Courage to Be Catholic

Several years and another lifetime ago (when I was single), I used to attend CBA (Christian Booksellers Association Convention) each summer, to meet with authors. At the first convention I attended, shortly after I joined Servant, I was particularly nervous about one meeting -- breakfast with Elisabeth Elliot and her husband Lars. Elisabeth is a veteran missionary and evangelical radio personality, a revered spiritual icon in evangelical circles (My mother nearly fainted when she found out I had met Elisabeth. "Oh, dear ... you didn't tell her where you go to church now, did you Heidi?")

In point of fact, I had mentioned it -- but only after Elisabeth peppered me with questions until I couldn't evade them any longer. I wasn't ashamed of being Catholic, but I was a bit nervous about the possibility that Elisabeth might lecture me (like so many others had) about turning my back on the "faith of my fathers." In the eyes of this great faith warrior, I did not want to look like a slacker. And so, I decided not to bring up the subject. Anyway, I told myself, it's not like someone as famous as Elisabeth Elliot would care two bits about my little story.

I was wrong. We had just settled down over our pancakes when Elisabeth opened the conversation with, "So ... you haven't always been Catholic, have you dear?"

That mouthful of pancake was thoroughly masticated before I responded, cautiously. "Why do you ask?"

"You mentioned that you used to work for Bethany House, and they are certainly not a Catholic publisher."

Still I hesitated... A little impatient, she continued. "Do you know my brother, Thomas Howard? He entered the Catholic Church some years ago. I only wish I had his courage."

I nearly choked. This comment from a woman who had courage enough to set up housekeeping for herself and her daughter among Aucas of Ecuador, the very Indian tribe who had martyred her husband and their associates in cold blood. Not only was this august personage not going to scold me, she admired the decision I had made to enter the Church, as her dear brother had! After she had sung the praises of the Catholic Church for several minutes, I worked up the nerve to ask Elisabeth why she did not follow in her brother's footsteps.

"Cowardice, I suppose. My listeners and readers simply would not understand."

That, I understood. I understand it even better now, in light of the recent hubbub surro

unding the reversion of Dr. Francis Beckwith, former president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Despite the fact that it meant losing the respect and fellowship of his colleagues, not to mention his livelihood, Dr. Beckwith's courageous position was unequivocal: unless there is a serious theological reason not to, the default position of every believer must be to belong to the historical Church founded by Christ.

Why? In his book The Night is Far Spent, a collection of essays by Thomas Howard newly published by Ignatius Press, Dr. Howard offers five reasons for this "fallback position," which he outlines as the five "marks" of the church: her antiquity, authority, unity, liturgy, and sacraments. He writes:

What is at stake here is the rock-bottom question as to what worship is, and how you do it.... [W]orship is the thing we were created for -- to know God, and knowing him, to bless him and adore him forever....

To worship God is to ascribe worth to him. It is an activity distinct from teaching, and from fellowship, and from witnessing, and from sharing. It is an act, not an experience. ... Our task in worship is to offer the oblation of ourselves and our adoration at the Sapphire Throne.

Obviously this is a daunting and an august task. Fortunately we are not left to our own resources, nor to the whim of the moment, nor even to our own experience. The faithful have been worshipping God since the beginning, and there is help for us. All of us, even those of us who come from the so-called free churches ... are accustomed to borrowing secondhand, canned words to assist in worship. I am speaking of hymns. When we sing "Amazing Grace" or "O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing," we are borrowing John Newton's or Charles Wesley's words. And we discover that, far from cramping or restricting our worship, these secondhand words bring us up to a level quite unattainable by our own spontaneous efforts. They take us away from ourselves. (p.254-255).

These reflections on worship contrast strangely with the protestations of many of those who leave the Church for what they perceive to be greener (certainly noisier) pastures. "I feel closer to God there ...," they say, or "the people are so much friendlier, and they have more to offer in the way of children's programs." Thinking they can choose a church the same way we can choose a new school or a new home, they rely on subjective factors of preference and comfort, rather than the single most important consideration of all: Which is the most authentic expression of the Body of Christ as He originally envisioned it? Not, "which is more entertaining?" but "Which leads me with surest steps along the pathway to holiness?" Not, "Which makes me feel good?" but "Which is most effective in treating my spiritual ills?" Not "which has the best music," but "which draws me closest to the sacramental presence of the Living Christ?"

Can you enter heaven without professing membership in the Catholic Church? Yes, the Church has always taught that there is hope for those outside her "visible boundaries" -- a hope that is based on the treasury of truth and faith that has been preserved by the Church for two thousand years. In the same way, a group of tourists who fall off a cruise ship hope that the lifeboat that has been tossed down will save them. The lifeboat (part of the equipment of the larger ship) may indeed save them; but how much better if they had never fallen overboard!

Holy Spirit, pour out your restorative presence among your people.
Unite us once more, we humbly pray,
with all our brothers and sisters in the faith,
for the glory of God and the benefit of all.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world!

1 posted on 04/25/2008 12:06:53 PM PDT by NYer

To: Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; nickcarraway; Romulus; ...

