“True, but that does not obviate the binding authority of the moral commandments. “
These are, in fact, the moral commandments. Hence the phrase “summed up.” All the commandments are summed up in two, as it follows if one follows the first two, then one naturally does not covet, or steal, or lie, etc. But if one does not perfectly love God (who DOES love God with ALL their heart?) or their neighbor, it should not be construed that we are damned for this failure, or even that a patient preserverence in attempting to reach perfection justifies us either (as the Mormons try to say). Our faith and mindset must be one of dependence on God for our salvation, not giving in to that lie from our flesh which denies our utter inability and depravity. We are dead to the law, no longer bound to its terrible judgment on those who constantly fail.
” I have a great respect for the Catholic Church.”
Being a baptized Catholic (now I’m Christian) in Hispanic majority south Texas, I have absolutely no respect for it. The Catholic Churches up north “put their best foot forward,” but amongst majority Catholic countries and peoples, I can attest that the superstition, ignorance and blasphemy is widespread and terrible, and utterly supported by the Catholic authorities. The Priests as well are utterly useless, and half the time are worst relativists than the infidels. Once one realizes that man will always fail you, the outward facade of the Catholic Church loses its sway. True Christianity is characterized by a spiritual regeneration. Its only great monuments are in the heart, and cannot be visited on a sunday morning.
Agree.
I have absolutely no respect for (the Catholic Church)
I am sorry that you have had a negative experience where you are in Texas. However, it is a mistake to universalize our particular experience. For example, recently someone spoke to me about their grudge against "organized religion" because of negative experiences in a conservative Protestant denomination.
My advice to him, and to you, is not to "throw out the baby with the bathwater." By such reasoning every church and denomination could be condemned, for each one is composed of sinful, fallible men & women.