Michael Patton’s recent controversial blog posts on Roman Catholicism.
Over the last couple of days, I have found myself in the position of being drawn in to make responses in regard to Michael Patton’s recent controversial blog posts relating to the Catholic Church.
As I am in the process of converting to Catholicism, this is causing me considerable difficulty right now.
In view of this, I have taken the decision to step back from blogging at Theology in the News for the time being.
Tags: Church Life, Internet & Technology
August 16th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Oh wow, Stuart! I knew about this blog, but I had no idea you had any association with that site. I’m sure this must be incredibly awkward for you. This does make his posts seem quite a bit more callous to me.
August 16th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
It’s really taken me by surprise Jeremy, in fact I’m really shocked and disappointed.
The condemnation around the blogosphere is justified.
August 16th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Stuart, had a look at his blog and he is way, way offbeam. There is no more confusing situation than when a person gets half the facts right and half terribly wrong.
Best to leave it alone would be my advice.
August 16th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Stuart, let me go on record as saying I am so sorry this post has caused you conflict. Of course, being Protestant, it is representative of the way I feel, but I did not want to be divisive. In fact, the post merely started as a post about having humility in our studies, believing that we can learn and change. Rome came in as an illustration and ended being the unintended focus.
You are a wonderful man. You are certainly one who I did not ever want to offend. In fact, this post has gotten me a bit depressed. I told Tim today that I am never writing polemical again. It is just not in me. I get depressed. Why did I write it? I don’t know…maybe it was the pain meds I am on again!
August 16th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
@Michael, Oh bless you I feel bad now. It’s not as if we don’t all do it from time to time, you should see some of the stuff I’ve written on here in the past. I cringe when I read some of my own posts.
The difference is of course that you are in such a prominent position. I don’t think I’d want that burden.
It’ll all pass by and calm down as everything does.
August 17th, 2011 at 12:18 am
Satan has deceived the whole world into believing in a God of hate and revenge (Satan). Now you can know the true God because the woman of Revelation 12 is now here. God is precise: It is a woman Rev 12 that delivers the true word John1:1, Rev 12:5, Rev 12:13 who restores Acts 3:21 all things to the world before Christ’s return. This woman exposes the lies of Satan who has deceived the whole world Rev 12:9. This woman creates a new thing in the earth by fulfilling God’s promise to Eve Gen 3:15, Jer 31:22, Isa 14:16. Moses and Elijah are together with the word Matt 17:3 they all three are in this one woman. She is like unto Moses Num 12:3. She was raised up Acts 3:22 from the Laodicean church that becomes lukewarm because they refused to hear her Rev 3:14-17. She is bold like Elijah Matt 17:11, Luke 1:17. As Elijah was alone declaring the true God to the people 1 Kings 18:22 so also her witness alone turns the hearts of the fathers to the children Mal 4:5-6 to prepare a people for the Lords return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord Matt 17:3, Luke 9:30. Those who will not hear Acts 3:23 the true word of God she now delivers to the world free of charge, as a witness, at the heel of time from the wilderness Rev 12:6 will not be allowed inside the walls of God’s coming kingdom from heaven Rev 21. This true testimony of the true value of the blood of the Lamb delivers the truth that not one child of God will be put in a hell fire no matter what their sins. It never entered the heart or mind of God to ever do such a thing Jer 7:31, Jer 19:5. God created evil Isa 45:7 to teach his children the knowledge of good and evil Rom 8:7, Gen 3:22 so that at their resurrection they become a god Matt 22:29-30, Ps 82:6. Prove all things. You cannot rightly judge this unless you read all that has been written by this woman first Pro 18:13. Start here http://minigoodtale.wordpress.com Check out the bruising of Satan and the reason for all of mankind’s sufferings. This is the Gospel that shall be preached in all the world as a witness and then the end will come.
August 18th, 2011 at 10:06 am
@ CMP As a traditional and orthodox Roman Catholic, I naturally disagree with some of what you wrote. However, I think it helpful that you wrote it: dialogue is meaningless if we cannot express openly our thoughts and feelings, even if they are work in progress. It behoves us all not to seek offence or hurt in what another expresses, still less to impugn ill-will.
Having said which, I think that you are on dodgy ground with your argument (as you’d expect me to think).
In case you’re interested (and to be read in the spirit of my comments above, I hope!) here’s my two penn’orth: Intellectual pride is a risk for us all, and the rejection of truth for the right to make up my own mind would be a major error. As a Catholic I submit myself to the teaching of the Church as to the teaching of Christ. That does not imply intellectual laziness or close-down – it merely points the intellect in different directions of inquiry.
Seeking the truth in the Bible only works if you believe the Bible contains the truth. As a Catholic, I believe that because the Church guarantees it: and isn’t it interesting that the Bible says, the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth…