Posted on 11/28/2011 8:12:49 AM PST by Salvation
How would you know you were forgiven? How would you know God forgot your sins?
I consider the Bible to be God's word...NOT the catechism. The catechism is what the church wants you to study. I remember studying it for my First Communion and my Confirmation....Had the know the answers by rote.
Now I study the Bible - God's word.
The Gutenberg Bible was the Vulgate. That’s all Luther had, right?
What a great reference link and list of non-Catholic molesters.
I don't know. I haven't been at this for very long. After Vatican II? Or before? I do remember that as a Protestant kid in the 1960s, the Catholic kids would assure me solemnly that I was going to hell. Seemed a bit unfair! Perhaps 15 years ago a priest gave me a copy of the Catechism (which is still at my bedside table even as I write this) and I scanned it anxiously for what the Church taught about non-Catholics going to hell. It no longer says that.
But you know how it is, sometimes regular people, and even teachers, priest, nuns, pastors, rabbis, etc., will believe and say something when it's not the actual teaching. So you have to ask someone who's an expert on church history, which would not be me--I'm a noob.
Gotta say, that was crazy about your Orthodox grandmother. The Orthodox are considered part of the same Body of Christ.
Of course I study the Bible too. I just like to have the Catechism around as a quick reference to what teachings are on a particular point, sort of a springboard to more study.
What a great reference link and list of non-Catholic molesters.
Yes .. absolutely. God meets us where we are. However, he continues to call us to the 'Truth'. When we follow that call, we become seekers of the 'Truth'. Christ did not state to refer to or consult Scripture for disputes and correction. He said to go to the Church as It is the final authority in Christianity. In addition, St. Paul states that the Church, not Scripture is "THE pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15) Since the Church alone is mentioned as the pillar of truth, then It alone has the right to discern the truth and interpret Scripture. For if individuals could correctly interpret Scripture, then all interpretations would be exactly the same as there can only be one Spiritual Truth for the plural of the word "truth" never appears in Scripture.
Free Will is a necessary element of Christian faith.
Lol! These individuals ALL made the same statement. NEVER a Catholic! Each had a different reason ...what is yours?
The one true church of Jesus Christ is his body of believers, not denominations.
Worshipping (all right - “adoring”) that cookie is abominable idolatry.
” It’s presumptuous to believe that all non-Catholics will be banished to Hell. Nowhere does that rationale appear in the Bible.
I agree with you. And so does the Catholic Church. That’s not what’s in the cathechism of the Catholic Church. “
But that’s what the Council of Trent teaches.
Gary's Story
I was raised in a family that was very active in the Church of Christ. Throughout my childhood, I was schooled in the Bible, and how it was our authority and guide to life. After my Baptism at age 14, something began to bother me. I heard how everyone could read the Bible, and take it literally, but I began to see "holes" in this assertion. Nothing was more contradictory, than how this community, (and other protestant denominations) regarded the "Lord's Supper" as a mere symbol. In the Gospel of John, Jesus clearly states: "...for my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink..." and again , "Amen, Amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you..." It became clear to me that this church which claimed to be following the Word of God, was not. Deep within my heart, I was called elsewhere. The Catholic Church and it's missionary work, had always intrigued me. In retrospect, this is extremely interesting, as I would only hear of the Church in negative terms, from the pulpit and my family.
Finally at age 18, I felt that I needed to know more about Catholicism, so I went to a neutral source -- the encyclopedia. From that article, I was able to fill in some of the "holes" in my Christian Faith. (e.g. Where did the Bible come from; what happened from Apostolic times until now, etc.) I then phoned the local Catholic parish, St. John the Evangelist, and began dialogue with the Priest. That fall, I entered the RCIA, and on 07 April 1985, entered into full communion with the Roman Caholic Church at the Great Easter Vigil. That was 16 years ago, and my family to this day is very uncomfortable with me -- despite that fact my wife (also a convert) and I are raising two "Cradle Catholics". I am ashamed to say that my family refused to attend their baptisms. I firmly believe that there is a great need for Catholic witnessing, as there is much ignorance on the part of protestants, as to the Church. Who do they think gave them the Bible!
WE arte the Body of Christ. Why separate yourself?
WE are the Body of Christ. Why separate yourself?
WE are the Body of Christ. Why separate yourself?
Who is “we”?
I don’t mind a nice exposition of doctrine from whatever church. While I am not a Catholic, I sent my daughter to a great Catholic High School, they were always nice and kind to us unlike the local Protestant High School that would not even let her apply even when all her friends were going there. I guess they did not want any deviations from their doctrinal stance. Mormons, really get under their skins, I guess. But, the Catholics were never that way, they were always kind to us.
Your non-Catholic argument is lame. Remember, it is your institution, not Protestantism, that forces celibacy on its Popes, priest, and nuns. Everybody with half a brain knows such imposition is against nature...and for those of us who read our Bibles, against the Bible also.
With such unnatural pent-up sexual desires it is no wonder the sexual crimes of the RCC clergy always in the news. And the sexual escapades of such Popes as:
Sergius III, with his mistress, Marozia, her sister, and mother who “filled the Papal chair with their paramours and bastard sons,” and turned the Papal Palace into a whore house. Called in history, The Rule of the Harlots (904-963).
And John XII (955-963), a grandson of Marozia, “guilty of almost every crime; violated virgins and widows, high and low; lived with his father’s mistress; made the Papal Palace a brothel; was killed while in the act of adultery by thw woman’s enraged husband.”
Thank God no Protestants have ever committed sexual sins, eh?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.