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The Not So Secret Rapture
reformed.org ^ | W. Fred Rice

Posted on 01/14/2011 5:57:52 PM PST by topcat54

Evangelical book catalogs promote books such as Planet Earth: The Final Chapter, The Great Escape, and the Left Behind series. Bumper stickers warn us that the vehicle’s occupants may disappear at any moment. It is clear that there is a preoccupation with the idea of a secret rapture. Perhaps this has become more pronounced recently due to the expectation of a new millennium and the fears regarding potential Y2K problems. Perhaps psychologically people are especially receptive to the idea of an imminent, secret rapture at the present time. Additionally, many Christians are not aware that any other position relative to the second coming of Jesus Christ exists. Even in Reformed circles there are numerous people reading these books. Many of these people are unaware that this viewpoint conflicts with Scripture and Reformed Theology.

(Excerpt) Read more at reformed.org ...


TOPICS: Theology
KEYWORDS: crusades; endtimes; eschatology; rapture
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To: daniel1212; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; ...
It is, but Rome's claim is based upon her infallible declaration that she is who she says she is, according to her AIM, which is infallibly declared to be infallible when speaking in accordance with her infallibly declared formula. And which presumes that she is worthy of the implicit trust that she requires.

Alrighty then.....

2,601 posted on 02/01/2011 7:59:28 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: count-your-change
It is not a matter of disagreement; it was a matter of concern for their souls and a concern that they would lead others down the same or similar paths.

Did they go too far? In some cases, no question.

However, this is something that needs to be said: a declaration of heresy or excommunication is not a condemnation to hell by the Church. It is the Pauline expulsion from the Church by those who would not act as Christians. It is rarely done.

I might if I accepted the validity of your logic and followed the example of the Popes instead of Christ’s teaching and example.

This country's early colonies were mostly iron fisted theocracies who killed and drove off those from other denominations.

2,602 posted on 02/01/2011 8:05:21 PM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: daniel1212

Good post and very interesting to follow. Thank you.


2,603 posted on 02/01/2011 8:06:59 PM PST by caww
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To: betty boop
Thank you for oh so much for your outstanding essay-post, dearest sister in Christ!

To me, it's like gunpowder.

The Chinese of course discovered gunpowder, but they didn't figure out how to put it in a barrel with a lead ball as a military weapon or hunting tool.

I'm sure there are many other such examples of the Western mind innovating from a primitive Eastern idea, discovery or invention.

2,604 posted on 02/01/2011 8:07:29 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: metmom
Instead of finger pointing, could you just actually condemn what the Catholic church did as wrong?

You give me wikipedia and ask me to blanket condemn based upon that? Why not toss in some Phil Schaff and top it off with some Paul Blanshard?

2,605 posted on 02/01/2011 8:08:38 PM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: betty boop
It made no sense to me either, dearest sister in Christ!
2,606 posted on 02/01/2011 8:10:10 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: metmom

Am enjoying following this debate...


2,607 posted on 02/01/2011 8:10:41 PM PST by caww
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To: count-your-change
Had I been consulted he might have been permanently retired much sooner, maybe that’s why I’m not in charge of such decisions.

Yeah, give Caesar's to Caesar, and Herod's to Herod or something like that. Remember though, that Paul approved of those in charge, and asked us to pray for them.

I think it was said of Herod by a contemporary that it was better to be Herod’s pig than his subject.

Hadn't heard that before. I'm not surprised, though.

2,608 posted on 02/01/2011 8:10:41 PM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: betty boop
Probably the best thing is to avoid "obsessing" of all kinds, and simply "let go and let God"....

Being guided by the Light of His Truth. No darkness can prevail against that.

Amen!

Thank God for you, dearest sister in Christ!

2,609 posted on 02/01/2011 8:26:13 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: YHAOS
Interesting. Thank you for sharing your insights, dear YHAOS!
2,610 posted on 02/01/2011 8:27:53 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: MarkBsnr
I said that they were lost. I did not say that they were damned.

Semantics. Explain the practical difference.

2,611 posted on 02/01/2011 8:28:17 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: MarkBsnr

And it did not escape my notice that you never answered one of the questions.


