A problem for a convert - Page 2

inkaneer · #16 Nov 9, '09, 3:10 pm

You say you downloaded this debate which occurred in 1987. I don't know about the rest of you but that statement alone sends up red flags and lights blinking and sirens wailing. It has been my experience that some fundamentalists will stop at nothing to attack Catholicism even sinking to the level of editing to the point of altering debates. We are all aware of similiar people like Jack Chick and Lorraine Boettner whose lies deceived thousands of people. Do you think they are alone? Why these self-professing "christians" would stoop to the level of committing fraud and bearing false witness is a question for which I have no answer. Thankfully, I don't have to answer that question, they do.

I would think that an accurate copy of the debate would be available form Catholic Answers. Would be interesting to compare the two. But allow me to say two things. First, there is nothing new in the attacks on the Church. Fundamentalists are recycling old wornout accusations that have been refuted many times before. Second, from what I know of Mr. Keating he is very well capable of holding his own in any debate with any fundamentalist. Don't be deceived by the lies of those who spew hate.

P.S. I did a search on Dr. Ruckman. He is Dr. Peter Ruckman of Pensacola Florida. He operates a website calle the Bible Baptist Bookstore. He has been divorced twice and married three times. He is considered to be an extremist and ruthless. Here is what David W. Cloud said of him in Extract Despatch magazine:

"What do you think about Peter Ruckman?

How many times I have been asked this question! For good or for bad,Peter Ruckman's name is intertwined with the defense of the King James Bible. Personally, I think it is bad. On January 24, 1985, I wrote to Dr. Ruckman from Nepal and told him that I believed he had done more damage to the cause of the King James Bible than many of its detractors. "...your writings--because of the spirit in which they are given--actually make me desire to flee from whatever beliefs you are propounding. I sincerely fear ... that you have done more damage to the cause of the truth of the preservation of the Textus Receptus and the faithful translations thereof than have the enemies of this position."

I know these words make some of my friends cringe, but I still believe this. Why? Because his strange ideas, his multiple divorces, his angry spirit, his arrogancy, his Alexandrian cult mentality, his extremism regarding the KJV being advanced revelation, tends to cause men to reject the entire issue."

You can read the entire article here:

http://www.despatch.cth.com.au/Despa...an_dcloud.html

Here is something else on Dr. Ruckman from another website:

"Dr. Peter S. Ruckman thought he had gotten away with slandering this missionary and others, until we came along. Time to ante up, old-timer!

Peter Ruckman with malice and forethought lied in person, in phone calls and sent out papers with some truths and lots of half-truths and bald-faced lies in an attempt to ruin a missionary financially and ruin his reputation."

Here is the URL:

http://peterruckman.net/TheLong-and-Short.htm

Google Peter Ruckman and see the amount of material on the internet about him. It seems the only material that is favorable to him is his own material. This guy is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Your faith need not be shaken. You are in the bark of Peter and though tempest tossed waves abound you are safe.

TNZebra · #17 Nov 9, '09, 5:44 pm

You are correct inkaneer. Dr. Ruckman was very rude and used his bully pulpit well. The web site I downloaded the debate on was http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/audio.htm, which I believe to be a Catholic site. I am not so shallow to say my faith is like a light switch which I can turn it off when it doesn't suit me any longer. I have gotten the book by Mr. Keating which presents the problems of fundamentalism "Catholicism and Fundamentalism." It is very helpful. My eye-opening moment in the debate was, "I am going to face these same arguments and I really don't know how I am going to answer all of them." Does the church have an answer? Most defiantly. Is it the correct answers? Absolutely. Do I have these answers in my quiver? No. Will I need them? Yes. When you have "cut your spiritual and physical teeth" on the back of a church pew, you have the life experience to know what obstacles lay ahead. I know the fight I have encountered to understand the faith myself. I was willing to learn and act upon my findings. When you have friends and family, who are concerned for your wellbeing, that are God loving and fearing fundamentalists I know I need to be prepared. I know I need to study to show myself approved and will do so. When a fundamentalists argues his/her point, we as Catholics are forced to play on their court. Why? Because of the rejection of anything but scripture and their interpretation of it. Yes they pull verses from the scripture, some out of context to use to their advantage and argument. Yes you can go into a fundamentalist church and ask a question about theology and you will receive many different answers. Most are so enamored with their preacher that they would do or believe anything he said.

