“How condescending of you.”
How is that condescending? I am just stating that when Christians discuss with non Christians, that is normally not divisive for Christians.
“For all Catholics complain about judging when they’re on the receiving end, they sure are pretty adept at dishing it out.”
What are you talking about. I have not judged anyone. I have even refrained from stating my opinion on Mormonism, while others have felt very comfortable judging them. I refuse to state my opinion on Mormonism on this thread, not because I am embarrassed about it, but because it could cause more fighting on a thread that was never meant to have antagonism.
“Catholicism is simply a religious system which does not recognize Scripture as the final authority, but rather defers to Rome for that.
In light of that, it is simply not possible that Catholics have the proper criteria, nor the spiritual discernment, to accurately determine the validity of another’s faith.”
At the same time, you give judgment about my faith, when I have refused to judge any faiths on this thread. Also, this has nothing to do with anything else on this thread. Trying to figure out what someone’s faith is is not the same as judging it.
“Anyone who cannot even be sure of his or her own salvation is in no position to pass judgment on another’s.”
When have I ever passed my judgment on another’s salvation? Since I decided not to squabble with other Christians, I will only debate with those who I am not sure whether they are Christian or not. So I will ask you again if you believe that Jesus is 100% God and 100% human, since that is one belief that defines Christianity.
By the way, why do you feel the need to ping so many other people to this exchange. Do you want more people to argue with me.
Those who like to see divisions between Christians do no service to Christianity. I would not be surprised if a non-Christian would be turned off to Christianity by this thread.
Show me in the Bible where that criteria is placed upon the followers of Yeshua.
“I would not be surprised if a non-Christian would be turned off to Christianity by this thread.”
Thats an understatement!
I must defer to some more scripture. Suggested reading-
1 Corintians Chapt 1-4
And an obligitory cut and paste from Galations 5
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather,
serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is
fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor
as
yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch
out
or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify
the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh
desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what
is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each
other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under
the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,
impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
If I had to pick the biggest offense that I believe Jesus Christ would have to these theological mind wresting matches, it is that it bears no fruit in a world full of people in such great peril of destruction in hell.