2,612 posted on 02/01/2011 8:29:36 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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Comment #2,613 Removed by Moderator

To: MarkBsnr

You should read this

The Secret History of the Jesuits
http://arcticbeacon.com/books/Paris-The_Secret_History_of_Jesuits%281975%29.pdf

Written by a former Jesuit Priest


2,614 posted on 02/01/2011 8:34:16 PM PST by Lera
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To: Cronos
Do you believe in double-predestination? That God pre-damns people to hell?

I do not believe it in that way. Rather, God knows the end from the beginning, right? He knows before we even existed whether we would believe in Christ or not. He predestined that those who believed would be conformed to the image of Christ. He predestined, as well, that those who rejected Christ would be condemned. In light of this, is it really wrong to say God pre-damns someone?

Again, since God knows before we are created whether we will end up in heaven or hell, based on our belief or unbelief, and he STILL allows us to be born knowing that some of us will not be with him in heaven, then, I can see why some people express this concept in this way.

Personally, I would not say it that way, that God predetermines who will believe and who will not. I wouldn't say that God intentionally creates some people to go to hell and they have no choice in the matter. I DO believe that God so loved THE WORLD, just like Jesus said, and that he gave his son that WHOSOEVER believes in him will have eternal life. It sounds to me like Jesus is saying that we must make the choice to trust in him and that God doesn't "pre-program" us to do so or not to do so.

2,615 posted on 02/01/2011 8:43:08 PM PST by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
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To: MarkBsnr

“I see. When Protestants do it, it’s okay.”

Nay, not so. In this the Reformation did not reform but only changed leadership. Murder in the name of Christ is murder.

But Catholics claim that THEY have the one true and apostolic church and must be viewed from the standpoint of their claims about themselves.

If there are Protestants justifying similar acts I would respond in the same way.

As Jesus said to the Pharisees at Luke 11:48,’You are witnesses of the deeds of your forefathers and you give consent to them, these killed the prophets and you build tombs to them’.

Anyone can go to the Catholic Encyclopedia and read the specious reasoning justifying and excusing and blame shifting ad nauseum.


2,616 posted on 02/01/2011 8:45:09 PM PST by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: MarkBsnr; Alamo-Girl; xzins; kosta50; YHAOS; James C. Bennett; Cronos; MHGinTN; metmom; ...
Why not reread the passage?

Well so I did.

And so am still wondering why you think Jesus Christ had any problem at all resisting Satan's temptations. In the first place, Jesus didn't want any of the things Satan offered him (not that any of them were in Satan's gift in the first place).

Please do clue me in on the details I'm obviously missing here, dear MarkBsnr....

2,617 posted on 02/01/2011 8:47:54 PM PST by betty boop (Seek truth and beauty together; you will never find them apart. — F. M. Cornford)
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To: MarkBsnr; metmom; Dr. Eckleburg; Quix
How do you know that you are actually following God?

You already asked that and I answered it at post 2315

If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then you can resist; if you are not truly filled, then you can succumb.

A person who does not have the Spirit indwelling him is not a Christian:

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. - Romans 8:9

And again,

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. - John 3:5-8

To your objections concerning the Trinity revelations of Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 28:19 and Romans 8:9 I aver that the words of God can only be spiritually discerned.

The people in the following passage were physically hearing Jesus but they could spiritually hear Him:

Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. – John 8:43

Lexicons, commentaries, seminaries, counselors, miracles, logic and so on will not help someone who does not have "ears to hear."

And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. - Deuteronomy 29:2-5

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: - John 10:27

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. - I Corinthians 2:14

The rest of your post is exalting the Catholic Church.

Nevertheless, again I say, to God be the glory, not man, never man.

The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. – Psalms 24:1

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard. – Psalms 19:1-3

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. - Revelation 4:11

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. - Revelation 1:7-8

2,618 posted on 02/01/2011 8:52:37 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl
1. There is a difference between a person's opinion and fact and doctrine. Too many times I see non-Catholics read a newspaper or an internet poll of 41 people and jump to conclusions

2. I've never read any CAtholic saying the Church was the author. It's always put that the Church collected and preserved scripture -- and that is the fact. The Church was the instrument by which canon was compiled. Even the reformatters believed that.
2,619 posted on 02/01/2011 8:54:04 PM PST by Cronos
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To: Cronos; Alamo-Girl; HarleyD
HD made an error as an inanimate object cannot be infallible, but it can be inerrant (which the Bible is)

