Let the Bible speak for itself

The following is a response letter written by Paul Malcomson (17/07/04) addressing the comments of a writer G Donaghy.

I agree with G Donaghy’s comments (July 15) that “Protestants and Catholics can legitimately consider each other’s doctrines errant without being bigoted.” This was the main premise of my letter. In doing this, I never suggested that “evangelics are immune” from bigotry, quite the opposite. That is the reason why I wrote Behind Closed Doors (an exposure of the extra-biblical rituals, practices and teaching within Orangeism) a few years ago. It was a challenge to those who profess to be evangelical to examine their membership in the light of the teaching and example of Christ. I believe the Orange Order cultivates bigotry, is inherently unscriptural, and is therefore an institution that evangelicals should shun. I also feel the same about the Catholic Church.

Many Protestants and Catholics today are beginning to study the Bible for themselves and are consequently abandoning the extra-biblical teaching found within their respective camps. They are finding that the Bible teaches that salvation is “by grace” alone, “through faith” alone, “in Christ” alone. Frankly, 2,000 years of man adding his own opinions and traditions to the Bible have blurred the simplicity of this truth, and consequently created “another gospel.” It is time that Catholics and Protestant started to study God’s Word more studiously and let Scripture speak for itself. I wonder how many on our island that profess the name of Christ would quickly discover (by their lifestyles) that rather than being faithful followers of Christ and His teaching they are rebels against Him and His message? Galatians 5:19-21 says, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Paul Malcomson, Evangelical Truth

Irish News Article by Roy Garland
Evangelical Response by Paul Malcomson
Response to Paul Malcomson by “Father” Patrick McCafferty
Response to “Father” Patrick McCafferty by Paul Malcomson
Second response to Paul Malcomson by “Father” Patrick McCafferty
Second response to “Father” Patrick McCafferty by Paul Malcomson
Response to Paul Malcomson by G. Donaghy
Response to G. Donaghy by Paul Malcomson