I recall watching Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ and studying Pilot's reaction where, in the quiet privacy of his palace, he questioned Jesus. Outside a furious crowd stood waiting, demanding His blood. The Jewish supreme court, the Sanhedrin, had arrested Jesus, accusing Him of blasphemy. Betrayed by a friend for 30 pieces of silver, denied by a loved disciple three times, Jesus had spent a sleepless night sweating blood in agony over what was about to befall Him. Bound and interrogated, spat on and stuck in the face, Jesus was on trial. He had openly rebuked the highest ranking religious leaders of His day; Caiaphas the high priest was livid. People were beginning to follow Jesus which threatened their authority. They wanted Him dead. But there was a glitch. Subject to the laws of Rome, the Jews were unable to carry out an execution themselves. For this reason they dragged Jesus before Pontius Pilate. The Roman Governor. The one who held the power to do what they so wanted. The scriptures describe what happened next:
28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. 13 It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate came out to them and said, "What charge do you bring (against) this man?" 30 They answered and said to him, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you." 31 At this, Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law." The Jews answered him, "We do not have the right to execute anyone," 32 in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. 33 So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?" 35 Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants (would) be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." 37 So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. 16 For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." 38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" (John 18:28-38 NAB)
The subtle expression that crossed Pilot's face at that moment in the movie was like a smooth pond softly rippled by a sobering wind. It's impact left on my mind's eye years later. What had this Man just claimed? Did He say that He was not only a king, but a king from "another world"? Who had come into this world to testify to *the truth*? What truth? And how important must it have been to convey that God was prompted to come down from His heaven to impart it to a rejecting world?
The Greek word for truth used in this passage of scripture is ἀληθής or Aletheia. An alternative Greek spelling is Alitheia. In our pluralistic, relativistic and tolerant society the concept of an absolute truth is rather lost. Different religious traditions hold to different teachings, while many say that they all point the way to the same God. A common saying often heard is that *each of the different paths arrive at the same end*. But if this is true, then how do we explain the inconsistences that arise from their sharp divergences from each other? Do theological differences between Christians and non-Christians really matter? Do doctrinal differences within Christianity itself mean anything at all? Which *Christian truths* are true? And by what standard can we judge them?
I've received a myriad of questions having to do with topics like baptism, salvation, grace, sin, prayer, Mary, the saints, and the bible itself. Each blog entry will seek to deal with one topic at a time, presenting the Catholic perspective, presenting the Evangelical perspective, and then perhaps throwing in *my two cents*. (Perhaps not). Readers are welcome to examine the writings to determine what they trust and believe. If you see a link, please click on it for a deeper clarification and/or background on the topic. When quoting scripture I will attempt to use the Catholic New American Bible most often. If another translation fleshes out a fuller meaning, to aid in understanding I will include that alongside it as well. The bible was written in Hebrew (the Old Testament) and Greek (the New Testament). Because English is not as precise a language as the original Greek, it is often helpful to refer to the online Blue Letter Bible which translates and clarifies the original words. Next post up.. *Who Says*..
As always I pray that the Holy Spirit illuminate my mind and guide my heart endeavoring to "prepare and make straight the path for the Lord." (Luke 3:4)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Saying Goodbye
Having left the Roman Catholic Church in 1999, my first experience was the feeling of freedom that Christ promises in John 8:32.
Growing up Irish in the late 50s, 60s, and 70s, I had enjoyed a huge extended Catholic *family*. Reared by devout church-going parents I was schooled by the good sisters and received communion at the hands of the priests. I'd said the rosary, attended novenas, observed Lent, performed the stations of the cross, went to confession, and did penance. I gave to the missions, offered up prayers for the poor souls in purgatory and even chipped in for a pagan baby or two. Grade through graduate school I was immersed in a culture and a religion that gave me a sense of belonging.. but left me longing.
You see, I also resided in a state of perpetual anxiety about where my soul would go when I died. I *hoped* I'd attain heaven as I believed my good deeds had out weighed my bad. I *tried* to remain sinless between confessions in order to *die in a state of grace*, ensuring perhaps that I would not be lost to an eternity of hell. Or, almost as bad, to linger for millennia in the agony of purgatory with no one to pray me out. I'd heard scripture read from the pulpit at mass weekly, but in all the time I resided in Catholicism, I'd never heard it taught until, at the age of 40something, I sat quietly in the last seat of a small Evangelical Church listening to the pastor as he explained line by line, verse by verse, week after week, the history, culture, background and message to the people that resided within it's pages. From what had once been described to me as *mysteriously unknowable* poured forth a long cohesive story of love and redemption I'd never heard explained like that before. Previously *mysterious*, it suddenly made sense, it's message clear, it's meaning revealed. The impact on my soul and my senses was exhilarating. Like a long drink from a cold spring.. of Living Water. Here were the words that finally gave comfort to my soul. Here at last was peace beyond all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
But then a curious thing began to happen. A sense of anxiety slowly began to grow. Unrest. From the sermons I was hearing came messages that didn't match what I had been taught throughout my many years in Catholic teaching. Confusion set in, a disturbing whirlpool slowly began to swirl. Nights got longer as I tossed and turned wondering... had I made a mistake? Had I forfeited my salvation having *left the One True Church* and *sold my soul for a lie* as a priest once told me? While there were commonalities, theological differences were glaring. Polar opposite differences. Which teachings were the truth?