I disagree. Since "infallible" is an adjective and adjectives describe nouns or pronouns, the Bible can certainly be called infallible. According to "Aunt Merriam":

infallible - 3 dictionary results

in·fal·li·ble   /ɪnˈfæləbəl/ [in-fal-uh-buhl] –adjective

1. absolutely trustworthy or sure: an infallible rule.
2. unfailing in effectiveness or operation; certain: an infallible remedy.
3. not fallible; exempt from liability to error, as persons, their judgment, or pronouncements: an infallible principle.

2,620 posted on 02/01/2011 8:54:38 PM PST by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
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To: Lera
This from the same person who posted/repeated a lie that Stalin's Georgian Orthodox seminary was run by Jesuits!!
Cronos: :"What rot are you talking about? Josef Stalin was born in Georgia, at sixteen, he received a scholarship to a Georgian Orthodox seminary, where he rebelled against the imperialist and religious order"
Lera: "He attended Theological Seminary of Tiflis, Georgia"
Cronos: he was Georgian Orthodox, this was a Georgian Orthodox seminary -- Jesuits generally don't set up Orthodox seminaries......

And he was from Georgia, the ex-Soviet state in the Caucasus, not the American one, you know.

Stop posting lies like Jesuits taught (and ran a Georgian Orthodox seminary to boot!) Josef Stalin

2,621 posted on 02/01/2011 8:56:00 PM PST by Cronos
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To: betty boop

Devils DO exist. The simplest way to know if there is a spirit at play is to pray to God, call on God, Jesus Christ and firmly tell the demon Vade retro Satana: Step back/go away Satan


2,622 posted on 02/01/2011 8:58:37 PM PST by Cronos
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To: MarkBsnr
Paul approved of those in charge? Where so and how is it “approval”??

“I think it was said of Herod by a contemporary that it was better to be Herod’s pig than his subject.”

Variations of the saying are attributed to Augustus.

2,623 posted on 02/01/2011 8:58:53 PM PST by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: Cronos; MarkBsnr; Amityschild; Brad's Gramma; Captain Beyond; Cvengr; DvdMom; firebrand; ...
If you or any other RC ,P> is claiming that the STATISTICS compiles over several years and cited here:

http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/RevealingStatistics.html#Sec4

are only from 41 people,

THAT IS A BRAZEN, UNMITIGATED FALSEHOOD.

I don't recall what the total samples would be over the several studies but IIRC, it would be several thousand, if not many thousand.

2,624 posted on 02/01/2011 9:09:20 PM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: Cronos; MarkBsnr; Amityschild; Brad's Gramma; Captain Beyond; Cvengr; DvdMom; firebrand; ...
I would also note . . . that in terms of solid statistical results, the sample size is not near as important as whether the sample is REPRESENTATIVE of the population in terms of all the variables being measured and in terms of holding all the other variables equal or random.

2,625 posted on 02/01/2011 9:11:49 PM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: betty boop
In what way did Hindu or Buddhist thought — neither of which seems to make either mind or reason even topical — shape this outcome?

I personally believe that it did influence the thought process -- a return to nothingness. It is quite a difficult concept to think of 0 and imaginary numbers (-1, i, pi etc.) and would not make sense to the practical Romans, while the Greeks were more interested in purity of numbers.

There are quite a few myths about Pythagoras, so it's difficult to separate myth from fiction. Even Egyptian thought can probably be classified as "western" -- because the entire Mediterranean basin was really one "continent" until the advent of Islam.

