Why I Am Still an Evangelical Protestant [And Not Roman Catholic]

Chris Castaldo ^ | March 15th, 2013 | Chris Castaldo

[Gamecock]

I asked whether he had children. With great enthusiasm he proceeded to explain how much he enjoys his kids, attending all of their basketball games, going on vacations, and delighting in conversation about their future hopes and dreams. “Do they ever disappoint you,” I asked. “Of course; they are sinners like their mother,” he said with a smile. I then asked, “And when that happens, does it potentially terminate your relationship? Are they in jeopardy of losing their status as your children and being rejected from your family?” “You mean like a ‘mortal’ sin,” he responded? I could see he was starting to get my point. A long pause followed and finally our friend looked up with eyes full of tears and confessed, “I guess I’m secure as a child of God.”

[Gamecock]

From Chris Castaldo

Chris Castaldo was raised on Long Island, New York as a Roman Catholic and worked full-time in the Catholic Church for several years. After eight years as Pastor of Outreach and Church Planting at College Church in Wheaton, IL, Chris now serves as Director of the Ministry of Gospel Renewal for the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.

Chris has earned degrees from Moody Bible Institute (BA, Bible and theology) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv) and he is a PhD candidate at the London School of Theology. He lives outside of Chicago with his wife Angela and four children.

As a cradle Catholic, Chris has enjoyed many long term relationships with Catholic friends and family, and for years worked in the Catholic Church alongside of bishops, priests, and nuns. These relationships and years of research have provided insight into the issues taken up in Holy Ground.

Approach

Chris comes from a long line of Catholics, including Cardinal Alfonso Castaldo, Archbishop of Naples, Italy (photos below). The December 22, 1958 edition of Time Magazine described the Cardinal’s reputation, “Alfonso Castaldo, 68, Archbishop of Naples, is regarded by the people of his native city as almost a living saint. A poor boy who knew what it was to go hungry (‘It does not only affect your stomach, but it may have detrimental effects on your soul’), Castaldo as a priest devoted himself to welfare activities and schools, is also known for his personal charities.”

[.45 Long Colt]

BFL

[353FMG]

>>“Of course; they are sinners like their mother,” he said with a smile.<<

.
There is the problem — don’t ever call someone else a sinner. It’s pure arrogance.

Call yourself a sinner and leave it at that.

[knarf]

yep

For me, it was the question; "Where did you go?", I asked while staring at my father in a casket

The Catholic numbers gave him a 33.33% chance ... but probably not, at least not right now ... and I couldn't ... didn't accept that

A journey ensued to where I was the thief on the cross and Jesus Himself said ... to ME ... "Today, shalt thou be with ME in paradise"

I've GREATLY synopsized, but that was the start until 7:30 PM, Aug 18, 1981 when I MET Jesus.

[Dutchboy88]

"It’s the kind of affection you have for that eccentric cousin whom you see once a year at Christmas. Despite your common upbringing, the two of you are now entirely different. He runs marathons, TiVo’s professional wrestling, enjoys dancing the polka, and somehow always manages to perform his Bob Dylan impersonation when the family is assembled. However, as first cousins, you have a deep, abiding affection for one another."

I suspect that a lot of RCs have this kind of affectionate connection to the Romanist organization. A real, probing theological examination has never really occurred or more of them would swim the Tiber the other direction, just like Castaldo did.

[Legatus]

And when that child turns his back on his father saying “I hate you and never want to see you again” (For this is what mortal sin is) a Loving Father will always invite the straying child to return but He will not force him to attend Christmas dinner and be miserable.

Mortal sin is the elevation of the love of self above the love of God, it is to quite simply say “not Thy will, but mine!” God does not force us to love Him. God gives us what we want, if we love Him, He gives us Himself for all eternity. If we turn toward ourselves He gives us exactly that, for all eternity. We were created to know, love and serve God and will never be happy without Him, but He’s not going to force us into being what we were created to be, no matter how many times we say Jesus is our personal Lord and Saviour.

[.45 Long Colt]

Every sin is mortal, FRiend.

[Ann Archy]

Every sin is NOT mortal......where do you learn such stuff?? Saying a white lie to your wife like you look BEAUTIFUL HONEY, when she doesn’t is NOT THA SEAME THING AS KILLING YOUR BABY!!!! Geesh...really....THINK MAN THINK for YOURSELF!!! OMG... A BAD THOUGHT is the same as LYNCHING AN INNOCENT PERSON??

[Jim Noble]

A word to the wise for all my Protestant and Catholic brothers and sisters:

Luke 9:49-50 “49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us”

[Gamecock]

hyperbole much?

[Repulican Donkey]

Who cares?

[Gamecock]

Evidently some folks do or they wouldn’t be providing some of the thoughtful responses provided above.

Since you don’t seems to care the option is clear. Move along to something that you do care about.

[Ann Archy]

Just being SENSIBLE!!

[Gamecock]

Your sensibility is misplaced.

Jesus taught the extent of our sin, those are all mortal.

Comparing a white lie to make someone feel better with murder is clearly hyperbole.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Every sin is NOT mortal......where do you learn such stuff??

Perhaps not as the Catholic Church defines it. However, every sin is mortal because any sin -- at all -- denies us what God wants, which is to be saved and holy with him in Heaven. If all sin were not mortal, Christ wouldn't have come to Earth to save us from ALL of it (Hebrews 10:10).

God abhors all sin, and every sin, in equal measure. I rejoice that my Savior loves me enough to take all of it away.

[Faith Presses On]

But that isn’t what’s being said, though. What’s being talked about is a child struggling to carry a heavy burden, loving their parent, agreeing with their parent, and wanting to carry the burden and not being able to. And God always wanted the child to realize he couldn’t and never would be able to, and will always need his Father to carry it. Evangelical churches also follow what Jesus said, that there are both wheat and tares, and sheep and wolves, in the church on earh. But as Jesus said, those who actually come to Him find that “He’s gentle and lowly at heart,” and “His yoke His easy and His burden is light.”

[karatemom]

Thank you for posting this article. It expressed quite eloquently what I struggle with often. I was raised Catholic and there are times I go to Mass for the beauty and reverence of what I remember from childhood. Most of my family and my dearest friend are still Catholic and I love them dearly. We pray for each other always. I just have no hate or contention with Catholics.

[Old Yeller]

That’s the key to Satan’s control over people in the Catholic “religion”. It appeals to all the senses, except common sense. Glad I escaped it 30 years ago.