Posted on 12/10/2014 6:32:20 AM PST by marshmallow
"Christian unity" is one of those terms that stir up a whole spectrum of—sometimes emotional—opinions.
On the one hand, we know that Jesus prayed to the Father concerning future believers "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you" (John 17:21a, NIV).
On the other hand, charismatics know it is almost pointless to discuss the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12, 14) with Baptists or most anyone else from a mainline denomination. And Protestants of just about any stripe get riled up when they hear Catholics talking about papal infallibility or their adoration of the Virgin Mary.
It's on this latter point that Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and successful author, has waded into a hornet's nest of controversy by telling a Catholic News Service interviewer that Protestants and Catholics "have far more in common than what divides us" and that Catholics do not "worship Mary like she's another god."
Regarding Warren's view that Catholics do not worship Mary, Matt Slick, writing on the website of the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, goes into great detail with material from Roman Catholic sources that say Mary is "the all holy one," is to be prayed to, worshipped, that she "brings us the gifts of eternal life" and she "made atonement for the sins of man."
If that's not putting her in the place of Christ as a god-like figure to be worshipped, then what is it?
"We believe in Trinity, the Bible, the resurrection, and that salvation is through Jesus Christ. These are the big issues," Warren says. "But the most important thing is if you love Jesus, we're on the same team."
To Warren's point about being on the same team, Slick.....
(Excerpt) Read more at charismanews.com ...
“Mind reading is predicting your answers, not waiting for your responses, or guessing your intent without analyzing your commentary and behaviors.”
No. Did you read the Rel Mod page? Did you, for instance, see this as part of Making it Personal: “attributing motive”?
“I typed something really clever...”
That would be a first.
“for you in this space, but decided to delete it.”
Right. Sure.
“We are making this thread about us instead of the subject.”
It just occurred to you what you’ve been doing for two days? I think you’re just trying to extricate yourself from your self-dug hole.
My sister had a similar story. Her Mother-in-Law was a cradle to (almost) grave, at mass all the time, RCC. As the end approached, she was full of fear and uncertainty at what lay beyond death. My sister, who was now her full time caregiver, was able to share God's Word, pray with her, and send her home full of joy, peace, and confident expectation of what was ahead.
Both my parents were Spirit-filled Believers and strong in the Lord. I was at the bedside as each closed their eyes, and their spirit slipped away. I KNEW that very moment they were both with the Lord and it brought me so much peace. I still miss them, but know when I see them again, it will seem but a moment to them. (Romans 8:37-39)
God's Grace is so easy and so wonderful. Only religion complicates it.
Did you read the paragraph about spiritual discernment? The commentary about employment hiring that even a wordly person possesses discernment, if he is a wise employer?
As Paul says, there is joy for the departed when we know they are to be with Christ (though sorrow for us). Quite different when we do not know. That is a great story about your sister’s mother-in-law (and your parents).
Christ never wanted His believers to be religious. That is man’s invention. He makes things simple, humans do not.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Posting what another poster replied containing personal violations is making it personal all over again.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Matthews 13 (NIV)
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a]
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Yes.
I discern there are thousands of different denominations, sects, faith groups, and cults that are already divided. I discern many of them hate the Catholic Church and call it all kinds of horrid names, while hiding behind a cloak of anonymity.
Christ prayed to the Father just prior to His death on the Cross.
Perhaps you discern that I already posted that prayer on this forum many times. I believe it, which is why I attend a Catholic church. I keep asking those who reject the Catholic Church for an alternative holy catholic apostolic church that fulfills Jesus' prayer and I normally get crickets and whining that Freepers don't have to provide that information. That is true, Freepers are under no such obligation. However genuine Christians are obligated, and if they are not straightforward and honest about who they assemble with, or if they don't assemble at all, have no credibility.
What you persist in doing contrary to what Christ would have Christians do.
Try to discern the topic of this thread and see if you can join with the Catholic Church in the unity our LORD Jesus Christ prayed for. Shall we have peace ?
“You mean...all the way to China?”
No.
“As was first posted TO you?”
No.
“Shake it up, shake it up, shake it up baby! Twist AND shout!”
I let you Protestants do that.
As God is our witness, what was really in your heart and mind when you wrote post 2098 "Your post is a prayer to yourself."
“Did you read the paragraph about spiritual discernment?”
Did you read the Rel Mod’s paragraph on Making it Personal?
“The commentary about employment hiring that even a wordly person possesses discernment, if he is a wise employer?”
Nothing you posted does away with what the Rel Mod has on his page.
As to Scripture, as that is what Christian faith is based upon, I will state the particular version I read, if asked, as that may have relevance.
But as to your persistence in dividing according to denomination, contrary to what Christ wants, I choose to follow His instruction and not get into deflections and divisions as to denominations. Furthermore, as it is NOT my impression you have any desire to do anything but stay.right.where.you.are (that discernment thingy), I would again refuse to answer.
“Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.”
If you’re a Catholic. But if you’re not a Catholic, then post #2130 mysteriously still exists, right?
“Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.”
Oh, I was under the impression from post #2130 that making it personal was not okiedokie. Are we back to observing the stated rules now?
Just checking.
LOL! No apology needed! I was following the discussion.
Too bad you don’t take ALL the rules to heart. Do you keep forgetting to show the references for your Bible “quotes” or is it intentional?
Really? Tell me, what difference would it make for someone to tell you they worship at a First Baptist Church, or a church called Grace Community Church, or some other nondenominational church? Has anyone yet NOT freely stated what they believe on whatever topic is being discussed? From what it looks like, you continue to use this query as an excuse to NOT answer questions posed to you. Has it occurred to you that where a person chooses to fellowship and worship isn't any of your business? Again, what difference does it make!?
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