http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/protestant/ en-us Sun, 9 Nov 2008 23:15:50 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2129021/posts Issue: In the 1500s, Protestant Reformers claimed to have divine guidance in attempting to restore the order, truth and unity of the early Christian Church. Does the Bible and other historical evidence support their claim? Response: No. As the Bible and other historical evidence testify, Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church. While some of the Church’s leaders and practices (not doctrines) were in need of reform in the 1500s, the Protestant Reformation erred in rejecting the visible papal authority that God provided to establish and maintain order, truth and unity in His Church (cf. Jn. 17:20-23). In seeking Christ without His... CUF http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2129021/posts#comment Sun, 9 Nov 2008 23:15:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2107305/posts Received via email: Dear Sisters and Brothers, The Supreme Court of California has determined that all citizens of our state should have equal access to marriage as a civil right based in our state constitution. The Court's ruling provides the Church with an opportunity to reflect on our own theology of marriage. In the Diocese of Los Angeles, we have sought to provide the Church's blessing to all the baptized people of God. . Among those are people who have sought to have same-sex relationships blessed in the community of faith. I know that the acceptance of same-sex unions has... Stand Firm http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2107305/posts#comment Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:10:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2091164/posts In Galatians, Paul boasts of boldly denouncing Cephas for allowing Judaizers from Jerusalem to bully Gentiles. This scene is often cited to undermine the claim of papal infallibility, asserting that Peter, whose was actually named “Cephas” by Christ, committed heresy. I’ve argued against this on the basis that the bible actually doesn’t tell us that Cephas proclaimed heresy, only that he committed the sin of allowing false teaching to go uncorrected. Certainly that is a common sin among recent church leaders. No-one disputes the fact that Peter was really named “Cephas.” The gospel of John makes clear that “Peter” (or,... FR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2091164/posts#comment Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:27:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2088399/posts Internationally Recognized Egyptian Geologist/Cleric Zaghloul Al-Naggar on Al-Jazeera: Old, New Testaments Are Forgeries In an interview with Al-Jazeera TV, prominent Egyptian geologist and cleric Dr. Zaghloul Ragheb Al-Naggar called Egypt's ruling party "illegal and unconstitutional," and said that the Old and New Testaments were "forgeries" and that "the things the Old Testament says about the creation of Man are completely wrong."Dr. Al-Naggar, who holds a Ph.D. in geology from Wales University, U.K., is a member of the Geological Society of London, the Geological Society of Egypt, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has lectured at... MEMRI/Al-Jazeera http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2088399/posts#comment Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:35:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2086339/posts Catholic Church Challenges Protestants on why they worship on Sunday when the correct Biblical day is SaturdayPart 1 Most Christians assume that Sunday is the biblically approved day of worship. The Roman Catholic Church protests that it transferred Christian worship from the biblical Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday, and that to try to argue that the change was made in the Bible is both dishonest and a denial of Catholic authority. If Protestantism wants to base its teachings only on the Bible, it should worship on Saturday. Over one hundred years ago the Catholic Mirror ran a series of articles... Biblstudy.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2086339/posts#comment Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:23:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2077786/posts Adding Insult to Injury: Africa, AIDS, and Victim-Blaming By Chuck Colson 9/5/2008 Approximately 30 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are thought to be infected with the HIV virus. Unlike the West, from the start, HIV/AIDS in Africa has ravaged the non-drug-using heterosexual population. Let me put it this way: People whose Western counterparts are not at risk for HIV/AIDS have been the epidemic’s principal victims in Africa. Why? This has prompted many people to blame the victims in ways that played on the worst racial stereotypes and prejudices: Researchers and experts argued that “Africans were simply incapable of being anything... Breakpoint http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2077786/posts#comment Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:49:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2077169/posts The story of Mary will be told once again this Christmas time. But what is the Bible's teaching about Mary? The biblical viewpoint The Bible believes in a Divine Saviour, and a Divine Saviour can be expected to come in a remarkable way. It is a presupposition of New Testament thought which needs no argument, nor many references. The only accounts we have in the New Testament of the virgin conception of Jesus appear in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14) and in the course of his careful research (Luke 1:1-4) he probably... Free Church Of Scotland http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2077169/posts#comment Mon, 8 Sep 2008 09:01:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075706/posts When comments from old sermons thrust the Rev. Jeremiah Wright unfavorably into the national spotlight during the Democratic primaries, the Chicago pastor maintained wide support among black churchgoers who have admired him for decades. And few black churches have stayed more loyal than Elmwood United Presbyterian in East Orange, where Wright next Sunday will begin a weeklong church revival, titled "Recapturing Our Prophetic Voice." He has led revivals there every September since 1989. Wright's ties to the church come from his 22-year friendship with