A former Catholic sent me a copy of your "The Good Newsletter". It was very informative and I appreciate your work for the Lord Jesus Christ. It does seem however, that your printing all of the words that those who don't agree with you have said, it may cause confusion. I am not a Catholic and have never known anything about the Catholic church, but recently started a Bible study with a Catholic. When I read your publication Volume 2 February 1996 Issue 5, I felt like I was listening to an argument which made me feel very uncomfortable and I'm not sure that I will share this with my Catholic friend. You are under no obligation to print the whole rebuttal to an issue in your publication. It is yours to publish what you want. If people want to read the other side, there is a multitude of material I assume that they can research if they want to research that. But as I see it, your message is to proclaim the real truth of God's Word to Catholics or former Catholics and explain where the doctrines of the Catholic church have their origin. Thanks for reading one more letter.
What is the cost of receiving a subscription to your publication?
Sincerely in Christ,
J. C. of Topeka, KS
P.S. I think your publication should be respectful. ("A cock has great influence on its own dunghill") is not something I think a believer should say.
Dear J. C.,
Thank you for writing us, there is no subscription cost. When we decided to do the debate, we realized that we would be printing the opposite point of view at our expense, but we felt it necessary to prove to all our Christian brothers and sisters that Rome really does not agree with Christianity. While they put on their ecumenical face for the world to see, the truth is they despise bible-only believers. This has been the practice of Catholicism throughout her whole history. She always plays two sides. Take World War II as an example. While Catholic leaders are blessing Hitler for being such a great Christian, lay Catholics, who perceived the great injustices, tried to help get the Jews out of Germany. When Germany lost, Catholic leaders said, "We were trying to help ...see how some of our Catholic people helped the Jews?" Another sad example of the hypocrisy of Catholicism is today's Keith Fournier. I have a tape where Mr. Fournier debates Dave Hunt. He insults all the doctrines that we Christians hold dear, then I receive a letter from Pat Robertson telling me that Keith Fournier is one of the greatest Christian leaders on the political and ecumenical front! It speaks volumes when Mr. Fournier slams Dave Hunt for believing that Christ is the Rock and not Peter, but when he is with Pat Robertson, he either refuses to discuss it or agrees with Pat Robertson...which is it and why the accomodation?
We are not teachers, preachers, theologians, etc. We are former Catholics reaching out to our Christian brothers and sisters, warning them that Catholicism is a cult. If nothing else, the debate should reveal to everyone that Christianity is not in agreement with Catholicism and she is deceiving Christians when she cries "Come home to Rome!"
Perhaps J.C., when you are at Bible study with your Catholic friend, try studying John 6 and you'll find out that you are not in agreement. Amos 3:3 says, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Isa.30:9-10 warns us against wanting to hear pleasant things, especially when lies are involved.
"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits."
Instead of worrying about hurting someone’s pride, we should be striving to preach the gospel, the saving power of God. (I Cor.1:18)
We’re sorry if we offended you but we did not feel that the quote "A cock has great influence on its own dunghill" was disrespectful, any more than we would feel it disrespectful to quote Malachi’s warning concerning feast days, "Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it." (2:3)
Most Sincere,
Rebecca A. Sexton
To Whom This Concerns,
I was given a tract from your publication (Former Catholics For Christ) at the Central Florida Fair 3/9/96 by Amazing Grace Missions. I asked them about my grandparents and some Catholic brought up family of whom some are saved or supposed to have been but they will not leave the Catholic ways. I can't condemn or hate anyone but I would like to have more literature on how, with scripture and proof of former Catholics, to be converted and leave the old way and become a new creature in Christ, 2 Cor.5:17, and so all converted people of religion or plain atheist should obey and live that verse to the best of their ability which some want to be saved but that's it. Why would anyone get converted and still be tossed around by false doctrine? (Eph.4:14) Because they are only deceiving others and themselves and they should avoid that (Rom. 16:17-18 and Col.2:4)
So I was wondering if you could send info on Catholic belief, how to convert and what they should do, etc. I would like to know how to help convert the Catholics for Christ. I will also pray for your ministry to grow and to strengthen all Catholics to Christ so they may be grounded and rooted in His Word and love (Eph. 3:17-19) and if all people follow and believe this then they know God is able (v.20). If you would like to talk or send info to my grandparents then you may. May God bless you all and your ministry.
