From Israel To Italy

My home internet has been down for three weeks now (How did I survive such an ordeal? Ninja Skills). So, part 2 took a little longer than anticipated. Thank you dear precious readers for not abandoning us during the dog-days of summer.

This article-testimonial is getting very interesting. In this next section, Mr. Scudder writes about the Mary of Rome visiting the States. In other words, Mr. Scudder identifies the seduction of the Roman Mary and deviation from the Scriptures that “she” brings. Read on:

MARY BECOMES THE FOCUS

Many Catholic Charismatics have migrated to Mary, whom they see as the Holy Spirit’s more interesting spouse¹ The Catholic Charismatic fellowship at Dayton University reported to the news media that since their ‘experience’ they have been giving more devotion to Mary. In the statement nothing was said about Christ.

That does not mean that we do not honor Mary at all for her physical part in the birth of
Christ but we cannot venerate her more than the Scriptures allow or make her in any way spiritually responsible for our salvation.

Contrary to popular expectations, the sign of tongues that Catholics recieved brought back to Catholicism those who had fallen away, reviving their idolatrous practices. Some typical comments from Catholic charismatics illustrate this:

“Our devotion to Mary was filled with sanctification.”

“The sacramental life of the church has become richer in meaning.”

“I came to a better understanding of the eucharist as a sacrifice, and I came back to frequent confession.”

“At that time I discovered a profound devotion to Mary.”

Is the spirit that is active in the Roman Church, the Holy Spirit? In speaking of Him, Jesus said, “He will guide you into all truth”. This is the particular characteristic of the Holy Spirit. It is characteristic of an evil spirit to lead one into only part of the truth.

Now, one of the most marked effects of the Catholic charismatic movement is to lead its followers into part-truth, part-error as, for example: spontaneous prayer AND the rosary; the adoration of Christ AND the Holy Sacrament; reading the Bible AND the veneration of Mary.²

There are several testimonies from people who had been baptised by the “Holy Spirit”, one while reciting his rosary, another while singing a hymn at mass, and yet another while on her knees praying to the Holy Virgin. These testimonies are quite sufficient to prove that the spirit who baptised these people is in contradiction with the Scriptures and cannot, in any way, be the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit consists, not of doubting His work, but of attributing such error and such dreadful idolatry to His divine person. To quote Charles Foster, “When the experience of the Holy Spirit is put before doctrine and salvation, seduction is certain…”

Read the above portion of his article twice. This is a well-written evaluation with very little to argue with…

Part 3 (Universalism) in a few days…

1. At first, my (Rob’s) experience was that the Romans had added Mary as a 4th person of the Godhead to make a Quadernity. However, the more I looked into this “addition” the more I realized that it was a “substitution” where the Holy Spirit was fully replaced. [back]
2. This is an excellent point! I wouldn’t qualify this solely among Catholic Charismatics but among Catholics in general. The spontaneous prayer part wouldn’t be allowed “outside” the sacred building called the Church. [back]

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I’ll be taking a few posts¹ to share the experience of a charismatic businessman² from Ohio. I do not know the author personally but a relative of mine is acquainted with him. The story shares Mr. Scudder’s “cooperation” with an ever-popular group called Catholic Charismatics. I do agree with a number of the conclusions³ that Mr. Scudder has come to as a result of these encounters, and I wanted to share them with you. I believe if you know the Truth that you will find this interesting as well.

The Slippery Rise of Ecumenism⁴

It started when I was voted in as President of a local chapter of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International. We had a dinner meeting once a month and a breakfast meeting once a month. At the dinner meeting we would usually invite a Christian businessman to give his testimony. I also held a Bible study and prayer meeting in my home.

Catholics began to come to my home prayer and Bible study meeting, including a priest. The first thing this priest did was kneel in front of me, as if I could impart something to him. Later I knew that he wanted me to pray that he would receive tongues. Later that night I sat down with him and the scriptures and tried to explain to him the plan of salvation. My words and scriptures seemed to address deaf ears. His “religion” seemed to have a shield around him so the “Gospel” could not be heard.

I became a friend with this Priest and we began to attend other meetings together. More Catholics started coming to all of our meetings and I invited a Catholic professor from Ball State University to come and speak to our fellowship.

It wasn’t long until many of these Catholics were seeking and receiving tongues. At the time I just took it for granted that they were already saved and were receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Priests, nuns, and others were beginning to receive tongues. I was guilty of believing that tongues was an indication that we shared the same Holy Spirit experience, and the same Jesus. This was due to my ignorance of the ‘Gospel according to Rome,’ for which I have no excuse.

I was invited to teach a course one night a week for six weeks in a Roman Catholic Parish, St. Monica In East Peoria, Illinois. Priests, nuns, and others were present. I taught on the gift of Salvation. At the time I was not prepared for what I was confronting and because all present at the meetings deemed themselves already saved because of the Roman Catholic religion. I don’t believe I addressed the subject in the right way. There was a spirit of bondage given to them by Rome and they had a dependence on their infant baptism and other doctrines of Rome which nullify the Gospel.

