Submission to authority / God. (Vanity)

Rodney King ^ | today | Rodney King

[Rodney King]

Any advice is appreciated.

[goldstategop]

I'm not a Catholic and don't claim to be one. Catholic Freepers can probably point you in the right direction.

[Rodney King]

Thanks. I'm looking for both sides really.

[queenkathy]

Just read you Bible. Everything you need to know is there. Form your own viewpoints based on what you read in the Bible, not from other's viewpoint. Salvation must be worked out by only you. I'm not Catholic so can't tell you. But I got straight to God through Jesus. There ya have it!

[netmilsmom]

I have pinged those on the Catholic threads that I think can help you!!!

[netmilsmom]

BTW, I left two Catholic churches that were leading me to false teachings.
Parish shopping in not unknown in the Catholic Church.

[Rodney King]

Thanks!

[netmilsmom]

Please give your input!

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

I for one am a Christian who goes to a protestant church, after exploring many different faiths over many years, once I received Christ, I searched for a church rather than domination. One major stumbling block I had that made it impossible for me to attend Catholic Mass was the belief that Mary never consummated her marriage with Joseph. In my studies of Catholicism (including participation in Catechism) I couldn't get past the idea that Mary was sinless (because of scripture stating that we ALL have fallen short of the glory of God and need a redeemer). I have many catholic friends and we have wonderful conversations about faith. I believe that God through his Holy Word is the final authority.

[marmar]

What is EWTN anyway???

[netmilsmom]

Also, for any questions that FReepers can't answer, try Catholic 101!

http://www.kensmen.com/catholic/101.html

[netmilsmom]

Eternal Word Television Network
A Catholic network started by a cloistered nun named Mother Angelica. She was a hoot! Health problems are holding her down now.

[marmar]

Thank You......

[Pukin Dog]

Submitting to authority is the biggest problem in my life.

I'm responding to this as it is/was my problem too. You have to first decide whether or not you believe the word of God to be perfect. If you do; recognizing at the same time that you are NOT perfect, it becomes easy.

The question wont be about authority, it will be whether or not you believe the words in your Bible or not. When you really believe it, you wont have this problem.

I know for a fact that I am the least perfect person living, but I believe in the word, and pray for forgiveness.

[marmar]

I was born Catholic, but I didn't really have anything solid to hold on to. I became a Christian and that is the way I live my life. It is not about what others are doing, it is about what is in my life and heart. It is about who you are when only God is watching. Jesus is the love of my life, I am human, but I can repent and I don't need a middleman.....I have a main man and his name is Jesus.

[A knight without armor]

I never heard of EWTN. Is that a tv channel? What does it stand for?

Happy New Year to you!

[ShadowAce]

I pinged a few others I know frequent the Religion boards in the hope maybe one of them may be able to help.

As a non-Catholoc Christian, I can tell you my view on confession:

The only confession that means remission of sins is the confession to Christ of your sins. However, the Bible also mentions that we should confess our sins to each other. This, I believe, is to strengthen us and to provide a means of accountability in our lives. If other people know what we are confessing, then we would be less likely to fall for that temptation again.

I believe that this teaching is the basis for confessing to priests, but (not being a Catholic), I cannot state that for certain.

On the other issues, being a Christian means being in a relationship with Christ. That relationship is personal and should not be relegated to Sunday morning formal church services. It should be a 24 hour, 7 day/week relationship--even closer than the relationship you have with your wife. Being this kind a relationship, a pastor (of whatever name or title) should be there for guidance and advice--not forgiveness of sins.

Does that help?

[My2Cents]

For what it's worth, I've never read or heard a systematic theology that was completely correct. And some systematic theology is at the root of every denomination. The point is, then, there is no one "correct" or "right" church. There is the church universal...the complete body of Christ on earth, made up of all who belong to Him, those whom He has called and whom have responded to His call. Christ is the head of that church...not the pope, not the pastor, not the head of president of the denomination. In choosing a church in which to fellowship, we had to ask not only what the church believes, but also what errors or over-emphases we could live with. To us, the focus of our faith is Christ; He is central to all things; He is not only our redeemer, but also our sanctification (a fancy word for the source of our growth and maturity).

Always focus on Christ. He is our life, our comfort, our security, our righteousness, our purpose in life, our connect with God. He's our all. The extent to which any individual church or denomination diverts your attention away from Christ and to itself should be the determining factor in whether you choose to fellowship there.

[netmilsmom]

May I suggest this article by Scott Hahn, former Presbyterian to explain the biblical basis of your doubt...

http://catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0095.html