OK some random thoughts ...

I just noticed that the BTK serial killer was a very active Lutheran, and as is typical with serial killers, folks are stunned.

The same held true with one of the Baton Rouge serial killers. He was a man that seemed, outwardly, to be knowledgable with scripture and, in fact, was TEACHING about scripture in the hours just prior to his capture.

What is the deal here?

At the church I used to attend, a man who had spent several years in jail had reformed himself and had all of the outward signs one might think would indicate a strong relationship with God. Calm, confident in the Lord, knowledgeable about scripture, kind; a real pleasure to be around. Several months later he committed a violent crime that is likely to keep him in jail for the rest of his life.

Putting myself in my shoes a few years ago, this would have caused a crisis of faith of monumental proportions. I am looking back with the people I know remaining at the Church and it IS causing deep questioning of their faith. They cannot seem to understand how a man who knew God could do something so horrific. Once saved always saved is a doctrine that permeates even churches in denominations where it is not officially taught but the seed is sola fides. People just assume that because one knows scripture and demonstrates a certain level of aptitude with being nice that they are "of the Lord" ...

Catholics on the other hand were attacked BECAUSE their members were bad examples. Everybody knew bad Catholics, but nobody could pinpoint the bad apples at their church. If something happened like above it was all too easy to say "Well he just didn't know the Lord" ... but the burning question remains .... He did know the Lord. He knew TOO MUCH about the Lord and that is why it is an uncomfortable thing to deal with. To the Protestant these examples eat away at their theology. Bad Catholics go to Church. Bad Protestants stay home or collect in like groups. Solid faithful Protestants hardly see their fallen brethren at their worst so when it happens that they do fall away it is a challenge to them.

Catholics see it every week and what used to be a frightening idea that there was something wrong with Catholicism became even clearer as I watched my friends struggle through watching a friend go back to jail. There is noting wrong with Catholicism. Its just easier to see people as they really are in the Catholic Church.