Posted on 03/22/2008 3:49:17 PM PDT by Terriergal
***Unity for the sake of unity is nothing more than betraying the truth with a kiss. ***
Agreed. Unity under Christ because He demands it is the Way, though. Splinters of splinters of splinters all claiming the banner of Christ in spite of walking away from the Church of Jesus is helpful only to the great deceiver.
***Catholic derision is really nothing more than lauding Judas.***
For a Catholic rendering of our beliefs in movie form, watch the Passion of the Christ and see how Judas is regarded. We, following all the way back to the Apostles, do not believe that God made Judas betray Jesus. We do not believe that God is the author of evil. That is the source of much derision.
***Just how does Mark Bsnr know that the Church he is in is the Lord’s church and just how does he know that the Magesterium is correct.***
Read my tagline. The same way that St. Augustine knew. The history of the Church, coupled with Scripture, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is all the evidence that I need.
*** And, that makes Catholics identical to Protestants save one exception. While they deride Protestants for making personal decisions regarding truth they do the same identical thing. Ergo, Catholics who make this accusation are playing the part of the hypocrite.***
You are PCA. From the PCA official website:
Organized at a constitutional assembly in December 1973, this church was first known as the National Presbyterian Church but changed its name in 1974 to Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). It separated from the Presbyterian Church in the United States (Southern)...
A splinter of a splinter of a splinter. From reading various Christian denominational and non denominational websites, this exhibits little difference, at least not in any important fashion. The denial of Apostolic tradition, a worshipping of the Westminster confession specifically and Calvin generally doesn’t impress me as any more than yet another creation of men attempting to redefine God once again in their own image.
How can I play the part of a hypocrite when I acknowledge the Church that Jesus created and call the splitters and quitters what they are?
***All hail Pope MarkBsnr. Physician, heal thyself.***
I claim no theological greatness, and defer to the Church exactly as Jesus and the Apostles have taught. I dare not gainsay them. My pride and hubris and arrogance does not override my worship of God.
As I have previously stated: I am not the creator of God; I am a creature of God. He has given us revelation; we do not give revelation to Him. I do not have my own personal God on my hall stand and rub His head for luck when I walk by.
Heinlein had some great quotes and a lot of wisdom, but when it came to religion and how to talk to others about it he was a damn fool.
Translation: you disagree with him.
dadgumm
***The history of the Church, coupled with Scripture, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is all the evidence that I need.***
I see. Somehow, when a Protestant claims to have studied the history of the Catholic sect, read the Scriptures, and is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he is his own personal Pope. But, when a Catholic makes the same claim he is making no claim to “theological greatness.”
That is the very definition of a hypocritical judgment. Physician, heal thyself.
***Splinters of splinters of splinters all claiming the banner of Christ in spite of walking away from the Church of Jesus is helpful only to the great deceiver.***
True, yet the mere claim that the Catholic sect is the TRUE church doesn’t make it so. The church which is faithful to the Scriptures and Christ makes it so. Unfortunately, the Catholic church has demonstrated itself to be just like any other splinter church, splitting away from the truth and adopting anti-Biblical and anti-Christ practices over the years. It makes no difference that it has remained uder the same name. A deviation from the truth is a deviation from the truth.
***I claim no theological greatness, and defer to the Church.... I dare not gainsay them.***
Sure you do. You have determined for yourself what truth is. It doesn’t matter that it can be found in your opinion in the Catholic church. You DETERMINED it was true: “The history of the Church, coupled with Scripture, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is all the evidence that I need.”
And, according to Catholic derision that makes you your own Pope.
I didn't think the need for this would be made so clear in the first reply!
"Let's try 'Militant Elitist Sanctimony,' for $200, Alex."
Error correction: He was wrong.
***I see. Somehow, when a Protestant claims to have studied the history of the Catholic sect, read the Scriptures, and is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he is his own personal Pope. But, when a Catholic makes the same claim he is making no claim to “theological greatness.”***
Unlike the Reformers, the Restorationists and every snake oil salesman that can put up a tent, Catholics are not free to make up their own theology, nor are they free to put their own spin on things and hang up a shingle.
For example, your PCA (begun thirty years ago) has similar (in some cases) and identical (in other cases) declarations of faith and practice as, for instance, the OPC (begun 80 years ago). If you have unity in purpose and belief, why do you not follow Scriptural command for unity?
You have some theological differences, then. How did they come about? From men. Your website claims such high regard for the WCF, which is a creed commissioned, bought, paid for and legislated through the Parliament of England. You would take a creed as central doctrine that was a government document. The Church Fathers not enough? Reformers needed a government ally against the Church. Allies in the quest for power. I am not a theological giant - I don’t have to be. I just follow Christ’s commands.
***True, yet the mere claim that the Catholic sect is the TRUE church doesn’t make it so.***
The claims are built on the history of the Church right back to Peter, Paul and the rest of the Apostles. We’re not a sect, anyway. The splinter groups are.
*** The church which is faithful to the Scriptures and Christ makes it so. Unfortunately, the Catholic church has demonstrated itself to be just like any other splinter church, splitting away from the truth and adopting anti-Biblical and anti-Christ practices over the years. It makes no difference that it has remained uder the same name. A deviation from the truth is a deviation from the truth.***
Splitters and quitters don’t get to make up the rules, or rather, the rules that they make are the rules of men, for men and for power over those men. The Catholic Church is the One created by Jesus, not a group of muttering men.
***Sure you do. You have determined for yourself what truth is. It doesn’t matter that it can be found in your opinion in the Catholic church. You DETERMINED it was true: “The history of the Church, coupled with Scripture, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is all the evidence that I need.”***
You can follow the men who enacted your church 30 years ago or you can follow the teachings of Jesus who enacted His Church 2000 years ago. Wiggle all you like; you are following the traditions of men - which is expressly forbidden in at least our Bibles.
***And, according to Catholic derision that makes you your own Pope.***
You weren’t known as Baghdad Bob some years ago, were you?
In fact I don't think it's an allegory. I think people that go that direction really sexualize God and speak far too amatory of Jesus (e.g Jesus as my lover/boyfriend). I think it's a beautiful picture of romantic marital love. I don't think this sex rag is going to rise to that level.
I think those who look at SoS as an allegory of God’s love for his children do not do so to sexualize God. I think they believe that sex is not something to truly enjoy with abandon within marriage and that the only thing that makes sense to them is to conclude SoS is an allegory.
Of course, they are wrong.
Good for you... wish I could say I still have it! Not sure I ever did.
***The PCUSA abandoned their Calvinism long ago. I’m PCA.***
>And the splintering continues.
It does. And it will. Jesus himself said he came to bring not peace but a sword. The gospel divides. But he will preserve his bride spotless, no matter what church they happen to be attending. If it’s an apostate church, he will call her out of it.
***>And the splintering continues.
It does. And it will. Jesus himself said he came to bring not peace but a sword. The gospel divides.***
But the division that Jesus speaks of occurs between believers and non believers; not amongst believers.
Someone who is both absorbed in the Gospel AND following them will make sure his (or her) spouse is not neglected sexually. If you are “absorbed” in the Gospel to the exclusion of sexuality, you are a failure as a spouse and thus not following the Gospel.
And no spouse has to apologize for one nanosecond about wanting or liking sex. It’s more than a treat, it’s a duty.
LOL!
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.