The road to truth

by Letters Editor · February 24, 2011

From: Arthur Sierra, Johannesburg

I refer to the Open Door column by Michael Shackleton, wherein he replies to Tommy Hartley�s �Challenge to the Catholic Church�. I write as an encouragement to Mr Hartley. For the very reasons put forth by Mr Hartley, I left the Church after having been caught up in the pentecostal/evangelical movement, where I remained 25 years.

During this time I witnessed such venom and derogations against the Church, which was indeed regarded as unchristian and cultish.

By and large, Catholics were regarded as unsaved, the pontiff was the anti-Christ and Rome was the city of Babylon. During my honeymoon with this group, I believed all that was said and taught�in much the same situation Mr Hartley finds himself .

With the passing of time I found myself beginning to query much of the theology expounded by these churches.

I realised that their teachings were, in reality, very shallow; lacking in depth and credibility. Without going into any detail, I was awakened through reading one of Pope John Paul II�s publications.

This awakening led me to do some of my own searching regarding the teachings of the Catholic Church. My search was very revealing indeed. Every accusation against the Church was laid to waste. I would urge Mr Hartley to read Karl Keating�s book The Attack on Catholicism by Pentecostal and Evangelical.

This book goes a long way in resolving any misgivings one may have about Catholic teachings.