Posted on 08/08/2007 9:49:49 AM PDT by Salvation
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pingme....
Says it all.
Mark Shea’s essay on the “no salvation outside the Church” controversy is one brilliant and crystal clear piece of writing. This finally cleared the fog for myself and my fiance in our understanding of the role of other christians in the Church. If you want to really be able to connect with protestants about this catholic dogma in a positive way, read it and memorize its points. It’s from Crisis Magazine and entitled:
“Just Exactly Where Is the Church? Unam Sanctam, Vatican II, and the Salvation of Non-Catholics”
http://www.crisismagazine.com/printerfriendly/print.php
Wonderful link. Could be a separate thread.
"Great! Lets all hike over to Blessed Sacrament parish, worship the Eucharist in the tabernacle, and pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory!
ROTFLOL!
Thanks for your feedback! Anything that will help me speak intelligibly to my Protestant brothers and sisters is most welcome! We all do believe in Christ, Jesus and it is sad that so many in this world don’t! Think of what we could do “together” to evangelize those who don’t even believe in God?
Peace!
Frank
Apparently, one can’t link to the print-friendly version. The original link below will work. Apologies
http://www.crisismagazine.com/may2007/shea.htm
I subscribed to Crisis for many years but got overwhelmed with too many magazines! I do like “This Rock” which is much like “Crisis” but deals more with apologetics and with Scripture. I should let you know that “Crisis” may be available strictly on-line soon which is good!
Mark Shea has written many books and I’ve read a few. He appears on EWTN, the Catholic network, from time to time in his own series. He is not only a gifted writer but a very gifted speaker.
As I read this, I am reminded of a book by Mark Brumley which I am just now finishing called “How Not to Share Your Faith.”
http://www.interx.net/~mbrumley/blogger.htm
Many of the points you see in the Shea article are amplified in this small book which is a gem. It is aimed at both Catholics and Protestants of various Confessions since the same “mistakes” are interwoven in apologetic exchanges. It has had a profound influence on me as I reflect upon my interactions.
I should say, your post has had the same effect. I agree with your view and the Spirit has given me a marvelous insight. If more Catholics could be so poignant and as truthful as Mr. Shea, Free Republic would not devolve into the “pie-throwing contests” it often resembles. It is not just sad; it is frankly scandalous at times.
Kind regards!
Frank
A lot of people do that on their noon hours, however.
Haven’t caught any pies yet on this thread. Great, huh?
Ah... Brumley’s book is a good one. I remember one perpetually angry traditional Catholic guy at our parish got that book bought for him as a gift!
OH, heck, I’ve been known to do it. I was not in any way intending to diss the behavior, I was just enjoying the wonderful way it slashes through the “Heck, we all believe in Jesus, can’t we all just toss this theological stuff overboard and party together?” line of thought.
It’s not all about the eucharist.
Um, Seriously, Give some more, please? So, you wanna come over to Holy Sacrament Church with me? We got GREAT idols!
The article says a church is not a church without a valid eucharist as if that is the main distinction between us and you. That is not the main distinction. The claimed authority of the pope is a bigger distinction for one, in my humble opinion.
The claimed authority of the pope is a bigger distinction for one, in my humble opinion...
...Popes come and go, and some are better than others and are so judged by the faithful...the ‘claimed authority’ you deride proceeds from a direct line of apostolic succession that we believe in and cherish...on the other hand, the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is forever and inviolate, and is the reason for for celebrating the Mass...the symbolism evident in the Protestant communion couldn’t possible constitute a more major distinction....
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