the Rev. Robert Burkins, Elmwood Presbyterian's longtime pastor. The two met in the mid-1980s, when Wright,... star ledger http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075706/posts#comment Sat, 6 Sep 2008 00:38:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2066212/posts In 1943 during WW2, an army Sgt., Ed Davis, was working in Iran near the Turkish border, in charge of locals hired by our army to build a road through Iran to the Soviet border, which would carry supplies to the Soviets instead of flying them in. In short, Ed did a tremendous favor for a little Kurdish village near Ararat. His workers were mostly Kurds and the chief of the village came to Ed and asked if he would like to see Noah's Ark. He said the summer on the mountain had been hottest in many years and the... http://rsanoa.home.comcast.net/~rsanoa/ark_summary.htm http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2066212/posts#comment Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:59:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2066871/posts The denial of the One True Church:"John to the seven Churches that are in Asia..." Rev 1:4 "Anyone can see from the very beginning of Christianity that there were many denominations, for the Bible is 'very clear' to show us this in that verse, and in many others!" This is what I have been told by those who refuse to believe that the Catholic Church is the one true Church which Jesus Christ founded. It is too bad that non-Catholics cannot understand the fact that all of those Churches were founded by the Apostles who were all infused with the... Catholic Treasure Chest http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2066871/posts#comment Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:36:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2066647/posts When a group of Joseph Ratzinger's former students congratulated him on the day after his 2005 inauguration as Pope Benedict XVI, the new pope greeted them with a piece of happy news. "The first thing he said to us was, ‘We will continue the Schulerkreis,'" recalled the Rev. D. Vincent Twomey, an Irish theologian who studied under Ratzinger at the University of Regensburg in the 1970s. The Schulerkreis, or "student circle," is a seminar/retreat that Benedict holds with his ex-graduate students every summer. This year's session will be held Aug. 30, at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence southeast of... Journal Now http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2066647/posts#comment Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:23:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2054983/posts The Catholic historian, A. Dufourcq, called the papacy of 1447 to 1527, la papauté princière, “the papacy of princes.”[1] This trenchant appellation conveys Fr. Maurice Sheehan’s meaning when he says “these popes were more men of culture or rulers than popes.”[2] Regardless of the scandalous particulars of their military extravagances, personal profligacy, or political intrigues, what is common to these popes is that “they had other interests, other things on their minds besides being pope.”[3] Therein lies the problem. In explaining how the Renaissance Papacy was a cause of the Reformation, we should not fall into a monism, as if... Brother André Marie’s Theology Weblog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2054983/posts#comment Fri, 1 Aug 2008 17:40:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2041913/posts A Protestant church in Georgia has added a drive-thru service, says the Post Bulletin. By the time the Rev. Norman Markle started his sermon, everyone was still in their vehicles -- just as planned. The 150-year-old New Hope United Methodist Church is offering a drive-in service, hoping to attract new visitors with an unusual worship experience. "Maybe they don't have a church or don't care to get dressed up to go to church; let's find a way to eliminate all that," Markle said. "People go where they're comfortable." The service has all the markings of traditional worship -- hymns, a... CMR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2041913/posts#comment Mon, 7 Jul 2008 17:09:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040899/posts Royden Wood leaves the courthouse with his wife Linda yesterday after being charged with six new counts of sexual assault. (Mike Hensen, Sun Media) Already awaiting sentencing on 12 charges, a former London pastor was back in court yesterday -- charged with six counts of sexual assault.   Royden Wood, former pastor of London's Ambassador Baptist Church, was released after a bail hearing with conditions, a $10,000 deposit and his employer acting as a surety.  Wood declined comment as he left the court, holding his wife's hand and accompanied by his employer, Earl Dunn, owner of a Muskoka-area marina where... the london free press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2040899/posts#comment Fri, 4 Jul 2008 23:55:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2034176/posts Oh No! The Catholic haters will hate this article! I doubt whether they will be posting their vile remarks on this thread! CBS11 News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2034176/posts#comment Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:45:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2006898/posts WASHINGTON (Map, News) - District Heights Mayor James L. Walls, also an associate minister at a local church, will keep his jobs, for now, after being charged with soliciting a male prostitute in the District of Columbia early Thursday morning, his colleagues said. The 30-year-old fast-rising black political star — he holds positions with nationwide civic groups and the local NAACP chapter, among others — has been charged with solicitation for lewd and immoral purposes after he allegedly attempted to pick up an undercover District officer who was posing as a male prostitute around 12:30 a.m. at Sixth and F... Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2006898/posts#comment Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:55:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039677/posts Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have condemned sexual predators and are urging churches to flush out molesters using federal background checks. But a simple search on the convention's Web site shows they have yet to purge their own house of predators. SBC's MinisterSearch, a Web database for finding clergy members, contains the names of pastors both indicted and convicted of sexual abuse. Among them is a former Cordova pastor charged in October with rape and sexual battery. "It's a double standard," said David Brown, an abuse victim and coordinator for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests in... Commercial Appeal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039677/posts#comment Wed, 2 Jul 2008 12:03:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039760/posts Wedding customs of the faithful range from solemn to colorful In the big picture of life, all weddings are the same — they're about two people joining their lives (and families) together. But, of course, all weddings are a little bit different, too, based on the couple's background and preferences. Those who opt for a civil ceremony might want a simple exchange of vows at the county courthouse or an elaborate gathering with the wedding party dressed in period costumes. Protestant weddings also can vary, depending on the denomination, church and officiating clergy. Some faiths (Catholic) have a lot of... Evansville Courier & Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2039760/posts#comment Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:18:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038966/posts A High Point pastor faces misdemeanor charges after being accused of soliciting sex online. Randleman police said they arrested Otis Durham outside the Wal-Mart here at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Durham, 55, is pastor of the Sandy Ridge United Methodist Church in High Point. He was charged with solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of crimes against nature and is free on a $1,000 bond. Det. R.K. Hardy said today that a Randleman woman contacted police Friday after getting an unwanted sexual solicitation online. Hardy said he posed online as the woman and arranged for a time and place to meet the... news record http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2038966/posts#comment Tue, 1 Jul 2008 03:34:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2021639/posts Nondenominational Adjective 1. Not restricted to a particular religious denomination; "a nondenominational church". Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. ___________________________________________ Unfortunately, our previous nondenominational caucus got deleted for unknown reasons. To clarify for all... before I get accused of belonging to a denomination, I departed the Free Methodist Church in Sept, where I pastored, and have not yet found a new church. Unable to participate in any caucus threads, I think there needs to be a place for non denominational Christians I would like to use this caucus to begin accumulating names for a... websters online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2021639/posts#comment Mon, 26 May 2008 23:21:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2020540/posts Journey to the Truth May 23rd, 2008 by Anna Pier Day I argued with the priest — the strong-willed one — who sat opposite me in the confessional. For every argument I presented, though, his response was the same: a calm, understanding, but firm, “There are no exceptions to the Church’s teaching against contraception.”Truth be told, if the Church had been less wise and had made exceptions, our family situation might have qualified as one. A few months earlier, after the birth of our youngest son, I had suffered from an acute depression with accompanying suicidal thoughts and a brief... Catholic Exchange http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2020540/posts#comment Sat, 24 May 2008 01:26:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2018713/posts Pope: From the Greek word papas, a term of endearment meaning "papa" or "daddy." With the recent, historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the U.S., many Christians may be wondering what exactly Catholics believe about the robed figure with the German accent and his line of predecessors. Why do Catholics have a Pope? Do Catholics worship him? Is his authority political, spiritual, or is he just a figurehead?While I had a basic understanding of the Catholic papacy before his visit, I didn't fully grasp it. So, in an effort to better understand this central figure in Christendom and... Crosswalk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2018713/posts#comment Tue, 20 May 2008 17:10:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2017568/posts Ecumenical (and hence “infallible”) Council of the Roman Catholic Church, said the following: It firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart "into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels" [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit... A&O http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2017568/posts#comment Sun, 18 May 2008 04:46:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2017392/posts Refutation of Protestant Polemicist William Webster's Critique ofCatholic Tradition and Newmanian Development of Doctrine  Dave Armstrong  vs. William Webster  William Webster is a prolific opponent of the Catholic Church and author of  many papers and published books along these lines. This is a response to his Internet essay,  Rome's New and Novel Concept of Tradition: Living Tradition (Viva Voce - Whatever We Say) A Repudiation of the Patristic Concept of Tradition, which is reproduced in its entirety and thoroughly answered. The subject headings are my own. Mr. Webster's words will be in blue.  TABLE OF CONTENTS(hyper-linked)I. Protestant Historians on Church... Biblical Evidence for Catholicism http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2017392/posts#comment Sat, 17 May 2008 16:41:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2014169/posts A TRIUMPH AND A TRAGEDY James Akin I broke off a piece of the popsicle in my hand and placed it carefully in the mouth of my dying wife. Renee lay on her back, restless in the hospital bed, suffering from an advanced case of colon cancer which we had discovered a little more than a month before. She ate several more pieces of popsicle as I broke them off for her, then said she could eat no more, so I let her rest. When our parish priest arrived, he and I went into a conference room down the... EWTN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2014169/posts#comment Sat, 10 May 2008 20:24:32 GMT