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Don’t Worry about being “Left Behind.” Have a Holy Fear of being taken up to Judgment
http://blog.adw.org ^ | October 2, 2014 | Msgr. Charles Porter

Posted on 10/05/2014 7:44:31 AM PDT by NKP_Vet

The movie “Left Behind” opens today. And while, in a secular culture dismissive of any consequences for unbelief, we can rejoice in any salutary reminders, it is unfortunate that the reminder is riddled with questionable theology and dubious biblical interpretation.

In certain (but not all) Protestant circles, and especially among the Evangelicals, there is a strong and often vivid preoccupation with signs of the Second Coming of Christ. Many of the notions that get expressed are either erroneous or extreme. Some of these erroneous notions are rooted in a misunderstanding of the various scriptural genres. Some are rooted in reading certain Scriptures in isolation from the wider context of the whole of Scripture. And some are rooted in reading one text and disregarding others that balance it.

The Catholic approach to the end times (eschatology) is perhaps less thrilling and provocative. It does not generate “Left Behind” movie series or cause people to sell their houses and gather on hillsides waiting for the announced end. It is more methodical and seeks to balance a lot of notions that often hold certain truths in tension.

(Excerpt) Read more at blog.adw.org ...


TOPICS: Apologetics; General Discusssion; History; Theology
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To: CynicalBear

If merely disagreeing with a theology that one believes is false is considered to be “bashing”, in your view, what then are you suggesting? That Catholics simply go along with the program laid out by Protestants?

But if you believe that Monsignor Pope has set forth something more than simply disagreeing with the Protestant version of the rapture by pointing out that it enjoys no biblical support, in his view, where then is the “bashing”?


21 posted on 10/05/2014 9:11:06 AM PDT by tomsbartoo (St Pius X watch over us)
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To: CynicalBear

As a Protestant, there are many like me who don’t believe in a pre-trib rapture. I tend towards mid-trib. The Chinese Christians in 1947 expected the rapture, but got a Communist persecution instead. They weren’t prepared to suffer.


22 posted on 10/05/2014 9:22:51 AM PDT by aimhigh (1 John 3:23)
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To: plain talk

Also-

“anyone who leads children away from God- towards sin (A false teacher)- Will be condemned to hell-

So ... be vigilant, do not believe preachers that profess
to know all - especially that you are saved - because
you believe in the divinity of Christ !-

There is real evil that can seduce you to turn away
from God-


23 posted on 10/05/2014 9:39:09 AM PDT by mj1234
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To: tomsbartoo

According to Catholics disagreeing with or pointing out error in another’s beliefs is bashing. I’m just using their terminology.


24 posted on 10/05/2014 9:41:47 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: Alex Murphy

Ignorance of scripture is to be ignorant of God.


25 posted on 10/05/2014 9:42:45 AM PDT by NKP_Vet
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To: aimhigh
>>As a Protestant, there are many like me who don’t believe in a pre-trib rapture. I tend towards mid-trib.<<

That is no doubt true. And it certainly doesn't reflect on salvation. Nor will you find me scoffing or denigrating anyone with that understanding.

26 posted on 10/05/2014 9:46:16 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: NKP_Vet
Ignorance of scripture is to be ignorant of God.
The Church should combat widespread "Biblical illiteracy" among the Catholic faithful, Archbishop Eterovic said.
-- from the thread Synod to Focus on Proper Use of Scripture

According to a study released in September by Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion, evangelical Protestants are a whopping eight times more likely than Catholics to read the Bible on a weekly basis....we tip our hats to our separated brothers and sisters in Christ for their zeal for the Word of God.
-- from the online article Get Cracking, Catholics![article at the National Catholic Register]


27 posted on 10/05/2014 9:51:27 AM PDT by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: NKP_Vet

N.B.: Left Behind, at Rotten Tomatoes.

Film critic likes: 2% (of 48 reviews)

Public likes: 60% (of 8,797 reviews)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/left_behind_2014/

Other reviews of religious movies:

The Passion of the Christ, with 49% critic and 80% audience.
The Nativity Story (2006). Critics 38%. Audience 76%.
God’s Not Dead (2014). Critics 17%. Audience 81%.
Son of God (2014). Critics 17%. Audience 74%.
Persecuted (2014). Critics 0%. Audience 65%.
The Bible (2013)(TV). Critics 13%. Audience 69%.

