A Christian Source with Politically Incorrect News
Dear Mike,
I have been busy answering ministry mail and thought I would share some of it with you. May it give you some things to consider.
I do believe Socrates was correct in one statement he made: you know a man by the manner of his leisure time rather than his work efforts. How many professing Christians deceive themselves by being upright at work and in the church — but whose worldly passions of entertainment corrupt them: the idolatry of sports, music, dancing, movies, card playing, TV shows, and so forth. One of the reasons I went to books on tape all the time in the car is because it was becoming easy to revert to the worldly music of my youth or impure talk radio, which was corrupting — or better said, bringing out the corruption of my heart and mind.
I am known to quote men and events from history, but I hope this does not give the perception of being puffed up or arrogant. I thirst for knowledge of all kinds. While like all men I have too much pride, my ignorance, mistakes, upbringing, and position in life keeps me humble and my feet planted on the ground. Above all, the awareness of my own sins and the holiness of God — which makes for godly fear and reverence — is very humbling.
I had to write a letter to XXXX — a former co-worker of mine, a fighter pilot — because he had been asking lots of questions about the Bible, religion, and history. He was raised Catholic, and I have been witnessing to him for some time as you well know. Dan asked why Catholics (Mormons and others) stay when they must know much of their religion is false and mixed with paganism.
Being a former Catholic myself and knowing many of the things about the history of the religion even while planning to go to seminary, I think I can comment on why people don't break from such a system. Also, from Pope to Priest down to the masses, it doesn't matter how much you read the Bible if you are of the position that the Bible is subordinate to the teachings of the Papacy. The Bible, according to Rome, must be understood in accordance with the unanimous consent of the "church fathers" — which any priest or theologian knows has never existed.
Why do some people stay Catholic even when they know it can't be all true? It starts with the "Emperor's New Clothes" — but with a different ending. To the boy who yells "the King is naked," the masses would throw stones rather than face the truth. To most Catholics instructed well in their youth, to leave Romanism is to betray Christ. People stay in a false religion because they don't love truth, and because it is the religion of their family or their spouse.
Catholics who hate any talk of their religion usually react that way because of fear within their own heart and mind — they refuse to face questions they know can't be answered. I see this in those whose family is strong in the religion or who need a crutch to keep them feeling secure in the world. It is very sad. But if no one is to discuss religion, then Christ and His apostles were evil men. Paul, Peter, John, and others were tossed in and out of jail just for preaching the truth of Jesus Christ and that salvation is by Him alone, through Him alone, by grace through faith — not of any human works or will.
I finally broke with the Pope's religion prior to my conversion. I just couldn't go to confessional anymore. I knew I was sinning against God — even though I didn't know Him, nor did I follow Him at the time. I knew the priest couldn't forgive sins; that's not possible for any man. When God in His sovereign grace opened my eyes in 1984, I was called out of the darkness and into the marvellous light of His Son, Jesus Christ. I am nothing but a sinner saved by grace — but I am owned by Jesus Christ my Lord, and He will never let me go.
In Christ alone,
D.B.
Contending for the Faith Ministries