Postscripts From The Catholic Spitfire Grill

Can God call some to Catholicism some to be evangelical Christians, some to belong to the Baptist Church, some to Calvary Chapels? Can He call us different places at different seasons in our lives?

This was a question on that homeschooling forum I hang out on. And rather than come up with something new for my blog tonight, I will just share the opinion that I expressed there.

I believe very strongly that there is only ONE church. As I look over Sacred Scripture and the of Christianity today, if I am to say that I think that all of the choices are roughl equal then I must believe one of the following:

1. Jesus founded more than one church.

or

2. Doctrine doesn't matter. Many denominations hold vastly different opinions on very important issues. Once-saved-Always-saved? Predestination? Freewill? Baptism?

AND

ONE Holy Spirit is leading all of these people to such vastly different places? We are not talking just worship style and church administration here, these things matter or there wouldn't be church splits over it.

Where is the Church Jesus founded? (And how many did he found?) Was it intended to be sola scriptura? If so why wasn't writing it ALL down the first thing the Apostles did? Instead of leaving it until most of them were dead and letting their spiritual descendants collect and save what could be collected and saved? How on EARTH did they manage before the canon was set? Is sola fide truly what the Bible teaches? What does Jesus say about those church splits? Jesus didn't write a book and that wasn't job #1 given to the Apostles either. He founded a Church.

I believe with everything that I am, that the Catholic Church is the One, Holy, Catholic Church founded by Jesus on Peter the Rock. I believe the Fullness of Faith is found there. I believe everyone belongs in it.

Please do NOT pick up the stones and say I am condeming anyone to hell here. I am not the judge of you, I am expressing my personal beliefs. I FULLY embrace the idea that parts of the Truth are found outside the Catholic Church and that you can still be saved with the Truth that remains. I FULLY believe that you can be a good Christian and not be Catholic. I FULLY embrace the idea that many Christian outside the Catholic church are probably better CHristians than I am. However, I also FULLY embrace the belief that everyone could be a better Christian with the benefit of the the full and visible unity of the Body of Christ and the Sacraments. I FULLY embrace everyone else's right and obligation to think I am wrong. The ONLY people who agree with me are Catholic. I am FULLY cool with that. (that's the technical theological term :D) I am a convert myself, I see the parts of my journey when I was outside full communion with the Catholic as preparation for the Lord to bring me home. I cherish and treasure what I was taught outside of the Catholic Church. I do not see myself as rejecting it, rather coming fully into my inheritance so to speak. And as politically incorrect as it may be to say so, I think that applies to everyone.

And it's ok that you think I am wrong, just don't be telling me I am talking about burning people at the stake or making conclusions about their eternal destination.