I was invited to attend Catholic Charismatic prayer meetings at Bradley University as the only non-Catholic present.

One of the Catholic prayer groups were speaking in tongues and receiving unbiblical interpretations of a sinful nature, supposedly coming direct from Mary, ‘the mother
of Jesus’. Which was further proof that the unsaved were receiving ‘tongues’ from a spirit other than God. Charismatic Catholics often become more devoted to Mary after receiving a tongue that was not from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only glorifies Christ.

One of the common declarations of Marian worshippers is that Mary is actively giving new revelations (extra-biblical), new signs, & new miracles. In my experience with thousands of devoted Marians - not one time has a person hungered after and followed Christ Jesus more after any “encounter” or hearing of an encounter of Maria. Whether you’re a cessationist or continuationist - all believers must pose the question on some kind of tongue or spiritual manifestation to see its veracity and authenticity — Is Christ glorified? 1 John 5:6

Part 2 in a few days…

1. The goal here is to raise an awareness to what is out there & how Rome works in the Western world. Please remember that Rome’s pattern has been to umbrella –> imitate –> absorb and that’s what I’m striving for through these posts. [back]
2. Bill Scudder, Dayton, Ohio, USA Azusa755@sbcglobal.net Permission is given by the author to copy this testimony to be used in any way provided it is reproduced in its entirety including my e-mail address without change and that the following disclaimer be included. This testimony may be pasted on any other site but does not mean I agree with all other documents or links listed there. [back]
3. I will list-out the conclusions that I agree with and add some commentary on them after each post. [back]
4. A movement promoting worldwide unity among religions through greater cooperation and improved understanding. [back]

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Last night, I was watching a local program from our provincial capital of Pordenone. The special was The Da Vinci Code & the Catholic Church. There were many interesting points that the monsignor attacked and defended. But here is something I noticed again and again: The monsignor representing the Roman Empire never quoted from the Scriptures during the hour I listened to the program.

Of particular interest was the subject of celibacy and priests being allowed to marry. The DVC obviously brings some negative publicity to this unscriptural practice. So, the monsignore was asked to defend Rome’s position on the subject. The host of the program started the question like this, “You are a great theologian, so let me ask you, there are Protestant pastors in our area who have their churches and are married and have families…” I laughed because there’s about 10-15 of us that would be classified as that. I made it on TV.

The monsignore started on the point that many “around” the empire were allowed to marry; just not the priests. Finally, he arrived at the priests. Here are the three points that he made for enforcing a man-made tradition that disobeys the law and order of God:

1. “Celibacy is not a divine pronouncement; it is an ecclesiological one.”

Ok, I’d like to ask, “To the Romanists — what’s the difference? You’ve set the empire up to be the voice and oracle of God — so why do you stress that there is a difference as if the priests have a choice to follow the Catholic pronouncement or the Divine pronouncement if there’s one handy?” Do the priests really have a choice to follow not follow Rome’s pronouncement on the basis that it’s not divine?

Also, are you unwittingly admitting that the ecclesiological pronouncement isn’t really in accord with the Scriptures?

And then, if it’s not in accord with the Scriptures — aren’t you really saying that Rome is above the authority of the Word of God? — eeeeeh, just wondering.

2. “A priest can’t be devoted to the flock if he has a wife.”

This is very common to hear among Italian priests. Let’s interpret this phrase: A wife & kids are a big distraction; a detriment to a minister and the calling. They are definitely not a help.

Obviously, I don’t expect him to understand this in any way, but a wife who is committed to the Bible and the Bride is a synergy and joy and not a detriment to the minister. AND, it’s Biblical — no, really, it is. 1 Timothy 3:2-5

How can a man (a priest in this case) be devoted to the Truth and the flock while at the same time denying God’s natural law & order? To love God is to love His ways.

They call themselves “priests”. Ok, even the Old Testament priests were encouraged by God to marry and to multiply. God saw this as honoring to Him. He originally designed it that way.

3. “A family is an expensive thing to have. It costs a lot to take care of children and a home.”

Spoken like a real Italian. A family is a bottom-line issue; not a creation mandate. In Italy, the people marry and have kids based more on their financial schedule and outlook than any moral or Scriptural guideline.

“We (the empire) own these guys. We don’t want that money going to some distracting, costly family. How would we get privately rich that way?”

I know the arguments of the monsignore are both outdated & debunked, but they keep on using them — because if one of these “dogmas” falls, the rest of the fortress falls too — and Rome would lose control.

Here, I’ll let the former pontiff speak for himself¹

He will support and encourage priests, who, called by God’s grace, have freely assumed the commitment of celibacy for the Kingdom of Heaven, and remind himself and them of the evangelical and spiritual grounds of this choice, so important for the service of the People of God. In the reality of the Church and the world today, the witness of chaste love is, on the one hand, a form of spiritual therapy for humanity and, on the other, a form of protest against the idolatry of instinct.

I don’t think my wife would appreciate our marriage being termed as idolatrous instinct. She’s not around to “fulfill the animal in me.” Marriage is a beautiful thing… forced celibacy is silly.

1. JP2 in a 2003 encyclical “Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores”, point 21 [back]

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