Given that ALL of the historically Protestant countries of Europe have, for all intents and purposes, left Christianity altogether and embraced secular hedonism on their way to Islam, I think the devil is quite pleased with the bargain overall.
The Protestant triumphalists on FR never mention that. Sorrow and horror at the degree to which Protestantism has been replaced by open apostasy never makes a dent in their eagerness to condemn Catholics and Catholicism. Think about that.
I’ve almost totally avoided religion threads on FR now for years for obvious reasons. I looked at this one however. Can you tell me has reignited the flame wars this time?
Campion,
I can understand why you might argue along this line, given the differences between the Roman model of organization and the Protestant model.
Romans follow the model they took away from the Roman Empire. It doesn’t matter what happens, as long as the Emporer is on the throne. This keeps cancer of all kinds inside the body, where it has its effects. All manner of behavior and rebellion continues inside the empire.
The Protestant model is based on fellowship around core beliefs - essentials - and a living relationship with the Savior. When cancer strikes a fellowship, eventually the diseased body is alienated from fellowship with the Body at large. The diseased piece walks on for a time, pretending to follow Christ, as it declines. Importantly, it has been cut off.
For each Protestant body in decline, more are renewed, birthed and grow. Salvation and truth are continually renewed to new generations.
“The Protestant triumphalists on FR never mention that. Sorrow and horror at the degree to which Protestantism has been replaced by open apostasy never makes a dent in their eagerness to condemn Catholics and Catholicism. Think about that.”
Now it has been mentioned.
In the meantime, Catholicism still contains its Vatican protected homos, pedos, heresies and syncretic paganism - all inside the empire. Think about that.
Then read the opening chapters of Revelation and see how Christ handled Apostate/diseased churches. It is a closer match to the Protestant model.
Best