Nr.121 ended with: “He agreed to a visit, “but only this once” he emphasized. And so on one of the last days of December I sat in their living room………..!” (See richardandmarina.net).

We had quite a discussion lasting between two and three hours, but it was more sort of a one way talk. Robert told me right from the beginning that he was a good Catholic and that his church was the only true church of Christ on earth. I answered him that his church when it first started out with the apostles was the true church, but that through the centuries it had changed a lot. Miriam had told me that her husband was willing to have me visit them once, but only once, so I realized that this was probably the only opportunity I would ever have to talk with him.

So for more than two hours I used the Bible to point out how wrong his church was, wrong in claiming that Peter was the first Pope, as he never was. Wrong to call the Pope “father”, as Jesus Himself had said, “Do not call anyone on earth your father, for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” Matt.23:9. Of course, Jesus was not talking about our earthly physical father. That it was wrong to pray to Mary as she was a sinner just like us. That is was wrong to believe in purgatory, as it is not found in the Bible. And on I went, ending with telling him that the church was wrong in teaching that we must earn our eternal life, as the Bible says that Jesus has earned it for us on the cross. “And that’s why I am so sure that I will go to heaven when I die, while you are not sure at all.” Some sixth months later this conversation bore fruit.

Robert just sat there and listened, what could he say? Much of this was totally new to him. I sensed it was time to go. He looked at me and said, “I have to admit that you have something I don’t have, but I don’t agree with what is going on here in Peer.” And that was it, so I left.
Meanwhile Miriam’s condition was deteriorating and she found it difficult to attend the Bible studies. Robert had been told by a doctor that his wife did not have long to live, so when Miriam asked him whether the Bible studies could be held in their home, what could he say….……?

P.S. I may start writing two episodes a week, so watch for the next one. They may become a bit longer too; otherwise it may take another 100 years to get done. 🙂 href=”https://richardandmarina.net/category/musings/”>.