Posted on 07/12/2007 7:08:19 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Yes, even a soul who’s been Baptized, Confirmed, and had, at a time, been in Communion with Jesus, can still reject God’s Grace. Sin is an act of rejecting God’s Grace. Sin is the willful act disobedience to God’s law. A sin grievous enough will cleave the soul of free will from God’s Grace.
I don’t buy the “once saved” notion or “by faith alone” idea that neglects the Sacramental Life. I’ve seen too many rock stars, pop athletes, and gang bangers that pimp their faith like a fad.
Neither are we angelic enough to have one omniscient moment to choose for or against Divine Will. We have one mortal life time, and we have free will to choose or reject God. Catechism explains it easy enough in a step by step process. The Vatican has the best continuous study and human history of example on what “truly a Christian” I can be.
...and I respect your right not to be concerned.
One who is truly born again of the Spirit of God and has the Holy Spirit cannot lose grace. God will continually woo back the one who has backslidden. Yes, many say they are saved but only those who have received Christ as Saviour and are filled with His Holy Spirit can know they are going to heaven. If one rejects His love, they aren’t born again and you’re right, they will go to Hell.
Thanks. Perhaps the name was Aoumel, I’ve searched on variations of author and title but haven’t found the book. A little odd, since most everything seems to be somewhere on the net.
If I find the book at home, will inform you.
Frankly, its an Indian cultural thing. Best example —> Chinese Christians.
They eat the same food, behave almost similar to most atheist Chinese.
But then again, in this era of broad generalizations that frowns on any specific exceptions that prevent their simplistic one-line thought processes, its probably a crime to point out glaring exceptions to every postulate.
How do you know that Jesus was white and northern european in appearance ? I find it extremely disturbing that people tend to portray him as blonde haired, blue eyed just to appeal to some colonialist sensibilities of a particular race.
That is one thing that has turned me off of religion, having to obey all edicts or be cast into pain and punishment. Rule through fear is not for me thanks.
It's more than "right living". Dharma is the right way of life.
That said, I don't think anyone here really mocked Christianity. What was criticized is a claim that we should follow "God's laws" over the laws of our nation, and the implication that the nation should enforce them.
I'm reminded of an argument that I had with a Clinton supporter during Monicagate. She claimed that our jokes about Clinton demeaned the Presidency. I responded that his actions while holding that office did far more to demean it than anything anyone else could do.
Likewise, those who claim to be Christians and seek to limit the rights of nonbelievers do more to demean the faith than any non-Christian could possibly do....just as "sharia" believing Muslims demean that faith.
-Eric
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