>> but I don’t deny they are a Christian church.<<
Oh thank you! We as Catholics here on FR have been told that we are not Christian and that we are going to hell. I don’t see what that helps, when we have bigger enemies, but it is allowed to stand.
Can I defend my beliefs? I’m not that bright (seriously) and I leave that to those who can defend on the non-Catholic terms. A dear friend of mine is a former Protestant, knows the Bible inside out and can do it. Mostly I just nod and agree.
Now am I confident? That I am.
>>I believe that I do not know the will of Our Lord and neither does anyone else. Well, in some ways we can. God has given us the Bible as a guide. In others, you are correct.<<
I forgot the last part of my line. I don’t know who will be saved by Our Lord’s will. That is on an individual basis. We have guidelines but I don’t feel absolutes on a case by case basis. His Mercy may come into play.
If someone says that he is a Christian, I take him at his word unless his actions convince me otherwise. Although I may have serious doubts about his theology
If someone says that he is not a Christian, I also take him at his word.
That being said, there are some Churches, and yes, at one time I included the RCC among them, whose theology is so wrong that I do not think their members actually are taught how to accept Christ as their Saviour.
I still have problems with a lot of RCC theology. For instance, I don’t believe that the sacraments are necessary for salvation. Not even baptism.