Christian unity demands encounter – not theory, says Pope

EWTN News/CNA ^ | Jan 25, 2015 | Ann Schneible

[Grateful2God]

More than “theoretical discussions,” what unites Christians is encounter, and a willingness to “challenge one another,” said Pope Francis as he marked the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“Christian unity will not be the fruit of subtle theoretical discussions in which each party tries to convince the other of the soundness of their opinions,” the Pope said during vespers at Saint Paul Outside the Walls Basilica on Jan. 25.

“To plumb the depths of the mystery of God, we need one another, we need to encounter one another and to challenge one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who harmonizes diversities and overcomes conflicts,” he said. ...

...“So many past controversies between Christians can be overcome when we put aside all polemical or apologetic approaches, and seek instead to grasp more fully what unites us, namely, our call to share in the mystery of the Father’s love revealed to us by the Son through the Holy Spirit.” ...

[Salvation]

**As a former Catholic (I born into the RCC) I wondered the same things as you; how people could be so prejudiced and filled with hatred toward the RCC. I figured if there was so much hatred toward the RCC that the RCC must be the true church and satan was using this hatred to destroy us.**

Satan is still working through lots of people. Got anything in your eye right now?

[Salvation]

You belive in Scripture, correct?

 

Then why don't you believe this?

 

John 21: (We'll be using the KJV today to keep things on even footing): "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

 

The Bible Itself declares that it doesn't contain everything.

[RnMomof7]

Those are not apostolic succession

[Salvation]

John 20

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

[RnMomof7]

DID ...not said.. this is clearly referring to His miracles..not His teaching

[Salvation]

Teaching came from Christ; it’s what he did. Why do you disown Christ?

[Al Hitan]

Remember that Satan deceived Eve by ADDING to the scripture...

Where in Scripture does it say Satan deceived Eve by "adding to the scripture".

[RnMomof7]

Can you not understand that all the things that Jesus did had to have included speech as well? .”

Did it really??...then why did not the Holy Spirit say that ??

One of the things He did with the woman at the well was to tell her to “go and sin no more.”

Yea that WAS WRITTEN

John clearly says DID... not said or taught ...

[kosciusko51]

Thank you for the Schaffer article. Good food for thought.

[RnMomof7]

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

pretty clear what John is saying

[Petrosius]

Those are not apostolic succession

‘May another take his office.’…

Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

Matthias clearly succeeded Judas in his office of apostle. In the Council of Jerusalem the presbyters were sharing in the office of the apostles in teaching in the name of the Holy Spirit. One cannot claim the authority of the Bible without recognizing that the Bible itself proclaims a visible and authoritative teaching office in the church.

[SumProVita]

Ohhh good grief! I did not add to the scripture.

When I ask the question, “What did he do?,” it can be answered in several ways according to the circumstances. Examples: He sent her to tell the rest of the village. ...or... He said, “Go and tell the others.”

[SumProVita]

Yea that WAS WRITTEN

____________________

Actually, the Scriptures tell us that it was SPOKEN. I believe the Scriptures.

[SumProVita]

Oops... Post #52 was meant to be directed to you.

[Tao Yin]

Where in Scripture does it say Satan deceived Eve by "adding to the scripture".

Genesis 3:3 "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die."

God never mentioned touching leading to death.

[CynicalBear]

>>Of course, the disagreement is all some will ever want to talk about.<<

And just what was it that you thought "repent" meant when they said to "repent" to become a follower of Christ?

[BlueDragon]

When I commented towards you this

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3251048/posts?page=22#22

I had a disquieted feeling about it, even as I was offering it as note of agreement towards the simplicity of what you an G2G both had appeared to be agreeing upon.

Coming back to this thread and seeing this;

Please ping me if a single Prot / Evang / Bible Christian of good will actually shows up to post to this thread.

was like a slap in the face, to me.

As far as comments lacking goodwill as it were, there is a bit of the usual whining indulged in by one particular FRoman --- who's premises of complaint could just as easily be turned right back the other way (and direction) around --- for I until coming to the religion forum of FR I never realized what the depths of hatreds there were for Protestants and Evangelicals (that last, more particularly) that there truly was, among a seemingly wide sampling of Roman Catholics, despite how well camouflaged by passive-aggressive posturing, the bitterness and hatreds can at times be.

[Grateful2God]

“So many past controversies between Christians can be overcome when we put aside all polemical or apologetic approaches, and seek instead to grasp more fully what unites us, namely, our call to share in the mystery of the Father’s love revealed to us by the Son through the Holy Spirit.” ...

This is what the post was about! Please read it! Don’t you have something in your heart to give God gratitude, love, thanks, my Lord, other Christians are being killed for their Faith by others who hate Christianity. Be grateful for the life God gave you that brought you to Jesus! This is about what we have in common!

[drone]

*Satan is still working through lots of people. Got anything in your eye right now?*
So much for Catholic goodwill. Comment 31 was to share what I learned while living as a Catholic.

It became clear to me as I studied scripture that there were a lot of extra conditions added by the RCC that simply had no backing in the bible. Each of us have the responsiblilty to test every word of the bible and every word of the Catholic Catechism. Be truthful and open to God’s word and you’ll find what I found, the truth.

My thinking is that either the bible is right in all or it’s all wrong. Whether its 6 day creation, priests marrying, pope infallability, Jesus rising from the dead; either its in the bible or its not true. I’m simply learning to rely on God’s inspired word.

[Grateful2God]

"Pope Francis’ address was largely focused on Saint John’s Gospel account of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. “He has no problem dealing with Samaritans, who were considered by the Jews to be heretics, schismatics, separated,” the Pope said. “His attitude tells us that encounter with those who are different from ourselves can make us grow.” OK! You proved the point! You're on a journey, and Catholicism was not for you. By dialogue with others you learned what you find peace with in your life! Peace is one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit! My path is Catholicism. I chose that for myself. That doesn't mean we can't be charitable to one another, correct? I'm not here to convert nor condemn- are you thankful for your life, family, the capacity to love, the ability to read Scripture? There are people in the world to whom literacy is not a priority, because they are starving, deathly ill, away from their families... A Christian commonality can be the praise of God together, thanksgiving to Him, compassion for those less fortunate. Compassion-didn't Jesus feel pity for the hungry crowds, and fed them by a miracle? Or weep at Lazarus' death and the sorrow of his family? Who of us wouldn't? Then do we not have that in common? As followers of Jesus, together, we can grow in love and kindness!