Today, 06:50 AM
PART SECOND.
XIX. Learning and Controversy of Protestant Ministers.
— At first sight, Protestant ministers appear to be very learned men; but by following them close, very little solidity is to be found in their learning, which is all Protestant, — that is, negative; it is a belligerent knowledge, not inspired by the hallowing love of truth, but by the powerful hatred of whatever is Catholic.
In dispute and controversy, they bring along an interminable array of books, quotations, texts, facts, and dates. The audience, dazzled by such light (?), feel disposed to think that the gentlemen are really prodigies of learning.
Nothing of the kind. There are exceptions, indeed, and I know some distinguished men among them, hard students. You will find them in Germany, and among the High Church men of England; and some in this country. Their studies lead them nearer and nearer to Catholic faith. Willing as we earnestly are to render homage to men learned and friendly to truth, we must say that they are few in number. In France, the erudition of ministers is confined, generally speaking, to a certain number of passages from the writings of the Fathers, garbled after the minister's own view; some facts of doubtful authenticity, apparently in opposition with some Catholic dogma, or practice; lastly, a thundering storm of quotations from the Bible.
We cannot be fooled by such people. Hundreds and thousands of times have those objections, the same which Martin Luther offered, been refuted, in a most conclusive way, by Bellarmin, and Suarez, and St. Francis de Sales, and Fenelon, and Bossuet, etc., etc., etc. For the lack of better weapons, they tread on the same ground over and over.
It must be admitted that unless one's studies have been extensive, and unless one is endowed with an extraordinary memory, a well-instructed Catholic, and even a priest, can be very easily startled by a telling quotation. The least chance for examination or research would very easily afford a reply; but the discussion allows of no respite, and the momentary embarrassment is proclaimed a defeat. There is honesty for you.
From what we have said it can be very easily understood why the Church, sure as she is of possessing divine truth in her doctrine, and of the futility of heretical assertions, commands her children to keep clear of controversies with Protestant ministers, and forbids us to listen to their sermons or to read their books, without a special authorization. It is no fear on her part; it is prudence, and prudence begets security.
XIX. Learning and Controversy of Protestant Ministers.
— At first sight, Protestant ministers appear to be very learned men; but by following them close, very little solidity is to be found in their learning, which is all Protestant, — that is, negative; it is a belligerent knowledge, not inspired by the hallowing love of truth, but by the powerful hatred of whatever is Catholic.
In dispute and controversy, they bring along an interminable array of books, quotations, texts, facts, and dates. The audience, dazzled by such light (?), feel disposed to think that the gentlemen are really prodigies of learning.
Nothing of the kind. There are exceptions, indeed, and I know some distinguished men among them, hard students. You will find them in Germany, and among the High Church men of England; and some in this country. Their studies lead them nearer and nearer to Catholic faith. Willing as we earnestly are to render homage to men learned and friendly to truth, we must say that they are few in number. In France, the erudition of ministers is confined, generally speaking, to a certain number of passages from the writings of the Fathers, garbled after the minister's own view; some facts of doubtful authenticity, apparently in opposition with some Catholic dogma, or practice; lastly, a thundering storm of quotations from the Bible.
We cannot be fooled by such people. Hundreds and thousands of times have those objections, the same which Martin Luther offered, been refuted, in a most conclusive way, by Bellarmin, and Suarez, and St. Francis de Sales, and Fenelon, and Bossuet, etc., etc., etc. For the lack of better weapons, they tread on the same ground over and over.
It must be admitted that unless one's studies have been extensive, and unless one is endowed with an extraordinary memory, a well-instructed Catholic, and even a priest, can be very easily startled by a telling quotation. The least chance for examination or research would very easily afford a reply; but the discussion allows of no respite, and the momentary embarrassment is proclaimed a defeat. There is honesty for you.
From what we have said it can be very easily understood why the Church, sure as she is of possessing divine truth in her doctrine, and of the futility of heretical assertions, commands her children to keep clear of controversies with Protestant ministers, and forbids us to listen to their sermons or to read their books, without a special authorization. It is no fear on her part; it is prudence, and prudence begets security.
"So let us be confident, let us not be unprepared, let us not be outflanked, let us be wise, vigilant, fighting against those who are trying to tear the faith out of our souls and morality out of our hearts, so that we may remain Catholics, remain united to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain united to the Roman Catholic Church, remain faithful children of the Church."- Abp. Lefebvre