Friday afternoon ping

2 posted on 04/25/2008 12:07:48 PM PDT by NYer (Jesus whom I know as my Redeemer cannot be less than God. - St. Athanasius)

I could never be anything else. Born Catholic/die Catholic. The best gift my parents gave me!

3 posted on 04/25/2008 12:15:05 PM PDT by notaliberal (Christ Our Hope!)

there are many souls wrestling with that fear right now....when the time is right, they will come home to the truth....

they need to throw away the pride and the fear of what others will say...

God bless His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church.

4 posted on 04/25/2008 12:19:46 PM PDT by raygunfan

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

5 posted on 04/25/2008 12:20:05 PM PDT by notaliberal (Christ Our Hope!)

6 posted on 04/25/2008 12:23:53 PM PDT by brooklyn dave (Christos Anesti Alithos Anesti Christ is Risen He is truly risen indeed)

To: raygunfan; All

there are many souls wrestling with that fear right now

Thanks for the reminder!

Are you a non-Catholic pastor or layman with interest in the Catholic Church?
The purpose of The Coming Home Network International (CHNetwork) is to provide fellowship, encouragement and support for pastors and laymen of other traditions (Protestant, Orthodox, etc..) who are somewhere along the journey or have already converted to the Catholic Church. The CHNetwork is committed to assisting and standing beside all inquirers, serving as a friend and an advocate.

Image link to the Coming Home Network

7 posted on 04/25/2008 12:26:21 PM PDT by NYer (Jesus whom I know as my Redeemer cannot be less than God. - St. Athanasius)

[W]orship is the thing we were created for -- to know God, and knowing him, to bless him and adore him forever....

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but how does modern schooling prepare children for life if "the thing we were created for [is]-- to know God, and knowing him, to bless him and adore him forever"?

Other consequences follow for the believer who comes to this understanding.

8 posted on 04/25/2008 12:27:50 PM PDT by Aquinasfan (When you find "Sola Scriptura" in the Bible, let me know)

Born Catholic/die Catholic.

Me too. Although when asked if I have been a Catholic my whole life, I am obliged to reply, "Not yet."

9 posted on 04/25/2008 12:28:36 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (It takes a father to raise a child.)

To: Jeff Chandler

I have found those recently converted to Catholisism to be the most appreciative of our faith. A lot of us are like spoiled kids who completely take for granted the precious traditions that God gave us. At least I did.

The blessed Mary is such a wonderful role model for us and no, she is not just like any other woman. Girls need that image of the ideal woman now more than ever.

10 posted on 04/25/2008 12:38:55 PM PDT by mgist

I never took my faith for granted. I am so grateful to my parents for instilling in me the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother. I had the best life growing up in the United States Military and a Catholic household! Couldn’t get any better than that!!!

11 posted on 04/25/2008 12:50:37 PM PDT by notaliberal (Christ Our Hope!)

Check out this quote from the WPost article on Beckwith. It's a comment one of his prot friends wrote on his blog after learning of his return to Rome:

"This is a sad day for all true sons and daughters of the Protestant Reformation, for all who lived and died for its truths," Douglas Groothuis, a professor at the evangelical Denver Seminary, said in a posting on Beckwith's own blog, adding sternly: " . . . you are embracing serious theological error."

I wonder if Groothuis thinks that this kind of comment will change Beckwith's mind?

12 posted on 04/25/2008 12:52:10 PM PDT by mbraynard (You are the Republican Party. See you at the precinct meeting.)

My father was a convert & he truly was appreciative. I have all the respect for any Christian but I was born & will remain Catholic After being exposed to others I still see it the most “earthy” for lack of any other word to describe it.

13 posted on 04/25/2008 12:53:15 PM PDT by Digger (If RINO is your selection, then failure is your election)

You could be in the Knights of Columbus. Now fill out Form 100. You’ll be glad you did!

14 posted on 04/25/2008 1:03:21 PM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)

15 posted on 04/25/2008 1:06:29 PM PDT by al_c (Avoid the consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity)

16 posted on 04/25/2008 1:07:50 PM PDT by notaliberal (Christ Our Hope!)

To: massgopguy; notaliberal

You could be in the Knights of Columbus. Now fill out Form 100. You’ll be glad you did!

17 posted on 04/25/2008 1:08:57 PM PDT by al_c (Avoid the consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity)

No, I am female!

That just might be an issue. ;o)

18 posted on 04/25/2008 1:09:46 PM PDT by al_c (Avoid the consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity)

To: 353FMG; Always Right; Antoninus; ArrogantBustard; CTK YKC; dan1123; DogwoodSouth; FourtySeven; ...

19 posted on 04/25/2008 1:15:11 PM PDT by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)

Elizabeth E is a precious saint by any measure.

Have had the honor of meeting her and asking her as many questions as I could think of at the time.

Reportedly she has Alzheimer’s and could use our prayers.

20 posted on 04/25/2008 1:34:14 PM PDT by Quix (GOD ALONE IS GOD; WORTHY; PAID THE PRICE; IS COMING AGAIN; KNOWS ALL; IS LOVING; IS ALTOGETHER GOOD)

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