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Is There Growing Confusion over Church Teaching?
Crisis Magazine ^ | July 16, 2014 | Dr. William Oddie

Posted on 07/16/2014 4:18:13 AM PDT by NYer

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To: daniel1212
Oh and I wanted to make it clear I agree with what you said here:

, but that RCs simply use Protestant based upon the simple aspect that they are not Catholic but claim to be Christian, a definition of which is so wide you can drive a Unitarian Scientology Swedenborgian 747 thru it. But which broadness they would never tolerate for "Catholic," even stating that the EOS are not.

This is why I try as much as possible to distinguish the two (Protestant and simply "non Catholic Christian") when necessary. I didn't feel it was necessary before but I'll say this now: my comments on this thread can be directed to "non Catholic Christians" as well. Sorry for any confusion.

121 posted on 07/17/2014 9:29:32 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: FourtySeven
Don't you think it's important to know if free will exists or not?

Well, for starters, we need to define *free will* because I don't find any Scripture anywhere that states it even exists.

I have this feeling that there's different meanings and we end up talking past each other.

My take is that there is no such thing as *free will*. Yes, we are told to choose, indicating that we have a choice to make, but that is NEVER free from external influences, so it is never totally *free*.

Jesus tells us that no man can come to God unless the Father draws him, which precludes coming to God of MY free volition.

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

And, no, I do not see how one's opinion on free will makes a difference. I've read both sides of the argument, both the Arminian and Calvinist, and find their accusations against each other as to why they're wrong, to be less than well supported.

122 posted on 07/17/2014 9:29:41 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: FourtySeven
Like I asked about free will, do you not believe the issue of “eternal security” has an impact on one’s salvation?

That one needs some time to think through how to best respond to it. Let me mull that one over some.

The idea of eternal security is a matter of debate amongst Christians. It hasn't been settled in 2,000 years and I doubt that we'll settle it now, but I'll give you my take on it after thinking it through some more.

123 posted on 07/17/2014 9:34:37 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: NYer; metmom; defconw; piusv; verga
The caucus label was removed because - starting at post 26 - verbal darts were being thrown at non-members of the caucus, i.e. calling them 'bigots.'

That is abuse of the caucus privilege.

There were too many inappropriate posts to be removed and so the caucus was broken and the thread opened.

Caucus posters must never, ever use the caucus label as cover to attack non-members or the beliefs of non-members.

124 posted on 07/17/2014 9:39:08 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: defconw; NYer; metmom; daniel1212; Legatus
The answer to the title of the article would just be DUH!

Haha me too. I should've made that clear in my OP here. Just to let the others I've posted to here know though, I'm gonna hit the "eject button" on this thread. I think I've trampled on it enough. Haha

Again though in my defense the label wasn't on the title when I posted originally (in post 79). Although I guess in the interim NYer was still trying to rescue it. So I'll plead "mea culpa" on that. Forgive me please.

Cheers,

125 posted on 07/17/2014 9:39:44 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: FourtySeven; Religion Moderator
You're fine with me. We did get off tract. But like the moderator just ruled we can not really discuss anything Catholic on here. So I am probably done here as well.

I stay off all other religious threads. But that's not good enough. So Have a great day FourtySeven.

126 posted on 07/17/2014 9:43:18 AM PDT by defconw (Both parties have clearly lost their minds!)
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To: pgkdan

**Only if the electors are open to the Holy Spirit. I don’t believe the majority of Cardinals today are open to anything but church politics.**

This is a very general statement and cannot refer to all electors.

What specific examples do you have? With the source, please.


127 posted on 07/17/2014 10:07:18 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: metmom; FourtySeven
How can whether one understands or believes in “free will” have anything to do with salvation? First of all there’s the Catholic issue of “it’s not mentioned in scripture” as we here about Sola Scriptura all the time. Then there’s the issue of Paul answering the jailer as to how he could be saved. Paul’s answer was a succinct “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Paul didn’t expound on “dogma” as to “free will” or any other such thing. Then there are the accounts of people being saved in scripture. Per one account 3,000 were saved. It is certain that they didn’t spend days, weeks or months being taught “dogma”. That applies to every “dogma” the Catholic Church demands people believe in.

If the Catholic Church is correct much of scripture is in error. But if scripture is correct than the Catholic Church is in error.

128 posted on 07/17/2014 10:41:16 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
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To: metmom; FourtySeven
How can whether one understands or believes in “free will” have anything to do with salvation? First of all there’s the Catholic issue of “it’s not mentioned in scripture” as we here about Sola Scriptura all the time. Then there’s the issue of Paul answering the jailer as to how he could be saved. Paul’s answer was a succinct “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Paul didn’t expound on “dogma” as to “free will” or any other such thing. Then there are the accounts of people being saved in scripture. Per one account 3,000 were saved. It is certain that they didn’t spend days, weeks or months being taught “dogma”. That applies to every “dogma” the Catholic Church demands people believe in.

If the Catholic Church is correct much of scripture is in error. But if scripture is correct than the Catholic Church is in error.

129 posted on 07/17/2014 10:41:16 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
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To: redgolum

Someone who finds themselves in postition 2 should get a church annulment before remarrying. That’s all it takes to remaining eligible for Communion. Takes time and resources, but in the end it will be worth it.