No worries for the little monologue -- I like reading history and linguistics. But the key point I would like to make is that even taken coldly logically, in my opinion Judeo-Christianity makes more "sense" than any other religion bar Zoroastrianism
2,626 posted on 02/01/2011 9:13:23 PM PST by Cronos
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To: betty boop
You're not missing a thing, dearest sister in Christ!
2,627 posted on 02/01/2011 9:13:44 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: HarleyD
1. a. Whatever a poster says is his opinion is his opinion, to extrapolate it to all the members of his religious group is like me taking the views of an Oneness Pentecostal and saying all Protestants believe that -- it's silly.
1.b. --> Mark hasn't ever said that "scripture contains errors" -- he has just pointed out that the Bible being an inanimate non-decision making entity is neither fallible nor infallible. However, he HAS pointed out that it is inerrant, i.e. without error. No inanimate non-decision making entity can be fallible/infallible -- that word indicates a decision making capability. however, it can be errant/inerrant AND, the Bible IS inerrant.
1.c. --> I've posted you a link to what The Church teaches -- and those are pretty clear (see post 2471 above)

2. You posted a link to an internet poll of 41 people and you think that you can extrapolate that to say 1.2 billion people think that way? That's stupid, I'm sorry to say

3. I posted a link to Catholic doctrine online and you say that you don't believe what the Church puts in writing, yet you'll believe an MSM like the Times of London? Especially when the article is wrong and only quotes excerpts from the original bishops articles and out of context -- read my post 2479 for more details

4. I posted what Dei Verbum ACTUALLY says (This is what Dei Verbum actually says: "it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error", and " For the Sacred Scriptures contain the word of God and since they are inspired really are the word of God; and it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error " --> this is NOT quoted in the Times of london article, they only refer to it and give their own interpretation of it" --> refer my post 2571 for what Dei Verbum ACTUALLY says

You aren't even reading Dei verbum yourself but quoting from a misquote. REad it if you want to posit serious scholarship instead of hearsay.


Let me repeat this

2. You posted a link to an internet poll of 41 people and you think that you can extrapolate that to say 1.2 billion people think that way?


And, let me repeat what Dei Verbum actually says once more so that you actually READ it
  1. Therefore, since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit,
  2. it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings
  3. God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.....no less serious attention must be given to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture if the meaning of the sacred texts is to be correctly worked out..
  4. The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since, especially in the sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life from the table both of God's word and of Christ's body.
  5. Therefore, like the Christian religion itself, all the preaching of the Church must be nourished and regulated by Sacred Scripture. For in the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven meets His children with great love and speaks with them;
  6. For the Sacred Scriptures contain the word of God and since they are inspired really are the word of God; and so the study of the sacred page is, as it were, the soul of sacred theology.
Get it?

If you are in any way seriously discussing, you have to admit that an internet, unscientific poll of 41 people is hardly any better than a show of hands at a discussion club and extrapolating that to 1.2 billion people is sheer stupidity.

Secondly, if you in any way want to display serious scholarship, read the Dei verbum (link above) or read the excerpts I gave you. If you want to read the REAL article that the Times of London distorts, you can download it here

2,628 posted on 02/01/2011 9:15:57 PM PST by Cronos
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Comment #2,629 Removed by Moderator

To: Cronos
I've never read any CAtholic saying the Church was the author.

I have - many times on this forum, e.g. "we wrote it."

It's always put that the Church collected and preserved scripture -- and that is the fact. The Church was the instrument by which canon was compiled.

Your words are chosen carefully and accurately ("collected" "preserved" "instrument") - you are not failing to give God the glory. And I find that encouraging.

Thank you, dear brother in Christ!

2,630 posted on 02/01/2011 9:16:57 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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Comment #2,631 Removed by Moderator

To: boatbums
That seems right to me, too, dear sister in Christ.
2,632 posted on 02/01/2011 9:18:18 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: Religion Moderator; HarleyD
Thanks RM. HD -- note that I pointed out that your's post's conclusions were non-sensical. An internet poll where anyone can vote, and one in which just 41 people voted does not constitute anything better than someone just saying "oooh... oooh". Also, quoting from a MSM article that does not even report correctly is also incorrect.

Your posts until then had had serious thought behind it
2,633 posted on 02/01/2011 9:20:59 PM PST by Cronos
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To: MarkBsnr

“However, this is something that needs to be said: a declaration of heresy or excommunication is not a condemnation to hell by the Church. It is the Pauline expulsion from the Church by those who would not act as Christians. It is rarely done”

That said, what does this from the Catechism mean in light of the above?

“1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.”617 The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs”

Heresy is a mortal sin, No? and death in a state of automatic excommunication? Well, you tell me...


2,634 posted on 02/01/2011 9:23:08 PM PST by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg; MarkBsnr; Quix; Lera; caww; HarleyD
Scripture does not show God predestining anyone to damnation

one just has to read Ezekiel 33 to realise how wrong the Calvinist false doctrine of double-predestination is.

