry into the teachings, dogmas, and doctrines of Catholicism. The Evangelical turned Catholic suffers mockery, rejection and pronouncements of losing their salvation. (Which is odd since many of these Protestants believe in Eternal Security) So the decision to become Catholic is not taken lightly. The reasons I and numerous other Evangelicals find themselves on the road to the Catholic Church include the following: 1)The serious lack of authority, & the freedom to privately interpret scripture (thanks to Luther and Sola Scriptura)which results in many "little popes," 2)megachurchianity,where the value of being entertained is stressed more than anything else, 3)once saved always saved which results in presumption, easy believism and a lack of holy living, 4)the abolition of all sacraments replaced with mere symbolism. An ex. of this is the avoidance of John Chapter 6- I never heard it alluded to once during Communion in 30 yrs! 5)the lack of intellectual and reasonable debate, which manifests itself in the Protestant's view of science mostly being "of the Devil" 6)the disconnection and ignorance of the early church fathers, of which I seldom hear mentioned. A look into their beliefs reveals their adherance to the "Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist," 7)The freedom to believe what one wants to regarding Euthanasia, Abortion and Contraception, 8)Little or no teaching on redemptive suffering, 9)the teaching on the rapture which stresses the pre-tribulation view. These are but a few of the reasons. On the reverse side, Catholics who turned to Protestantism do not go through this process of inquiry and often show their lack of understanding regarding true Catholic beliefs. (There may be some exceptions but among those former Catholics whom I have known and read, this is the common thread.) While I am indeed thankful for what I have received as an Evangelical in my journey of faith, I have come to an impasse. The depth, beauty, truth, history, and desire for unity are some of the motivational forces leading me to the Church which Christ founded. God Bless each of you. Darlene
 

Anonymous spoke of the Phillipines being a corrupt country. I think if one looks into some of the countries where the Reformation began and took root, the same argument could be used. Neo-Nazism, anti-Semitism, euthanasia, sexual immorality and an increase in drug use prevail in these countries that once supported Luther and Henry VIII's Reformation. Remember, the wheat and the tares will grow together, so there are true Believers in Christ along side of the hypocrites and unbelievers in Christ's Church. This can be seen in Catholic parishes as well as Evangelical Protestant Churches. Take a look at the 7 churches in Revelation and one can see how heresy, lukewarmness, hypocrisy and faithlessness were rampant.
 

To Whodat: Who tossed out the "real Bible" anyway. If Luther had his way, we would not be reading James or Revelation, since he counted these "works of straw" and "the utterances of an old man." As it is, the Reformation eliminated part of the books of Esther and Daniel as well as discarding 7 other books. So when the Protestant Evangelical speaks of Sola Scriptura, he/she is standing on a truncated version of the scriptures. Something to think about.
 

Darlene,
Sorry to hear of your slide backwards. There is nothing in the Catholic Church but corruption, look a little further into church history. That Catholicism has been around longer than other aberrations such as Lutheranism or the Reformed churches doesn't ameliorate it's evil record. As for Luther, in my book he is suspect at best, and Calvin needs to learn who God is.
 

The Catholic Church is the historic Christian Church, handed down from the apostles, who Jesus commanded to bind and loose and to forgive sins. Jesus said many things to his apostles who established His Church with Peter at the head. He spoke to and through His apostles in many cases (like the Upper Room) and not to everyone else. Catholic means universal. Mr. Beckwith is right that the early Church fathers substantiate Catholicism (e.g. the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist from the first century onward; John Ch. 6) Bishop Ignatious of Antioch (yes, Antioch), a student of the Apostle John's, was the first to use the word "Catholic" in written form in his epistle in 107 A.D. Before then, the Church, though growing, was hardly "universal",
or "catholic".

Mr. Beckwith's joining the Catholic Church (1.119 billion members and growing, more than all other Christian denominations combined, and growing rapidly in Latin America, yes, Latin America) is one step closer to total Christian unification that Jesus prayed for in John Ch. 17 in the Mount of Olives.

The 30,000+ Protestant denominations in the world are fractured and splintering, and are not abiding in Christ through the Eucharist. It's best to join the Catholic Church and be a beacon of light and unity to non-Christians---no wonder Muslims and others laugh at the world's Christians because of all the fractured disunity in 30,000+ Protestant denominations and non-denominations!

Onward Chritian Unity through the historic Christian Church - the Catholic Church with the Pope as the pastor!
 

As an excatholic I now have a relationship with the Lord himself and can pray directly to Him. There is ONE mediator between God and Man and it is the Lord JESUS CHRIST. My Faith is IN Christ not in ANY Church.
 

Anonymous-

As a Catholic, I now have a relationship with the Lord himself and can pray directly to Him. There is ONE mediator between God and Man and it is the Lord JESUS CHRIST. My Faith is IN Christ through the Church that HE established.

Mary and the saints are honorable members of HIS BODY!

As a Catholic, I have a very close PERSONAL relationship with Jesus through the Eucharist- as HE shared in our humanity, so WE share in His divinity.

Be careful about writing off a Church. The Bible says that the Church is the Body of Christ, and also the Church is the bulwark of truth.

Here in the South, I find many Protestants who claim that they go to a "non-denominational Church". They say they don't need all that religion, they just want a basic, down home, Christain Church--no strings, no denominational ties. Trouble is, non-denominational Churches have their background and history, like any Church. Non-denominational churches are really "non-denominational denominations" that adhere to the unwritten creed of the Pastor. If you don't believe me, just aske the Pastor to invite any and all ministers as a potential guest speaker. The Pastor will be very selective in who he invites, thus revealing he true leanings and his unwritten creed. Non-denominational churches are often affiliated with the Charismatic renewal movement founded in the early 20th century---like I said, each Church really DOES have a history and orientation.

Unite with the historical Christian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, 1 billion strong and growing!
 

I am a former Roman Catholic. I know there are true followers of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. For me personally, the Catholic Church nullifies justification by faith by the practice of doing penance after confession to a priest, and the teachings on purgatory. Also, prayers to the "saints" and Mary lower Jesus as our only mediator to The Father.
 

All you former Catholics who say "Im so glad I dont pray to Mary and the Saints anymore" didnt understand Catholic teaching in the first place. Praying to anyone except to the Lord is idolatry. Mary and the saints are part of Christ's body, just as you and me are. I can ask you "Hey, can you pray for me and my family..We are going trhough a hard time." Just as I can ask you to pray for me, I can ask Mary to pray for me. We don't pray to Mary, we ask her to pray for us!!!
 

I want to thank Darlene for her comments on here. You are Awesome. I love being RC and love that it is the one true church. I beg all of the ex romans to re examine their positions. Look at the book five for sorrow ten for joy. It is about protestant devotion to MARY. Please pray for me and I will pray for you.
 

"It cannot be denied that God in choosing and destining Mary to be the Mother of His Son, granted her the highest honor... Elizabeth calls Mary Mother of the Lord, because the unity of the person in the two natures of Christ was such that she could have said that the mortal mas engendered int eh womb of Mary was the same time the eternal God. John Calvin

For those that don't believe that Mary was the mother of God (John Calvin was a Reformer)

"It is an article of faith that Mary is Mother of the Lord and still a virgin.. Christ we believe, came from a womb left perfectly intact."
Martin Luther

I firmly believe that Mary according to the words of the gospel as a pure Virgin brought forth for us the Son of God and in childbirth and after childbirth forever remained a pure Virgin
Zwingli

Mary was a perpetual Virgin according to the Reformers