Table of Contents to "Catholic Concerns" and path to the PDF
http://www.petewaldo.com/catholic_concerns.htmReflections on Unpleasant History
I left the Catholic Church because I discovered that some of its doctrines and practices
were contrary to Scripture. However, in spite of that, I still had a strong sense of loyalty
to it. When people spoke against it, I was hurt. When I learned unpleasant things about
the history of the Catholic Church, I was distressed. When I did the research for the
articles on my website, I lost a lot of sleep, I ate a lot of Rolaids, and I had some stressrelated
health problems. It was very hard on me emotionally, but I kept on doing the
research because I wanted to know the truth. And as I learned, I wrote articles. Later,
some of those articles became chapters in this book.
Since then, I have been learning some unpleasant things about current events.
Things are happening in America and other parts of the world that I never dreamed could
ever happen. And I have come to the conclusion that the bad things in Catholic history
are not primarily due to Catholicism. Some unscriptural Catholic beliefs contributed to
them, but the basic problem is our fallen human nature. As Lord Acton said, "Power
tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Better understanding of Scripture does not necessarily solve the problem. The
Anabaptists were persecuted and killed by both Catholics and Protestants.
I used to attend a small Evangelical church where the pastor taught good doctrine
and led Scripturally sound Bible studies. He had a charismatic personality and he seemed
to love the Lord. But eventually I learned that he was a controller and a manipulator.
Some people in that church were emotionally abused by him. What would that pastor be
like if he had the power and money and prestige of the popes? I doubt if his knowledge of
Scripture and sound doctrine would have protected him from the temptations involved,
because he wanted to control people.
Do you remember Jim Jones? When he started out, many people thought that he
was a good preacher and a good pastor. But he wound up causing 900 of his devoted
followers to commit suicide in their community in Guyana. What would a man like that
have done if he had the power and money and influence that the popes had during the
Middle Ages?
In politics, many individuals and news reporters have the attitude that "we" are
the good guys and "they" are terrible people. Such harsh critics fail to recognize that
people who strongly disagree with them, and do things they don't approve of, may be
sincerely doing the best that they can based on what they have been taught. They may
have good intentions, even if their behavior results in destructive consequences. It is
possible to be distressed by the consequences without demonizing the people.
The Bible describes a time when "every man did that which was right in his own
eyes." (Judges 17:6) Instead of studying Scripture and living according to God's
direction and standards, they followed their own opinions. And what is the result of that?
73
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)
We can see the results of such behavior in Catholic history, in world history, and
in current events. Businesses can be plagued with greedy, dishonest people. Schools can
be plagued by bullies. Families can be plagued by dissention and divorce. And Jesus
warned us that in our churches there would be tares among the wheat. (Matthew 13:24-
30)
When we read about popes who did bad things, we should be grateful that we
have never had to face the temptations, and the level of responsibility, that come with
having that kind of wealth and power and influence. We need to remember Paul's
warning, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
(1 Corinthians 10:12) We need to remember the old saying, "There, but for the grace of
God, go I."
When we learn about destructive things such as the Inquisition, we need to
remember that Jesus warned us that such things would happen. He told His disciples,
"-yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think he doeth
God service." (John 16:2)
Please note the deception involved. People are doing a bad thing (killing faithful
followers of Jesus Christ), but they sincerely believe that it is good (pleasing to God).
One example of this is the Apostle Paul before his conversion. When he hunted
down Christians to have them killed, he thought that he was serving God. We need to be
careful not to "monsterize" people who do such things. We can't tell the difference
between a persecuting Saul (who will later become a Godly Paul) and other persecutors.
Only God can do that.
When we read about persecuted Christians (whether in the old days of the
Inquisition, or the many Christians who are being persecuted in various countries today),
we need to remember Romans 8:28. If those Christians love God, then He will make their
trials and tribulations work out for their long-term spiritual good. True Christians who
suffer for Christ and for the truth of the Gospel have a special kind of relationship with
the Lord that can only come from having sacrificed everything in order to be faithful to
Him. For all eternity, they will be grateful for how God's grace got them through their
trials, and how they came to know God's love and faithfulness at a much deeper level
because of it. Jesus told us,
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world." (John 16:33)
That applies to persecuted Christians throughout history, including today. And it
also applies to us. When we read the newspapers and it looks as if the world is going
crazy, we need to remember that, no matter what happens, we can have peace and joy and
confidence because of Jesus Christ. He told His disciples,
74
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid." (John 14:27)
He spoke that to His disciples shortly before going to the Cross. If we are also His
disciples (believing in Him, loving Him, serving Him, and obeying Him), then it applies
to us as well.
During World War II, Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to a Nazi
death camp because they hid Jews in their home. At first, Corrie hated the Nazis. She saw
them as monsters. But Betsy saw them as trapped, tormented men and women. She
forgave them and she prayed for them, even when they were cruel to her. She told Corrie
to forgive them, and eventually Corrie was able to, by the grace of God. (You can read
about this in Corrie's book The Hiding Place.)2
Betsy died in that camp. Corrie was released due to a "clerical error" (i.e., God's
intervention). After the war, Corrie established places for helping people who had been
prisoners in the death camps. Then she traveled the world, evangelizing and preaching
about the importance of forgiveness. During her travels, she encountered one of her
former prison guards. Seeing him, at first the old feelings came back, but by God's grace,
she was able to shake his hand. When she did that, God's love broke through, and she
and her former tormenter embraced each other, weeping.
A Dutchman named Jan Vogel betrayed Corrie's family and many other Dutch
people. He was caught and sentenced to death. When Corrie found out about it, she wrote
to him, telling him that she forgave him, and telling him about God's love and
forgiveness. Jan Vogel became a Christian a week before he was executed.2
Betsy ten Boom saw the Nazis from God's perspective. Eventually, Corrie was
able to do the same. With God's grace, we can do the same for other people who do
harmful things.
Jesus told us to love everybody, even our enemies. (Matthew 5:44) If bad things
happen, then we can choose to respond like Corrie and Betsy ten Boom. And God will
enable us to do it. His grace is always sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our
weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
(Philippians 4:13)
75
