I'm not overly fond of using conversion stories as an apologetic tool. The recent trend in Roman Catholic apologetics though, is. From time to time, I do listen to The Journey Home, where "Former non-catholics discuss their personal conversion stories and reveal how their search for truth has led them home to the Catholic Church." I came across a very interesting episode, "Baptism-Host - Marcus Grodi with guest Ken Guindon." You can also read about this man's journey to Roman Catholicism on the EWTN website, and also read his very interesting material on the Jehovah's Witnesses hosted on the Envoy website.
Ken Guindon has also recently written a book. A description of it states,
"The number of evangelicals joining the Roman Catholic or the Eastern Orthodox Church has markedly increased during the last thirty years. Church history definitely played an important role in their decision. This phenomenon is noteworthy because many of these converts are well-educated, former evangelical ministers. Following the apostles’ death, how did church life evolve under the influence of sacramental teaching and worship? This study provides a detailed discussion of the two great Christian sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and of the ancient churches’ views concerning salvation, Mary, the saints and their images. Ken Guindon provides us with a passionate discussion of the questions Christians face today as they examine history for foundations for faith."
So what makes this man's new book and his "Journey Home" to Catholicism so interesting? The book description goes on to state,
"Written with a loving heart, this work is worth reading by everyone interested in authentic Christianity and is particularly helpful for anyone who is tempted to think that age and claims to infallibility are criteria of the true church."
Wait a minute...."age and claims to infallibility are criteria of the true church"? Why, those are the claims Roman Catholic apologists make about their church! Why would a Catholic convert want to dissuade people from such a criteria? You see, Ken Guindon is no longer a Roman Catholic. You can purchase Ken's book here.
Posts
16 comments:
Uhm, ... well, what is he now? Did he revert to Protestantism?
I believe that Ken had a book published by Ignatius Press while Catholic.
Ivka,
Yes, he is a Protestant now.
I believe that Ken had a book published by Ignatius Press while Catholic.
That is correct. If you listen to Ken's Journey Home interview, he does mention it.
Any idea to which denomination he went to?
The name of his book while Catholic is, "The King's Highway". It was published in 1996.
His journey was RC -> JW -> Baptist -> RC -> EO -> Plymouth Brethren iirc. I wonder if the Reformed bloggers (none on this site) ever tar his extensive moving around as a character/spiritual defect as they often do with others they disagree with who move around (some who aren't even RC such as Paul Owen).
I wonder if the Reformed bloggers (none on this site) ever tar his extensive moving around
You're missing the point, as I figured most Roman Catholics would.
Using "conversion stories" as primary apologetic tools are tenuous. If I recall correctly,The Journey Home, EWTN, and Envoy are all aware this man is no longer Roman Catholic, yet, they still promote him as a Catholic convert.
RC -> JW -> Baptist -> RC -> EO -> Plymouth Brethren
In Cathoiic eyes there is nothing wrong with the first four of these moves. In Eastern Orthodoxy's eyes there is nothing wrong with the first five of these moves. What's weird for both the Catholics and Orthodox is that he would drop both of these to become Protestant again!
Apropos deconversions, here's one from my own back-yard:
wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tavener
You may check the links at the bottom of the page also.
One story proves very little unless he makes a compelling argument. I am sure the folks here will lets us know if he does that. It does seem like the exception that proves the rule. Dozens of pwoerful books full of protestants converting to the Catholic faith. Of the many people going the other way he is one of the few who care to explain why. I would be curious.
You can actually read lots of the book on Google Book search.
Sounds like the typical reasons people leave Catholicism. Nothing new or thought provoking.
In regards to Catholicism, the central reason I am Catholic isn't because of the authority or the Magisterium or how they view Scripture.
The central reason is because of the Eucharist. I'm so drawn to it and accept that it's really the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. I'm willing to die for what you think is that small wafer.
If I didn't believe that, I would have no problems leaving Catholicism because the rest would be a sham. But as long as that one Truth is real, I will accept the rest of it as real too.
If a person such as Guindon has difficulty believing that, then he won't stay Catholic for long.
This is the main reason I dislike using conversion stories as evangelization tools. Mr Guindon, seems to me to be a spiritually confused individual. He is clearly searching for something. I hope he finally finds peace.
Especially since the main reasons he lists for leaving Protestantism are still there. Whats next? Given his path probably Messianic Judaism.
In a sense, Ken's journey reminds me of famed converts Robert Sungenis and Gerry Matatics. I don't think any of them are confused. I think they are all intelligent and trying the best they can to deal with the facts, something that many Catholics don't do.
Post a Comment