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li0scc0 said: Hmm, maybe they are right with the many thousand different Protestant denominations?

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif" alt="" /> You wouldn't happen to be Roman Catholic would you?

One of the sad things about denominations today is the fact that there are splits and new denominations form as a result. Most are caused because heresy enters in and either the faithful are forced out, or the one's who embrace heresy leave.

In the case of Martin Luther (if I understand history), he did not try to leave the Church(he was excomunicated). He tried to reform the Church from heretical teaching, by appealing to Scripture itself.
The Roman Catholic Church officials however, were not interested in listening; they knew that if Luther got his way, they would lose their meal tickets. For instance, they would no longer be able to collect money from people who wanted to help themselves and their loved ones out of purgatory. (I can speak more on this aspect if asked)

Unfortunately, splits sometimes are necessary this side of heaven.

By the way, don't let Roman Catholics fool you, when they use that argument. They are more diverse than many people realize.
Here is an example of what I am talking about.

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1. Vatican II Catholics - Which view Protestants as separated brothers and sisters estranged from the true Church and they have placed a new emphasis on Bible Study. (Typical of them would probably be of course the current Pope as well as Scott Hahn) They also are borderline Universalists when it comes to the salvation of Jews and Muslims.

2. Council of Trent Catholics - The old guard. Many of them believe the Church is too contemporary and they believe Mass should still be in Latin and see Protestants primarily as heretics. (Mel Gibson is a Latin rite Catholic I believe)

3. Liberal Catholics - Like liberal Protestants they question the authority of scripture ( John Dominic Crossan is one such RC liberal) and are generally Pro Abortion, Pro Homosexual (John Kerry, Ted Kennedy for example) and for women in the priesthood and deny the Pope is infallible.

4. Eastern Rite Catholics - Very similar to the Eastern Orthodox though unlike the Eastern Orthodox they accept the leadership of the Pope, and embrace the RCC position on the Mass as well as differing with the Eastern Orthodox on other theological issues. The Eastern Rite Catholics are very conservative in their theology than probably the Vatican II Catholics.

There are also other "Evangelical" Roman Catholics that often speak at Evangelical Protestant gatherings such as CCM singer Kathy Troccoli, Oliver North, and Alan Keyes.
Waldo

Tom

Last edited by Tom; Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:09 AM.