The question asked in the title of this tract is not a silly one. The main reason that I ask it is that if you answer "no," then a very important decision becomes mandatory for you. Of course, if you feel that God failed, then you are an atheist (of one kind or another), and you will wind up in hell unless you repent and change.
For those Christians (even for those who only SAY that they are "Christians"), a key part of the message of Jesus deals with HIS Church. Everyone agrees that Jesus DID found a Church (as verified by Mt 16:18) which the Apostles did organize in a certain way (Acts 4 & 6), and that this Church held "meetings" (councils) during which God inspired the leaders to make the correct decisions. On this there is no disagreement. But let us see what follows from these facts.
IF that Church was necessary for these functions (such as making decisions correctly regarding Christian teachings), THEN this SAME Church MUST exist in the SAME form with the SAME authority forever, because the same needs and problems exist now as then.
Protestants, by definition, are those who hold that the Catholic Church (which they freely admit existed before the time of their revolt) "went wrong...some where," and needed "reform." It was the true Christian Church once, but it became corrupted, and lost its power. Luther (so the official "party-line" goes) reformed the Church and Protestantism came about.
There is one thing wrong with this view... it is utter and complete nonsense.
If the Catholic Church "lost" its status as the one "true" Church, then God would have instantly replaced it with a "new improved" model. If God did not immediately do so, then there would have been a time when there was no true Church of Jesus, and no place for sincere Christians to refer sinners to, as we are commanded by to do by Jesus Himself. Luther's "church development" took years (as his nerve and courage frequently failed him, and he kept changing his "truth"). Either there was no justifiable reason for his rebellion or the replacement of Catholicism had to be instantaneous. God could allow no other possibility to occur. Therefore, Luther's action ( and all who follow him) was not justified...unless, of course, God somehow failed.
Others hold that the Catholic Church NEVER was the one true Church of Jesus. These hold that some other "secret church" existed "somewhere." They are always vague on this bit of nonsense because there are NO historical records of this "church." But this would necessarily mean that God (Who commanded that his Gospel be preached everywhere and shouted from the Housetops!) was NOT ABLE to find real Christians who would not hide their beliefs.
Rather He could only find cowards who failed to come out of their hiding long enough to be recorded in the history books. In other words, while Catholics have always behaved as real Christians should, the "real Christians" behaved in a way that no Christian could recognize as Christian.
This is so stupid that no intelligent or rational person could hold to it after examining it for even a moment. Again, the ONLY way to adhere to this is to hold that God failed in His efforts to keep His Church as a "city on the hill" that all men could recognize.
What could have motivated these "secret Christians" to hide? If it were danger, then they failed to be willing (as Catholics have been) to die for their beliefs. If there were no danger, then there is no reason why there is no record of them. But there are unbroken records of the history of the Catholic Church from 33 A.D. to the present.
And if God failed, how could this Church (which He failed to keep true!) be the one which gave the world the Bible?
Let me tell a story which will illustrate this problem and also show why only the Catholic Church can be the true one.
All men who know of St. Francis of Assisi know him to be a true man of God, holy and saintly. Francis received a commission directly from God to "rebuild MY Church." Therefore, Francis physically rebuilt CATHOLIC Churches. But God did not correct him and tell him to find another institution. In fact, Francis sought specific approval from the Roman Pope of the time. This Pope had a dream in which he saw Francis supporting the Catholic Church. Then Francis founded a Catholic religious order (submissive to the Pope). Because of his great love for Christ, Francis received the stigmata -- the very wounds of the crucified Christ. If a holy man such as Francis was unable to find the "true Church" (for unless the Catholic Church is the true one, he did fail), then God fails to grant us truth when we (or any one) seek it. Jesus promised that His followers would be lead into all truth. And if holy men such as St. Francis cannot find the truth then God failed, not only in His promise, but in His very nature.
And remember this: the Church that St. Francis sought to rebuild is exactly the same one against which Luther rebelled, and exactly the same one that Protestants today reject as false. It teaches the same truths on Purgatory, Indulgences, Papal Infallibility, the use of statues, the priesthood, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, devotion to the Blessed Mother, Confession, etc.
If this Church failed, then not only did God fail, but all the good and holy men and women who for centuries lived and died as Catholics, who sought God with their hearts, souls, and minds -- these also failed because they trusted the very words of Jesus. But this is the problem that the non-Catholic cannot avoid: IF the Catholic Church failed THEN God failed. And a "god" who failed is no God at all.
But this is the "god" which Protestants (and others) SAY that they believe in.
It's a frightening thought, isn't it? But not so frightening...if one is a Catholic. If you are a Catholic it is simply amazing to you what people will hold to in order to avoid submitting to God's truth.
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