I was raised Catholic, attend a Presbyterian church now. I think there are many saved Christians in both bodies and I don’t think it is right to gloat over the troubles of any member of the body of Christ that is the Church with a capital “C.” I know that Catholics honestly feel that Protestants do not act with the benefit of the whole of the gospel. I know that Protestants believe that Catholics act within the gospel but with artificial and false doctrine added. But the individual Christian’s relationship with Christ is the crux of the matter; whether they have this relationship or not. I believe that in no church are the church leaders right on all doctrine. This view in and of itself makes me not a Roman Catholic, I think. However, a priest abusing a child does not make the Catholic church evil or illegitimate. A Protestant preacher getting caught with a prostitute or other sin does not make the believers in his church any less Christian. Satan will glory in any troubles among either body of faith in my opinion. “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Nothing to gloat about . . . hard as it is not to take sides and gloat. Am I wrong?
As a Catholic who flirted w/ being a born again Christian I say you are 100% right. Christ commands us to love and we as Christians should always approach each other’s differences with love. love. love. love. God is Love. Christ is Love and he commands us “Love one another.” I read these threads sometimes and see such sarcasm and vitriol. :(
I would say that you have made the most fair-minded and generous comment on this post yet. Very refreshing.
What you've stated in and of itself is not totally wrong; however the Reformers believed the errors of Rome was centered around them moving away from the scriptures. As more and more of manmade philosophy is interjected into theology, the gospel of Christ become corrupted.
I would point out what happened to the Jews by the time Jeremiah came on the scene. The whole religious structure became so corrupt that when Jeremiah presented the king with the word of the Lord, he sat in front of the fire burning the scroll because he didn't want to hear the true message. Meanwhile the priests had abandoned God's word to present a message that would placate the populous. Jeremiah saw a wholesale rejection of God's word all the while people were pretending to follow God's instructions. Is it any wondered that Jeremiah was call the "weeping prophet"?
There are little shades of gray with Christianity. There is one truth which we are to continue to search out. It is our duty and obligation to warn our brothers and sisters of their responsibilities. This isn't self-righteousness as Jeremiah was accused of. God's word is the only standard and we are required and bound to understand God-His love as well as His wrath.
This is simply proclaiming ALL of God's word. You can't just focus on the love aspect.
No, brother. You are Christian. Peace be upon you!
Frank, Papist
I was with you all the way, Greg, until you said: “ I believe that in no church are the church leaders right on all doctrine. “, and that is where you are wrong. In so stating, you are calling Jesus Christ a liar. He promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church. In its 2000 year history, no pope has ever erred on doctrines of faith or morals.