Expressing some doubts about God and Christianity

[MontChevalier]

Hello everyone,

Recently I’ve been feeling as if God may not be an existing force. I’ve looked at the lives of the saints, and they’re all great; they inspire, but regarding the behaviors of people and of the members of the church today, it truly makes being a part of it seem like a waste of my time. Protestants claim Biblical infallibility, that’s true, and just recently I found out that Biblical infallibility is not true at all. i.e. Biblical interpolations; Mark 16, Comma Johannsen, etc.

This has been a bit of a stump on my faith, as we rely on the Bible to ensure that the existence of Christ is true; including our faith in the Catholic Church being our guide. But what if that’s also an interpolation? What else in the Bible is an interpolation? Can it truly be trusted? Can I truly trust in the Catholic Church? I just don’t know…

It seems like there’s this lack of hope in me. I’m a big fan of the Church, but when I see situations of deception from the Catholic Church, it really hurts me. How can the Church expect more people to join when it’s going down this gray road? I’ve always been interested in correct path, that chivalrous and stout way. Not the in-between and most definitely not the wrong way.

And I know I’m not usually keen on frowning on Saints of the past, but this one saint, St. Pius of Pietrelcina, really shook my faith. He had all sorts of people calling him deceptive and a psychotic nut, cause of his stigmata. Scientist would attend to him and claim that everything that happened to him was by his own design; and not divine.

If that was by his design, how much of everything else was by the hand of people and not God? How much of what we believe is really true? Is what we believe half true and half fake? Or is there some sort of strange complex way we Catholics handle these situations? Is everything true? Is everything false?

The interpolations in the Bible were already a hard thing for me to swallow. I may not be a Protestant anymore, but the claim for the existence of Jesus, his compelling persona and his miracles is still something attracts me to Christianity. Now I feel as if a part of that is cracked, like a mirror on a wall.

I need some help here, some…guidance. I just feel so lost for words. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.

-MontChevalier

 

[Trishie]

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

As Jesus hung on the Cross, sold by one of His chosen twelve into torture and a cruel slow execution because of the plotting of His own Chosen People., and as He gazed down through failing eyes He could only see the devoted women, the executioners, the mockers…and just one, just one of the twelve first apostle (to be priests)priests there, the rest having fled. They hid. They had seen the miracles and the love and goodness, but it seemed all was in vain and He cried out to ask the Father why ever He seemed to have abandoned Him

…so when the best of men of all time was betrayed and abandoned and yet triumphed…are you surprised that the apostles today have their flaws and God’s work sometimes seem lost or wasted …and sometimes hidden.

Take yourself to the foot of the Cross dear soul and spend time there each time you feel confusion and disillusionment.

 

[FightingFat]

I need some help here, some…guidance. I just feel so lost for words. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.

I think the best thing would be to read some good, scholarly stuff that might answer some of your questions.

Have you read Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI?

The Pope is an extremely erudite scholar who grew up amid the sceptism of our age and has wrestled with the arguments you mention above in particular. The book contains an excellent study of the truth contained in Scripture. Your doubt may come from your Protestant understanding of every word being written by God Himself. Catholic understanding is far more nuanced:

In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while employed by Him (2) they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him acting in them and through them, (3) they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which He wanted. (4)

Therefore, since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings (5) for the sake of salvation. Therefore “all Scripture is divinely inspired and has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, for reformation of manners and discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work of every kind” (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Greek text).

1. However, since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.

To search out the intention of the sacred writers, attention should be given, among other things, to “literary forms.” For truth is set forth and expressed differently in texts which are variously historical, prophetic, poetic, or of other forms of discourse. The interpreter must investigate what meaning the sacred writer intended to express and actually expressed in particular circumstances by using contemporary literary forms in accordance with the situation of his own time and culture. (7) For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another. (8)

But, since Holy Scripture must be read and interpreted in the sacred spirit in which it was written, (9) no less serious attention must be given to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture if the meaning of the sacred texts is to be correctly worked out. The living tradition of the whole Church must be taken into account along with the harmony which exists between elements of the faith. It is the task of exegetes to work according to these rules toward a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture, so that through preparatory study the judgment of the Church may mature. For all of what has been said about the way of interpreting Scripture is subject finally to the judgment of the Church, which carries out the divine commission and ministry of guarding and interpreting the word of God. (10)

