I was walking down Victoria Street in London on Saturday, when I was approached by a young lady of oriental extraction and bearing a sheaf of evangelical literature who wanted to know if I was ‘saved’. I said that I hoped to be in due course, but that I could not possibly know now – a remark which seemed to bewilder her, so I explained that I was a Catholic.This prompted a polite, but very definite, explanation of why the Catholic Church had nothing to do with Christ and His teaching, and an exhortation to rely on what the Bible taught – indeed, on the very words of Scripture – rather than being mislead by twisted interpretations of it.
I suggested that I was in fact relying on the Bible, and indeed on the actual words of Our Lord, in adhering to the Church which He founded; and quoted Jesus’ words to Peter – ‘Thou art Peter, and upon this rock shall I build My Church, and I shall give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven’.
I explained that I could not see how you could have a plainer statement than that, which was why I was a Catholic, because on Jesus’ own authority, Peter was the foundation of the Church of Christ, and had the keys of the kingdom of heaven : to which her reply was that I didn’t understand, and that that wasn’t what my quotation meant at all.
When I pointed out that that was the plain meaning of the words, and that it was she who appeared to be trying to twist the meaning, rather than relying on the very words of Christ, she got all offended and went off in a huff.
Perhaps I’m not cut out for pavement evangelism . . .
Ha, there is part of me that would like to get approached by one of these people; I'm never that un/lucky though.
ReplyDelete"So what did I say wrong . . ?" - absolutely nothing!
I should carry rosary beads to give out, in future. Blessed, of course1
ReplyDeleteFundies of any persuasion, including unfortunately some Romans freak me out!! Been there, experienced that. Zeal for the house of God, that's a different matter, and always attractive, but proselytism of the 'my way or the highway' variety....yuk!
My "About me" page on my blog says:
ReplyDelete"Someone asked me recently, with the bright and fervid gleam of someone who’s wondering where they left the matches and the big pile of wood, 'are you Saved?'
To which I can only reply: 'As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13).'"
They can't argue with that, it's in the Bible!
I would have loved to hear what she has to say about John 6. Especially given the original greek is essentially "gnaw" regards the eating of the Flesh.
ReplyDeleteI have a store of missionary Rosaries along with instructions which I hope to hand out whenever I fly, go through customs or immigration.
ReplyDeleteHey rosamundi I like that explanation using scripture, thanks for sharing. I'm gonna pinch it for the side of my blog. Hope you don't mind. I will credit you.
ReplyDeleteGreat name you have there too!!! God bless.
Love this post - :)
ReplyDelete