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L e t t e r s
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
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I have ordered many of your tracts and distributed them here in Chattanooga. Of all the ones that I have distributed, Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth seems to catch the public’s eye the most, and it vanishes before the others do. I have placed many tracts in locations where Protestant tracts have been distributed, and I have faithfully replaced all of the ones that were missing on my return.
Your information is particularly valuable here in the South, because evangelism from Catholics is nearly nonexistent, and many people who see your tracts have never seen any Catholic material before. I am unaware of any results from the tracts, except for the fact that they are missing when I return to where I left them, but I feel that their information will be a seed in the minds of those who read them and will win some converts.
I am particularly interested in tracts countering Seventh-day Adventism. I have read many files on the internet from Adventist sources, and I have responded to their authors where possible. One particular writer dissected the book of Revelation in a very clever manner, but made a few too many "assumptions" and filled in some holes with very obscure references to history.
I would love to see a book dealing with your views on Adventism. I recently read in Our Sunday Visitor about a new book published in New York which deals with Adventist claims of the pope as Antichrist, the evils of Catholicism, yadda yadda yadda. Of all the non-Catholics that I have encountered personally, the Adventists are the hardest to talk to. I have had the most success with a "surprise attack" using the Gregorian calendar information from your "Sabbath or Sunday?" leaflet. When Adventists are told that they don’t worship on the original Jewish Sabbath as ordained by God, they usually just look shocked, and if they respond at all it is just to comment that they will "have to ask the pastor about it."
Mark Adams
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Editor’s reply:
For starters, take a look at Michelle L. Arnold’s conversion story in this issue.
CREATIVE CONVERTS
I love reading about converts. It particularly interests me that so many people involved with music and other arts seem to be strongly attracted to the Catholic faith.
There are several recent examples. The famous American concert pianist John Browning converted a few years ago. Wayne Newton recently joined, and, just last year, jazz great Dave Brubeck became Catholic. It would be very interesting to learn of these individuals’ spiritual journeys.
Roger Besst
Coshocton, Ohio
Terrye Newkirk replies:
Critic Fred Flaxman writes of Brubeck’s To Hope: A Celebration—A Mass in the Revised Roman Ritual: " I don’t know how moved you will be by To Hope. But it sure affected the composer. Brubeck decided to become a Catholic as he was completing the composition." The jazz great explains his recent composition La Fiesta de la Posada this way: "I was born in a California town founded by the Spanish . . . and have absorbed and observed Mexican folk music all my life . . . the ethnic music reflects those qualities I most admire in a people . . . dignity in moments of tragedy, infectious high spirits in moments of joy, and an unshakable religious faith made evident in a strong sense of one’s own worth and a deep respect for the shared values of one’s own group—family, church, village. . . . "
NOAH WAS AN ALBINO
I have been reading a book entitled Genetics for Beginners, in which the author discusses dominant and recessive genes and, in particular, human recessive inheritance, such as albinism. The author comments: "The earliest known human albino was Noah. As the Book of Enoch says, ‘his hair was white and fine as snow.’" What is this Book of Enoch? I can’t find it anywhere in the Old Testament. In Genesis 5:29-9:29 not a single word refers to Noah’s physical appearance!
Geoffrey Smith
Manchester, England
Editor’s reply:
You won’t find the Book of Enoch in the Bible, though it is quoted there (Jude 14). The Book of Enoch is an uninspired work that is not part of the canon of Scripture. It is counted among the apocryphal books and can be found at the library in collections such as The Lost Books of the Bible (a somewhat misleading title). While at the library you might want to check out other books on genetics. The one you have seems a little untrustworthy. After all, non-albinos can have fine, white hair—consider the late Edmund Gwenn, who played Kris Kringle in The Miracle on 34th Street.
THANKS TO Y’ALL, I CAN GET DOWN
I’m an eighteen-year-old Southern Baptist that is coming into the Church. Jesus told me Catholicism was the true Church three years ago, but like Jonah I told him to go away and let me be. Finally, after three years of Mary begging and Jesus prodding, I decided to go ahead. I never understood what graces were all about; now that I do, I lament that I missed three years’ worth of them. If I had followed Jesus my life would have been easier.
My note here is to say that I have depended heavily on your answers. I will never leave Mother Church, but I have to deal with the onslaught of the Southern Baptists, and for awhile I used to cry to our Lady and Lord because I didn’t know why there was purgatory—I just knew there was. I couldn’t tell people why they weren’t saved; I just trusted what my Catholic friends said.