And the OPC with it's other errors also believes this non-biblical doctrine and furthermore, the OPC condemns as damnable heretics Methodists and Pentecostals (and other Arminians) who do not follow this non-scriptural OPC teaching:
In fact the OPC says this about those who deny the non-scriptural double-predestination, God pre-damns people idea of the followers of Calvin. Hence they condemn followers of Christ like Methodists/Pentecostals etc. here is a quote from the OrthodoPresbyterianC site
Arminianism is indeed a heresy,....

The Bible teaches that Christ did his atoning work on behalf of his elect people, and no others.....

Since the teachings of Arminianism are contrary to Scripture, they are manifestly false. They are serious perversions of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Are Arminian preachers heretics? In a sense, yes,

Is Arminianism a damnable heresy? Yes.
the OPC with it’s double-predestination seems to willingly cause it’s cultists to plumb the depths of despair — since they do not believe in repentence, then anyone who fails then is told by the OPC that they were never Christian.
2,635 posted on 02/01/2011 9:28:16 PM PST by Cronos
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To: HarleyD; Cronos
Let's see.

1) I have a Catholic on this site tell me the scriptures contain errors (several times) and post the references . You ignore that.

2) I post a link to Catholic Answers that shows 40% do not believe in the inerrancy of scripture and this is illustrated by their answers. You ignore that.

3) I post an article by the Times of London that arrives at the same conclusion and you said that is wrong.

4) I post the Dei Verbum which is quoted in the Times of London and clearly shows a transition from the inerrant word of God to the Church. And your response is this is just a bunch of what the MSM says?!?

So much for serious scholarship.

Your excellent evidence once again reveals the stubborn fact that the RCC says one thing, then another, and yet another, all depending on the phase of the moon and the time of day.

For every statement of doctrine, Rome can and does produce an opposing statement of doctrine, equally affirmed.

No wonder Rome grants thousands of annulments each year. Now they're married. Now they're not.

2,636 posted on 02/01/2011 9:31:26 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Cronos

Read your Bible, Cronos. You appear stuck on one opinion of one person.

And like the pope, that person is not infallible.


2,637 posted on 02/01/2011 9:33:03 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
For every statement of doctrine, Rome can and does produce an opposing statement of doctrine, equally affirmed.

It's really rather convenient.

When they're discussing Catholic doctrine with someone, no matter what the non-Catholic says, they're always wrong.

And the Catholic can *prove* it with quotes from the CCC to back himself (or herself) up.

2,638 posted on 02/01/2011 9:37:29 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg; boatbums; Lera; Quix
Dr E, an OPCer: No Protestant damns to hell any other Christian

The OrthodoxPresbyterianC: Is Arminianism a damnable heresy? Yes.

hmmm....

So, as an OPCer, do you believe that
Arminianism is indeed a heresy,....
Are Arminian preachers heretics?
Is Arminianism a damnable heresy?.
Arminianism is the school of thought of the Methodists and Pentecostals and Baptists among others.

You can find more of it here: http://classicalarminianism.blogspot.com/2009/11/favorite-calvinistic-proof-texts-acts.html

You can see the errors of Calvinistic pre-destination by reading Acts:
“44The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “’I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”
The Gentiles believed, and were appointed for eternal life - , this is Acts 13, and Acts 10 & 11 discusses the opening of the kingdom to the Gospel.



This hurts the Calvinist OPCers who want to control so much that they post articles like this where they say that Methodists etc. preach a satanic gospel
2,639 posted on 02/01/2011 9:37:36 PM PST by Cronos
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To: metmom

There is some truth to the statement, but the Reformation was a process, yet in need of continuance, as many things from Rome that had to be unlearned, and it was those who in conscience toward God dissented from the status quo, RC or Protestant, that were most notable leaders.

And evangelical faith, despite or partly because of its diversity, was largely responsible for the moral reformation and great revivals that worked to make America the a Christian nation in the degree that it was. And rejection of Christian faith and morals is costing it greatly in souls, lives and money.


