Trying to convert - I don't get it

[jcrichton]

Exactly! We see this a great deal among n-Cs who contest this issue, yet we can and should examine it in the context of the entire New Testament which plainly shows that Our Lord Jesus Christ established this as a discipline but that His preference was for celibacy. For that you can take some time and study my blog article Priestly celibacy is unBiblical. NOT!

Hi!

…just left your blob (don’t have an account so I couldn’t post a comment); I specially liked the inclusion of the Brother’s testimonial… I liken the people who are staunchly anti-celibates to using Cain’s reasoning… he would not Serve God in purity of heart and it would bother him to no end that Abel was willing to Serve God in that purity of heart that he himself would not embrace or respect.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Della]

I believe that some people have a personal repugnance to celibacy akin to repugnance against eating their vegetables. Their argument goes something like: “Why would God call some to deny themselves marriage when they can serve him just as well with a wife?” What they are really asking is, “Why didn’t God call me to serve him utterly and completely in a way that shows his agape love is infinite and human love finite?” They don’t know that is their real question, of course, but that is really what they want to know. And that is unanswerable except by God–and since God doesn’t usually reveal his reasons to us in plain terms–ones we can readily grasp and understand, it is simply easier to say that celibacy shouldn’t be a requirement for the priesthood.

People are motivated by more than reason, although we all like to think we are reasonable people. Rather, we have deep-seated biases based on personal preferences and fears. Since this is the case, and we know how imperfect our understanding can be–we have the best reason in the world to accept the wisdom of the Church in this matter–that celibacy doesn’t satisfy our own likes and dislikes but witnesses to the world that some things are transcendent/above human understanding and our finite likes/dislikes/opinions–that the reality of God’s love transcends all such earthly considerations.

 

[alphomega]

I’m not OK with same sex marriage or multiple wives. Generally I get labeled as really conservative.

Yes - I am trying to convert. I do tend to be detail oriented…to a fault sometimes probably.

I have read so much, I really need to put all my thoughts and findings on paper, as I feel a little confused myself.

I have come to accept things I really used to fight against like infant baptism. I am currently listening to Rome Sweet Home audio book, and trying to read Upon This Rock by Steve Ray. The book is really a slow read for me, but it already did away with the large rock-small rock idea.

Seriously working on things. I’ll try to collect my thoughts better before fielding any more questions.

Thank you all

Another book you may find helpful ( written by a convert) is

Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church, a 2000-year History

Below is a link to a review by Fr. John McCloskey

catholicity.com/mccloskey/triumph.html

Where to buy

goodreads.com/book/show/48159.Triumph

 

[jcrichton]

Hi!

…just left your blob (don’t have an account so I couldn’t post a comment); I specially liked the inclusion of the Brother’s testimonial… I liken the people who are staunchly anti-celibates to using Cain’s reasoning… he would not Serve God in purity of heart and it would bother him to no end that Abel was willing to Serve God in that purity of heart that he himself would not embrace or respect.

Maran atha!

Angel

Hi!

…just noticed a typo…

It should read: “…just left your blog”

:doh2::doh2::doh2:

…sorry, I can be a terrible prof-reader, at times.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[joeybaggz]

I would like to see that Roman Catholicism is true, it would be so nice to convert with my heart.

But this AM I read two passages, 1 Tim 3:2-5 that says a bishop must be the husband of one wife, and even have children.

Then 1 Tim 4:1-3 that says it would be to depart from the faith to forbid marriage.

I know the difference between doctrine and discipline - by why would you ever, ever have a discipline that went AGAINST scripture?

I have not been able to read all the replies so if this reeats something that has already been said, I apologize.
In reading the new Testament one must remember that these writiers, for the most part, believed that Jesus was coming back (The Second Coming) IN THEIR LIFETIME. In reading Timothy, Paul, and others, that is something that should be kept in mind. Their view of how to live vis a vis when Jesus would return, would be different from ours 1900 years later. Paul encourages celibacy, not necessarily because it is second rate, but because directing all one’s life to meeting Christ is more important. Viewing the words of the epistle writers of the first century from a twenty first century perch can lead to misinterpretation and confusion. It is why the magesterium, the teaching authority of the bishops, is so important and necessary.

Shalom