Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland
Pastor: Colin Maxwell. Email: colin.maxwell@fpcmission.org
LETTER SENT TO: IRISH TIMES
SUBJECT: REPLY TO ATTACK BY PRIEST ON PROTESTANTISM
DATE SENT: 31-1-02
Dear Sir,
Seeing
Rev David O'Hanlon, CC, is obviously in analytical mood (Letters 31st
January), can he please tell us why he considers that fundamentalist
Protestantism has still to overcome its inveterate anti-Rome bigotry,
while he considers that orthodox Catholics still hold to the dogmas of
the Councils which are absolutely non negotiable. Would the reverend
gentleman allow it to be said - at least for the sake of argument -
that orthodox Protestants hold to the dogmas of their Bible which are
absolutely non negotiable while fundamentalist Catholicism has still to
overcome its inveterate anti-Protestant bigotry?
Yours faithfully,
Colin Maxwell.
LETTER SENT TO: IRISH TIMES
SUBJECT: REPLY TO CRITIC TO ABOVE LETTER
SENT: 20-02-02
Dear Sir,
Frank
Flanaghan challenges us to disprove Rev. David O'Hanlon's belief that
"the validly consecrated Eucharist is the physical body and blood of
Jesus Christ" (Letters 20th February)
Surely the onus of proof is on
the Mr Flanaghan and Rev O'Hanlon? None of the five senses perceive the
bread and wine to be a physical body. Only faith in the Roman and
Eastern Churches - as opposed to the word of God - can be cited and
this is hardly proof to any except those of those communions.
Yours
faithfully,
Colin Maxwell.
LETTER SENT TO: IRISH TIMES
SUBJECT: FURTHER REPLY
SENT: 9-3-02
Dear Sir,
In reply to David O'Hanlon (March 8th) I accept the teaching of the
physical resurrection of Christ because when He rose again from the
dead, reliable inspired witnesses saw, touched and heard Him speak
(John 20:26-27) Again, my belief in the Godhead is solid because,
according to inspired reliable witnesses, He has shown Himself and
spoken to us in the Person of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6) The only
support that the teaching of the "real presence" has is that the Roman
and Eastern Churches keep insisting it is so. This is not sufficient to
qualify for the faith that is extolled in Hebrews 11.
Protestants have no problem whatsoever with John 6:53 We agree with Augustine: "If
the sentence is one of command, either forbidding a crime or vice, or
enjoining an act of prudence or benevolence, it is not figurative. If,
however, it seems to enjoin a crime or vice, or to forbid an act of
prudence or benevolence, it is figurative. "Except ye eat the flesh of
the Son of man," says Christ, "and drink His blood, ye have no life in
you." This seems to enjoin a crime or a vice; it is therefore a
figure.." (Christian Doctrine 3:16)
Protestants do not take everything literally in the Bible. Jacob said
that his son Issachar was a strong ass (Genesis 49:14) Jesus said that
He is the true vine and His people are the branches (John 15:5) We
recognise that these are figures of speech, just as when Jesus said:
"This is my body" etc., at the Last Supper.
Yours faithfully,
Colin Maxwell.
Index of other letters on many subjects sent