“Why I am Catholic”
By Tom Quiner
I love my Protestant brothers and sisters.
I used to be one of them. Any regular reader of this blog knows my admiration for the tremendous good works and evangelization wrought by Protestantism. And they have heard me express my concerns when some mainline denominations stray too far from traditional Christian theology on life and family.
I’m no theologian, but I can give you lots of reasons why I am a member of the Catholic Church. One of them is that Catholics worship the same way as the early Church Fathers.
Dr. Peter Kreeft is one of the most brilliant and articulate Catholic/Christian apologists around. In the clip above, he clearly expresses the same compelling reason for being Catholic that so affected me.
For my non-Catholic readers whom I so appreciate it, this will help you better understand what makes us Catholics tick.
Why I am a Christian
Mr. Quiner,
There is no room for denominationalism in Christianity, Jesus is the Church.
1 Corinthians 12:25, 27
25 That there might be no schism (a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief) in the body: but the members might be mutually careful one for another.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and members of member.
St. Jerome (0382-01-01). Interlinear Latin Vulgate (New Testament Bible)
Catholic in Latin or Greek refers to the concept of universal, and was used to describe Christianity as the “universal religion” not the Catholic Church.
When it was referred to in the Apostles Creed it implies this concept:
Latin: sanctam( holy,sacred) Ecclesiam(church, assembly,meeting) catholicam( universal,orthodox), sanctorum(consecrated,sacred) communionem (community,mutual participation).
Catechism of the Catholic Church: 9.the holy catholic (notice the absent “C” in catholic) Church, the communion of saints
Lutheran Service Book: I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy Christian Church,the communion of saints
The Apostles had only one commission:
Matthew 28:16-20
16 And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And seeing him they adored: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
St. Jerome (0382-01-01). Interlinear Latin Vulgate (New Testament Bible)
It is not the name or history of a Church that makes you a Christian; it is who you are in Christ and fellowship with its members.
Agreed, and Roman Catholicism is the Church Christ founded.
And the second largest group of Christians in the world is us Orthodox Christians.
Check out “Becoming Orthodox” by Peter Gillquist for a time line and a little Christian history.
We are all Christians; but read Mr. Gillquist’s book for a widely held perspective on the history of our Church. Widely held in the world that is.