Chris

There’s a ton of stuff here, any of which could result in a very long response. I’ll try to be brief.

1. Decisions on what to believe: there is a creed to which all Christian denominations subscribe* and have done so since the matter was finally resolved in the 4th century AD. A lot of what you interpret as the Catholic church’s attempt to continue developing belief is actually an attempt to bring faith based convictions to bear on modern ethical issues. To a greater or lesser extent all churches do this, but the Roman Catholic Church remains the single largest denomination and is also the most centrally controlled of them all, so it tends to stand out. Despite this there’s quite a lot of variation in how Catholic moral teaching is actually received and acted on (or not) in the various parts of the Roman church around the world. Even the Pope doesn’t pretend he can rule the conscience of every individual, though many of his predecessors may have tried.

2. This is your some-bloke-down-the-pub moment. Can you please explain how you came to the conclusion that the Bible has been “(badly) translated several times”? I’m not even sure what that means, but if you’re suggesting that present English versions don’t properly convey the meaning of the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, could you give some examples of where it’s gone wrong, and what it should say instead?

3. ‘Peaceful intent’ - well that’s quite a segue from your earlier comments. Can you explain what it is you’re summarising about other people’s claims when you use the phrase ‘peaceful intent’? While I’m waiting, please let me assure you that nobody is trying to hide or minimise what are generally known amongst theologians as ‘texts of violence’. They’re the subject of much debate and writing. I can talk on that subject if you like, although with the caveat that short, forum-friendly posts on the subject can’t really do it justice and risk sounding glib. That’s not my intention.

4. I disagree, profoundly, with your claim that people have rejected the Bible because they can ‘think for themselves’ - Christianity is growing in South Korea, for example, from a standing start to almost 30% of the population over the last century. It’s not a country known for lack of intelligence. A South Korean probably built your phone, or failing that, at least one other piece of high-tech kit in your house. It also continues to grow in many other places, notably in Africa and also in China, although much of that is underground as the State continues to try to suppress and control religion. Being engaged in Christian ministry I frequently talk with people about faith issues. I find that the vast majority of people in this country have a spirituality of some sort, expressed in a variety of understated ways (and often only overtly at times of great distress, such as the death of a loved one). There has been an atomisation of belief in this country and organised religion has suffered along with a great many other things perceived as being traditional. What tends to cause occasional reverses in that situation is when people are confronted with their own frailty and mortality. Most churches of my acquaintance have new adherents as a result of the last 18 months of covid. Up until this point, people have been comfortable, they have been given plenty of other things to fill their attention - the latest iPhone, social media, you name it - and progressively throughout the latter 20th and early 21st centuries people who would have gone to church out of family habit have ceased to do so. Those of us engaged in evangelism accept this as a challenge but are not dismayed. All that has really happened is that those of religious habit have lost the habit. Those of enduring faith are still on board. It’s easier to do this work when you know who is working with you, and who you need to reach out to.

Incidentally, I just got a degree in Theology at a mainstream British university. A first, as it happens. The academic standards of research and presentation are every bit as rigorous in Theology as they are in English, History or Geography. I trust you don’t have a problem with me assuring you I am quite capable of thinking for myself.

5. Truth … a very good point, and one I’ll pick up with you again later if you want. As you rightly point out, it can be difficult to fully agree with anyone on the nature of absolute truth. Many people claim absolute truth doesn’t exist, or is unattainable. I say that’s a bit of a side issue: I worship a God who is eternal and therefore beyond my ability ever to fully know, so I’m comfortable with the idea I will never really know or understand the absolute truth. However I do contend that it is possible to follow a way of life as taught by Jesus, and to find that the results of doing so are faithful to his promises. I can’t assert, or empirically prove, the absolute truth of these things, but I can and do confess that I have found what Jesus said to be true and trustworthy, and I live my life by it and am happy to commend it as the best, in fact the only truly fulfilling way to live.

Sorry, much longer than I intended.

*Actually the Eastern Orthodox churches disagree with one word on one line but it’s a bit esoteric and needn’t bother us here. The substance of it is undisputed.