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To: rzman21
I think that the fact that Protestantism has splintered is indeed needed and good, since when one branch gets too off-track, a new branch shoots out.

Eastern Orthodox is a good Christian root, too.

I don't think ANY are as God would have his church.

However, keep in mind, the Bible says they shall know you not by “they all agree”, but “their love for one another”.

There would be no need for Protestantism if the church had not been corrupted and taken over by the enemy. Think about it — The enemy WANTS to take over the church — he already has the secularists.

We won't convert the world by being good examples and agreeing amongst ourselves. We SHOULD do what the bible says — preach the Word, care for our fellow man, and love one another. All else is noise.

Here is pure religion - to visit the sick and those in prison, and take care of the widows. (roughly James 1:27). God is a judge of the heart.

As far as comparing Protestantism vs Orthodox vs Catholic, I believe there are saved individuals in each. However, each takes too high a view of their place in God's economy. Reminds me of the disciples arguing who is the greater. Useless, petty, and embarrassing.

139 posted on 11/19/2011 10:17:14 AM PST by BereanBrain
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To: BereanBrain

I come from a Protestant family, so I’m not directing anything I have to say against Protestants as individuals or as people.

But look at Protestantism’s fruits. Destroyed Christian unity. The elevation of the individual over divine revelation. The association of personal experience over objective reality.

I can’t help but associate the Protestant mentality with the prevailing secular individualism that says we are so autonomous that we are above God. History shows that the magisterial Protestant traditions in Lutheranism and Calvinism gave way to Pietism and ultimately Englightenment Unitarianism/atheism within 200 years of Martin Luther’s death.

A primary difference between apostolic Christianity as expressed by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is the emphasis on the fact that we are saved together than that the Church is the Ark of Salvation outside of which no one is saved.

But that does not mean that everyone who is in the Ark of Salvation will be saved because not everyone will persevere.

Protestants threw the baby out with the bathwater.


141 posted on 11/19/2011 10:33:59 AM PST by rzman21
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