When Jesus said to test the spirits, for there are many false prophets in the world, and the Church tells you they can't be talking about us, in whom do you put your trust?

When Fundamentalist Questions Shake Your Faith: A Personal Reflection

by Keith Abell, RPh MI
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

This isn’t just theory for me—it’s personal. Back in 1998, a fundamentalist handed me a list of eighteen questions designed to shake my Catholic faith. One of them still echoes in my mind:

“When Jesus said to test the spirits, for there are many false prophets in the world, and the Church tells you they can't be talking about us, in whom do you put your trust?”

At first glance, that question sounds reasonable—even biblical. But underneath it lies a challenge: do you trust your own interpretation of Scripture, or the authority of the Church Christ founded?

The temptation to say, “Just me and my Bible” is strong. It sounds noble: I’ll read the Bible and let the Holy Spirit guide me. But here’s the problem—there are thousands of denominations, all claiming the same Spirit, yet teaching contradictory doctrines. Scripture itself warns against division and distortion. And let’s not forget, even Satan quoted Scripture to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. Knowing verses isn’t enough; interpretation matters.

So how do we know our interpretation isn’t guided by pride—or worse, by the enemy—rather than the Holy Spirit? The truth is, God never intended faith to be a solo project. The Bible gives us clues. Paul tells the Thessalonians to hold fast to the traditions they were taught, whether by word or letter. He calls the Church the pillar and foundation of truth. And when disputes arose in the early Church, the apostles didn’t say, “Figure it out yourself.” They gathered in council. From the beginning, faith was communal, safeguarded by apostolic teaching and the Holy Spirit. That’s why the Catholic Church insists on Scripture and Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium.

This is why I trust the Catholic Church. Christ gave His guarantee when He told Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” That’s not just poetry—that’s a divine promise. For two thousand years, through councils and crises, the Church has preserved the core truths of the faith. And when I look back at history, I see consistency. The early Church Fathers—St. Irenaeus, St. Augustine, St. Vincent of Lérins—warned against private interpretation and upheld apostolic tradition. Augustine even said, “I would not believe the Gospel unless the authority of the Catholic Church moved me.”

For me, this isn’t just history—it’s family. Blessed Thomas Abell, a distant relative of mine, gave his life defending these truths during Henry VIII’s break from Rome. In his treatise Invicta Veritas, Abell argued that marriage is a sacrament governed by divine law, not royal convenience. He insisted that Scripture must be read within the Church’s tradition, not twisted for personal gain. When Henry declared himself head of the Church, Abell refused to bow. For that, he was executed in 1540. His martyrdom reminds me that truth isn’t determined by power or popularity—it’s safeguarded by the Church Christ promised would never fall.

History warns us what happens when private interpretation becomes the rule. During the Protestant Reformation, saints like Robert Bellarmine and Francis de Sales pleaded for unity, warning that rejecting the Church’s authority would lead to chaos. Today, we see the fruit: thousands of denominations, each claiming to be “Bible-based,” yet divided on core doctrines. Contrast that with the Catholic Church: one faith, one baptism, one Eucharist—unchanged in essence for two millennia.

So, in whom do I put my trust? Not in my own cleverness. Not in a preacher’s opinion. I trust Christ’s promise to Peter. I trust the Holy Spirit’s guidance of the Magisterium. I trust the witness of saints and martyrs, like my own ancestor, Blessed Thomas Abell. Because faith isn’t a solo project. It’s a gift, lived in communion with the Church Christ founded.

If you’re a cradle Catholic and someone tries to shake your faith with clever questions, remember this: the early Church Fathers stood where you stand. The saints defended what you believe. And Christ Himself guaranteed that the gates of hell will never prevail against His Church.

Concluding Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
You promised that the gates of hell would never prevail against Your Church. We thank You for the gift of faith, handed down through the apostles and safeguarded by the Magisterium. We honor the witness of saints and martyrs—like Blessed Thomas Abell—who stood firm in truth even unto death. Strengthen us to hold fast to Scripture and Tradition, to remain faithful in times of doubt, and to trust in Your promise that You are with us always, even to the end of the age. May the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth and keep us united in Your one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
Amen.

If this reflection spoke to your heart, please like, share, and follow so others can be encouraged in their faith.

And stay tuned for the next post in this series:
#13 – When Revelation 17 talks about the Great Whore: What does it really mean?

Let’s keep the conversation going and stand firm together in the truth Christ entrusted to His Church!