Previous From: Ben Grimm [mailto:benjamingrimff4@yahoo.com] Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 8:35 AM To: Father Phil Bloom Subject: RE: Please Tell Me You Don't Agree With This Phil, Actually, God's Word is the Bible to me. Unfortunately Rome differs from that position. I can print 100's of quotes from popes, cardinals, bishops, council's etc. to support this if you'd like. The Boston Globe, far from being any voice of Christianity, has exposed the U.S. Roman church and for this I commend it. Do I agree with everything they print? Of course not. But if it weren't for its investigation in this matter many truths would still be hidden and many lives still in danger. The unsealed documents of cardinals, bishops and priests speak for themselves so let's not go there. Cardinal Keeler states: "At the same time, he said, the faithful should be open to the action of God's grace to bring people to accept the fullness of the means of salvation which are found in the Church" Cardinal Keeler should open his Bible and perhaps he will see that salvation in found in the person of "Jesus Christ" and turn to Hebrews 9, 10, & 11 for a better understanding of His "one time sacrifice" and His second appearance that will "bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him" (Hebrews 9:24-28) Instead Rome puts on a 1/2 hour show that depicts a sinful man (priest) performing his mystic hocus pocus while convincing 100's of deceived faithful that Christ is now a piece of bread ready to be sacrificed again and again. Keeler should read Hebrews 10:10-14 and Romes faithful, to whom I love and desire a release from their spiritual bondage of Rome, should read Colossians 2:8. How can this document be put forth "and" be presented on the Bishop's official web-site, yet now Keeler states it was "Meant to Spur Reflection" Let's call it what it is Phil. It's another spin which Rome teaches its hiearchy to do well. This whole comment by Keeler is a spin on words as Rome continues to play both sides of the field. When is it official Phil? Rome believes in everything yet they believe in nothing. You can totally disagree with Scripture and not have faith in Jesus Christ yet through Rome's "Baptism by desire" you can still be accepted into eternal salvation. Rome is leading millions to only one place Phil and it's not heaven. The commentary you provided states: "And I certainly wouldn't hold your breath for Rome's endorsement of this piece of work." What a relief. Anyone holding their breath on any matter in Rome's hands would find themselves in a bit of trouble. Phil, the first thing that the unlearned of Rome must first understand on the issue of the relationship of the Jews to God is what Paul teaches us in Romans 9:6 and throughout the entire Gospel. 9:6 states: "It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children......" Yes, Israel will be saved as God will turn their "hearts of stone into a heart of flesh" (Ezekial 11:19) but who is Israel Phil? In order for this so-called "subcommittee of bishops" to understand this they must look to Scripture "FIRST" in all matters as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. Rome should take particular attention to Paul's teachings as they are quite contrary to their own in many matters. The list is much to exhaustive to print but here's a few: Purgatory, Limbo, Saints, Rome's sacrificial mass, indulgences, celibacy, confession, grace, justification etc. etc. I do appreciate your reply Phil and sincerely and in love pray that one day you will open your eyes to the deceit that lives and breathes in the institution that you so gallantly defend. Defend the Gospel Phil and "stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he." (Isaiah 2:22) Don't look to the rules of men for the answers but instead look "ONLY" to the Word of God and hear what He says: "The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are from from me. Their worship of me is made up of rules taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13) Ben
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Dear Ben,
I apologize for the crack about the Boston Globe being like the Bible to you. Still, it seems to me you place an unmerited trust in the newspaper, especially if you believe, "The Boston Globe has exposed the largest and most vile scandal in the history of any institution known to man..." About their misleading reporting, I wrote a separate article:
It is not so hard to find the official teaching of the Catholic Church. The Catechism gives a clear summary - and backs it up with numerous Bible quotes. Feel free to send any others you wish. I would only ask you to check the correspondence section of my website so as not to duplicate other questions. Other have brought up the subjects on your list.
Our common belief in the Bible as God's inspired Word gives us enormous common ground. With so much current attack from secularists it is a shame to focus on our differences when, in comparison to them, we have so much in common. Still I need to clarify why I do not accept the Bible Alone formula. First, it is not contained in the Bible (in fact many texts refer to an extra-biblical authority). Second, since Martin Luther developed the formula (Sola Scriptura) about five hundred years ago, it has led to a wide variety of denominations from Lutherans, to Baptists, to Pentecostals, to Mormons, to Seven Day Adventists, Witnesses, etc. Even today evangelical groups keep splitting off, because each has a different interpretation of the Bible. Thirdly - and we have already discussed this - the Church preceeded the Bible. As Augustine said, "I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so."
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Bloom
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Boston Globe's Misleading Article on Catholic Church
The Bogus Knights of Columbus Oath
Reactions to Usual Homily
Personal Reflection on Usual Homily (Taking Off the Mask)
Less Usual Homilies
Pedophilia and Teaching of Bible
Other Letter regarding Boston Scandal
Letter from Former Catholic
"devil is asserting his power"
"you want Holy Priests, then we must adopt them..."
"I would still like to see him stay"
What Jewish People Said About Pius XII
Historian Refutes Claims of "Hitler's Pope"
Mit Brennender Sorge Encyclical on the Church and the German Reich March 14, 1937
Not Hitler's Pope Articles on the subject of Pope Pius XII during WWII
Letter to Brill's Content Was Pius XII Hitler's Pope?
Nazi Policy and the Catholic Church by KAROL JOZEF GAJEWSKI
Germaine Greer on Birth Control
Human Cloning: A Catholic Perspective (How the Unthinkable Became Inevitable)
I challenge the religious tolerant and Kane’s “Cafeteria Catholics” to view the following excellent resources: Catholic Defense; Fr. Jim Northrop and Jerome Gilmartin’s Seven-Step Reason to be Catholic (contact jgilmartin @epix.net for a free brochure).
Twenty One Reasons to Reject Sola Scriptura