1. In Sacred Scripture, therefore, while the truth and holiness of God always remains intact, the marvelous “condescension” of eternal wisdom is clearly shown, “that we may learn the gentle kindness of God, which words cannot express, and how far He has gone in adapting His language with thoughtful concern for our weak human nature.” (11) For the words of God, expressed in human language, have been made like human discourse, just as the word of the eternal Father, when He took to Himself the flesh of human weakness, was in every way made like men. Dei Verbum 11 ff

Other great texts on this I would recommend would be:

Jesus Christ: Fundamentals of Christology by Roch Kerezty

This is the best text I have read on Christology and gave me so much confidence in my faith, from his explanation of the critical minimum, to how he explains sin and the way it affects us, it is a spell binding read and absolutely brilliant!

…and, for a detailed analogy of the veracity of Scripture:

Bad,Mad or God?: Proving the Divinity of Christ from St. John’s Gospel by John Redford

Although the title sounds like it’s just about John’s Gospel, it actually covers a much broader spectrum of study.

Any number of people can post any number of erudite responses here, but ultimately nothing will convince you more than your own study, and the grace you will receive from regular reception of the Sacraments and prayer.

God bless!

 

[Pryority7]

Sounds like you have more of a problem with Christians than with Christ. Understand that if you rely on the people of God as opposed to God Himself, you will always be dissappointed…but He won’t dissappoint, be scandelous, be abusive or be controlling. He is not a puppet master. He is a Father…and He loves you enough to have died for you. Remember that. Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.

 

[Boulder257]

Sounds like you have more of a problem with Christians than with Christ. Understand that if you rely on the people of God as opposed to God Himself, you will always be dissappointed…but He won’t dissappoint, be scandelous, be abusive or be controlling. He is not a puppet master. He is a Father…and He loves you enough to have died for you. Remember that. Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.

 

[Boulder257]

It may appear dark, glim, or difficult, but it is during these times that we are defined and when we seem to grow the most as well. Here is what Pope Benedict the XVI said about VII, “The Second Vatican Council, with its new definition of the relationship between the faith of the Church and certain essential elements of modern thought, has reviewed or even corrected certain historical decisions, but in this apparent discontinuity it has actually preserved and deepened her inmost nature and true identity.”

What he appears to be saying is that sometimes when it seems things are undefined, we may be able to find our definition in them. It is through these difficulties that we can preserve our understanding and even grow.

You will be in my prayers.

 

[Melchior_1]

You seem to have put a lot of thought into this, and I commend you for asking questions. Asking questions can often strengthen one’s faith, provided they do something with the answers.

I will second FightingFat’s suggestion of reading Jesus of Nazareth from Pope Benedict. I would also recommend you read John Henry Newman’s “An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine”. Newman looks at things from a historical standpoint, and follows the course of Christianity from the time of it’s inception to what was his present day, and does an extensive commentary how Christian doctrine was developed.

I’m going to suggest a third writer, who may be a bit controversial in this sub-section of Catholic Answers; Clive Staples Lewis.

C.S. Lewis is more than a fiction writer, he wrote several books detailing Christianity and the proof of it being true. Mere Christianity and the Great Divorce are two books which will give an excellent outline of Christianity in general. You could start with Lewis, and proceed to Newman to essentially see the more thorough version.

 

[philial]

Hello everyone,

Recently I’ve been feeling as if God may not be an existing force. I’ve looked at the lives of the saints, and they’re all great; they inspire, but regarding the behaviors of people and of the members of the church today, it truly makes being a part of it seem like a waste of my time. Protestants claim Biblical infallibility, that’s true, and just recently I found out that Biblical infallibility is not true at all. i.e. Biblical interpolations; Mark 16, Comma Johannsen, etc.

This has been a bit of a stump on my faith, as we rely on the Bible to ensure that the existence of Christ is true; including our faith in the Catholic Church being our guide. But what if that’s also an interpolation? What else in the Bible is an interpolation? Can it truly be trusted? Can I truly trust in the Catholic Church? I just don’t know…

It seems like there’s this lack of hope in me. I’m a big fan of the Church, but when I see situations of deception from the Catholic Church, it really hurts me. How can the Church expect more people to join when it’s going down this gray road? I’ve always been interested in correct path, that chivalrous and stout way. Not the in-between and most definitely not the wrong way.

And I know I’m not usually keen on frowning on Saints of the past, but this one saint, St. Pius of Pietrelcina, really shook my faith. He had all sorts of people calling him deceptive and a psychotic nut, cause of his stigmata. Scientist would attend to him and claim that everything that happened to him was by his own design; and not divine.

