CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY MARCH 12, 2013 THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH THIS WEEKS BEGINS THE PROCES

CalThomas.com ^ | March 12 2013 | Cal Thomas

[Responsibility2nd]

Totally.

[BipolarBob]

Allow me to close this discussion thusly:
No thanks, I'll keep posting if I want to. The moderators can close it but not you.

One is free to believe or not believe as they choose. Once again, so what?
If you really believe that, why did you feel the need to respond to me? No need to respond. Just allow me to close this discussion between us. )

[FourtySeven]

Yes [using smoke signals to convey information is blasphemy]
Have you read the books of Numbers and Exodus?

No, I haven't. I'm a good Catholic. I don't read the Bible.

< SARC >

[LukeL]

When the 11 Apostles were chosing Judas’ replacement they drew lots. Drawing of lots was also done in the Old Testament.

[Ray76]

Please explain.

[Responsibility2nd]

Please explain yourself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

I prefer to let the Bible explain itself. Read 2 Peter 1:21 for a basic beginning.

[Old Yeller]

The only sinless person born was Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Show us where it says that in the Bible, otherwise it's just a Catholic Church doctrine giving them an excuse to worship Mary.

[Responsibility2nd]

You know Christians base our faith on the Word of God. Not the traditions of men.

You know there is no place in the Bible that identifies an office of Pope, nor suggests a smoke-signal method of choosing new ones.

And you further know your “Please explain” remarks indicate a shocking lack of Biblical and religous understanding on your part.

Read the Gospels. Read Acts, Romans and the letters to the churches. Disregard man-made doctrines that are not found in Scripture (like smoke-signals) and you’ll soon easily see the pathway to becoming a Christian.

[diamond6]

Thank you for being so courteous in our discussion. We have something in common. Despite our differences, we all should unite because there is a war going on, and the devil is gaining a huge foothold in the world. Yes God wins in the end, but the enemy is going to take as many souls down with him as he can.

The more united christians of all denominations become the harder it is for satan.

I pray God bless you and makes His face shine upon you and give you His peace.

I hope you have a wonderful day Luke. :)

[SpirituTuo]

Luke, you are right, and I hope, people recognize Jesus as the Christ and turn to Him for their salvation!

However, as to your pastor, the difference is how we worship. Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans, worship sacramentally. By that, a priest is required to lead the people, and administer the sacraments (there is variation amongst the denominations).

Non-sacramental worship involves praying, preaching, and fellowship, and thus no need for a sacrificing priesthood.

[Old Yeller]

I’m Catholic, and I often go directly to Jesus when I pray. I also often go to his mother because I love her and Jesus listens to her.

As in, "cmon Jesus, you HAVE to do what Mary says because she is your mother"? Jesus is the Creator. Mary is the created. Mary worships Jesus because she knows he is God. I doubt very much that she can make any demands of him, otherwise, she would be God.

[diamond6]

Mary: “Son they have no wine”
Jesus to Mary: “My times has not yet come”.
Mary to the servants: “Do whatever He tells you”.

That is hardly sounding demanding. She sounded perfectly resigned to his most holy will.

[xzins]

Hoax

I, too, was concerned with that.

The error in the first sentence was a red flag for me. Cal Thomas doesn't normally do that:

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH THIS WEEKS BEGINS THE PROCESS OF SELECTING ANOTHER POPE. THE MEDIA SEEM FOCUSED ON THE POLITICS AND THE SEX SCANDALS. WHAT THEY ARE NOT FOCUSING ON IS CHURCH DOCTRINE.

Also, Cal Thomas is generally a conservative but calm voice. This doesn't sound like him, either.

If some kind of hoax or error comes out, then I'll be open to reconsidereing.

[DManA]

Thanks. I’m really comfortable with it.

[Ray76]

Matthew 16

Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Simon is renamed by Jesus. “I will give to thee (Peter) the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.”

Peter is chosen by Jesus to be his representative on earth.

John 21

And when they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, dost thou care for me more than these others? Yes, Lord, he told him, thou knowest well that I love thee. And he said to him, Feed my lambs. And again, a second time, he asked him, Simon, son of John, dost thou care for me? Yes, Lord, he told him, thou knowest well that I love thee. He said to him, Tend my shearlings. Then he asked him a third question, Simon, son of John, dost thou love me? Peter was deeply moved when he was asked a third time, Dost thou love me? and said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou canst tell that I love thee. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.

Peter’s apostolic commision is again conferred.

Peter went to Rome to teach. He was the leader of the church in Rome. The commission has been handed down to those that succeeded him.

[old and tired]

I myself am very against the traditions of man and always go back the he scrpiture. Christ said he never changed, yet the Church it self has changed many times, adding to what is needed, required, etc. This just isn't against the Catholic Church, it goes for the Orthodox faiths and Anglican faiths as well.

I think where I would differ with you would be that Traditions are unavoidable. Even in - as most non-Catholic Christians say - the compilation of the Bible. It was either compiled and codified through a sacred Tradition or a Catholic Church Council. Catholics like to think it was both. ;)

And even just for purposes of Christian worship, Tradition comes into play. I know not all Christians celebrate Dec. 25 as the birth of Christ, but many of us do. Likewise, the first Sunday after the first full moon of Spring is most's Easter. Catholics not only don't have a problem with Tradition, we embrace it.

[CTrent1564]

LukeL

Nobody prays to a person in the way you are understanding it. The Catholic CHurch believes in the COmmunion of Saints, thus the saints in heaven can and due pray for us just as we can pray for family members and friends here on earth. Unless of course, when your spouse, mother and father ask you to pray for them, you are so much a fundie that you tell them to take a hike and pray for themselves.

[Responsibility2nd]

The Bible makes clear the plan for church leadership. Read 1 Timothy 3 and other similar passages. Its all about Elders and Deacons.

Thats it. Simple, huh?

Why some wanna go and add in popes and smoke-signals and all that is beyond belief. Certainly beyond the Bible.

[diamond6]

I just want to put this out there. There is a great radio show (and website) called Catholic Answers. You can listen to podcast via Itunes. A large percentage of callers are protestant, some call just to challenge but most call because they want to get their facts straight. So many are misinformed on what the church REALLY teaches. I’ve learned so much about my faith through this program. If you have questions, this might be the show for you. You can call in daily and speak to an expert.... or not. :)

http://www.catholic.com/radio/podcast/podcast

[SpirituTuo]

Actually, you fail to demonstrate the reasonability of your statements when asked.

Simply, you suggest that unless something is specifically written in the Bible, and not a “Catholic” Bible, then it is to be viewed negatively.

You do know that the word “Trinity” exists nowhere in the Bible, right? We could go on and on about what is and isn’t in the Bible, like voting, but it would be absurd. But you know that.

Since the Bible didn’t exist as a unified document until 393, it couldn’t provide instructions on how it was to be assembled. So, by your logic, we couldn’t have a Bible, as it wouldn’t be Scriptural.

If you wish to have a discussion, be prepared to explain your statements. Replies with “Read the Gospels” don’t explain what YOU think. Rather, having read the Gospels, there are different opinions, so explain yours.