In Jesus' Name,
A.M. of Apopka, FL
Dear A.M.,
God Bless you for the uplifting letter, it exposes the true heart and caring that we should all have for our Catholic friends and family. I remained two years in the Catholic church after I was saved. I was teaching C.C.D. and trying to be the best possible Christian that I was capable of being, serving God in the only way I knew how. But in the meantime God was working on my heart as I read His Word and began seeking His will for my life. Although I thought I was being a "good" Catholic by teaching C.C.D. and working the Catholic fair to help bring in funds, working bingo, getting involved in my church, rosaries, masses, etc., the Word revealed to me that I was a sinner (Rom.3:10), bowing before idols (Rev.9:20) and trusting in men instead of God (Jer.17:5-7). The Word revealed that "...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...." (Isa.64:6) And also revealed that "For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified...Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." (Heb.10:14-18) How can the Catholic church justify offering sacrifice for sins when there is no more offering for sin? The Word of God brought me to my knees and taught me that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. I stopped trusting in my works, and trusted in His. Being a "new creature" is God working in us to do His will. We are not our own, but His. Only Jesus can circumcise our hearts and create a new creature. Only then can we have the strength and courage to forsake our old ways and cling to Him. (Jn.1:12) As Proverbs 3:5 so beautifully reveals: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Jeremiah 10:23 says, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." So many people, Christian or Catholic, trust in their own works. When I worked at the fair for "Amazing Grace Missions" (a wonderful mission outreach that travels the fairs in America), I often heard "Christians", when asked if they were saved, answer "I go to church...I was baptized...I'm a Sunday school teacher...I'm as good as I can be, so I hope so." Have they never read Romans 3:20, 28, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight...Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (?)
We will send you a set of newsletters and hope that you will find it useful for information. Please write us soon and let us know if we can be of any further assistance. God bless you.
Most Sincere,
Rebecca A. Sexton
Dear Folks in Christ,
We have been receiving The Good News Letter for sometime now, and enjoy it very much. We wish we were able to support more.
I do pray every day, that God will enable us to do more of his work, either by helping other ministries, or by doing a ministry ourselves.
We will be praying for you and your part in GOD's ministry. Thank you very much,
D.S.G. of Galveston, IN
Dear D.S.G.,
Thank you for writing us and keeping us in your prayers. How wonderful that you are thinking of starting a ministry! There are 900 million Catholics who have not heard the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
You will be in our prayers that God will lead you in the way that you can best serve Him. Thank you very kindly for the donation.
A Friend in Jesus,
Rebecca A. Sexton
Dear Editor,
I'd like to correct two of the misstatements (one serious, one minor) that appeared in the April issue of The Good Newsletter.
First, you said in your editorial column that, "This Catholicism that people like....Patrick Madrid...are presenting is nothing more than a figment of their imagination." The implication being that I present a version of Catholicism that differs substantially from the official teachings of the Catholic Church, such as, for example, those promulgated by the councils of Lateran V, Trent, and Vatican I. This assertion is not true. Let me make it clear that I believe and publicly profess, in my writings, seminars, and debates, all the dogmas proposed by the Catholic Church, including, of course, all those reiterated by Vatican II.
Second, Dr. Bill Jackson may be sincere, but his scholarship is pretty sloppy. On page three he said, "Sungenis is incomplete in his definition of 'nihil obstat'...the words mean 'nothing objectionable.'" Well, whether or not Mr. Sungenis was incomplete, Dr. Jackson is simply incorrect. "Nihil obstat," as any first-year Latin student will tell you, does not mean "nothing objectionable"--It means "nothing stands in the way" [of the work in question being printed]. Furthermore, contrary to Dr. Jackson's statement, nihil obstats are not typically issued by bishops, but by a subordinate, known as a censor liborum. The next time Dr. Jackson elects to "correct" Catholics publicly, he should do his homework first.
Thanks for letting Bob Sungenis respond in print to your charges against the Catholic Church.
Sincerely in Christ, Patrick
Madrid, President Basilica
Press
(Dr. Bill Jackson sent FCFC his response to Pat Madrid. We felt it would only be fair to print His letter. Diane Schoeppner has responded to Mr. Madrid in "Diane's Corner".)
Dear Pat,
Thanks for your copy of the letter to the GOOD NEWSletter, and for pointing out my error. I should not have indicated the meaning of the words "nihil obstat" was "nothing objectionable," but that the nihil obstat does indicate there is nothing in the book that is objectionable to Roman Catholic faith or morals.
I presume this means you also disagree with Mr. Sungenis.
You also correctly pointed out that it is the imprimatur, not the nihil obstat that is given by the bishop.
Having rubbed shoulders with a variety of Catholics, especially in America, I have come to the conclusion that every American Catholic has taken the liberty of believing that what he believes is what the Catholic Church believes. Perhaps Catholic Answers (are you still affiliated with them?) sticks more closely to what might be termed authentic Catholic teaching, but you must realize this is not what the average cradle Catholic was exposed to.
I have been told by a reliable Catholic apologist that "some" of Humanae Vitae was infallible, but that means infallibility is subject to theological interpretation.