I think I see a pattern here.


28 posted on 10/05/2014 9:52:54 AM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy ("Don't compare me to the almighty, compare me to the alternative." -Obama, 09-24-11)
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To: Alex Murphy

Never in my life have I been to a protestant church where the people in the pews got up and read the Bible. The few protestant faiths that do this, like Lutheran and Episcopalians are only copying the Catholic Church. Most baptist, pentacostal and other evangelical churches are nothing more than a self-appointed pastor (some with no training at all), pacing back and forth on the stage, beating his fist on a Bible, and telling you you’re going to hell if you don’t change. Every two of three minutes he says “can I hear an amen, then the congregation repeats “amen” ad nauseam. Most Catholics I know are like me, they bring their own Bible to church. They read the Word, and they certainly hear the Word at each and every Mass. The Catholic Church is the Rolls Royce of Christian faiths, the fallen away faiths beat up Pintos just trying to keep from blowing a gasket.


29 posted on 10/05/2014 10:06:40 AM PDT by NKP_Vet
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

The only thing I see is the “Passion of the Christ” was the only one worth seeing, both critics and public agreeing.


30 posted on 10/05/2014 10:09:34 AM PDT by NKP_Vet
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To: Louis Foxwell

The “rapture” stuff did not really come out until the 18-19th centuries.


31 posted on 10/05/2014 10:10:48 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: mj1234

Yes

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”


32 posted on 10/05/2014 10:19:11 AM PDT by plain talk
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To: NKP_Vet

....Or to use an American made car, the Catholic Church is like the Cadillac car or top of the line type of car. The Protestant churches more like the VW’s.


33 posted on 10/05/2014 10:25:51 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: Joshua; All

“Judgment occurred on a cross some 2000 years ago.”

AMEN.

We who are Christian ought to keep that in mind first and formost.


34 posted on 10/05/2014 11:13:22 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: NKP_Vet
Never in my life have I been to a protestant church where ....
Most Catholics I know are....

Ands that's all we needed to know about your post.

35 posted on 10/05/2014 11:34:43 AM PDT by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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Comment #36 Removed by Moderator

To: NKP_Vet
>>The Catholic Church is the Rolls Royce of Christian faiths, the fallen away faiths beat up Pintos just trying to keep from blowing a gasket.<<

And they say Catholics are like the pharisees. Pffft

37 posted on 10/05/2014 2:15:55 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: NKP_Vet
Most baptist, pentacostal and other evangelical churches are nothing more than a self-appointed pastor (some with no training at all), pacing back and forth on the stage, beating his fist on a Bible, and telling you you’re going to hell if you don’t change.

And I'm sure every catholic priest is well versed in the Hebrew and Greek and can parse the verses correctly. If their not doing this then they aren't "properly" trained.

Most catholics I know have not committed Scripture to memory.

They don't identify as followers of Christ, but rather identify as Catholic.

Most catholic theology I've seen takes Scripture out of context and twists it to mean something not supported by the text.

A lot of catholic theology is not biblical: priests cannot be married, you can lose your salvation, you can only receive forgiveness through a priest, worship of mary, you have to believe the catechism, etc.

before you start bashing protestant churches it'd be best if the catholic church searched its own beliefs and lined them up with the bible.

I'm not sure what churches you claim to have been to and we have to way to corroborate or deny your claim but John 3:16 states:

For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

that is what keeps you out of hell.

38 posted on 10/05/2014 2:38:40 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: CynicalBear
>>As a Protestant, there are many like me who don’t believe in a pre-trib rapture. I tend towards mid-trib.<<

That is no doubt true. And it certainly doesn't reflect on salvation. Nor will you find me scoffing or denigrating anyone with that understanding.

One thing is for certain....we're gonna find out one way or the other!

39 posted on 10/05/2014 2:40:28 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: ealgeone
>>One thing is for certain....we're gonna find out one way or the other!<<

True that!! And the way things are going rather soon I'm thinking.

40 posted on 10/05/2014 2:45:06 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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