2,640 posted on 02/01/2011 9:38:51 PM PST by daniel1212 ( "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out," Acts 3:19)
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To: count-your-change
semantics, as usual....
2,641 posted on 02/01/2011 9:38:57 PM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg; kosta50
Say, didn't you write that "That's Christianity, That's Calvinism".

REmember Calvinists are not all Protestants. There are many Protestants who are not Calvinists -- like the Methodists, lutherans, pentecostals, etc.
2,642 posted on 02/01/2011 9:39:31 PM PST by Cronos
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To: metmom; MarkBsnr
Jesus said that if we love Him.... -- he also said that He was God.

I don't know why anyone would deny that
2,643 posted on 02/01/2011 9:40:36 PM PST by Cronos
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To: Cronos; HarleyD; MarkBsnr
Boat: remember there was no such thing as hell when Satan first rebelled

Cronos: How do you know that? Wasn't Satan cast down to hell? Or are you saying Satan created hell?

And here I thought you said you read the Bible! :o)

Actually, "Hell" doesn't exist just yet. If you remember after the Eden fiasco, God cursed the Devil and said he would crawl on his belly and eat the dust of the Earth. Gen. 3:14

In Luke 10:19, Jesus said Satan, as lightning fell from heaven. We know this goes back to when he first rebelled against God and led 1/3 of the angels with him. So he was cast onto the Earth. Rev. 12:9 also reiterates this.

In Job 1:7, Satan is said to be going to and fro on the Earth and walking up and down it. We know from many other Scriptures that Satan and his demons (fallen angels) are present in a spiritual realm on Earth and tempt people and sometimes, possess them. Christians are warned to be wary of his wiles.

In Jude 1:6, there are fallen angels who did not "keep their first estate" and they are in everlasting chains under darkness reserved until the great judgment.

Then after the tribulation and when Jesus rules for 1000 years on Earth, Satan is "bound" (Rev. 20:2) someplace, probably the same place the ones who are bound in chains are (Hades/Sheol). The "Beast" and the "False Prophet" have been cast into what sounds like Hell and it is at that time that I believe the actual final Hell is actually created. At the end of the millenial reign, Satan is "loosed" and he tries to start the war all over again (Rev. 20:7). This time, he doesn't get far, Rev. 20:10 says he is finally cast into Hell. His demised is spoken about:

Rev.20:7-10

When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

2,644 posted on 02/01/2011 9:44:58 PM PST by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him.)
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To: metmom

Careful there, you just might be an Anti-Semantic!


2,645 posted on 02/01/2011 9:45:29 PM PST by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: Cronos; metmom; MarkBsnr
Jesus said that if we love Him.... -- he also said that He was God.

Where does he say he is God?

2,646 posted on 02/01/2011 9:45:46 PM PST by kosta50 ("Spirit of Spirit....give me over to immortal birth so that I may be born again" -- pagan prayer)
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To: Cronos

You are quoting one man’s opinion. And by your comments, you do not appear to have read the article you’re referencing since you’ve used the terms in the article incorrectly.

And heresy is not a death sentence, Cronos, unless you’re a Protestant at the hands of the RCC which burned people at the stake for what it wrongly determined to be a transgression.

No Protestant damns to hell any other Christian. Even those who might spout heresy (like some Roman Catholics on this forum who doubt the inspiration of Scripture) may be brought to the truth, if God so wills.


2,647 posted on 02/01/2011 9:45:48 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Cronos

Do you believe Roman Catholicism is Christianity?


2,648 posted on 02/01/2011 9:46:41 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: MarkBsnr
How about a trade: 100 Jesuits for 50 Greek monks and a quantity of ouzo to be named later

I dot't know, you'll have to negotiate with Kolo on that one. :)

2,649 posted on 02/01/2011 9:48:57 PM PST by kosta50 ("Spirit of Spirit....give me over to immortal birth so that I may be born again" -- pagan prayer)
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To: metmom; Lera; MarkBsnr
Dear Metmom

We in the Catholic Church have as rule 101 that you gotta believe that Jesus Christ is God.

perhaps some may think that this is too strict a rule and they leave the Church, but we won't bend that rule: to be Catholic you must beleive Jesus = God, otherwise, bye-bye and thank you for leaving

Thank you,
Cronos

2,650 posted on 02/01/2011 9:49:13 PM PST by Cronos
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