Catholic Catechism Paragraph 841

841 The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day.”

When this first came to my attention, I wasn’t sure it was saying what it appeared to be saying.  Surely, I was not interpreting it correctly.  So, I read it again … and again … and again ….  Each time it appeared to be saying what it said.  If that is so, then we have some real problems.    

It must be remembered that this is taken directly from the Catholic Catechism.  This isn’t what someone claims the Catholic Church believes.  This is what they themselves have written about what they believe.

Part of the trouble with our lack of understanding concerning the Catholic Church is our own ignorance.  Another part of our trouble is that the lines of distinction and separation between born-again, Evangelical Christians and Catholicism is too blurred.  

I’m sure we all, to some degree, have family and friends claiming to be saved who don’t see anything wrong with the continual shrinkage of the gap between true Christianity and the Catholic Church.  Some don’t even know there once was a gap (Reformation).  Some don’t even know there should be a gap.  Some don’t want a gap at all.

It’s funny, but I almost find myself recoiling from writing what I’m saying for fear of some backlash from fellow believers.  There was a time (within the last 40 - 50 years) when writing as I am was considered the loving thing to do in hope of evangelizing Catholics to true salvation.  Now, to say what I’m saying is somewhat frowned upon and considered inconsiderate and unloving.  

But … 

What about paragraph 841 of the Catholic Catechism?  How do you read it?  Does is alarm you?  Does it confuse you?  Do you think it’s a good thing?  Do you agree with it?

Or …

Is there something more sinister, more insidious, more dangerous going on?  Is there an agenda of propagation going on?  Is there more of a link between Catholicism and Muslims than we ever thought of considering?  And if so, to what end?

I tend to think that if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, there’s a good chance it’s a duck.  I think the appearance and quack of paragraph 841 is pretty clear.  

But the thing that makes this most alarming is that this paragraph is straight forward in stating what it says.  There’s not even an attempt to re-explain it in an attempt to deceive.  There is no deception at all.  And the boldness of it’s presentation is what is alarmingly disarming.  If it’s that straight forward, well then … it must be right, correct, necessary to believe and act upon.  

That’s the danger.  Open statements are more powerful and effective than deceptively veiled statements.  That’s the secret to the success of statements such as paragraph 841. If it’s that “obvious” than it’s not questioned.

We’re seeing dangerous trends developing in the Evangelical Christian world.  The lack of true Biblical discernment among “God’s people” is frightfully scary.  The fact that Christianity is embracing Catholicism is bad enough.  But now we have Chrislam to contend with as well.  

It’s time we start to recognize the wolves that are wearing the sheep’s clothing that are among us.  Just because somebody carries a Bible, praises Jesus, goes to Church, says they are saved doesn’t necessarily mean they are a member of the family of God.  Why do we find that so hard to conceptualize?  

Why do we think the times we live in are any different than the times the Apostle Paul lived in?  And if he had concerns so close to the time of Yeshua on earth, how much more should we?

Let me close with Paul’s words in Acts chapter 20 —

 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31. Therefore watch ….

Was Paul unnecessarily paranoid?  Was he over reacting?  Or, was he lovingly warning God’s people of the dangers he foresaw descending upon unsuspecting sheep?

I’d say it’s time we wake up and start taking some heed.

We have been … INFILTRATED.