12 Claims Every Catholic Should Be Able to Answer; Claim 2

CERC ^ | Deal Hudson

[NYer]

Freedom of speech is a great thing. Unfortunately, it comes at an unavoidable price: When citizens are free to say what they want, theyll sometimes use that freedom to say some pretty silly things. And thats the case with the 12 claims were about to cover.

Some of them are made over and over, others are rare. Either way, while the proponents of these errors are free to promote them, we as Catholics have a duty to respond.

2.  "Christianity is no better than any other faith. All religions lead to God."

If you haven't heard this one a dozen times, you don't get out much. Sadly enough, the person making this claim is often himself a Christian (at least, in name).

The problems with this view are pretty straightforward. Christianity makes a series of claims about God and man: That Jesus of Nazareth was God Himself, and that he died and was resurrected — all so that we might be free from our sins. Every other religion in the world denies each of these points. So, if Christianity is correct, then it speaks a vital truth to the world — a truth that all other religions reject.

This alone makes Christianity unique.

But it doesn't end there. Recall Jesus' statement in John's Gospel:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." In Christianity, we have God's full revelation to humanity. It's true that all religions contain some measure of truth — the amount varying with the religion. Nevertheless, if we earnestly want to follow and worship God, shouldn't we do it in the way He prescribed?

If Jesus is indeed God, then only Christianity contains the fullness of this truth.

[tomsbartoo]

I didn’t say Protestants couldn’t; I said they shouldn’t. There’s a big difference.

[tomsbartoo]

I agree and I apologize.

[Grateful2God]

The Koran contains what is known as the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. My guess is that Mohammed believed himself to be a descendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham, with Hagar. Whatever the reason, it's in there.

[MamaB]

Why not? It is a discussion site which means everyone can post. Y’all want to say things that have no Bible basis with no discussion. What are y’all afraid of?

[hlmencken3]

The Koran contains what is known as the Pentateuch

Like the Christian Bible contains the Five Books of Moses? Or do you mean the Koran contains some similar characters about whom somewhat similar stories are told?

[boatbums]

The problems with this view are pretty straightforward. Christianity makes a series of claims about God and man: That Jesus of Nazareth was God Himself, and that he died and was resurrected — all so that we might be free from our sins. Every other religion in the world denies each of these points. So, if Christianity is correct, then it speaks a vital truth to the world — a truth that all other religions reject. This alone makes Christianity unique.

What really makes Christianity unique from every other religion in the world is that it is not what man must do for God but what God has done for man. All religions teach that man must do certain things in order to earn or merit God's favor - though some do not believe there IS a personal God, or a single, true God. Whether the goal is heaven, nirvana, god-consciousness or happy-hunting-ground, man "binds his way back to" God. Christianity is alone in teaching God binds man back to Himself by grace and what we are required to do is believe, have faith, that He is our savior. We do not earn, merit, work for or deserve the grace God bestows on His elect. That's what grace is and it sets Christianity apart from all manmade religions.

[CynicalBear]

>>I have just as much right to interpret Scripture for myself as you do.<<

I don't interpret scripture. I let scripture do that. If you think the sign in Revelation 12 is Mary then you run into problems with Old Testament prophesy.

You can start with Genesis 37 where the stars bow down. Throughout scripture Israel is spoken of as a woman who will bring forth a man child. Isaiah 54. Isaiah 66 says Zion travailed and gave birth to a man child. The woman in Revelation 12 is Israel.

[tomsbartoo]

I read your post too quickly and thought it was a cynical comment (your name?).
So please forgive me and let me attempt an answer.

Catholics believe that the bread and wine, after consecration, do become the Real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Catholics believe in what is called “Transubstantiation”. That means, the the “substance” of the bread is changed into the “substance” of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Similarly, the “substance” of the wine is changed into the “substance” of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. At the same time the “accidents” (appearance) of both the bread and wine remain. Note that each substance becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Here, the words “substance” and “accidents” are used as philosophical terms that one would read in the writings of philosophers like St Thomas Aquinas.

Much more could be said in this regard and I’ll be happy to try and answer any other question you might have on it, but I do believe I’ve answered your question. Again, I do apologize for my snarky comment and I’ll try to avoid that in the future.

