From Calvinist to Catholic (another powerful conversion story)

I am a convert to the Catholic Faith from Calvinism. I loved Calvinism and owned a library full of Calvin, Luther, Warfield, Hodge, Murray, Owen, Machen, etc. as well as helped plant a local Orthodox Presbyterian Church. I knew Reformation Theology and how much hatred it generates for the Catholic Church. As a Calvinist, I could boast with the best of them. I even persecuted the Catholic Church and went after every one of them I found, beating them back with Scripture, upon Scripture, upon quotes of Luther, Calvin, etc. I found great pleasure in debating Catholics.

My one flaw was learning what the Early Church Fathers believed. A Catholic who had not fared well in a debate with me, mentioned I should read the Early Church Fathers to see just how Catholic they were. I honestly thought I would just gain more "ammo" to use in my battles.

I found Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp with my first visit to the University Library. I poured over them for months until finally I pounded the books on the table with my fists, tossed them from the fourth to the third level of the library and wept. It seemed these great martyrs for the Faith were Catholic. It had taken about 8 months of going over Clement, Augustine, Athanasius, etc. to see the Catholic Church was the Early Church. I kept coming back to Ignatius and Polycarp as I could not get them out of my mind.

Over the next two years, I read more and more on the Catholic Faith and became less and less convinced the Reformed Faith was correct. It became clear to me; it was nothing more than a novelty, spewing forth doctrines that had never been believed before. Christ promised the Holy Spirit to His Church and stated the gates of hell would not prevail against it. I thought that was a lie and for 1500 years, the Church had been without truth and the gates of hell had prevailed. It is very humbling to come to the conclusion you have been horribly wrong, even to the point of not trusting the words of our precious Lord and Saviour. Yet, I still was not ready to become a Catholic.

Then one day when I was reading the Scripture I read Paul talking about how he was the most religious Pharisee, the most upright, and you know my heart was pierced and I actually laughed about how I could claim I had been one of the best Calvinists around, but then it hit me. Was that even something to boast about? So I looked up one of the most wonderful examples of boasting the Lord mentioned. Luke 18:9-14 (Please read the Scripture as this is my paraphrase)

'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Calvinist and the other a sinner. The Calvinist (that would be I) stood and was praying thus to himself, God, I thank thee that I am not like other people, sinners, Catholics, heretics, or even like this sinner beside me. I planted your church in this god-forsaken part of the country, I read the Scriptures and Calvin and Luther twice a week, and the rest of the week I read nothing but reformers and your Scriptures. But the sinner standing a little off to the side, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast saying, God, be merciful to me the sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled but he who humbles himself shall be exalted."

You know who the sinner was? I turned next to Luke 5:8 because I was then looking for others who admitted they were sinners for I knew I was once the boaster but now I was the sinner. "But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Peter then was able to go on and follow Jesus. Peter came home, this home became the Church, and he was the Rock it was built upon, and he was justified.

At that moment, it finally became clear I could not stay a Calvinist or stay in the OPC. I had plans to attend Westminster Seminary and those were discarded. I lost friends and was informed I must have never been a Christian in the first place.

As I became least, Christ became more. I decided the only place I could go was the home where the Apostle Peter went. I was accepted into the Catholic Church in Easter 2002. I have never been happier and I wish and pray this joy for all. I will never be the same after taking the Body and Blood of our Lord.

Well, I had no idea this was still circulating. I have asked for this ‘powerful conversion story’ to be removed numerous times. Sadly, it has not and it still finds it way to those who wish to make something of it. Yes, I have been a spiritual wanderer. I found very hateful criticism in the Catholic Church and I must admit, my taste for it did wane to the point of not associating with it anymore. I also found that Masonry is very boring as they really just want to sit around and eat and talk about people behind their backs, much like the Church I left behind so I left them as well.

I must admit I do not convert for food albeit I am sure that is humorous at another’s expense. Sadly, this has taught me to never publish any type of views on the internet. Truly they are not your own, even this one will be thrashed and trashed at some point.

Have I fooled around with Hinduism? Yes, I have and I have studied many eastern religions. I am in search of something and everything else I have tried has not brought me to where I wish to be. So, quote scriptures, talk about how I am a boat tossed about on the waters to and fro. Talk about how I will convert for food.

The difference is I view you all as human beings and will refrain from applying labels to those of you who find the critical side of my journey. Actually it is those who acted like this that actually caused me to leave the Calvinist Church, whether I understood it or not, because of the spite and hate that spewed from them as well.

Congratulations to all. I am glad I was good folly.

Sadly, this has taught me to never publish any type of views on the internet.

We all change our clothes every day.

But if we wake up one morning and decide to get dressed in public, we shouldn't be too surprised to hear a few comments about the color of our socks.

I am in search of something and everything else I have tried has not brought me to where I wish to be.

NEXT STEP

You are very right. If you get dressed in public, then you have yourself to blame and I accept that. Mockery from those who claim Christ as their Savior, I do not. The Love part, where without it you sound like a tinkle of a cymbal is what goads me abit.

I do find it interesting this ‘powerful conversion story’ of all places has ended up on a ‘garage sale’ website. You know, where your thoughts are posted for free because the thoughts are all marked down for free. No educated opinion, no site of any repute or discussion. Just the run of the mill lets throw out our two cents worth since we have nothing better to do than Google a person’s name to the 9th screen to find a way to bash them and have the Lord smile down on us as we do it in the name of religion. Sounds like the folks who go on myspace and try to see how far they can push someone.

I will not stay much longer, I actually have a life, albeit not a Catholic or Calvinist one.

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