Rob the Arsonist

Well, since I’m pitching Molotov Cocktails all over the place, one more can’t hurt can it?

So I’ve got Relevant Radio on in the background (Yeah, I listen to a lot of radio! If it weren’t for radio and my imaginary friends, I’d be a real loser!)

Anyhoo, this guy is on the air, talking to the host about a conversation he had with a visitor/acquaintance/protestant friend. Apparently he got drawn into an argument about the canon of scripture—I didn’t catch all the details—then he says he had always thought that “the Qur’an was essentially the same as the Old Testament of the Bible.”

???

 

Okay. First of all a little pro-tip: if you don’t know what you’re talking about, you probably shouldn’t be talking. When confronted with a head-scratcher, try this:

“Ya know, I’m not sure. Let’s go ask Father So-and-so together.”

Sadly, such a stunning lack of knowledge of scripture is all too common in the Roman Catholic Church, outside of clergy that is. And do you know whose fault it is?

The Roman Catholic Church.

For centuries, it wasn’t considered terribly important for the rank-and-file to study scripture. The thinking was that the uneducated and/or unguided can get into a lot of trouble reading the Bible on their own. It would be better for them to concentrate on the basic tenets of the faith.

That’s very sensible if you ask me.

One need only turn on any random televangelist to see how twisted the scriptures can get when you make it up as you go along. [I’m lookin’ straight at you Rod Parsley!] The average person cannot rightly discern the many paradoxes, symbolism, and downright difficult passages in the Bible unaided.

Since the first century A.D., the Church (capital C) has rightly asserted its prerogative to catechize the faithful, but she hasn’t always done a very good job of it. We can see evidence of this in our own time when we consider the mass migration of RC’s since the ’70’s to other faiths, including many eastern religions. Couple this with a dearth of knowledge of the faith found inside the typical parish church, and you have a real problem.

The last three popes have all called for a so-called “new evangelization.” The Orthodox Church in America is following suit. This evangelization takes many forms, but its basic purpose is to reach out to the unchurched—to use an archaic expression—the disaffected, and most especially the people who are there every Sunday. Very often, it’s the folks in the pews who need to hear the good news just as badly as your average pagan.

As Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, we believe we are possessors of the fullness of the faith. Ignorance of such a vast wealth is inexcusable. To whom much is given, much is required. Our Lord commands us to preach the Gospel to the world. Well, there is no better place to start than in our own homes.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

~ 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

And for our confused brother on Relevant Radio, here is a quote from the Qur’an:

Will you enjoin good deeds on the others, and forget your own selves? You also read the Scriptures, why do you then not understand? Find strength and fortitude in prayer which is heavy and exacting but for those who are humble and meek, who are conscious that they have to meet their Lord, and to Him they have to return.¹

~ Surah 2:44-46

Please direct all outrage, threats of violence, or condolences to the FBI, Chicago Office, Special Agent in Charge of Witness Relocation.

Thank you.

 

¹Al-Qur’an, as translated by Ahmed Ali, Princeton University Press, 1993.