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To: boatbums
The category "Protestant" is only used to designate Christians not of the "Catholic" variety.

Don't put words in my mouth please. Protestant means belonging to one of the heretical groups that rose out of the so-called reformation (whether they have some historical claims to the Early Church or not), and condemned by Trent; defining characteristics of Protestantism is the superstitious beliefs in the salvation by faith alone, instruction in the faith by the (truncated by them, too) scripture alone, and various misinterpretations of the nature of the Holy Sacraments.

The heresies of Protestantism endanger the salvation of the Protestants, misrepresent the Christian faith to the non-Christians and are generally bad theology. No union is possible with them; apart from the Anglicans, the Protestants should convert to authentic Christianity individually.

I have no similar objection to several authentic churches that are not in communion with the Roman Church: the Eastern Orthodox, the Copts, the Armenians, and quite a few others. While it is sad that we are separated, we are sister churches nevertheless and I know that one day we will be one again, and it will not require conversion for anyone.

840 posted on 10/28/2011 5:56:23 PM PDT by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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To: annalex

The church doesn’t save, the Lord does. He then adds us to His catholic church. Thank God, He’s God.

Oh, well, at least you’re not one of those Galatians, Romans, or Ephesians, may the Lord bless you with wisdom.


841 posted on 10/28/2011 6:00:28 PM PDT by hocndoc (WingRight.org Have mustard seed:Will use. Cut spending, cut spending, cut spending, now,now,now!)
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To: annalex
The heresies of Protestantism endanger the salvation of the Protestants, misrepresent the Christian faith to the non-Christians and are generally bad theology. No union is possible with them; apart from the Anglicans, the Protestants should convert to authentic Christianity individually.

I doubt the "heresies" of some "Protestant" denominations are any graver than some of what calls itself "The One, True, Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ" AKA Roman Catholicism. Which belief endangers salvation more:

1. Teaching that being baptized, going to confession, receiving communion, getting married in THE church, getting buried by same yet not receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, believing in and accepting the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ?

or

2. Teaching that through receiving and believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and accepting his sacrifice for our sins, receiving the promised indwelling Holy Spirit and therefore living holy lives that honor and glorify God and walking in grace exhibiting saving faith by doing the works of God he prepared for us to do?

I'd go with 2, mainly because I know what it's like living number 1. Personal faith in Christ was NOT a factor and many people I knew thought they could go to confession on Saturday, Mass on Sunday and then live like hell the rest of the week. There was no life-changing faith and no indwelling Spirit of God that worked within to compel good works. Once I DID accept Christ and receive him as my Savior, my life truly DID change and what used to feel forced became deeds out of gratitude and love for the grace and mercy of God. Go ahead and stick with your Religion that rejects what Scripture REALLY says in favor of what the leaders SAY it says. Place your faith in them. I'll trust God.

871 posted on 10/28/2011 9:40:34 PM PDT by boatbums ( Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. Titus 3:5)
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