[CynicalBear]

I don’t debate that. It makes no difference to believers. They are either asleep as some believe or in heaven as others believe. It makes no difference to salvation. It’s not important to me. Trying to communicate with those who have left this world is another matter and is condemned.

[CynicalBear]

Yeah, I understand what Catholics believe and have studied it. Catholics still consider it the real physical blood of Jesus. What Catholics won’t acknowledge is that eating blood was and still is commanded by God NOT to be eaten. Jesus was born under the law. He lived prior to His death and resurrection in submission to those Old Testament laws. If Jesus ate blood and encouraged His apostles to do so He sinned against the law. That makes Jesus into a sinner and not the sinless man scripture speaks of. The admonition to not eat blood was reiterated by the apostles for the New Testament saints in Acts 15.

[Grateful2God]

Thank you for the link! Did you read it in its entirety? Tell me, who is that with the Holy Father, Pope John Paul? Where did you get that picture? You should cite them so we can find out. What was the caption? I've seen it before by other posters, but that information is elusive.

[tomsbartoo]

It’s not a fear thing; its a “so what” thing. If Protestant simply come on to point out how wrong the Church is in their view, what can I say? If that’s what you believe’ that;s what you believe. I’m certianly not going to try to cionvince you otherwise.

But my comments were intially directed toward Catholics with whom we have differences withon our own faith. those difference should be defended or rejected on the basis of the truths of our religion––not Protestantism. Quite frankly, I don’t believe I’d ever be able to convince a Protestant why they were wrong, no more tha they could convince me why I was wrong.

I go on this site to debate Catholic issues with Catholics. Bt that is not to say that I am afraid of debating Protestants about the Catholic faith, I’m just not interested. Clearly, if a Protestant asked me a specific question about the Catholic faith I’d do my best to try to answer their question.

[tomsbartoo]

Well I guess I can only answer by saying Catholics have very different beliefs than you have expressed.

[tomsbartoo]

Let me see how can I say this without sounding rude. If you, as Protestant, do not want to believe that, or any other Catholic teaching, then don’t. I would never have any illusions about somehow or another being able to convince you that the teachings of the Catholic Church are true. As I told MamaB, that is not why I come on this site. Read Post #104 I sent to MamaB.

[CynicalBear]

That picture has been discussed at length here. It’s legit. Even Catholics had to admit that. It’s the pope making nice with the Muslims.

[CynicalBear]

>>Bt that is not to say that I am afraid of debating Protestants about the Catholic faith, I’m just not interested.<<

I would then suggest you stay with Catholic caucus threads. I do find in interesting that you don't mention scripture as your defence of what you believe.

[CynicalBear]

>>Well I guess I can only answer by saying Catholics have very different beliefs than you have expressed.<<

Is scripture totally irrelevant to you?

[boatbums]

Yes, Jesus Christ did die for our sins, but notice his inclusion of the phrase “and was resurrected”. That was never part of Catholic belief before Vatican II. That is the so-called “Pascal Mystery” language that was added with the Novus Ordo Mass. Before the N.O., Catholics were taught that the “Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” (now the “Eucharistic Celebration”) was a re-creation of Calvary, and that His death on the Cross alone sufficed as expiation for our sins. But with the Protestanized version we are now taught to believe that the Crucifixion and death of Our Dear Lord Jesus Christ was not enough––but that it was necessary for Jesus to be resurrected as well.

I guess Paul was "Protestanized" then, because he said:

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (I Cor. 15:1-32)

[MamaB]

Thank you.

[tomsbartoo]

What’s with you protestants? If you don’t want to be a Catholic then don’t be a Catholic. If you think some Protestant religion is the true religion, then have at it. But what makes you want to prove to me, a Catholic, that the Catholic religion is wrong? I really don’t care what you think. Don’t you understand that? I don’t have thing against you or your religion, but I really could care less what you think about the Catholic religion.

But if you ever see me hit up on some post that expresses some Protestant belief that I disagree with, then come back at me and tell me how stupid I am for telling someone from another religion how wrong their religion is. And you know what, I’m sure I’ll completely agree with you. But honestly, don’t expect to see that critical comment from me anytime too soon.