I am going to listen to the debate again and post the questions that I need to have a rebuttal. Thank you for all of your responses.

I do have all of Scott Hahn's books and have read them. I owe him a great deal for my families conversion. I am going to research the other materials I have not read. The catechism has helped me with my own questions but that is because I can accept its authority. Others simply reject it as Catholic propaganda.

I would love to hear some of Patrick Madrid's debates. He is one of my favorites when he is on EWTN. I assume you must purchase those through a website?

Thank God for Catholic Answers!
In Christ

NHInsider · #18 Nov 9, '09, 6:12 pm

Another book I'd recommend you read to stock your quiver is Mark Shea's By What Authority?

Ignatius · #19 Nov 9, '09, 6:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNZebra

Hello everyone. I am going through the formal process of converting to the Catholic faith. This conversion includes my immediate family, wife and child. We have been traveling this road for the last 5 or so years. We are all enrolled in RCIA and are committed to complete the course. We have read and studied so much over the last few years that our own library would put most Catholic school libraries to shame. LOL. We are fervent watchers of EWTN and recommend many of its programming.

My background is fundamentalist, 3 generations of preachers. I broke the chain. Needless to say we are absent from any support from family members. They are not Catholic haters but our souls are in question from their viewpoints, everyone is saved with "eternal security" until you disagree with them. I love and respect each of them and will go as far to say that I respect their teachings and I know they serve our living God.

When my wife and I were first married, 15 years ago, we had to come to a compromise of where we would attend church. We tried the fundamental churches and quickly came to realize this was NOT for us. We then joined a United Methodist Church. It is what I would call a "high" church and started our liturgical experience. We were both very active and had our child baptized in this church. As often is true with Protestant churches the minister was relocated. We found ourselves with many others dissatisfied. So many things depend upon the minister and how he invigorates the congregation. We began to look. Many things fell into place for us and we have attended mass for a few years now. We are beginning to feel very comfortable in the Catholic church and with her teachings.

I tell this introduction to ask for help. This comfort level with the church and her teachings had it legs knocked out from under me this week. I was NOT prepared for what happened. I have been a Catholic Answers fan and have received much help from the posts for years now. Mr. Keating has and still receives much thanks and prayers from me. I downloaded a debate that he participated in with Dr. Ruckman in 1987. Dr. Ruckman was involved with a fundamentalist college in Florida. He is what I would be very familiar with, an educated fundamentalist. He has his formal education as well as a biblical education that is hard to compete with. Many of these fundamentalist can quote bible verses, much like myself, for just about any inquiry. I don't believe Keating was prepared for this and was "taken to the woodshed." It shook me and my new found truth to the bone. Keating seemed he couldn't respond to some of the standard verses that the fundamentalist use to disprove the Catholic church. It was a pro-fundamentalist crowed and Keating did have his work cut out for him. I even remember Keating stating in the debate that someone had taken all of his literature from is allowed table so no one could pick them up after the debate was over! I would like to know if there are others out there like me and what materials, written or electronic, do you use when the fundamentalist come "knocking?" I know I need to be prepared as Easter approaches with answers for my friends and family. I believe in the fullness of the faith but I need to know how to communicate and defend it better.

In Christ

Both Jimmy Akin and Tim Staples are former Evangelicals and have some excellent audio and printed material. Also, the "Essential Catholic Survival Guide", available on Catholic.com shop online is excellent.

God bless and strengthen you my brother.