There are other sources to spiritual darkness than faulty theology. Those who rest in God’s grace may still face the utter agony of not feeling his presence. The proof of this is Christ – our model. His suffering and doubt in the garden and on the cross were not the fruit of subtle bad theology – they were part of what it means to be human and what it means to suffer on behalf of God’s people.

The knowledge of God and our view of His nature and attributes- including how He works, how He saves, and how He relates to His creatures – has profound implications on our ministry and service to the Kingdom over the long haul.

i.e. is grace really grace, or do I have to earn God’s favor? If I have to earn it, I’m going to feel like I need to save the world or else God will not be satisfied. If I’m trying to save the world thinking that I must perform at a certain level to meet a certain standard, we all might as well give up on the faith entirely.

Once again, I’m not claiming to judge MT’s heart, I’m just saying that we all can learn lessons from the struggles of another. Legalism is subtle, friend, and those of us in the Protestant world are just as prone to condemnation or self-righteousness, as any Catholic. However, the more we hold to the gospel of grace and our receiving God’s riches at Christ’s expense, the more freedom we will have in performing ministry that is motivated by joy and not obligation.

This is pathetic, folks.

Good thoughts.
One thing you mentioned though brought something up in my mind. You said, “As I’ve stated in my posts on Denny’s other MT article, I believe the dangers of Catholicism are works vs. grace – i.e. putting works in front of grace rather than vice versa – which inevitably leads to guilt and condemnation because we can never do enough to meet the perfect standard of Christ.”

What’s funny though is that I haven’t really met any Catholics that ever even think along those lines. My whole family is catholic and being Mexican it’s also pretty common in our culture. Yet I never run across catholics thinking that their good works will get them to heaven. I never even run across any Catholics that question whether they will or not go to heaven. In fact some time it seems to me like the catholics I know believe in the grace of God more than the protestants I know. How funny.

Also I hear you concerns about the article concerning Catholicism and the whole grace vs faith thing in there. But I don’t really see that being an issue at all in the article. Truthfully it seems like something we put into their and assumed was an issue because of out views of Catholics. What did you read in the article that made you think what you did and have the concerns you did about it? What did she say that made you think that way.
I wonder this because truthfully after I read the article I was inspired and comforted.

Blessings,
Bryan L

It’s probabably understood, but just wanted to clarify

As for her struggles and doubt, who doesn’t struggle and doubt at times (especially in the midst of a trying ministry)? We can’t make blanket judgments about her ministry for obvious reasons. As I said in my comments in the other article Denny posted about MT, faith is the most difficult thing in the world and it’s easy to let our feelings dictate our view of our relationship to God, rather than truth. No one is immune to that. As the boy’s father in Mark 9 said, “I believe! Help my unbelief!”. That should be the cry of all our hearts as we fight the good fight of faith.

I will say that I believe Mohler’s main concern is the ramifications and reaction to this story regarding the nature of our relationship with God – i.e. faith/grace vs. works. As I’ve stated in my posts on Denny’s other MT article, I believe the dangers of Catholicism are works vs. grace – i.e. putting works in front of grace rather than vice versa – which inevitably leads to guilt and condemnation because we can never do enough to meet the perfect standard of Christ. I think it’s healthy to reinforce the fact that it is indeed God who sustains our faith, and every ounce of it comes from Him through the finished work of the cross. That’s where I think Mohler’s words ring true and provide a solid foundation for those who might have questions about how MT’s struggles should apply to our lives.

So, at the end of the day, I believe we’re on the same page. As with all of our dialogues, I think we’re just coming from different perspectives. And I think that’s a good thing.

In Christ,
Carlito

Good thoughs Bryan.

From reading the actual Time article I don’t see Mother Teresa’s salvation ever being a thing she wrestled with. That’s why I’m surprised to see Mohler bring it up.
She seems to be mainly struggling with two things:
1. A loss of the feeling of God’s presence.
2. Not being worthy of the call and attention that she was receiving.

It seems like some are pointing their fingers at her and looking down on her for feeling the way she did. And worse acting like we wouldn’t feel any different or that our theology would naturally sustain us and comfort us. Maybe it would, but maybe not. But until we’ve walked her shoes we have no place to really say anything. Seriously she was in Calcutta for like 50 years. And even in spite of not feeling God’s presence so much she continued to serve him wholeheartedly. She even suggest at one point that her experience will continue into eternity. The fact that she thought eternity might have consisted of God’s absence as well and she continued to serve him anyway; that’s beautiful and humbling.

Her concern over and over seems to be the Glory of God, that Jesus would be magnified and she would become less. In fact this the reason she never wanted those letters released (how would you like if people reas your most private thoughts and confessions?). She says “I want the work to remain only His.” If the letters became public, she explained to Picachy, “people will think more of me — less of Jesus.”

I’m just saying cut her some slack and show a little bit of compassion.

Blessings,
Bryan L