Finally, when I decided to convert officially, I knew I had to be ready to give a reason for the hope I had in love and gentleness. So I began to look on the net for apologetics. I found some good stuff—then I found Catholic Answers. Pillar of Fire addressed some of my burning issues and helped me get a foot in the door when the Protestants tried to slam it on me.
Now that I have learned the teachings of the Church and have been asking the Spirit to lead me in the Bible, I take on preachers, Protestant university students, family, friends—anyone that questions or tries to divert me. I’m very loving in my presentation, but, thanks to y’all, I can get down, too.
You know, I can really take and be satisfied in suffering for the Catholic Church: This is where Jesus wants me. But also I’m preaching the gospel, the real gospel. I’m really doing what the apostles did. For so long I was helping people become "saved" and knowing that was empty. I can look at our faith historically, biblically, and spiritually and know that I’m telling the truth.
A little encouragement about the Eucharist: As a Southern Baptist I always felt that Jesus wasn’t in our service—whether I prayed at home or church, it wasn’t much different. The second Mass I went to I felt Jesus as I had never felt him before. I didn’t understand transubstantiation at the time; I just knew he was there. My mother is Southern Baptist and was just going to Mass to support me. After about her fourth Mass she said she had an experience with Jesus that she had never had before. The awesome thing is I haven’t even taken Communion yet. I can’t wait; I have to go to reconciliation first, then I’ll accept Jesus in my heart for real.
I love defending the truth. The Bible supports everything I know about Catholicism. Even many of the diehard Fundamentalists are humbled by the truth in God’s Word. I just love watching people all confident, quoting verse after verse about being "saved"—then I say, "You’ll agree with me that we must take the whole Bible into account to get an accurate interpretation, right?" They respond "Certainly. That’s how I do it." Then I start with the parable of the talents in Matthew, quote verse after verse from the Catechism, and take my rest.
Scott Taylor
Columbia, South Carolina
HAHN VS. MEIER
In the February 1997 issue Perry Turchi advances a critique of Scott Hahn’s analysis of the shortcomings of the historical-critical method of biblical exegesis and, in particular, of one proponent of this methodology, Fr. John Meier. Mr. Turchi is entitled to his opinion, but I think his letter contains a number of errors and problematic assumptions regarding Catholic teaching on hermeneutics and the inerrancy of prudential judgment of members of the Church hierarchy.
Mr. Turchi accepts Fr. Meier’s rather novel interpretation of St. Thomas Aquinas’s distinction between what we know by reason versus faith (divine revelation), as if revelation is not to be interpreted within the context of the faith when it is revealed. Such an interpretation is not at all what St. Thomas had in mine. The reason that he referred to could never be opposed to divine revelation, let alone be utilized to vitiate the traditional interpretation of key scriptural passages used as supports for Catholic dogma, as is done by many proponents of the historical-critical method—for instance, the relationship of the historical accuracy of the infancy narratives to the Virgin Birth.
The dichotomy of the "Christ of faith" versus the "Jesus of history" is nothing more than an artificial construct developed by devotees of German rationalism. The Church has never approved this schizophrenic approach and has, in fact, advised its exegetes to take into account what is called the "analogy of faith."
That Fr. Meier may have been endorsed even by prelates such as Cardinal O’Connor does not guarantee that any of his work is within the norms set by Catholic exegesis. Consequently, such endorsement does not invalidate Prof. Hahn’s criticism and astute analysis.
Charles R. Prezzia
Holland, Ohio
INCONSIDERATE DISSENTERS
I was especially impressed by Jack Taylor’s take on The Last Ship by William Brinkley (April 1997). Taylor has an uncanny ability to see today’s world and express it with accuracy and detail. The Roman Catholic Church is, indeed, the ship that has withstood everything. As a convert, I wonder why it took me so long to see that ship. My biggest concern in our Church today is the public opinion that seems to dictate our direction. We have no right to change what was given us by God. Five hundred years ago those who were dissatisfied with the Church left it to start their own. Today the dissatisfied remain inside in an attempt to change it.
Doug Suddock
Conway Springs, Kansas
Editor’s reply:
Try as they might, their only long-term success will be in bringing frustration upon themselves. We not only have "no right to change what was given us by God," but we can’t change it even if we chose to do so. Reality is not malleable that way.
