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Unmasking Catholicism Mary Ann Collins, a former Catholic nun |
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Afterword Some people may face emotional turmoil and difficult decisions as a result of what they have read in this book. Therefore, they will need Scriptural strength to get through some tough times. Confronting Catholicism can cause stressful situations. Former Catholics often face pressure from friends and family members to return to the Catholic Church. They may also face internal battles. Protestants may face peer pressure if they try to help fellow Christians who have become compromised by ecumenism, fascinated by Catholic mystics, or attracted to Catholicism. Jesus told us that tribulation is a normal part of Christian life. He said:
Few people have faced the level of personal hardship that the Apostle Paul endured. He was whipped with 39 stripes on five occasions. He was beaten with rods on three occasions. He was stoned and left for dead. He was shipwrecked three times. He often endured weariness, pain, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold, and inadequate clothing. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27; Acts 14:19) But Paul saw things from the perspective of eternity. Because of his eternal perspective, he described his suffering as being light and temporary. Paul said:
Paul's perspective on suffering, danger, and tribulation was that, because of the love of Jesus Christ, we can overcome it all. Paul's life was a testimony to the fact that we really can do all things, because Jesus Christ gives us strength, and God's grace really is sufficient for us. (See Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9.) If we truly love God, and eternity is real to us, then we can draw strength and courage from Paul, who said:
These promises are conditional. They only work if Jesus Christ is your Lord and your Savior. If He isn't, then please read Appendix A, "Salvation." If you are unsure whether or not you are a born-again Christian, please read it. This issue is so important that you need to know for sure where you stand. Some people were baptized as an infant, or confirmed and baptized when they were young. Some people prayed a "sinner's prayer" when they didn't fully understand what they were doing. If you are one of those people, then you can strengthen and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ. The following prayer is one way of doing this. If it is appropriate for you, then use it. If not, then just talk naturally with God about what is on your heart, as David did in the Psalms.
If you used to be a Catholic, please read Appendix B, "For Former Catholics." If you want to know more about Catholicism, this book has appendixes that give the Internet addresses of articles about historical and doctrinal issues, testimonies of former Catholics, and pictures that you can see online. There is a Glossary of some Catholic terms. There is an appendix that recommends books, videos and websites. Please consider giving a copy of Unmasking Catholicism to your pastor. If he reads it, then he will be better equipped to minister to the former Catholics in his church. He will also be more effective in helping church members who have become attracted to Catholicism. And he will realize that Catholics need to be evangelized. Ecumenism has caused many pastors to lose their awareness of the radical differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. One reason is linguistic confusion. Catholics and Protestants have different understandings of some key words. For example, according to Catholic doctrine, "grace" is something that can be given to inanimate objects, such as water.1 Have you ever ridden on a train or a subway? I've been on many of them. Sometimes waiting in the station has been pleasant. Sometimes it has been tedious, tiresome, and frustrating. The important thing is not what happens in the station. What really matters is getting on the right train, heading for the right destination. Earth is like a train station. Our time here may be difficult or pleasant. It is often a mixture of the two. The important thing is our eternal destination. Are we heading for Heaven or for Hell? God has promised that, if we truly love Him, then he will enable us to do whatever is necessary, and endure whatever happens to us. The Bible says:
No matter what happens, we can have joy now and hope for the future. God is faithful, and He loves us.
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Copyright 2003, 2007 by Mary Ann Collins. All rights reserved. |