If that was by his design, how much of everything else was by the hand of people and not God? How much of what we believe is really true? Is what we believe half true and half fake? Or is there some sort of strange complex way we Catholics handle these situations? Is everything true? Is everything false?

The interpolations in the Bible were already a hard thing for me to swallow. I may not be a Protestant anymore, but the claim for the existence of Jesus, his compelling persona and his miracles is still something attracts me to Christianity. Now I feel as if a part of that is cracked, like a mirror on a wall.

I need some help here, some…guidance. I just feel so lost for words. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.

-MontChevalier

Although it may be hard for you to believe right now, it sounds like God is calling you to a deeper understanding of Him, and a fuller relationship with Him!

The dark night of the soul is but a prelude to a dawn so intense and magnificent that you will laugh at your current fears & doubts.

Faith, Hope & Love : Study the faith, pray with hope, and show love when & where you can.

Study - concentrate on the Eucharist and the Church, as well as well-informed exergesis.
Pray - take what you study into your prayer, and know that you pray, not alone, nor with the Church only, but by the Holy Spirit, who prays within us when we are unable to. So don’t be put off by your own silence!
Love - And go from your prayer to some practical application of love - get involved with those in need, and this will, in turn, feed your study and your prayer.

But in all things remember - it is for Christ, not ourselves, that we live, so please avoid getting too wrapped up in yourself!

God bless.

 

[Theophorus]

Firstly you are in my prayers, I know that times like this are difficult but there are a few things you should keep in mind:

The church is not now nor has it ever been a church of the perfect, a church of the pure. It is a hospital for the spiritually sick to get us back on the right track and as such She has always contained the best of saints and the worst of sinners. The hope which never fails us however is Jesus Christ

There is a difference between reading scripture in a purely literal, fundamentalist way such as many protestants do and reading with an understanding that the fullness of truth is present in the Scriptures be that this Truth can be revealed in a literal, spiritual, allegorical, moral, and/or anagogical sense (c.f the Catechism no. 100 following) Which is the way Catholics and Jewish groups(with the aid of the Talmud) would interpret Scripture. This does not take away for the inerrant nature of the bible(that is it is true) but does not allow a simply literalist reading of Scripture which detracts from the fullness and the richness of it.

As for St. Pio of Pietrelcina, some have made claims regarding the authenticity of his stigmata but none of them have been able to verify their claims with proof.

 

[Leegal]

Hello everyone,

Recently I’ve been feeling as if God may not be an existing force. I’ve looked at the lives of the saints, and they’re all great; they inspire, but regarding the behaviors of people and of the members of the church today, it truly makes being a part of it seem like a waste of my time. Protestants claim Biblical infallibility, that’s true, and just recently I found out that Biblical infallibility is not true at all. i.e. Biblical interpolations; Mark 16, Comma Johannsen, etc.

This has been a bit of a stump on my faith, as we rely on the Bible to ensure that the existence of Christ is true; including our faith in the Catholic Church being our guide. But what if that’s also an interpolation? What else in the Bible is an interpolation? Can it truly be trusted? Can I truly trust in the Catholic Church? I just don’t know…

It seems like there’s this lack of hope in me. I’m a big fan of the Church, but when I see situations of deception from the Catholic Church, it really hurts me. How can the Church expect more people to join when it’s going down this gray road? I’ve always been interested in correct path, that chivalrous and stout way. Not the in-between and most definitely not the wrong way.

And I know I’m not usually keen on frowning on Saints of the past, but this one saint, St. Pius of Pietrelcina, really shook my faith. He had all sorts of people calling him deceptive and a psychotic nut, cause of his stigmata. Scientist would attend to him and claim that everything that happened to him was by his own design; and not divine.

If that was by his design, how much of everything else was by the hand of people and not God? How much of what we believe is really true? Is what we believe half true and half fake? Or is there some sort of strange complex way we Catholics handle these situations? Is everything true? Is everything false?

The interpolations in the Bible were already a hard thing for me to swallow. I may not be a Protestant anymore, but the claim for the existence of Jesus, his compelling persona and his miracles is still something attracts me to Christianity. Now I feel as if a part of that is cracked, like a mirror on a wall.

I need some help here, some…guidance. I just feel so lost for words. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.

-MontChevalier

Go to your priest.