It was interesting that you referred to Lateran V (few do). This Council, according to the Catholic Almanac, "stated doctrine concerning indulgences...and reflected concern for abuses about 7 months before Luther nailed his theses."
Sincerely,
Dr. Bill Jackson
P.O. Box 99141
Littleton, CO 80162
Dear Diane,
Thank you for placing me with such honorable men like Chuck Colson, Billy Graham etc. You got their names correct, but you were so angry with me that you were blinded to the correct spelling of my name. My alleged healing ministry is to those women in prison who did not crush the head of the serpent as did our Holy Mother of God. You are indeed bitter or you would not use sophistry to fool the weak and ignorant.
We have the Legion of Mary at our institution with a membership of over forty exemplary women. They may not be supposed theologians like yourself, just repentant sinners trying to use the means at hand for spiritual survival.
This year the Catholic Church reaches 1,000,000,000 less yourself! You are right and one billion people are wrong....You are the only one in step. As St. Peter says: "there are those who use the Scriptures for their own ends and self destruction." They are blind guides leading the blind and all fall into the pit.
Your talent for writing could do so much good but you are letting pride stand in the way. Rebuttals are of no value with you because you are more infallible than the Pope.
You are right when you say that the Catholic priest wants to see everyone be Catholic. That is because we want what is best for everyone. Besides, it was Jesus Himself who said to make everyone a Catholic! "Go and teach 'ALL'" nations. In Greek that word is KATOLIKOS or Catholic. As a former Catholic you are excluding yourself from Christ's mandate. You may rant and rave but are getting nowhere fast. For every convert you may feel you have made, the Catholic Church has a million, if numbers mean anything, and they do at the right time.
Year after year the cream of humanity joins the Catholic Church. You obviously are satisfied if you get the left-overs (those too bitter and angry to be humble enough to see they are wrong.)
I pray that one day the scales of pride will fall from your eyes and you will see the Jesus we see who is the Truth, the Way, and the Light.
Blessings & Miracles,
"Fr." Tom Pontolillo of CA
Dear “Fr.” (Mt.23:9) Pontolillo,
First of all, let me apologize for misspelling your name as well as Keith Fournier. Going to school full time caused me to be late with my article. As they were running copies, I was still writing. It did not get checked for spelling errors.
Secondly...Mary did not and will not crush the head of Satan, and we would ask that you produce one scripture that says she does. Rom.16:20 says, "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly...."
I appreciate your honesty concerning making all people Catholic. That was our point exactly. It is not Rome's policy to tolerate other religions (read Pope Pius IX's Syllabus of Errors). It is her policy to bring all creatures under subjection to the Roman Pontiff (Bull Unam Sanctum).
Concerning the word "ALL" in Matt.28:19, the word is not "KATOLIKOS" as you claim, but rather "pas" (#3956 Strong's Concordance), which simply means "all, every, any, or a whole".
The only mandate that Jesus requires of me is to believe in His finished work on the cross. We who belong to Jesus are part of His body, and He is our Head. Your assumption that all those who are outside Rome is outside the will of God is erroneous.
We are not impressed by large numbers. It is a wide road that leads to hell. "I'm plotting revolution against this lie that the majority has the monopoly of the truth." (Henrik Ibsen, 1828-1906) 2 Tim.4:16-17 says,
"At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me! I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me...."
We may be few, Tom, but we serve a Mighty God! Have you not read Deut.7:7,
“The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people.”
And remember Zech.4:6, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord of hosts."
Your comment that the "cream of humanity" is joining Catholicism, and all we can hope for is the left- overs, was a very unchristian statement. We who know Jesus know that he would have us leave the 99 righteous to seek out that one lost sheep, the so-called left-overs, you seem to despise. It might do you well to read I Cor.1:26-29:
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence."
I do believe, sir, that it is you that is angry. There is only one God of peace, and His name is Jesus. You need to go to Him for a healing, then perhaps you could reach out to those “left-overs.”
Sincerely,
Diane M. Schoeppner
WHY, WHY, WHY is it that when I opened my Catholic Bible to Job 34: 30, I saw this “30......................” and there was no explanation of what belongs there? So I looked in my King James Bible and found the reason was very obvious. Here is the omission that they made (I will quote 29 as well, so you get the picture).
“When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: THAT THE HYPOCRITE REIGN NOT, LEST THE PEOPLE BE ENSNARED.”
Could there be a little conviction here? Maybe they didn’t want the reader to suspect that the pope could possibly be a hypocrite leading the people into a snare! I wonder how many other omissions or perversions are contained within the pages of the Roman Bible? Read your King James Bible and get the whole scoop!