130 posted on 07/17/2014 10:45:06 AM PDT by tioga (WFTD...be there or be square.)
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To: metmom; FourtySeven
>> My salvation is not tied to what church I attend or even the fact of attending church.<<

Amen to that! Paul answered the question very succinctly when he answered the jailer’s question. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Any “requirements” beyond that disrespect what Christ did in His death, resurrection and ascension and risk what the statement “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” does.

131 posted on 07/17/2014 10:45:47 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
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To: defconw; Religion Moderator
But like the moderator just ruled we can not really discuss anything Catholic on here.

That's nonsense. The RM said no such thing.

132 posted on 07/17/2014 10:47:17 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: CynicalBear; FourtySeven

The argument that I’ve heard is that if you believe in *free will* then it puts salvation in the works category, IOW, you have to do something to earn it.


133 posted on 07/17/2014 10:49:58 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom; FourtySeven; caww
>>The idea of eternal security is a matter of debate amongst Christians. It hasn't been settled in 2,000 years and I doubt that we'll settle it now, but I'll give you my take on it after thinking it through some more.<<

Some points to ponder. Jesus said that no one would be able to take His “sheep” from Him.

John 10: 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.…

Now, if a person proclaims Jesus as their Savior, which scripture also teaches cannot be done without the Father drawing them, and they are “given eternal life” who is it that will be able to “snatch them out of the Father’s hand”? I would take “no one” to include the person saved since we know that it’s Satan who would draw someone away from Christ. If they can be “snatched away” than the Father is not “greater than all”.

134 posted on 07/17/2014 11:01:43 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
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To: caww; FourtySeven; metmom
>>"Dogma" is a meaningless endeavor apart from the above.......and all denominstions are full of Dogma "students" who have entirely missed the message of 'Christ in You.' <<

Amen, Amen, and Amen!

135 posted on 07/17/2014 11:04:06 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
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To: caww
>>Either His work is ‘enough’ and we are ‘complete’ in Him....as is written...and as HE said. Or by denying the security He gives one is simply riding a fence of indecision.....which is rejecting Him.<<

Amen!!! You’re on a role girl!!

136 posted on 07/17/2014 11:06:06 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
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To: CynicalBear
Well, there are these verses as well. We are SEALED by the Holy Spirit. He is the GUARANTEE of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.

I don't know how much clearer it can be.

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 5:4-8 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3156607/posts?page=313#313

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

For which the Greek, from the Byzantine, is:

2Corinthians 1:21-22 ο δε βεβαιων ημας συν υμιν εις χριστον και χρισας ημας θεος ο και σφραγισαμενος ημας και δους τον αρραβωνα του πνευματος εν ταις καρδιαις ημων

The first word in bold above is “bebaion,” the idea of confirmation, frequently used in commercial settings to confirm a bargain. Which of course makes sense of the remaining terms used here, which are also elements of a secured contract.

The second word in bold above is “sphragisamenos,” being sealed is to be marked by the signature, signet ring, or other unique proof of identity, that we belong to God, and this sealing is done by God, who is the one taking action in this verse. We do not and cannot seal ourselves. We do not, by our own powers, have access to God’s “signet ring.”

The third bolded word above is “arrabona,” and indicates what we might loosely refer to as earnest money, but in Hebrew culture conveys more the idea of a pledge of covenant, a security given as a guarantee that the deal will go through, though we only receive part payment at the beginning. See ערב for the related Hebrew stem indicating “pledge.”

Also, the man who was sinning in the Corinthian church was still considered a believer. And Paul said that the reason why some were weak and sick and some had died was because they were not taking communion in a worthy manner, sin in their lives, I'd figure.

137 posted on 07/17/2014 11:06:55 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: defconw
>>I mean we were having a nice conversation then I see the bashers moving in.<<

You did see where the “bashers” moved in right? It was in a post to you after all. Reference post 26. Hypocrisy comes to mind.

138 posted on 07/17/2014 11:14:43 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
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To: FourtySeven
The Assemblies of God believe one can loose one’s salvation (they reject “Eternal Security” in other words) while the Presbyterians do not believe one can loose one’s salvation. It’s all right there in the links you provided. And clearly this too has a direct impact on one’s salvation.

Their statement is this....God does not let anyone go easily. (See Romans 10:21 where Paul was speaking of Israel, but the principle applies.) But a believer can be lost if he disregards the continuing checks of the Holy Spirit a nd reaches the point where he rejects Jesus as his Saviour.

Which is not LOSING one's salvation through works, but rather actively choosing to reject it as an act of that same will that they used to accept it.

There is debate amongst Christians about whether someone can CHOOSE to REJECT the gift of salvation once they have it, but then it's really a matter of whether they ever were really saved to begin with.

139 posted on 07/17/2014 11:17:17 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: CynicalBear

Post 26 is not mine. Gray fuzzy people that I referred to our the ones in my own Church and I sure have the right to call them out on it. So your quibble on that post is not with me.


140 posted on 07/17/2014 11:23:34 AM PDT by defconw (Both parties have clearly lost their minds!)
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