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To: Campion
I do not believe that God's true Church is thoroughly corrupt. Some men in the Church can be corrupt, but the Holy Spirit purges us daily and God's grace and Word teache us to deny ungodly sins. His spirit also cleanses his Church.

But what if the institution has forsaken God's word in favor of the edicts of men (Popes)? What if the institution makes ungodly decrees (forbidding men to marry) and protecting pedophiles?

1 Timothy 4: 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
27 posted on 08/18/2018 2:03:05 PM PDT by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
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To: Jan_Sobieski
I do not believe that God's true Church is thoroughly corrupt

If it exists on earth, it is.

the institution makes ungodly decrees (forbidding men to marry)

Nobody is "forbidden to marry" because nobody is compelled to enter the priesthood or religious life. Seminarians and others in the discernment process have plenty of chances to say "I can't hack celibacy, sorry".

The same person who wrote 1 Tm 4 also wrote: 8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain [so] even as I. ... 32 One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but [r]to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord. 1 Cor 7:8, 32-35 [NASB]

How come celibacy is "ungodly" in 1 Tm 4 and highly praised in 1 Cor 7 ?

(Here's the answer. Paul wasn't talking about clerical celibacy in 1 Tm 4. He was condemning certain gnostic groups which did indeed forbid all of their followers from marriage.)

37 posted on 08/18/2018 2:21:01 PM PDT by Campion
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