Hi mwc I asked you a query about penance on the other thread but I
didn't want to alter that thread by bringing the catholic debate into it.
So I thought I would respond on this one.
I have mixed feelings about the Catholic Church as I have seen both the good
and bad in it. So if you would indulge me a little, I am honestly not into
Catholic bashing, no more than I am into any other denomination bashing.
We are all lost and need a saviour with the need to come to salvation.
Bad
The way it esteems popes and Mary when all glory, praise and honour
should be given to Christ.
The praying to Mary.
The way it teaches the mass actually becomes the body of Christ, as if it has
some magical properties almost. This IMO can give people a false sense of
salvation as it might lead people to think they are saved by partaking in the mass.
It is very ritualistic (which in some ways can be good see below) but the ritualism
can give people the impression they are saved just by following rituals.
I have an aunt who wanted to marry a Catholic but the Catholic Church forbid it
unless she was also Catholic. So she went through the rituals of becoming a
Catholic got married and never read the bible or attended a Catholic Church
again. This disturbs me as it suggests people think they are Catholics and are
saved just by doing a few things. She did.
Very few Catholics seen to read the bible or are encouraged to do so. But whatever regard
you have for the local priest, he is not infallible.
Good
It does say in the bible confess your sins one to another. I can see a kind of
way in which the confessional can be beneficial as it means having to go to
someone in humility and acknowledging they have done wrong, which must be
a very hard thing to do. Most people want to keep their wrong doing to themselves
and keep it secret. I am sure God must see those who do this with a right motive
and their humility. One thing though is I think from a biblical perspective the
priest would also need to confess their wrong doing to you, or at least to another
priest. I have also wondered who the pope confesses to. I think in all circumstances
of confessional it is vitally important to say sorry to God also, rather than just
another human being.
Some people do need ritualism and order for various reasons, they might
struggle otherwise to get their thoughts together. I have some friends who
go to a bible believing born again Church of England church. The first time i
visited I was surprised that they still used a book of prayer and also read out
various other thing from it during the service. There was no doubt it was a
bible believing church but they still had this tradition and a few others.
I came to realise over time though that this can be beneficial for some as it
is inclusive and the whole congregation joins in. Even those who might by
shy of speaking out publically or who would find it difficult to concentrate
can join in with these public statements and prayers.
In the city I live there is a real spiritual revival going on and it is spreading
to the Catholic Churches, there seems to be a lot less praying to Mary and
more rejoicing in the Lord. Catholic Church's which were once very insular
and closed off seem to be opening their doors and holding evangelical
meetings and mission days. I think God does and is working in the Catholic
Church and that there are genuine born again Christians within it.
One Catholic church up the road has started to have healing meetings and
times of bible reading and waiting upon God. They are more spiritually
alive than another evangelical church nearby.
I for one would never say someone is not saved because they go to a Catholic
Church, while I would not attend a Catholic Church because there are certain
things I just can't agree with, I think we will all get a big surprise in
the next life when we find out who was saved all along and who wasn't.
mwc read your bible don't be afraid to ask questions, enquire of God,
trust in Him, ask Him to direct your path, if you currently feel more
comfortable in the Catholic Church then maybe that is right for you at
the current time.
God bless
ps sorry this is so long!