You officially were welcomed into the Catholic faith on 11/24/2011 – 8 days ago and you have these doubts now? Or doubts prior to 11/24/2011, but went ahead anyway?

You are a “big fan” of the Catholic Church, or are you Catholic? Or, in 8 days you no longer are sure if you believe?

Why are you focused on this one Saint that it can “shake your faith?” I never even heard of this Saint. Doesn’t mean it did not happen, but it’s not enough of a faith shaker.

Are you really this recent a convert? Seriously, go to your priest if you are Catholic and/or a recent convert to the faith.

I’m sorry not to be more helpful, but I really don’t understand.

 

[opus101]

Sounds like your faith is either being tested by God or attacked by the evil one. Continue to pray, and ask the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O virgin of virgins, my mother. To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me.”

Sometimes, we have to be more prayerfully vigilant right after confession, or special events like your becoming a Catholic, because we let our guard down, and the evil one tries to trip us up to inspire disappointment and doubts.

That is where real Faith comes in. It is a gift from God.

 

[HelenRose]

In regard to the behavior of people.

It has always helped me when I get discouraged by the foibles of myself and those other people in my little mission church to keep in mind the saying: “The Church is not a country club for saints but a hospital for sinners.”

I also like to think of ourselves as diamonds in the rough. We have sharp edges and we rub against each other. This serves to bring out the shine that lies hidden in our human nature.

You have begun a journey. The seed of faith has been planted in your heart. I ask you to plant this seed deep in your heart and let your faith grow and mature.

When you see misbehavior in others, remind yourself that you do not know their hearts and you do not know the journey that they have made so far. It is very easy to judge someone else’s journey with out knowing what they have been through.

Your comments remind of another saying that was popular in the 70’s.

“I love mankind. Its people I hate.”

Loving the Church means learning how to love those who are in the Church. Those in the Church are probably having just as much trouble loving you, as you are having trouble in loving them.

As for your study of Saints. I am a convert as well. It takes awhile to get your mind wrapped around the lives of the saints. Do not jump to any conclusions yet.

 

[TrueLight]

Why are you focused on this one Saint that it can “shake your faith?” I never even heard of this Saint.

I think he means Padre Pio.

 

[TrueLight]

Hi Montchevalier,

Because you are so new to the Church, I definitely agree that you should speak to your priest and/or RCIA director.

Having said that, it’s quite obvious that Satan the deceiver has focused on you for whatever reason. And so you need to guard against him by asking for the Intercession of St Michael the Archangel and spending time in prayer. A lot of our faith comes not from only head knowledge but heart knowledge.

You might be wondering why I’m asking you to spend time in prayer when you are already doubtful.

Prayer can:
• Fortify you
• Allow you to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit
• draw you into a closer relationship with God

Take a verse from the new testament, read it and then pray. Speak honestly to our Lord and express your doubts. He knows our hearts anyway. Be open to what God has to say.

Go to mass as frequently as you can. Receive communion as often as you can. Go to Eucharistic adoration. Go to confession. When we neglect these things, we create space for the Devil to insert himself and he WILL do it.

If you’re feeling skeptical about stigmati and levitating Saints, avoid those type of books for now, especially if they are a stumbling block.

Concentrate on your relationship with Jesus and with his Church.

I’ll keep you in prayer.

 

[Leegal]

I think he means Padre Pio.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Contarini]

Recently I’ve been feeling as if God may not be an existing force.

None of the other points you raise directly concern the existence of God. I understand that emotionally they’re connected, but it’s important to think clearly when you begin to doubt your faith.

Protestants claim Biblical infallibility, that’s true, and just recently I found out that Biblical infallibility is not true at all. i.e. Biblical interpolations; Mark 16, Comma Johannsen, etc.

Hold on here. Not even the strict view of Biblical inerrancy identified with the “Old Princeton” theologians is affected by these issues, because inerrantists only claim that the original autographs are inerrant. And that’s not the only way to look at Biblical infallibility by any means. Don’t reject a concept until you really understand it!

Christians have always recognized the possibility of scribal error.

This has been a bit of a stump on my faith, as we rely on the Bible to ensure that the existence of Christ is true; including our faith in the Catholic Church being our guide. But what if that’s also an interpolation?

I’m not sure what you mean by “that.” Jesus’ existence is not seriously in doubt. The central truths of the faith cannot be established with 100% certainty by reason–Aquinas said that. Were you really taught otherwise?

