Posted on 11/21/2014 9:09:43 AM PST by Maudeen
Based on the numbers of denominations, sects and cults professing adherence to Christianity, it is not really surprising that there are wide margins of difference in how these different groups understand and interpret the Bible. Within Protestantism, there is still much theological debate and confusion around doctrines and principles – especially those not considered central or cardinal to the Christian faith. And even within mainstream church affiliations that hold fast to the central doctrines of Christianity, there is still considerable confusion and disagreement within church laity with regards to the understanding and interpretation of Biblical doctrine.
(Excerpt) Read more at whttp: ...
Pre-Vatican II Catholic teaching:
Pope Leo XIII, Satis Cognitum (# 9), June 29, 1896: "The Church alone offers to the human race that religion - that state of absolute perfection - which He wished, as it were, to be incorporated in it. And it alone supplies those means of salvation which accord with the ordinary counsels of Providence."
I’m getting the idea that in the RCC, salvation is negotiable depending on who is pope today.
The Catholic Church believes this, too.
It was never negotiable prior to Vatican II. You would never find a pope saying anything like what paragraph 819 says. I could post a bunch of other papal quotes, etc that makes it clear that there is no salvation outside of the Catholic Church and that no other church is a “means of salvation”.
The Catholic mindset of man over God is simply astounding.
It's as if we Christians were not members of the Body of Christ at all! It's as if we were just inert elements of despicable flesh floating around out here, not needing each other and not in constant and vital contact with each other and with Our good Lord. It is inexplicable to me, this failure to discern His Body.
I do not wish to communicate along these lines anymore. The constant accusations of my religious Faith being "evil," have been quite corrosive of friendship. It is a loss, since I would rather keep some semblance of friendship with you. It would interest me. It would be valuable. But perhaps it is not to be.
If I may ask, pray for me.
Ping to my post 67.
R2z
All who profess faith in Christ alone are part of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is an organism not an organization. The Catholic Church position that it alone is the body of Christ or even the true "church" is an fallacy.
>>It's as if we were just inert elements of despicable flesh floating around out here, not needing each other and not in constant and vital contact with each other and with Our good Lord.<<
You will not find one true follower of Christ to ascribe to that statement. True followers of Christ alone not only need each other but are drawn by the Holy Spirit to fellowship with each other and do that. The Catholic concept of what that is contradicts the very words of scripture.
>>It is inexplicable to me, this failure to discern His Body.<<
Amen to that. We constantly are amazed at the carnal understanding of the Catholic. They have been misled into believing that body is the Catholic Church a view totally unsupported by scripture. No religion incorporating pagan beliefs, rituals, symbols, and vestments could possibly be considered the body of Christ per scripture.
>>It is a loss, since I would rather keep some semblance of friendship with you.<<
As would it with you. I am advised in scripture however to avoid those who practice paganism. I can only continue to point out the errors of Catholicism.
I agree with your statements in post 67. Catholicism is truly a carnal attempt at religion.
This is the advice if we want to inherit Messiah's kingdom, which one will not do by hating His Catholic brethren, or his nonCatholic brethren ? Profession of faith in Christ is not sufficient. Do you concur ? Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
A carnal faith is certainly not sufficient. A spiritual faith with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will produce fruit of the Spirit. A true profession of faith precludes the acceptance or inclusion of the paganism inherent in Catholicism. The corrupt tree of Catholicism brings forth the whoredom of paganism.
Those attempts at the use of scripture to appear relevant are near comical if it weren't so sad. The obvious misunderstanding of the passages quoted to the context of the post is so off base it's near impossible to address them.
Do you believe Catholics have true professions of faith with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit that the Jewish Apostles and Messiah spoke about orally and some wrote about ?
Hang in there; as he will soon get you to think that flippancy is desirable - even required!!
Or even the middle!
Who really needs an article anyway. This will turn into... Yet Another Endless Catholic Versus Protestant ...thread; like they all seem to do these days.
It seems to remain that the 'pope' is a mere figurehead.
Nothing he says can be taken as FACT, and nothing he DOES sheds a bad light on the church.
Only the words of the mysterious Magisterium count.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.