Posted on 10/15/2001 6:54:40 AM PDT by malakhi
| Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams |
I think the Roman point is that it matters not what a person says during the liturgy if he was not ordained for the purpose of sacrificing. To use a poor analogy, my license to carry a concealed weapon, though similar in many ways, does not make me a policeman or give me the power to act like one.
SD
Give it up Reggie, you'll never get a straight answer from RobbyS.
I will. :-)
(Seriously, do you have a cite or a site?)
SD
Spring is upon us and it's going to be in the teens here in Texas tonight and tomorrow night. How odd.
| Friday, March 1, 2002 | ||
|
What would you do if the president of a successful business were to give you control of his corporation while he went away on an extended vacation? Once you got over the shock, wouldn't you work hard to make the company as profitable as possible--if only to impress the boss? Stewardship of God's vineyard is an even higher honor. It's hard to imagine how anyone entrusted with that honor could misuse its privileges and turn against the owner. Yet, this is the problem that Jesus addressed in this parable.
History has shown us more than once that when religious leaders fail at their calling, everyone in the church suffers. Yet rather than judge those in leadership, we would probably do better to consider the challenges they face. How tempting it can be at times just to go with the flow rather than take firm moral stands! Often overwhelmed by the amount of work placed before them, they might feel as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. They know they must listen to the Spirit, but the demands of so many other people and tasks can sometimes drown out the "still small voice" that speaks in prayer and Scripture.
If we keep the stresses of religious leadership in mind, we may be less inclined to criticize those whom God has called to care for his people. Sure, we may be able to recite examples of bishops' and priests' failings. But instead of condemning them, let's support them and pray for their peace and protection.
Perhaps the next best thing we can do to support those in leadership is to live the Christian life as fully as we can. Imagine the good it can do to the hearts of our leaders to see ordinary people living out the gospel in a way that transforms lives. That more than anything else can lift their spirits and reassure them that their work is worthwhile. Together with our leaders, let's be fruitful members of the kingdom of God, so that the church will be a bright light, drawing all men and women to the love of Christ.
"Father, we ask your protection over all church leaders. Recognizing the difficulties and temptations they face, we ask you to encourage them and renew them by your Holy Spirit, so that they can lead all your people in holiness."
----------
Have a great weekend, everyone! God bless
AC
Time?
SD
Not even close. religioustolerance.org seems to be some sort of kumbaya-type of site that welcomes all religions (even wicca and stuff like that), IMO. The chart I posted comes from the Barna Institute ... again, not even close to being a Catholic source.
How many bad apples in Jesus hand picked crop of disciples?
Thats a typical papist reponse to direct the attention away from evil popes, who, as the so-called "Vicar of Christ" are supposed to live by a higher moral standard, and set the example---so, what do you do in defense---go on the offense, by making a countercharge against Jesus, and the 12.
BTW, to answer that ludicrous response, there was one, of the 12 who was a "bad apple", Judas Iscariot, but Jesus knew Judas was a devil when Jesus picked Judas.
Of the others whom Jesus "hand picked" some had this to say, pertaining to RCC popes who father bastard kids, were homosexuals, bisexuals, pedophiles, etc:
1 John 2:15, Do not love the world, or the things of this world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him.
1 John 1:6, If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
1 Peter 1:13-15, Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I Am holy."
I take it you approve of popes who are unregenerate reprobates who walk in darkness?
I couldn't tell what the website was, but the oganization that did the polling research is at www.barna.org
What is Barna Research Group, Ltd.?
Barna Research Group, Ltd. (BRG) is a full-service marketing research company located in Ventura, California. BRG has been providing information and analysis regarding cultural trends and the Christian Church since 1984.
That doesn't sound Catholic to me. Doesn't even sound necessarily Christian, just that they focus on doing research about Christians. There were no pictures of saints or the Pope on their web site.
SD
Ok. Remind me. How does that work in heaven? Says something about "time shall be no more in the book of Revelation".
Just asking. No need to get defensive.
Defensive? Did that come across as defensive?
Are you sure you don't need a cup of coffee? ;o)
Ok. Remind me. How does that work in heaven? Says something about "time shall be no more in the book of Revelation".
Heaven is in eternity, which is not time without end, but the end of time. There is no before or after, these are concepts that only apply to the created universe.
Asking how Mary can listen to thousands of people at the same "time" is to place a time based limitation on people who are not living in time. It is to make heaven run on earth time, when we know that it does not.
SD
I don't think you'll find anyone here that won't agree that some bad seeds became pope at certain points in the history of the Church. After all, we're talking about humans here. We are not perfect, and neither are the ones that are chosen as leaders of a church ... no matter the denomination.
Let me know when you get to pneuomachianism, I like to know what TRD is talking about every once in a while. :-)
SD
Well ya. You said "not even close" twice. Sheesh.
Are you sure you don't need a cup of coffee? ;o)
Ya'll gonna have to stop asking this. I'm alot more pleasent now that I'm off the stuff. :-)
Al, it's the same old "why isn't the Pope impeccable" argument. It isn't worth the bother.
Welcome back. i'm glad all things are going well. Sarah now has two teeth on the bottom and a third expected to break through on top any day now. She said "I love you" the other day. No kidding. She is 9 months old today. That's way too young to be putting together that many syllables, but she repeated it after her mother said it.
SD
Can't deny that! ;o)
Where in scripture does it say Mary is in heaven? She may be in Abraham's bossom. And you've been there right? That's why ya know so much about it?
Asking how Mary can listen to thousands of people at the same "time" is to place a time based limitation on people who are not living in time. It is to make heaven run on earth time, when we know that it does not.
Again, you know she's not resting in some part of creation? Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. Where did you get it?
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.