IMPECCABLE TASTE
I really love your magazine. I read it as soon as it gets here. It’s one of my two favorite magazines. The other is Model Railroader.
Thomas Peters (age 11)
San Diego, California
PROGRESSIVE SCIENCE
I read with dismay your article ("What is the Catholic Church’s official position on Freemasonry? Are Catholics free to become Freemasons?") published on the Internet.
This article is disinformation and should be removed. In response to your statements, please consider the truth:
1. Freemasonry is compatible with the Catholic faith.
2. Freemasonry does not "teach a naturalistic religion"—it is not a religion nor does it teach a religion.
3. Freemasonry is not "a parallel religion to Christianity"—the New Catholic Encyclopedia is wrong.
4. Masonry is not a secret society.
5. Any oaths or secrets are symbolic, and in many places in the world these have been removed from official published rituals. (In Toronto, where I was initiated, these oaths remain unchanged, but in Melbourne, where I now live, traditional oaths are not used.)
6. Freemasonry is a progressive science that is not a religion at all. It was created in the seventeenth century, when there was a religious overtone to everything. Certainly there is a religious overtone to it, but it is not a religion.
Freemasonry has never had an objective to destroy the Catholic Church. This is simply paranoia. It is certainly not hostile to the Catholic Church today.
Please pray for peace and understanding amongst all of God’s children and learn to live with people of other faiths. I am a Christian, and I accept there are other opinions, but I also believe that there is only one route to salvation: through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Lionel J. Boxer, KSJ
Master Elect
The Army Lodge
East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Editor’s reply:
You are in denial, Mr. Boxer. In condemning Freemasonry as incompatible with Catholicism, the popes have been right (and only they, not you, are competent to judge what is compatible with Catholicism). In calling Freemasonry a naturalistic religion and one parallel to Christianity, the New Catholic Encyclopedia is right. In noting that Freemasonry has persecuted the Church, Mexican and Spanish (and many other) Catholics have been right. In claiming that Freemasonry is "progressive science," you are not right. All you have done is produce an oxymoron: Freemasonry is neither progressive nor scientific. Would an authentically "progressive" movement seek the obliteration of the Catholic faith, as has been the case in societies where Freemasonry has been influential? Can a movement based on childish secret signs and a phony pedigree traced to ancient Egypt be considered "scientific"?
THANKS, SORT OF
The article on [St.] Patrick ("Profile," March 1997) was unhistorical, on the Bereans ("Why the Bereans Rejected Sola Scriptura," March 1997) was unscriptural as well as illogical. Your magazine looks better.
Bill Jackson
Christians Evangelizing Catholics
Via the Internet
Editor’s reply:
Bill, do I sense that you’re still miffed because we creamed you in that debate at World Youth Day? Your Damascus Road conversion is overdue: You need to realize that you have been fighting Christ in fighting his Church. As always, I invite you to come home. It’s not too late.
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE
Do you know the marital problems that This Rock causes? Lies, deceit, selfishness . . .
Wife: "Honey, has This Rock come in yet?"
Husband: "Uh, gee, no, dear. I haven’t seen it" (as he slips it under the pillow).
Wife: "Say, is that someone at the door?" He goes to check, and she grabs the magazine and runs for the bathroom . . .
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Doyle
Silverton, Oregon
CONVERSION OF NOTRE DAME?
I’m a sophomore here at the University of Notre Dame. I have read your articles that you have posted on your site and loved them. I am writing in regards to a sort of renewal that is occurring here. Students, though relatively few in number, are starting to wake up to what it means to be Catholic, and we are excited. We are petitioning and praying for perpetual adoration on campus, and we recently had a retreat that was completely student-led and organized. It brought in sixty-five people with no advertising and was called "Upon This Rock." We, as a team, tried to give the students Catholicism without any excuses. We ask for your prayers for the conversion of this campus.
Tim Monahan
South Bend, Indiana
KUDOS ALL AROUND
Just a quick note to let you know that I got the new This Rock in the mail. The new design looks good. Nice and clean, good use of two colors. Give congrats to whomever.
Larry Nolte
St. Louis, Missouri
Editor’s reply:
Nolte is a graphic artist and religious educator who, in his "spare" time, maintains the Beggar King apologetics site on the World Wide Web (mentioned in the February issue of This Rock, " Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Web?"). His "congrats" go to our designer, Tammi Shore.
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