All,
Interesting discussion about Catholicism, which is appropriate considering
what Pope John Paul said on Monday. More about that later.
Keith Green's Last Days Newsletter had a very informative article on the
Catholic Mass. It was printed wayyyy baackkkk in the '80's but the gist of it
was that a close examination of what exactly they believe is going on during
the course of the Communion reveals that they are actually crucifying again
the Son of God. Keith said essentially that that is why they have Him still
hanging on the Cross.
Also, they believe that any doctrinal statement the Pope says while seated in
the throne of Peter is "Ex Cathedra" i.e. "from the mouth of God" and hence,
carries the same weight and in effect is EQUAL to Scripture.
This was the origin of the Marian doctrine of "emaculate conception." The Pope
who was in office in the mid-1800's had this "revelation" that Mary, since she
was the "Mother of God" had to be sinless to be so. And, I believe, that she
didn't die but was caught up (raptured) into Heaven. He spoke this
doctrinally from "ex cathedra" and it became Catholic dogma.
And, yes, when they pray the Rosary, they are praying to her and asking her to
intercede for them with Christ.
Now, about what John Paul said.
>From the (AP):
"A million faithful packed a dusty Mexico City racetrack Sunday to hear a CALL
TO ARMS from Pope John Paul II - a summons to take to the streets and CONFRONT
the challenge of Protestant evangelism.......... (caps mine)
...........John Paul urged his audience at Sunday's mass to ignore the
SEDUCTIONS of what he called " FALLACIOUS AND NOVEL IDEOLOGIES" and to spread
the word of the church ( THE WORD OF THE CHURCH?) - a central theme of his
visit, in which he has called upon his followers to AGGRESSIVELY COMBAT
significant inroads made by Protestantism.
I'm really sensing a need to begin to pray for our missionaries down there.
Remember, the OFFICIAL Roman Church position on Protestants is that we're
currently "separated" brethren.
I respect Pope John Paul. I believe he is a man of integrity AND I believe he
loves Jesus. I'm just a little concerned that his followers (HIS followers?)
will take his words as an excuse to truly "aggressively combat" the inroads of
Protestantism.
I know that Protestants don't have clean hands either in this regard. I
shudder to think of standing before the Lord of Glory and having to explain
the actions of the Inquisition, or Northern ireland, or Pogroms, or that
wonderfully innocuous term "ethnic cleansing."
God help us.
In His Service for the boys,
Gary Rothwell
Sr. Cdr.
Outpost 59, Potomac District
Warwick Assembly of God
Newport News, VA
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