“Interpolations” are not the problem. Textual criticism, while not an exact science, is reasonably certain on the big stuff.

Can I truly trust in the Catholic Church?

What do you mean by “can”? You seem to be saying that if it is possible to doubt you can’t trust. That makes no sense to me (so perhaps I misunderstand you). Of course you can trust. There are good probable reasons to believe in Jesus’ resurrection and to trust the historic community based on Jesus’ resurrection. Are they certain? No. You have to choose to trust.

I’m not sure I know what you mean by the “gray road.”

And I know I’m not usually keen on frowning on Saints of the past, but this one saint, St. Pius of Pietrelcina, really shook my faith. He had all sorts of people calling him deceptive and a psychotic nut, cause of his stigmata. Scientist would attend to him and claim that everything that happened to him was by his own design; and not divine.

I am rather bothered by St. Pio as well, but the fact that there are allegations doesn’t make the allegations true. Furthermore, while others on this forum will jump on me, I think it’s possible to question the teaching that canonizations are infallible while still being a Catholic. Certainly there are many Catholics who don’t accept the infallibility of canonizations, although I know that some here would say they aren’t real Catholics!

If that was by his design

But you don’t know that. You’re building supposition on supposition.

how much of everything else was by the hand of people and not God? How much of what we believe is really true? Is what we believe half true and half fake?

There may be pious legends that have been accepted by many Catholics as true, if that’s what you are saying. . . .

Catholicism is a lot to take on, as a matter of trust. I understand that you are getting cold feet. I have gotten cold feet many times, which is why I’m still outside.

But I think some of your issues arise from misunderstanding and from having accepted an overly cut-and-dried picture of faith in the first place.

Of course it’s possible that it’s all a mistake. That’s a risk you have to take. If you didn’t count the cost before you became Catholic, I guess you have to count it now. But Catholicism is now the “default” for you in a way it wasn’t before, so keep practicing it unless and until you are certain it’s false. That’s my advice anyway–take it or leave it.

I may not be a Protestant anymore, but the claim for the existence of Jesus, his compelling persona and his miracles is still something attracts me to Christianity. Now I feel as if a part of that is cracked, like a mirror on a wall.

Why? I think you’re basing far too much on the “interpolation” issue.

Edwin

 

[fred_conty]

‘In the Catholic Church, there are many other things which most justly keep me in her bosom. The consent of peoples and nations keeps me in the Church; so does her authority, inaugurated by miracles, nourished by hope, enlarged by love, established by age. The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the Apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after His resurrection, gave it in charge to feed His sheep, down to the present episcopate. And so, lastly, does the name itself of Catholic, which, not without reason, amid so many heresies, the Church has thus retained; so that, though all heretics wish to be called Catholics, yet when a stranger asks where the Catholic Church meets, no heretic will venture to point to his own chapel or house. Such then in number and importance are the precious ties belonging to the Christian name which keep a believer in the Catholic Church, as it is right they should. . . With you, where there is none of these things to attract or keep me. . . No one shall move me from the faith which binds my mind with ties so many and so strong to the Christian religion. . . For my part, I should not believe the gospel except as moved by the authority of the Catholic Church.’

St. Augustine

 

[Trishie]

I think it is necessary to read more fully concerning St Pio before dismissing him. (I have in fact read a great deal concerning him. I am not what you would call a pious person, but a very committed, prayerful Catholic, so I am not easily convinced by hagiography) Many Saints have gone through false vilification. He did, as did the saint of my country.

The scrutiny that those who are considered for beatification and canonization is very strict and sever and can take many decades. catholicapologetics.org/ap070400.htm

"Is the pope infallible in issuing a decree of canonization? Most theologians answer in the affirmative. It is the opinion of St. Antoninus, Melchior Cano, Suarez, Bellarmine, Bañez, Vasquez, and, among the canonists, of Gonzales Tellez, Fagnanus, Schmalzgrüber, Barbosa, Reiffenstül, Covarruvias (Variar. resol., I, x, no 13), Albitius (De Inconstantiâ in fide, xi, no 205), Petra (Comm. in Const. Apost., I, in notes to Const. I, Alex., III, no 17 sqq.), Joannes a S. Thomâ (on II-II, Q. I, disp. 9, a. 2), Silvester (Summa, s.v. Canonizatio), Del Bene (De Officio Inquisit. II, dub. 253), and many others. In Quodlib. IX, a. 16, St. Thomas says: “Since the honour we pay the saints is in a certain sense a profession of faith, i.e., a belief in the glory of the Saints [quâ sanctorum gloriam credimus] we must piously believe that in this matter also the judgment of the Church is not liable to error.”
[catholic encyclopedia, canonization](catholic encyclopedia, canonization)

Perhaps this to some degree answers your reservations regarding St Pio, and in some way eases your concern. Perhaps.

