Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Mad Dawg
To me, daniel1212’s learned posts demonstrate the limitations of this medium. I've hinted in this and other threads that the differences between Catholics and some Protestants are VERY deep and extensive. To me this means, functionally, that I cannot give daniel1212’s expositions the respect they deserve. What they require, IMHO, is for us to schedule TWO (at least) three day conferences, a year apart. Papers by the presenters would be sent out a month in advance, so that the presentations would be about clarifications and questions. THEN, The Protestants and the Catholics would caucus — maybe the evening of the second day, and try to identify that disagreement — you know the kind — which leads members of each side to say to one another, “Did you catch that? There they go again!” The last day would be winnowing these “objections” down to maybe two or three per side.

Well, it sounds appealing if challenging. But didn't Catholics try that among themselves in V2? As one poster wryly

The last time the church imposed its judgment in an authoritative manner on "areas of legitimate disagreement," the conservative Catholics became the Sedevacantists and the Society of St. Pius X, the moderate Catholics became the conservatives, the liberal Catholics became the moderates, and the folks who were excommunicated, silenced, refused Catholic burial, etc. became the liberals. The event that brought this shift was Vatican II; conservatives then couldn't handle having to actually obey the church on matters they were uncomfortable with, so they left. — Nathan, http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/blog/2005/05/fr-michael-orsi-on-different-levels-of.html

I think I would benefit from listening to and praying with Xtians who disagreed with me so much that many thought I wasn't fit to be called Xtian.

Which humility is very refreshing. However, as noble as your thought is, my experience (as one who was manifestly born again while still a RC and remained active therein for 6 years after) is that there are very very few that we find fellowship in Christ with. (And one prayer to Mary or some saint is going to nuke that.) For while we often enjoy spontaneous rejoicing on meeting a fellow evangelical type, die to a shared life giving conversion with its profound changes in heart and life, and relationship with the Lord, and Scripture-based walked, with Catholics there is no such fellowship. Instead if they say anything then it is about their One True Church®, and exalting the Eucharist and Mary or indifference or antagonism in inquiring about salvation. But there are exceptions, usually among those of simple faith.

Fellowship with mainline Prots is also seldom realized, as they also know nothing experientially of the transformative New Birth. But regards what Prots can realize re Christ-centered ecumenism, I will let the famous "prince of preachers" speak:

Most atrocious things have been spoken about the character and spiritual condition of John Wesley, the modern prince of Arminians. I can only say concerning him that, while I detest many of the doctrines which he preached, yet for the man himself I have a reverence second to no Wesleyan; and if there were wanted two apostles to be added to the number of the twelve, I do not believe that there could be found two men more fit to be so added than George Whitfield and John Wesley. (C. H. Spurgeon’s Autobiography, Vol. 1, p. 173, in “A Defence Of Calvinism,” The Banner Of Truth Trust edition)

Now I hate High Churchism as my soul hates Satan; but I love George Herbert, although George Herbert is a desperately High Churchman. I hate his high Churchism, but I love George Herbert from my very soul, and I have a warm corner in my heart for every man who is like him. Let me find a man who loves my Lord Jesus Christ as George Herbert did, and I do not ask myself whether I shall love him or not; there is no room for question, for I cannot help myself; unless I can leave off loving Jesus Christ, I cannot cease loving those who love him. (Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 12, p. 6; http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols10-12/chs668.pdf)

550 posted on 07/23/2015 4:13:40 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned and destitute sinner+ trust Him to save you, then follow Him!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 506 | View Replies ]


To: daniel1212

To be brutally brief, one important difference between VatII and this would be that this would be only about understanding difficult differences. I have nothing like reaching a conclusion in mind.

Also, I do not think the kind of Catholic who would be of any use in this conference would be so stupid as to call on the intercession of the saints in any plenary gayhering5.


553 posted on 07/23/2015 4:38:21 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Sta, si cum canibus magnis currere non potes, in portico.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 550 | View Replies ]

To: daniel1212
 
 
 
 
The last time the church imposed its judgment in an authoritative manner on "areas of legitimate disagreement," the conservative Catholics became the Sedevacantists and the Society of St. Pius X, the moderate Catholics became the conservatives, the liberal Catholics became the moderates, and the folks who were excommunicated, silenced, refused Catholic burial, etc. became the liberals. The event that brought this shift was Vatican II; conservatives then couldn't handle having to actually obey the church on matters they were uncomfortable with, so they left. — Nathan, http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/blog/2005/05/fr-michael-orsi-on-different-levels-of.html
 
 
There goes the mantra: Our church hasn't changed at ALL over the years!

586 posted on 07/23/2015 6:20:47 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 550 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson