James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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Someone that was instrumental in my own reversion committed a mortal sin that I don't believe was confessed. This passage gives me hope that all is not lost for them.
Whenever I have someone tell me that it was my influence that brought them back to the faith, I think of this passage, and it gives me hope.
And whenever I think of the person(s) who were instrumental in bringing me back to the faith, I think of this passage as well.
The Lord is kind and merciful!
At one point in my life when I was a Protestant, I was outspoken against Rome and the Pope. I promoted Schism and thought it was right. But then one day Roman Catholic Theologian Scott Hahn called me at my house. After our discussion he told me that he would pray for me that I would come to the Truth and no longer be in the sin of schism. Then over the next few years I suddenly had a strong urge to find the ancient faith of the Church and became Catholic in my theology. Then shortly after I came to that point, I found out that one of my best friends who moved out to California left the Lutheran Church and had joined the Catholic Church. Then another dear friend of mine who I grew up with, who was a Baptist called me to tell me that she converted to the Catholic Church. At that time I was on the verge of leaving the Lutheran Church but wasn't quite sure yet. Then at that moment some of the Catholic scholars from Touchstone magazine called me at my house (just out of the blue!)and sent me some books and encouraged me with gentleness to seek the Catholic Church and become part of it.
I have since left the Lutheran Church and on Easter Day I will (Lord willing) be confirmed by Bishop Williamson from England, I will give my first private confession to him, have him confirm me, and take the precious body of Christ by him.
I did not want to die in schism and outside Apostolic succession.
And it all began with Scott Hahn loving me enough to call me and pray for me.
Dave
Dave, I don't think any of that was "out of the blue." I'm sure the power of prayer had much to do with it. You mentioned Bishop Williamson. He is an SSPX bishop. I'm wondering how you ended up with SSPX. I bet it wasn't what Scott Hahn was praying for! But then God doesn't always answer our prayers in the way that we wish, does He?
I live in Charlotte, NC. And I tried some Novus Ordo Churches, but they are not Catholic at all. From Priests dancing around the bare alter to Priests preaching about how we as Christians can learn a lot from Buddhism, that it is the same teaching of Christ, etc. I couldn't take it anymore. I almost went to the Orthodox.
And the whole time there was this growing SSPX church only 7 minutes from my house in the town I live in. Now, here's something interesting, the priest there is Father Novak. He has personally met Scott Hahn and had some long discussions with Scott. I guess years ago, Scott Hahn had thought about joining the SSPX and Father Novak was one of priests involved in the discussions, but Scott Hahn decided at the last minute against it, although he has strong sympathies towards the SSPX. So I thought that was another neat connection.
But I like the SSPX because they hold to the original faith and Mass.
Dave
Dave, I also find the SSPX very attractive, in that their Masses are so reverent and beautiful. I have resisted the temptation to join them even though I have 4 family members who are SSPX.
So I also have much understanding and sympathies towards their situation. I credit the SSPX for upholding the traditions of the Catholic Church and preventing the ancient rite of the Mass of the Ages with extinction.
I pray they will be in full communion with Rome soon, so that other Catholics can go to their Masses without worry. God knows we need them inside the Church. I just hope it happens soon, 'cause the last fourty years have brought about a lot of heretical beliefs and apostasy.
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