Those questions lead me to study, to study in earnest. They led me to go back and revisit Catholic disciplines, doctrines and dogma you will find discussed in ongoing blog posts above, that I had lived by but had never taken the time to fully explore before. They led me to compare what I'd learned growing up to scripture itself. And they finally led me to see why I had not only said goodbye, but said goodbye for good to a Church that I am very thankful and happy to have grown up in. In the Catholic Church there remain many family members and friends that I will cherish from now unto eternity. I don't know that any of them have to leave Catholicism in order to find freedom in Christ the way that I did. But some are asking specific questions that I cannot answer in a word, or an email, or even an extended conversation. It is for them that I am writing this blog, and it is in obedience and love that I am sharing the things I have gleaned from my searching. (1 Peter 3:15)
For the reasons stated above, this blog is not open for debate but rather meant for educational purposes, probing questions and honest discussion. If one should arise I will move swiftly to refer those involved to other blogs/discussion boards where open debating takes place. Courtesy, kindness and gentleness is a must. There may come a point where we have to respectfully agree to disagree; however quarrels, rancor and hurtful ad hominem comments will be deleted without further response. As always, I ask for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in any and all endeavors undertaken here. Welcome.
Growing up Irish in the late 50s, 60s, and 70s, I had enjoyed a huge extended Catholic *family*. Reared by devout church-going parents I was schooled by the good sisters and received communion at the hands of the priests. I'd said the rosary, attended novenas, observed Lent, performed the stations of the cross, went to confession, and did penance. I gave to the missions, offered up prayers for the poor souls in purgatory and even chipped in for a pagan baby or two. Grade through graduate school I was immersed in a culture and a religion that gave me a sense of belonging.. but left me longing.
You see, I also resided in a state of perpetual anxiety about where my soul would go when I died. I *hoped* I'd attain heaven as I believed my good deeds had out weighed my bad. I *tried* to remain sinless between confessions in order to *die in a state of grace*, ensuring perhaps that I would not be lost to an eternity of hell. Or, almost as bad, to linger for millennia in the agony of purgatory with no one to pray me out. I'd heard scripture read from the pulpit at mass weekly, but in all the time I resided in Catholicism, I'd never heard it taught until, at the age of 40something, I sat quietly in the last seat of a small Evangelical Church listening to the pastor as he explained line by line, verse by verse, week after week, the history, culture, background and message to the people that resided within it's pages. From what had once been described to me as *mysteriously unknowable* poured forth a long cohesive story of love and redemption I'd never heard explained like that before. Previously *mysterious*, it suddenly made sense, it's message clear, it's meaning revealed. The impact on my soul and my senses was exhilarating. Like a long drink from a cold spring.. of Living Water. Here were the words that finally gave comfort to my soul. Here at last was peace beyond all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
But then a curious thing began to happen. A sense of anxiety slowly began to grow. Unrest. From the sermons I was hearing came messages that didn't match what I had been taught throughout my many years in Catholic teaching. Confusion set in, a disturbing whirlpool slowly began to swirl. Nights got longer as I tossed and turned wondering... had I made a mistake? Had I forfeited my salvation having *left the One True Church* and *sold my soul for a lie* as a priest once told me? While there were commonalities, theological differences were glaring. Polar opposite differences. Which teachings were the truth?
Those questions lead me to study, to study in earnest. They led me to go back and revisit Catholic disciplines, doctrines and dogma you will find discussed in ongoing blog posts above, that I had lived by but had never taken the time to fully explore before. They led me to compare what I'd learned growing up to scripture itself. And they finally led me to see why I had not only said goodbye, but said goodbye for good to a Church that I am very thankful and happy to have grown up in. In the Catholic Church there remain many family members and friends that I will cherish from now unto eternity. I don't know that any of them have to leave Catholicism in order to find freedom in Christ the way that I did. But some are asking specific questions that I cannot answer in a word, or an email, or even an extended conversation. It is for them that I am writing this blog, and it is in obedience and love that I am sharing the things I have gleaned from my searching. (1 Peter 3:15)
For the reasons stated above, this blog is not open for debate but rather meant for educational purposes, probing questions and honest discussion. If one should arise I will move swiftly to refer those involved to other blogs/discussion boards where open debating takes place. Courtesy, kindness and gentleness is a must. There may come a point where we have to respectfully agree to disagree; however quarrels, rancor and hurtful ad hominem comments will be deleted without further response. As always, I ask for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in any and all endeavors undertaken here. Welcome.
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