Catholics not knowing the Gospel?
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Someone has recently charged that we do not know the Gospel, and hence that would serve as an impediment to evangelisation.
Prima facie, this charge can be true and untrue at the same time. It depends on the meaning of 'know the Gospel'.
At one level, it is true that we do not know the Gospel as some of our Protestant brethren do, in the sense that most of us have no inclination to memorise the Bible.
On the other hand, we do know the Gospel, but not from the 'head knowledge' perspective. I have seen many poorly educated people who have a lot more faith than I do, and who lead lives in fidelity to the Gospel. By their actions, they serve as effective witnesses to the Gospel.
In any case, I wonder if many of us suffer from what C.S. Lewis calls 'chronological snobbery', whereby we think that only in our 'modern' times where education is widespread would more people know the Gospel. Of course, attendant to this type of thinking is the black myth that the Catholic Church disallowed people from reading the Bible in the old days. Which of course ignored the fact that in those days, most people were peasant who could not read. The transmission of the Gospel was by word of mouth.
regards,
obiterdicta -
Obiter is angry liao.......Originally posted by ObiterDicta:Someone has recently charged that we do not know the Gospel, and hence that would serve as an impediment to evangelisation.
Prima facie, this charge can be true and untrue at the same time. It depends on the meaning of 'know the Gospel'.
At one level, it is true that we do not know the Gospel as some of our Protestant brethren do, in the sense that most of us have no inclination to memorise the Bible.
On the other hand, we do know the Gospel, but not from the 'head knowledge' perspective. I have seen many poorly educated people who have a lot more faith than I do, and who lead lives in fidelity to the Gospel. By their actions, they serve as effective witnesses to the Gospel.
In any case, I wonder if many of us suffer from what C.S. Lewis calls 'chronological snobbery', whereby we think that only in our 'modern' times where education is widespread would more people know the Gospel. Of course, attendant to this type of thinking is the black myth that the Catholic Church disallowed people from reading the Bible in the old days. Which of course ignored the fact that in those days, most people were peasant who could not read. The transmission of the Gospel was by word of mouth.
regards,
obiterdicta -
Not at allOriginally posted by laoda99:Obiter is angry liao.......
Which part do I sound angry leh? -
if u not angry, why dun u pose the question back to ironside at EH?Originally posted by ObiterDicta:Not at all
Which part do I sound angry leh?
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Eh, you questioning the emotion or you questioning the respons?Originally posted by laoda99:if u not angry, why dun u pose the question back to ironside at EH? -
got difference meh?Originally posted by laurence82:Eh, you questioning the emotion or you questioning the respons? -
Oh, I thought this was a Catholic 'problem' and would better serve Catholics if posted here.Originally posted by laoda99:if u not angry, why dun u pose the question back to ironside at EH?
I don't quite want to argue with Ironside. I just want to educate Catholics if they so happen to read this.
regards,
obiterdicta -
They will sure read one.......becoz RC pple go EH mah....Originally posted by ObiterDicta:Oh, I thought this was a Catholic 'problem' and would better serve Catholics if posted here.
I don't quite want to argue with Ironside. I just want to educate Catholics if they so happen to read this.
regards,
obiterdicta -
yeshOriginally posted by laoda99:got difference meh?
what state of emotion got to do with him not responding to Ironside at EH? -
he must be pissed off by ironside i guessOriginally posted by laurence82:yesh
what state of emotion got to do with him not responding to Ironside at EH?
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so posting here means he is angry? so if respond to ironside means he is not angry?Originally posted by laoda99:he must be pissed off by ironside i guess
alamak -
Nay, I'm not angry.
Posting here could potentially be better since there is potentially less 'noise' and we can have more substantive discussions.
EH's action is too rapid fire, and sometimes a little off tangent. -
hello there my friendOriginally posted by ObiterDicta:Someone has recently charged that we do not know the Gospel, and hence that would serve as an impediment to evangelisation.
Prima facie, this charge can be true and untrue at the same time. It depends on the meaning of 'know the Gospel'.
At one level, it is true that we do not know the Gospel as some of our Protestant brethren do, in the sense that most of us have no inclination to memorise the Bible.
On the other hand, we do know the Gospel, but not from the 'head knowledge' perspective. I have seen many poorly educated people who have a lot more faith than I do, and who lead lives in fidelity to the Gospel. By their actions, they serve as effective witnesses to the Gospel.
In any case, I wonder if many of us suffer from what C.S. Lewis calls 'chronological snobbery', whereby we think that only in our 'modern' times where education is widespread would more people know the Gospel. Of course, attendant to this type of thinking is the black myth that the Catholic Church disallowed people from reading the Bible in the old days. Which of course ignored the fact that in those days, most people were peasant who could not read. The transmission of the Gospel was by word of mouth.
regards,
obiterdicta
Actually, when i said that MANY Roman Catholics do not know the Gospel, i was saying it not in the Singaporean geographical context.
From where i come millions upon millions do not know the Gospel and they are Roman Catholics. I do not say that ALL Roman Catholics do not know the Gospel.
i hope that clears it up my frined.
P.S. by the way in you statement here:
"At one level, it is true that we do not know the Gospel as some of our Protestant brethren do, in the sense that most of us have no inclination to memorise the Bible."
are you saying by this statement that the Gospel is the whole Bible?
just clarifying. -
Totally agree with you. The problem of course is not the forum but the people. They have decided to come over and pollute the RC forum, as you can see.Originally posted by ObiterDicta:Nay, I'm not angry.
Posting here could potentially be better since there is potentially less 'noise' and we can have more substantive discussions.
EH's action is too rapid fire, and sometimes a little off tangent. -
To borrow a phrase from our Buddhists brothers, the gospel is not for one to understand and know but for one to "realised" in our lives.
In this way, those who know little about the words but realise much of the gospel in their lives are better witnesses than those full of head knowledge but are not born again. -
As an ex Prots and current Catholic, I can say it is true that Catholics dun and are not taught to blindly memorised the Bible. Catholics practise understanding the meaning/true essence of the bible teaching rather then blabbering the text but dun do what it says.
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Amen!Originally posted by Honeybunz:As an ex Prots and current Catholic, I can say it is true that Catholics dun and are not taught to blindly memorised the Bible. Catholics practise understanding the meaning/true essence of the bible teaching rather then blabbering the text but dun do what it says.
I've known a very nice catholic family as friends, I've attended my late friend's funeral catholic style.
For as long as I known this friend of mine , I know that he has always been encouraging and even encourages young people like us to explore our curiousities and questions .
Rather i find it more appropriate to encourage everyone else on their own spiritual paths in positivism than condemning our own judgements on other people.
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No worries mate. My post was 'inspired' by yours but not specifically addressing it. It was more a response from the tired refrain that we don't know the Bible, something which I have heard for the past 8 years as a Catholic.Originally posted by Ironside:hello there my friend
Actually, when i said that MANY Roman Catholics do not know the Gospel, i was saying it not in the Singaporean geographical context.
From where i come millions upon millions do not know the Gospel and they are Roman Catholics. I do not say that ALL Roman Catholics do not know the Gospel.
i hope that clears it up my frined.
P.S. by the way in you statement here:
"At one level, it is true that we do not know the Gospel as some of our Protestant brethren do, in the sense that most of us have no inclination to memorise the Bible."
are you saying by this statement that the Gospel is the whole Bible?
just clarifying.
I apologise if I have caused any ill feelings or discomfort for you.
peace,
obiterdicta -
no hard feelings here my frined. no hard feelings.
you did not offend me.
bless you -
good good, happy ending...