Apologetics for the Masses #449 - A Facebook Conversation w/a Former Catholic

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Topic

Another Facebook conversation with a Protestant - this one an ex-Catholic - who, of course, knows everything there is to know about Catholic teaching and is out there to save us poor, ignorant, Hell-bound Catholics from the horrible eternal fate that awaits us.

General Comments

I will be back in Houston this week for a talk at the Church of the Annunciation on Thursday, June 8th, at 7:00 PM. The title of the talk is: "Catholic Myth-Busters: Dispelling Anti-Catholic Myths". The talk is free, but they are asking that you bring a baby item to donate to the Foundation for Life. For more information: tinyurl.com/accspeakerseries

If you live in the area I would love to see you there!

Introduction

This week's newsletter will begin a series - probably 3-4 issues worth - that detail some Facebook conversations I've had recently, and am currently having, with an ex-Catholic named Jim Anderson. This week is going to be fairly short as I want to just give you an introduction to his theology and to how he thinks and hopefully whet your appetite by using it as another "homework" assignment for you.

In this issue, two questions are addressed: salvation, and the church. How would you respond to what Mr. Anderson has to say here? What line, or lines, of argumentation would you use to attack his arguments?

Challenge/Response/Strategy

Jim Anderson
Repent and believe (in Christ alone). That's the gospel. You cannot turn away from sin without the grace and regeneration of God, which you cannot obtain from any human ritual or membership in any particular church.

John Martignoni
Jim Anderson: Isn't repentance a work?

John Martignoni
And, do we not need the church in order to be saved?

Jim Anderson
John Martignoni: "Isn't repentance a work?" No, it is a state actually. Repentance is a change in behavior, in this case from one of a pattern of sinning to one of increasing holiness (which is what sanctification is). No one can truly repent unless it is given by the grace of God. Repentance unto salvation isn't a "get your life in order" effort. It's a "admit you are sinful and deserving of hell, and turn to God alone, to Jesus Christ, for your entire life" thing. I'm phrasing it poorly, no doubt, but no, it is not a "work". Man cannot will himself into repenting absent the saving grace of God.

Jim Anderson
John Martignoni: You also asked "Do we need the church in order to be saved?" You didn't define "church", but even if you define [it] as the Roman Catholic religious organization, the answer is no. And if you define it correctly, which is the assembly of all saved believers in Christ, the question is moot.

Closing Comments

As Porky used to say, "That's all folks!" Short and sweet. Well, short...maybe not so sweet. Anyway, I hope you have a great week and, again, if you're in the Houston area I hope you'll come to the talk on Thursday night (see above) and introduce yourself.

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