Whoa, there. Of course people need Christ…so you’re suggesting what exactly? That Catholics don’t know about Christ? Of course we do. And, the last time I checked, people really come to Christ of their own accord (and, as Saint Paul states, need to persist in a relationship until the last breath).
Would you blame your Protestant pastor for any persons who have left your church (say, for another denomination–or another religion–or just stopped going to church–or became secularized, etc.). Would you blame your pastor for the failings of any members of your church? If they commited some crime/sin, would you blame the individual or your pastor for its failings? No, of course not. But you’d blame the Pope???
I often hear the claim that “church doesn’t save you”…and then you’re giving me statistics of how many Italians (I’m guessing you’re thinking only of Catholics, here)…that are not currently attending church or are members of a parish (where they can keep count of how many people are actually active members). I’d guess that the whole world experiences such problems (with people being seduced by secular society). It’s certainly a problem with the Church universal (and the Protesantant splintered groups). It’s a dilemma for all of Christianity. So, if Church doesn’t save someone, then we’re talking about differences of opinion on ‘how one is saved’.
That’s the root of the issue. Some Protestants do NOT think that Catholics are Christians, period. They claim that we are ‘not saved’; and, therefore, prosletyzing Catholics, even priests or nuns, is fair game. But it isn’t. Because we are Christians, and should be treated as such.
That’s where I disagree on ‘appreciation’ for evangelizers who come a–knockin’ on my door. No, I never treat them with hostility…but I feel that it is offensive to me…because I do know Christ, and everyday I try to form a more improved relationship with Him. And…by the way, I’d like to say that (the always sarcastic comments about ‘Catholic guilt’ comes in handy…and is surely a good thing in this world (where sin has become something of a myth). Therefore, I am also, constantly, in repentance mode (which includes both going to confession AND simply stating my sorrow, to God, about those sins…and asking for His help to continually do better). So, by non-denominational standards, that would be the equivalent of a Sinner’s Prayer…with the same results. It’s about ‘what’s in someone’s heart’…and we can’t judge others…even those that don’t ‘go to church’ as unsaved.
We shouldn’t be ambushed by other Christians. We should unite against a common foe (Satan working in the world and trying to destroy the Church from all angles).
I usually respond, to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, at my door, with the charity and with kindness. I always try to offer them my own tracts, as a fair trade (I’ll take yours if you’ll take mine). Most of the time, I remain empty handed, because they do not agree to that exchange. But I make clear to them, where I stand in regard to my fundamental belief that Christ is God. We part ways there, and I DO find it unsettling to have people approach me (in an effort to SAVE ME). Obviously, they think they are doing a good service (witnessing for Jehovah)…but, knowing they are offering false information, I reject it. Therefore, they make no impact on me or my beliefs at all. Now, a nominal Catholic or Protestant, may not be so lucky.
Everyone has to decide for Christ, themselves. We can all attempt, by the grace of God, to be good examples…in word and deed. To show them, by our love, that we are Christians. But, in the end, it’s all about someone’s own decision for or against Christ. And you can never give up on anyone, until their last breath (whether you resort, simply, to praying for them–which is a very powerful tool).
Christ instituted the Church with the purpose of helping aid Christians, as they journey…to be united with Christ in heaven. Sure, people fail sometimes, in being the best ‘evangelizers’…but that doesn’t mean that the Church doesn’t possess the truth…it means that people are fallible. Christ’s Church, on the other hand, is both a human AND a divine entity (it is the Mystical, Incarnated Body of Christ). With the promise of the Holy Spirit, intact, since its beginning…it cannot fail (even against the attacks of secularization and other such warfare).
I think that the denial of such a thing as ‘sheep stealing’, is an issue for non-denominational Christians…because they often do not view other, mainstream Christians (including Lutherans, Anglicans, the Orthodox) as saved by their intepretation of scripture. Therefore, everything (in their minds) is fair game.
But like I said, you wouldn’t find me walking into a Baptist or Pentecostal church, on Sunday morning, to tell people there, about Christ. I’d assume, as Trinitarian believers, that they know about Christ. As for whether they will be ‘saved’ in the end…I’d say that God will decide. For even those ‘saved’ by an altar call can sin gravely enough to forfieit their relationship with Christ.
I’d like to offer an link that pertains to “How Catholics Hear the Gospel”, because I think that, this misunderstanding is at the root of the problem (non-denoms view of salvation, and thinking that Catholics aren’t saved):
socrates58.blogspot.com/2006/01/how-do-catholics-hear-gospel-gary.html
Slava Isusu Christu!
