The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Last Days Apostasy is Leading Protestants Back Home to Rome

Mike Gendron

What Lamb & Lion Means To Me

Mike Gendron: Congratulations on your upcoming milestone! The ministry of Proclaiming the Gospel is indebted to Lamb & Lion Ministries because of their strong stand for the true Gospel and standing with us in exposing the fatal deception of Roman Catholicism. Your commitment of seeking God’s approval over man’s approval has been instrumental in rescuing many souls who were deceived by a false gospel. We thank you for the radio and TV shows dedicated to evangelizing Roman Catholics and for your many articles that have done the same. May God bless your efforts as you move forward to achieving new milestones.

Guest Article: “Last Days Apostasy is Leading Protestants Back Home to Rome”

We have been receiving an increasing number of reports about Protestants converting to Roman Catholicism. In fact, there is now a series of three books which herald the testimonies of former Protestant pastors who have found the broad way to Rome more enticing and fulfilling.

What is causing this growing apostasy? Who is behind this reversal of the Reformation? Why are so many Protestants being seduced by the piety of this false religion? Many evangelicals are puzzled and are searching for answers. Although it is disheartening and discouraging, we should not be surprised because: “the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1).

One of the major influences that is paving the road back to Roman Catholicism is The Emerging Church movement. Proponents say that Christianity must be reinvented for a new generation. It must become more relevant to a postmodern generation. They say the best way to reinvent Christianity is to reintroduce ideas and experiences from the past. Emergent leaders say God’s Word no longer holds the answers to life’s questions. Experience must become the key factor to encounter spiritual reality.

Many of the experiential attractions which are being promoted by the Emerging Church come from Catholicism including: statues, prayer stations, incense, liturgy, candles, icons, the sacraments and calling communion the Eucharist. It is easy to see how this movement complements and encourages the Vatican’s “new evangelization program” to win the “separated brethren” back to the “true church.”

The most influential leader in the emergent church movement is Brian McLaren, a pastor and author from Maryland who wrote the controversial book, A New Kind of Christian. Time Magazine named McLaren one of the 25 most influential evangelical leaders in the world (2/7/05).

In another one of his books, A Generous Orthodoxy, McLaren describes himself as the new kind of Christian, with labels such as: catholic, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, fundamentalist/calvinist, anabaptist/anglican and methodist. How can he hold to all these labels at the same time? It is because he rejects the Word of God as the objective authority for truth. McLaren writes: “How do you know something is true? First you engage in spiritual practices like prayer, Bible reading, forgiveness and service. Then you see what happens; you remain open to experience. Finally, you report your experience to others in the field of spirituality for their discernment to see if they confirm your findings or not.”

Many Protestants have been drawn to the Catholic Church by the allure of the Eucharist. After experimenting with the Eucharist they convert to Catholicism because of their “joyful experience.” It comes as no surprise that these apostates, who have converted to a false religion, have been influenced by subjective experiences.

Probably the best known Protestant convert to Catholicism is Scott Hahn. His subjective experience was participating in the ungodly pagan practice of praying the rosary (Mat. 6:7). Hahn was convinced “Mary” performed a miracle after he prayed the rosary. What an amazing contrast with those who have been gloriously converted to the Lord Jesus Christ by believing the objective truth of His Word (Eph. 1:1314; Rom. 10:17). Now sealed with the Holy Spirit, they can never again be ensnared by the deceitful schemes of the devil’s religion (2 Tim. 2:23-25).

What can concerned Christians do to stop the movement into Catholicism?

Let our voices be heard! Lovingly confront those who are promoting the Emergent Church and embracing Roman Catholicism as a valid expression of Christianity. Expose the evil deeds of darkness with the glorious light of God’s Word. Expose Roman Catholicism for what it is — a false religious system that is holding over one billion victims in bondage to deception.

There is no time for beating around the bush. God doesn’t promise anyone tomorrow. Jude wrote: “save others [with the Gospel], snatching them out of the fire” (Jude 23). We need to be prepared to offend them with the truth, knowing that the Gospel will offend those who are offensive to God.

Finally, don’t be deceived. Hold onto our supreme and objective authority for truth — the Word of God! It, along with the Holy Spirit, is the only security we have in these days of great deception and compromise.

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ABOUT AUTHOR View all posts Author Website

Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

13 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • as one who came out of the catholic church years ago and became a born again believer this is heartbreaking for me to watch.
    judy

    • I share Judy's heartbreak. I watch members of my family become more entrenched in catholicism's bondage, participating in more of the more mystic rituals. What is most heartbreaking is the feature for more of the Lord, but bondage-produced insistence that it cam only be found inside catholic-produced practices. I cling to Romans 1:16-17. Ironic that the definitive book on salvation was written to members of the Roman church, their forerunners.

  • I agree with Judy I also came out of the Catholic church 16 years ago after I quit drinking. Im born again spirit filled,and 64 yrs old.I too feel bad about all those yyears of teachings being wrong.

  • We must preach the Gospel! …for I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16. How Jesus died was buried and rose from the dead on the third day …according to the scriptures. 1 Cor. 15:1-4.

  • The protestant versions of this religious system are every bit apostate as the Catholic church. The mother church, right? What does the bible say. As the mother is, so are the daughters. Taking a few things away from an anti christ system and claiming then that it is of God is ridiculous. Episcopalians- transgender preachers, Methodist- homosexual preachers, Lutheran- homosexual preachers, Lutheran college teaching that Jesus was a Muslim, etc. This is not the type of fruit that comes from God!!!

  • I cant believe how Stupid people have become regarding The Bible..This is horrible news regarding people like scott hawn..I dont get it..IM old fashioned and IM thankful I grew up with John 3:16, Salvation, The Bible and a Father who LOATHED The Catholic Baloney..We would drive by a catholic church on Sunday and Dad would start his I Loathe catholic stuff..A darn statue of Jesus on the dashboard, statues all over their yards, rosaries, Mary worship and calling a mere priest Father

  • I grew up as an evangelical christian, and discovered a few years ago that I had no knowledge of church history. Once I began to look at the history of our faith, I realized that I had had it backward all along. I ultimately became Catholic, and my hope, faith, and love of Jesus Christ have grown ever stronger.

    It's ironic that this article compares the "Emergent Church" and the Catholic Church as being synonymous in departing from true christian orthodoxy. But the reality is that the "Emergent Church" is today what the Reformation was in the 1500s. Once I came to this realization, I came home to the Catholic Church. And I did so, not because evangelicalism was opposed to the truth, but because it represented an incomplete version of the truth.

    It is my prayer that we would all be one, as Jesus wants us to be, as His Body, which is the Church. Look at the history of our christian faith, and you will truly see the Catholic Church with fresh eyes.

  • Is it not the Anglican & its Episcopals that led the way to Sodom The Very Marker unto its Complacency against the warning of Jesus "Remember Lots wife"

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