God bless you

 

[jmj1984]

Hello everyone,

Recently I’ve been feeling as if God may not be an existing force. I’ve looked at the lives of the saints, and they’re all great; they inspire, but regarding the behaviors of people and of the members of the church today, it truly makes being a part of it seem like a waste of my time. Protestants claim Biblical infallibility, that’s true, and just recently I found out that Biblical infallibility is not true at all. i.e. Biblical interpolations; Mark 16, Comma Johannsen, etc.

This has been a bit of a stump on my faith, as we rely on the Bible to ensure that the existence of Christ is true; including our faith in the Catholic Church being our guide. But what if that’s also an interpolation? What else in the Bible is an interpolation? Can it truly be trusted? Can I truly trust in the Catholic Church? I just don’t know…

It seems like there’s this lack of hope in me. I’m a big fan of the Church, but when I see situations of deception from the Catholic Church, it really hurts me. How can the Church expect more people to join when it’s going down this gray road? I’ve always been interested in correct path, that chivalrous and stout way. Not the in-between and most definitely not the wrong way.

And I know I’m not usually keen on frowning on Saints of the past, but this one saint, St. Pius of Pietrelcina, really shook my faith. He had all sorts of people calling him deceptive and a psychotic nut, cause of his stigmata. Scientist would attend to him and claim that everything that happened to him was by his own design; and not divine.

If that was by his design, how much of everything else was by the hand of people and not God? How much of what we believe is really true? Is what we believe half true and half fake? Or is there some sort of strange complex way we Catholics handle these situations? Is everything true? Is everything false?

The interpolations in the Bible were already a hard thing for me to swallow. I may not be a Protestant anymore, but the claim for the existence of Jesus, his compelling persona and his miracles is still something attracts me to Christianity. Now I feel as if a part of that is cracked, like a mirror on a wall.

I need some help here, some…guidance. I just feel so lost for words. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.

-MontChevalier

MontChevalier

I think you are getting in way over your head, your a recent convert, take it slow

There is no need to go looking at Mark 16, Comma Johannsen etc… Nor for that matter should you be tempting your faith by looking at what people have said about saints etc… Padre Pio is a great saint, aside from that matter, The Pope has canonised him and canonisation is infallible. Lay these doubts aside and focus on improving your own spiritual life.

Most importantly speak to your Priest and pray, that will help resolve these doubts.

However it may be useful to look at some books which deal with the problems you are facing, there is a book published by Baronius Press called ‘Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine’. It deals with many of the issues you are raising and does so very well.

Lastly the behaviour of people in no way, shape, size or form invalidates the truth they are preaching. Something is not untrue merely because those preaching it behave badly etc…

Its also important to point out the church is ‘divided’ in 3:

1)The Church Militant (The Church in this world)
2)The Church suffering (The Church in purgatory)
3)The Church Triumphant (The Church in heaven)

The first cannot by its very nature be perfect in its human members as we are we all sinners, the second is still being purified, but the last is in fact perfect. That said the church as a whole is perfect, because it is the bride of Christ and Christ gave his life for it.

'Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Power of God -
thrust down to hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.’

 

[MontChevalier]

I want to apologize to people on here for not saying much on this thread specifically. These things going through my mind have been a challenge to me. And I’m vexed (Still slightly vexed) on some of these matters.

Thank you all for taking time to help me out.

I’m not quite sure what to make of some of it. Is it wrong to doubt?
The moments of trepidation in which many of us feel never lead us to those moments [of doubt]?

I’m trying to be a Traditional Latin Catholic these days, but when I see how much more they have the Ordinary Mass people in my country, it makes me wonder if it’s wrong for me to take part in Traditional Latin Mass. So I get doubts. I don’t attend Ordinary Mass, only Extraordinary.

The Tridentine Leader once told me that “Satan hates Latin”, and I wondered if he was lying or if that’s true.

Maybe I am just taking in too much. I know I need to rest some of it off.
For those who offered me books, thank you especially, I have just added them to my Amazon Wishlist and I’ll be buying them some time in the future.

-MontChevalier