Picture courtesy of "Lutheran Grilled Cheese"
Question:
For a long time I was a protestant, but as I came closer to God I realized that there must be a better, deeper faith in Him. A few years ago I became Catholic, but all my protestant friends and family disproved. What I want to know is, what justifications are there for people such as Luther, King Henry, Calvin, etc. for leaving the Catholic church?
My Reply:
Your family and friends may be upset because they see Catholic as a step backwards, since the Catholic Church is often recognized as being a religion that bases their system on not reading the Bible, icons, and outer deeds.
You need to know the history of Luther to really understand. But in a nutshell, Luther never intended to leave the Catholic Church, nor did he intend to begin a denomination, church, or even a movement. What he saw were many crimes being committed within the Church under the leadership of that current Pope. He posted his arguments (thesis) on the church door, which at that time was the community bulletin board. His hopes were for these crimes and blasphemous practices to stop, thus causing the Church to repent and become right again with God. But instead, they arrested him and put him on trial as a heretic. In fact, if it wasn't for his friends in high places, they would've killed him (as they did with many others before Luther who brought up similar arguments).
So, Luther never intended for a split from the Catholic Church. Although, his situation and stance did open up a door for others to run through, like John Adams, John Calvin, etc...
Keep in mind now, I do know a lot of Catholics who know Jesus very well. So if this is where the Lord has sent you, then that's where you need to be. I think that once your family and friends see that, they'll lay off and support you, too.
You need to know the history of Luther to really understand. But in a nutshell, Luther never intended to leave the Catholic Church, nor did he intend to begin a denomination, church, or even a movement. What he saw were many crimes being committed within the Church under the leadership of that current Pope. He posted his arguments (thesis) on the church door, which at that time was the community bulletin board. His hopes were for these crimes and blasphemous practices to stop, thus causing the Church to repent and become right again with God. But instead, they arrested him and put him on trial as a heretic. In fact, if it wasn't for his friends in high places, they would've killed him (as they did with many others before Luther who brought up similar arguments).
So, Luther never intended for a split from the Catholic Church. Although, his situation and stance did open up a door for others to run through, like John Adams, John Calvin, etc...
Keep in mind now, I do know a lot of Catholics who know Jesus very well. So if this is where the Lord has sent you, then that's where you need to be. I think that once your family and friends see that, they'll lay off and support you, too.
For info on Luther's 95 Thesis, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-Five_Theses
To know what those 95 were, check out: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/ninetyfive.html
To know what those 95 were, check out: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/ninetyfive.html
---Pastor Andy
