Back to John Piper. Keep in mind, this man might be one of the most modern outspoken critics of Catholicism, along with James White. Just Google it. If you dislike Catholics now, just wait until you read about what they have to say. You will think I've sold my soul to the depths of the earth. (They are wrong, but that's another day). John Piper gave four reasons for why, in his opinion, people are flocking to Rome.
1. People have a yearning for history within their faith ("roots")
2. People want beauty in their Church: intellectual and artistic richness
3. People want a sense of Authority: clarity and stability, Church dogma's
4. People want a sense of seriousness within their faith, instead of Evangelical seeker friendly services
Here's the link for anyone interested
https://soundcloud.com/askpastorjohn/why-evangelicals-go-catholic
With that in mind, I have some thoughts, and I will end with a list of books that we have read to date, on the true teaching of the Catholic Church. Because we have decided that if we are going to become Catholic, we are going to find out what the Catholic Church believes, From the Catholic Church. Not from a former, now turned Evangelical who has a grudge with the Church, not from a Protestant looking in, not even from a serious non Catholic Historian. (we actually have read some from that side, but over and over they are obviously slanting the correct position for their own).
I did not expect to become Catholic. I can identify with some of the things that John Piper is listing, because in some ways, those are all great benefits of becoming Catholic. Authority is present, and it is beautiful once viewed from a Biblical perspective. Jesus did mean to leave us with a visible Church. I believe that. The Catholic Church is historical. It has roots preceding the Reformation. Some of the years are dark and ugly, but I believe they have never ceased being the Church. Many of our Church's today can trace roots only until 1500 when everything hit the fan, so to speak. Beyond that it becomes very hard to argue for a multi-denominational position. There was only one guy in town.
The Catholic Church has a rich artistic and intellectual history. Intellectually, it is magnificent. You could spend your entire life unpacking the writings and richness of Christianity within the walls of the Church, and still not have grasped most of it. It is a 4D depth that is often misunderstood by Protestants. And finally, the Church is serious. One visit to a Mass would make that clear. The Mass is not similar to an Evangelical worship service. From the beginning to the end every breathing aspect is meant to show something about Jesus and his sacrifice for us, and how that changes us today. Every. Single. Part. Once understood, I believe that it would be very hard for someone to turn away from it. Problem is, it is very often, not, understood.
With all of that in mind. Those are not why I have become Catholic. Even with the above things being true, they are not, the real reason, for me. You see, if I wanted Authority, I wouldn't have to travel all the way to Rome. I could be Lutheran. They have a small and large Catechism too... and I would make my family happy as larks. If I wanted history, I could become Anglican and take on a lot of roots. If I wanted intellectual richness, I could become Presbyterian. Denominationally, they are one of the most rigorous in their theological reasoning's. And if I wanted seriousness... I could join any of the three just mentioned. Each one has Church's with members who desire serious intellectual Biblical study.
I am becoming Catholic because I believe it is the Church that Jesus founded, and I believe that he is there, present, always, in the Eucharist. I believe that He alone is found in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity within the walls of the Catholic Church. Is he active in Protestant denominations? Of course! But he is only wholly present, within the Eucharist. It is confirmed through history, the Fathers, and most importantly, the entire Bible is sprinkled with the truth of the Eucharist. Old and New Testaments. The foreshadowing is heavy in the Old, and is brought to fruition in the New. That is why I am becoming Catholic, and that is why I believe many others, are also becoming Catholic. Because as hard as they will try, the anti Catholic theologians fail to recognize, or claim, this one point.
Before I list the books, I would like to link to one more article. An article written to dispel this very type of criticism of those going to Rome. It was written by a Calvinist convert on our favorite blog, Called to Communion. It is worth the read, and worth considering. It is arguing against the position that if people only knew their own historical faith, they wouldn't have to become Catholic.
http://www.calledtocommunion.com/2013/08/why-evangelicals-are-getting-high-a-response-to-rebecca-vandoodewaard/
And now, our books. Kevin and Kim, combined, not necessarily in order of impact.
- Why Catholics are Right: Michael Coren
- Rome Sweet Home: Scott Hahn
- If Protestantism is True: The Reformation Meets Rome: Devin Rose
- Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic: David B. Currie
- A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church: Warren Cole Smith
- How the Reformation Started: Hilaire Belloc ****hands down my ultimate favorite***
- Jesus Shock: Peter Kreeft
- John Calvin: The Institutes: (not all, but some)
- Triumph: H.W. Crocker III
- Eusebius: The Church History: Eusebius, edited by Paul Maier
- On Being Catholic: Thomas Howard
- Evangelical is not Enough
- What Happens at Mass: Jeremy Driscoll
- Evangelicals and Tradition: D.H. Williams (a protestant professor)
- Surprised by Truth 2: Patrick Madrid
- Roots of the Reformation: Karl Adam
- The Apostolic Fathers: J.B. Lightfoot
- Becoming Orthodox: Peter Gilquist
- The First Seven Ecumenical Councils: Leo Donald Davis
- Roman Catholics and Evangelicals, Agreements and Differences: Norman Geisler
- Hail, Holy, Queen: Scott Hahn
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Humanae Vitae: "Of Human Life" Pope Paul VI
- Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI
- Theology of the Body: podcast series of Father John Riccardo http://frjohnriccardo.libsyn.com/
- Catholicism for Cradle Catholics: Fr. John Riccardo podcast series http://frjohnriccardo.libsyn.com/webpage/category/Catholicism%20for%20Cradle%20Catholics
- Crossing the Tiber: Steven Ray
- Peter, the Rock and the Keys (Steve Ray Youtube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXCUSAEVNIE
- Multiple debates Protestant vs. Catholic on Youtube
- THE BIBLE
- Any writings published by the Vatican. they are all there, and some of those are gold mines for what the Church believes.
I list these not to boast. But to demonstrate that we have not blindly followed a glowing light that is beautiful but false. We have tried, and are still trying, to do our thorough homework of discovering what and why they believe what they do. It is a difficult process, but one that has given us more joy and peace than we would have ever imagined. We only would hope that our journey could someway encourage others, and that, in the words of John Piper, the "Trend" would continue. I always like a good Trend, especially if it contains a sale and a Gap. And of course, a Church with Jesus.
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